The red and blue body of Christ : preaching trust of God and other in a purple church

“Purple” congregations, those straddling the line between “red” conservatives and “blue” progressives, struggle in the current bifurcated political context of the United States. In such a purple congregation in Lawrence, KS, I have worked to demonstrate that preaching in a way that encourages trust of God and other helps to create unity by way of alterity. Over the course of three years, I have used sermon content, structure, and an inclusive sermon-writing process to encourage trust. As the congregation has engaged in a discernment process regarding policy toward LGBTQ persons, the thesis has been tested and has achieved measured success.