“Today, 98% of Americans state that incivility is a threat to this country,” said Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, Biola University professor of communication. “Does the Christian community have anything to offer in how to speak truth in love?”

In July, Muehlhoff and Biola professor Dr. Rick Langer, who together co-direct Biola’s Winsome Conviction Project, partnered with three notable groups committed to involving faith in public policy — Center for Christianity and Public Life, Faith & Law, and Cru’s Christian Embassy — to spend a week in Washington D.C. conversing with political leaders about speaking with Christian charity when navigating today’s political strife.

Winsome Conviction’s commitment to speaking the truth in love becomes especially relevant during particularly divisive times, such as the current election season, according to Muehlhoff. To encourage the Christian community to uphold such principles during what is anticipated as a tumultuous election season, Muehlhoff and Langer’s meetings in D.C. entailed speaking to those in established and emerging spheres of political influence.

The two professors met with generals in the Pentagon, political strategists at a private dinner and with over 100 Republican and Democratic interns in the senate building to speak on topics such as fostering unity, infusing rhetoric with winsomeness and civility and counteracting negative communication patterns.

The co-directors also met with Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, and aspiring high school leaders from across the country to encourage them in their like-minded endeavor to communicate with love despite today’s combative culture.

In addition, Faith & Law hosted a seminar that gave Muehlhoff and Langer the opportunity to edify Democratic and Republican interns on Capitol Hill on how to remain steadfast in their convictions when speaking to people with different perspectives.

When considering today’s argumentative culture, the need for Christian communicators becomes especially pertinent. According to Muehlhoff, Winsome Conviction plans on returning to Capitol Hill in 2025 as they continue their mission to advocate for and exemplify charitable speech in positions of leadership.

Listen to the Faith & Law seminar Muehlhoff and Langer gave on Capitol Hill. 

Learn more about Biola University’s B.A. in Communication and the Winsome Conviction Project.

Written by Katelyn Ho, strategic communication assistant. For more information, email mediarelations@biola.edu.