Discernment, democracy: Learning in our Idaho faith community good lessons for voters

A short and relevant history lesson: After the Revolutionary War, the American congregations that were formerly part of the Church of England had to figure out what to do once the United States was no longer politically tied to England. How would they adapt to the democratic impulses of the United States?

These congregations united themselves in the various states and called themselves the Episcopal Church (from the Greek word episkopos, meaning “bishop”), and they applied that democratic spirit of the day to church governance.

Not only would congregations have a say in their local leadership, but even the bishops of whole regions would be elected by delegates, both clergy and nonclergy. The church hierarchy would not get to pick its own successors; the people would have a central role in discerning who is called to leadership and governance.

For some, this may seem strange. Doesn’t that just make it all a popularity contest or a battle for votes?

What makes the process different is discernment. It’s not picking a favorite, the one who speaks like me or the one who says what I want to hear. Discernment is listening for what’s the best for the community now and in the future. Discernment is a willingness to ask hard questions and to listen to the answers, even if it’s not what we want to hear. Discernment leads to decisions that boost the common good, decisions that work toward justice and truth, and decisions that weigh carefully the needs of all.

Without discernment, such decision-making would be only about power and popularity. Either those in power would ensure they remain in power no matter the cost, or they would whip up frenzied mobs to maintain control through force. Neither of those is democratic, and neither is in the spirit of what it means to be American.

America, at its best, symbolizes a belief that authority comes from the gathered community. Leaders do not have a right to govern because they are wealthy, are from an aristocratic family or are members of a certain political party. Leaders are chosen by the people to do what is good for the community.

We all have a responsibility to discern, to listen and to reflect. If leadership is to be the best kind of leadership, we must not be lazy in mind or spirit. We have to be thoughtful people who can discern what is good, true and wise.

We cannot take the easy way out. If we are not wise and discerning, we will not elect wise and discerning leaders. If we are selfish, or vicious, or obsessed with fame, wealth or power, we will elect those kinds of leaders. Leaders reflect the people who elected them. It is the central fact of democracy.

So whether it be in church life or political life, the people cannot abdicate responsibility to be as wise and discerning as they can be for the good of the whole community.

The Episcopal Diocese of Idaho has been engaged in a long season of discernment on its leadership. On Saturday, Feb. 19, we assembled and chose the Rev. Joseph “Jos” Tharakan as bishop-elect. He attained a majority of both clergy and lay votes on the first ballot.

We now rejoice that we all had a chance to gather and discern the future together. It is a joy and a sacred obligation to be part of the discernment of the whole community.

I hope that as we Americans enter the election months this year, both in Idaho and elsewhere, everyone will engage in that sacred work of discernment as well.