A few years ago I experienced the events in this story during a meeting of the Session at the congregation I was serving at the time. For those of you who are not Presbyterian – the Session is our version of the administrative body of leadership elected by the congregation.

I do not believe that this discussion was listed on the agenda for the evening, but it became the focal point of the meeting. Somehow the group got involved in a discussion of the differences in a business and a church. The expected points of view quickly surfaced – “a church is a caring organization” – “a business is driven by profit” – the usual and predictable division of the discussion. Finally, after some 30 to 40 minutes of discussion (seemed more like 3 or 4 hours) – one of the elders raised his hand for permission to speak. This particular person was known for his wisdom and clarity – and – for waiting to speak later in almost any discussion. Here is the gist of what he said:

It has been my experience that there are two kinds of people in the world – people who care about other people and people who do not. I have come to this realization from many years in both business and church. I have discovered both kinds of people in church, and I have also discovered both kinds of people in business. We should strive to be a church where members are people who care about other people.

My experience has led me to the observation that the words of this very wise and experienced elder were true. Labels – church or business – really did not distinguish between caring and non-caring. My recent experience indicates that this is also true for the labels – liberal or conservative.

Happily – at least for me – my colleague and friend Jim Rigby summed it all up in a very few words earlier today with a post of his own – so – with gratitude I conclude this post with the words of Jim Rigby:

It makes no difference whether someone is called “liberal” or “conservative.” The only question that matters is whether one is willing to share power with the masses and to redistribute wealth fairly.

My prayer is that we may all become people who truly care about other people!