David R. Brubaker (with additional contributors)
Fortress Press, 175 pages
Reviewed by Charlotte H. Lohrenz
David Brubaker encourages religious communities to participate with compassion, love and serious intention in rebuilding civil society. “When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization” begins with Brubaker normalizing polarization, illustrating a recurring phenomenon in American history and other countries. Brubaker distills the causes down to an equation: income inequality + identity threat + articulated grievance = polarization. The most effective prevention and intervention would be significant structural and cultural changes in the broader society or political system. Acknowledging that this is unlikely, Brubaker looks to local leadership to provide effective solutions to our current polarization.
Brubaker then discusses the challenges to leadership and the frequent personal costs of leading in polarized times. Providing effective leadership in polarized times requires clarity, compassion, courage and connection. Along with these “four C’s,” Brubaker presents models of communication and self-care to leaders in all situations, including congregations, to help their communities navigate a polarized culture and their times of high conflict.
The chapter “Communicating Across the Divide,” written with Everett Brubaker, and Carolyn Yoder’s chapter, “Trauma, Polarization, and Connection,” are possibly the most useful to congregational leadership. Many of us have encountered this material previously, yet here theory and practice are set out concisely and in a usable format, grounded in solid research and helpful language. The authors’ on-the-ground experience in conflicted situations shows through. Each balance storytelling, offering best and worst practices, while exploring the complexities of navigating divisive situations.
Brubaker acknowledges the limits of constructive conversation, including the reality of the time investment required in meaningful conversation and the futility of attempting to engage people “who insist on repulsive, racist and repugnant rhetoric.”
The latter caveat points to one of the weaknesses of the book. There is a minimal time given to addressing systems that have established the conditions ripe for polarization. Additionally, the book fails to dig coherently into the inherent risks or inefficacy of normalizing communication with individuals or collectives that deny or denigrate one’s own or another’s personhood. The book assumes a level of safety and the privilege to choose whether to confront polarization; these are entitlements not available to everyone.
All the authors provide rich anecdotes, yet are sadly thin on examples from the “average congregation.” The church communities referenced have made engaging in dialogue across the divide a significant part of their mission; perhaps, Brubaker’s implicit suggestion is that more religious communities need to follow suit if we are to effect change in this time.
This is a bracing and readable book on how to navigate this polarized age with courage and compassion. If you have ever wondered if there is any hope of a meaningful conversation with those with whom you disagree, if you find yourself avoiding difficult conversations or if you worry about the future of our congregations and country (and who has not?), spending time with “When the Center Does Not Hold” is an excellent place to jump in or to be encouraged.
Charlotte H. Lohrenz is pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.
