Groups: Divisions, Diversity, Empowerment, and Encouragement
2017 marked another tremendous milestone for the United States of America. On January 20th, the Presidential election that commenced over the course of 2016 had reached its climax as Donald J. Trump was inaugurated into office. Since his induction, both the Republican and Democratic parties, along with the rest of society, began to engage the situation on many angles and in a number of ways. There were many different emotions that individuals expressed throughout the following months, both positive and negative. However, these waves of emotions that passed through society were not the only affects that President Trump’s inauguration prompted. Although the President’s personality and current structure for running the nation may not be too formal, and may even be questionable, there are a number of other factors to consider when dealing with the tensions that still arise within our society. The thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions that were implemented by many also caused various divisions among different groups, along with more diversity among one another.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for the 2016 election, has continued to provide support for her political party through multiple campaigns, fundings, and other activities. Some of these other activities revolve around small group participation within the political realm. Her purpose for participating throughout these certain groups is to ensure that the Democratic party is well-maintained and successful for society. However, like many individuals who tend to get caught in the unfortunate hypocrisy of modern liberalism, one of her more recent involvements included another attempt to demean and discredit our current President. The launching of her new political group, “Onward Together,” provides nothing more than increased tension and discourse for political and societal groups alike. The emotions and attitudes that are established within this new-founded group continue to reflect more bias, anger, and disrespect in many different areas. Steve Peoples of the Associated Press explains in his article that the group “aims to empower Democrats and (other) liberal groups that are building a network of candidates in the 2018 mid-terms to oppose President Donald Trump” (U.S.News). The “fighting-fire-with-fire” approach that Hillary and her new political group pose will only cause further issues within today’s culture. This movement will ultimately result in the wrong form of change.
President Trump’s words, actions, behaviors, and overall leadership have been extremely difficult to adhere when considering our current societal conditions. Individuals who carry certain emotions and behaviors that reflect the qualities of hate, rage, bigotry, racism, along with a variety of other ungodly characteristics, are undoubtably unfit for leading an entire nation. Although his intentions and motives are often testy, it is still our job as citizens however to continue striving for maintaining social justice and peace in many areas of life, including encouragement and support for our leaders. Hillary, along with her group Onward Together, provides no indication of resolution when it comes to fixing the problems at hand. Groups such as hers are often created with an agenda to solve these problems however, and with those who usually preserve the same motives and intentions. Working together in a collective nature means that individuals must be prepared to humble themselves as they delegate and initiate solutions to help other groups grow and learn in a well-oriented manner. Groups that form under these conditions are clearly the ones who elevate society in a gentle, respectful, positive, and God-honoring way. Encouraging and supporting one another collectively, rather than demeaning and disrespecting, is what we are called to do, allowing for an exceptional outcome for society.
Groups defined.
Of course, we must understand that individuals who participate within the realm of politics, among other things, are divided into a number of groups and subgroups. Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative, Social, and Green parties are all prime examples of the multiple groups that are formed around the political province. As seen with Hillary’s group however, we also must come to understand that small groups are often implemented as a part of societal reconstruction, for better or worse.
Stephen Grunlan and his colleagues define groups in another one of his chapters within the Christian Perspectives. They record a very prominent explanation for which they state that “in order to understand what happens in groups, it is necessary to know what is meant by human interaction” (p. 151). People who engage in small group activity have more opportunities to become intimate and relational with one another. This also allows for them to build stronger bonds and connections through certain productions, communications, similarities, and interests. In addition, Grunlan and company evaluate the group configuration and dissect its structure into five main parts: behavioral, emotional, norms, goals, and values. These levels of social design for groups are the founding principles that allow for growth and personal connection between individuals. However, these group settings, along with their founding principles, could also result in a negative outcome if they are unaccounted for, or not maintained properly.
Personal reflection.
Leadership takes an extensive amount of practice, patience, and perseverance, especially while working as a mid-level individual within a multi-billion dollar corporation. It has been well over 10 years since I have worked in such a business, and as a Supervisor with a number of varying group relations. However, I was never secluded from interpersonal relations within my given position either. There were about four to five others who happened to share in the same supervisal roles, allowing for us as Supervisors to maintain our own group. Each of the individuals who served on the supervisal staff were responsible for the care and support of the first- and second-level workers, while still upholding and respecting upper-level management. Although both of these groups faced a few challenges within their own level, the majority of issues arose when conflict occurred between the lower and upper groups.
Thankfully, we as a group of Supervisors gained confidence and encouragement in knowing that our positions retained stability due to the connection we had with one another. In addition, we were able to parallel the five levels of social design in an upright, just, respectable, and positive way in order to better serve the other groups. As we pursued these issues between the other groups collectively with steadiness in behavior, calm emotions, and following through in our norms, goals, and values that we committed to in bringing tranquility, our supervisal group continued to provide stability and peace to the workplace. Our group was able to overcome these difficulties in a proper manner without demeaning, discrediting, or disrespecting anyone.
Christ’s influence.
While groups from many different diversities and backgrounds come together in their own unique way, there was one individual who taught on the true value of group activity and fellowship: Christ. As Jesus walked this earth, God’s Word emphasizes Christ’s engagement with multiple groups throughout the Gospel. It also records a number of references by the Apostles to back-up the foundations of encouragement and support for one another as they resemble Christ’s example. These references are set primarily for groups to build unity, rather than tearing it down:
- Encouraging and strengthening. Many Christians who participated in groups around the nation of Israel were continually prompted to encourage and strengthen one another in the faith after Christ’s accession. However, this encouragement is also very prominent when dealing with major groups, such as social and political, in today’s modern culture (Rom. 15:5; I Cor. 15:58; Eph. 2:1–4, 4:16; I Thes. 5:11).
- Empathetic. Christ and the Apostles also instruct individuals to show empathy for one another as they continue to provide support within many groups. By understanding what other individuals are experiencing, groups are able to become much more vulnerable and intimate with one another, allowing for more growth (Rom. 6:5, 12:16; Eph. 2:1–4; Col. 3:13–14).
- Peace-bearing. Although there will always be conflict within society due to the presence of the enemy, it is required that we as individuals who participate in groups provide peace-bearing solutions to those who engage in conflict (Mal. 2:10; Rom. 12:16; I Cor. 10:24).
- Full unity. Each of the factors listed above provides a well-rounded foundation for unity within group participation. By maintaining proper unity among those who share in positive, godly characteristics, motives, and intentions, groups are able to expand their encouragement and support to other groups in need (Ps. 133:1; I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:11–13; Col. 3:13–14).
- Beware of those causing divisions. Among other things, Christ and the Apostles also elaborate on the instruction to wisdom when dealing with those who cause divisions and destroy group unity. If an individual’s motives are to demean, dictate, or disrespect, a group should be willing to abstain from such people (Rom. 16:17–18; I Cor. 1:10; Tit. 3:9–11).
Individuals who are able to participate or lead different groups are certainly granted an incredible opportunity to learn, to grow, and to become intimately engaged with one another. As each person is able to contribute certain qualities that provides encouragement and support for their group in a Christlike manner, they will ultimately see a positive change that occurs for that group. However, for many others, such as Onward Together, individuals must keep in mind the severe detriments that could also occur if acting upon a negative, five-level social design (behaviors, emotions, values, etc.). Although conflicts are never-ending, it will take the humility and patience of individuals to embrace those who may have opposing views. By engaging with groups in an encouraging, peaceful, and respectful way, society may come another step closer to finding that balance in unity.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Grunlan, Stephen A. Christian Perspectives on Sociology. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1982.
Peoples, Steve. “Hillary Clinton Launching New Political Group.” U.S.News, 15 May 2017, https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-05-15/hillary-clinton-launching-new-political-group.
Schoffstall, Joseph. “Donors to Anti-Trump ‘Resistance’ Group Revealed.” Fox News, 4 Oct.2017, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/04/donors-anti-trump-resistance-group-revealed.html.
The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.
