One Church Has Lessons on a House (of God) Divided

c. 2007 Religion News Service CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio _ Two large evergreens stand on either side of the white columns leading into Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian. A white bell tower and steeple sit atop the brick Georgian Colonial building across from a park. Inside, wooden pews with red seat covers face the Communion table, a […]

c. 2007 Religion News Service

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio _ Two large evergreens stand on either side of the white columns leading into Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian.

A white bell tower and steeple sit atop the brick Georgian Colonial building across from a park. Inside, wooden pews with red seat covers face the Communion table, a large wooden cross suspended above the table.


Who could disturb such a peaceful spiritual setting? Try President Bush and Sen. Hillary Clinton, for starters.

As in many other congregations and denominations in America, the liberal-conservative divide on some of the most contested issues of our time _ gay rights, abortion, Iraq _ and the politicians each side loves to hate has challenged the unity of Forest Hill.

When tensions from the 2004 elections affected the community, church leaders decided to bring the conversation into the open. For more than two years, a diverse group of members has listened to one another’s stories of faith and how they have struggled to understand “God’s values.”

What began as a way to address political hostility turned into a transformative journey of faith that has helped participants appreciate how much they have in common. Strong friendships formed as stereotypes tumbled.

Now, the Forest Hill group wants to share the affirmation of shared faith and the set of principles they developed _ from the need to commit to justice to the ideas that all are made in God’s image, and human understanding of God is imperfect _ with other religious groups seeking a way out of the wilderness of political confrontation.

“Make peace, not fear” is the message of the Forest Hill group. “Those whom we fear cannot teach us; those we make afraid cannot see God’s love in us,” the group declared in its guiding principles.

There was a great deal of uncertainty when the Rev. John Lentz assembled about a dozen members from different political and social perspectives in December 2004. Lentz sensed a partisan divide in the church from the bitterly contested race between Bush and Democrat John Kerry, and he wanted to explore why the tension existed.


Early on, the conversations were tentative. But as participants began to listen to one another and share their fears, concerns and spiritual beliefs, they found inspiration in the values and the faith they shared.

The focus shifted from trying to convince people who held different beliefs that they were wrong to listening to other church members talk about how their views were shaped by having a family member in the military or escorting women into abortion clinics.

“Our search for God’s values must be guided, first and foremost, by humility,” members concluded in a written affirmation of faith developed out of the discussions. “Pride blinds us to grace.”

The group further found that amid differences in politics and beliefs, “when we seek and share God’s values our differences can lead to creative dialogue instead of confrontational disagreement.”

Respecting one another also meant being open to change.

Jeff Phillips says he no longer can listen to the constant criticism of liberals by commentators such as Rush Limbaugh. While Phillips may understand the reason the country went to war in Iraq, he calls the idea that those who oppose the war are unpatriotic “nonsense _ that’s just nuts.”

Thomas Zych used to think of the abortion issue in terms of the more extreme tactics of groups such as Operation Rescue. But he has gained greater respect for those who oppose legalized abortion through the Forest Hill conversations and knowing people who offer compassionate care to needy newborns.


“That issue is probably the razor’s edge in my mind,” he said. “It is now a profoundly uncomfortable issue for me.”

As senior pastor, Lentz said he is more careful to be sensitive to the opinions of others. The pastor said he becomes angry when religious conservatives identify themselves with “Christian values,” but he does not want to turn around and diminish those who disagree with him.

“John, be careful,” he tells himself in preparing sermons. “Sometimes in making yourself clear, you can marginalize some folk.”

In conversations, the easy humor that partisans use to reduce figures such as Bush and Clinton to hurtful caricatures is no longer acceptable, Lentz said.

“Don’t go there,” Lentz said. “We can’t go there.”

The Forest Hill group wants to reach a wider audience with its affirmation of faith and guiding principles. The church has submitted articles to religious publications and is offering to help other congregations interested in taking a similar journey.

Church members say they have taken only the first step. Still, participants hope the guiding principles will help others travel “the kingdom road.”


The culture may encourage it, but religious people must resist the temptation to build themselves up by tearing others down, group members say.

“What we need to do is be inclusive of others, not be exclusive,” member Scott Lafferty said. “We are all children of God.”

The Forest Hill “Values Document” is available at the church Web site, http://www.fhcpresb.org.

(David Briggs writes for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.)

KRE/CM END BRIGGS900 words

A photo illustration is available via https://religionnews.com.

Editor’s Note: RNS-AMERICAN-FAITH is an occasional feature that spotlights the changes and currents flowing through American congregations and faith communities. The stories in AMERICAN FAITH depict a ground-level view of what faith looks like in America amid changing demographics, worship styles and beliefs.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!