Rev. Jonathan Hall’s Quest for Unity at North Hollywood Church

Group holding hands with open books on table — christian small group holding hands and praying together around wooden table with blurred open bible page in home room, devotional or prayer meeting concept

A Los Angeles church grapples with political divisions as members depart over differing views.

At a Glance

Rev. Jonathan Hall of First Christian Church in North Hollywood faces challenges in balancing political discord among congregants
The church experienced member departures following a recent presidential election
Hall focuses on biblical teachings to bridge political divides and restore harmony
Los Angeles showed unexpected support for Trump, with 40% of votes in the recent election
The pastor questions the appropriate level of political discourse in church

Political Tensions in a “Blended Congregation”

Reverend Jonathan Hall of First Christian Church of North Hollywood finds himself at the center of a growing challenge: maintaining unity in a politically diverse congregation. The church, described as a “politically-blended congregation,” has members from various political affiliations. However, tensions escalated following the recent presidential election where Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris, leading to the departure of some congregants over political disagreements.

The situation in Los Angeles reflects a broader trend, as the traditionally liberal city showed more support for Trump than anticipated. In fact, Trump received 40% of the votes in the recent election, a significant shift that has reverberated through communities, including religious institutions like First Christian Church.

Balancing Act: Biblical Teachings and Political Discourse

In response to the growing divide, Rev. Hall has adopted a strategy of addressing political issues through the lens of biblical stories rather than focusing on contemporary political figures. He employs a scripture reading plan to avoid accusations of political bias in his sermons. This approach allows him to tackle sensitive topics, such as immigration, without making overt political statements.

“what’s ‘too political’ for a place of worship — or whether ‘being political’ is the whole point of the Gospel”

Hall’s dilemma reflects a broader question facing many religious leaders today: determining the appropriate level of political discourse in church. He grapples with whether being political is inherently part of the Gospel’s message or if it risks alienating members of the congregation.

A New Approach to an Old Challenge

The challenge faced by Rev. Hall is not entirely new to the First Christian Church. His predecessor, Rev. Robert M. Bock, avoided discussing contemporary political issues during his 52-year tenure, even during contentious periods like the Vietnam War. Hall, however, is seeking a new approach that acknowledges the political realities of today while maintaining the church’s core mission.

“If you’re at a football game, one side wins, and everyone leaves. With a church [and the election], it’s like everyone is still there”

Hall compares the post-election atmosphere in the church to a football game where one side wins, but everyone remains in the stadium. This analogy highlights the unique challenge faced by religious institutions in maintaining unity despite political differences.

Striving for Unity Amid Diversity

As part of the Disciples of Christ denomination, which aims to unify Christian groups, First Christian Church of North Hollywood faces a particular challenge in living up to this mission. Hall believes in both comforting and confronting his congregation while also acting as a prophetic voice to provoke thought and change.

“And when somebody tells him they think a sermon was aimed at a specific politician, he says, ‘That’s one way to look at it!'”

Despite the challenges, Rev. Hall remains committed to fostering an environment where diverse political views can coexist within the church community. His approach encourages members to seek transformative questions in church, aiming to bridge the political divide through shared faith and understanding.