Our approach to divisive issues makes all the difference

A local pastor will represent our region on an international front starting Sunday.

Parker Williams joined the Christian Climate Observers Program and will attend the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

We know this is a controversial topic in this area, but we want to thank Williams for his approach.

He’s going with the desire to know more. He wants to know what world leaders think, why they think it and what they want to do with that knowledge.

While we can’t all travel to Scotland for first-hand knowledge, or to Jefferson City or Washington D.C. to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth as it were.

But we can all inform ourselves on topics that are important in our worlds through trusted sources.

Williams grew up in agriculture and enjoys hunting and the outdoors. An interest in conservation became a natural concern for him, according to the fifth-generation farmer.

There are a lot of problems in the world and it can feel overwhelming, trying to understand and educate ourselves on all of the big questions.

But we hope that more of us can take Williams’ approach, and not rush to judgment on important matters.

That may mean just admitting I need to know more about something before making the big decisions.

Or separating the rumors on Facebook from what we really know about a situation.

And most importantly, being respectful of those who have different opinions. Being on the other side of an issue, no matter what the issue is, doesn’t mean our neighbors can’t be our friends.

We aren’t all going to agree on everything, but our approach to “divisive” issues can make all of the difference.