In a time when it feels like almost everything is contested, one of the deepest longings I hear from people is simple and heartfelt: a desire for unity. We want our community to be a place where neighbors trust one another, where differences do not immediately turn into divisions, and where people feel safe, seen, and valued. That longing is good and faithful. Unity matters.

At the same time, unity does not mean silence. It does not mean pretending that pain is not real, or that injustice does not exist. True community is not built by asking those who are hurting to be quiet so the rest of us can remain comfortable. Real unity is stronger than that. It dares to tell the truth, to listen deeply, and to stand alongside those who are being pushed to the margins.

For people of faith, this calling is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Proverbs 31:8–9, we are commanded, “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” That is not a suggestion or an optional extra. It is a clear call to use our voices on behalf of those whose voices are ignored or silenced.

Jesus embodied this calling throughout his life and ministry. In Luke 4:18–19, Jesus describes his mission using the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor… to let the oppressed go free.” Again and again, Jesus drew close to those who were excluded, judged, or overlooked. He did not do this to create division, but to restore dignity and wholeness.

That can feel uncomfortable in a polarized world. Speaking up for the vulnerable is sometimes labeled as political or divisive. But silence also communicates something. When people are experiencing fear, discrimination, or harm, and the rest of us say nothing, that silence can feel like abandonment.

The challenge before us is not choosing between unity and justice. The deeper challenge is holding them together. Unity rooted in love is not fragile. It does not break when someone names a hard truth. It grows when we refuse to dehumanize one another and when we insist that every person bears the image of God.

Here in Owatonna, we are not immune to the tensions shaping our nation, but we also have a long history of showing up for one another. We will continue to be a community that seeks peace without ignoring pain, builds bridges without erasing differences, and uses its voice to lift those who most need to be heard. That kind of unity is not only possible; it is essential. It is faithful.

This post was first released as a “Pastor’s Perspective” column in the Owatonna People’s Press, Saturday, February 14, 2026