This week I corresponded with S3K Leadership Network member Craig Taubman about his upcoming appearance at Saddleback Church.

JSL: Why did you accept Rick Warren’s invitation to Saddleback?

CT: Quite simply, I do not get invited to church all that often. I find that experiencing the same thing over and over again with the same people in the same setting to be boring. I like change. I like to see and experience new things. For a nice Jewish boy, singing at church, especially a church with 20,000 people, is anything but boring.

JSL: Clearly he stands for a lot that you don’t agree with — so what’s the point?

CT: I don’t agree with a lot of people. This email is too short even to list my short list. But just because I don’t agree with them, does not mean I cannot associate with them. And, just because I associate with them, does not mean I endorse them. Furthermore, if my desire for dialogue and growth is real, then I must be willing to dialogue not only with the people I agree with but also those who do not share my values.

Rick and I do not see eye to eye on a number of things. However, it is much more productive for me to have this conversation with him then with people of like minds where we can sit in agreement all day and night. And unless I am in the same room with him I cannot have this conversation. I can engage him or ignore him. I feel the chance to engage such an influential personality is much more beneficial.

JSL: In your experience, what have you gained from engaging with people with whom you have strong disagreements?

CT: I have gained bruises, and hurts and pains. But I have also gained insight and wisdom. There is an expression in Hebrew; Kol hatchalot kashot: every beginning is difficult. Like a good run or workout, the beginning can often be tough (that’s why you stretch). If it were easy, the upside, would not be so …up!

I think it is important to acknowledge that while I do not support many of their views (the Iraq war, homosexuals, Jesus as savior, abortion) my guess is that I do share many of their values (I like to pray, gather in groups, minister to the fringes, help the needy).

JSL: Have you ever felt like you’ve compromised on your own identity or values at all? Has the experience ever clarified your identity or values?

CT: One of my core values is to be open to the ideas and experiences of the other. By visiting Saddleback I am not only honoring this value but creating an opportunity for others to learn more about me and my faith. I have never attended an interfaith gathering where I have felt less about who I am and what I believe. Interestingly, I cannot say this holds true about all the Jewish events I have attended.

So …In general, I think we all know what’s good for us and what is not. If we believe an idea or activity will lead to growth or pleasure, we adopt or adapt it and if not, we usually vote with our feet! I think this Sunday will lead to new ideas and new relationships and possibly even new perspectives for Rick and his people.

I’ll let you know in 10 years.

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