I don’t know what bugs you, but I tend to get frustrated when people won’t talk to me, but happily talk about me. I prefer to be up front, to say what I think and then, at the very least agree to disagree. Amicably! I suppose it’s a family characteristic.

But it’s more than that. It’s an important Biblical principle too. This is how one New Testament writer puts it: “We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ.” In other words, we simply reveal our immaturity (or should I say childishness?) when we refuse to talk with those with whom we disagree.

Unity and harmony never flourish in a soil of silence or in a compost of backbiting. They grow when we listen to each other and when we are as willing to learn as much as we are to teach. We need to do more than win an argument; we need to win peoples’ respect.

This will help you understand why I was sad to read that newly-elected President Trump is reluctant to meet the Prince of Wales because they hold wildly divergent views on climate change. According to one report: “Members of Trump’s inner circle have warned officials and ministers that it would be counterproductive to “lecture” Trump on green issues and that he would ‘erupt’ if pushed. How sad can you get?

I have always thought that it does us good get out of our comfort zone and spend time with those with whom we disagree. Why shouldn’t we? We don’t know everything and history only goes to show that the most unshakeable conclusions can sometimes be way off beam.

In the same way, I have to disagree with the loud voices that have been telling Prime Minister May that she shouldn’t get too close to Mr. Trump, and that it will prove terribly awkward for the Queen if she has to meet President Trump.

Let’s think about the Queen’s predicament for a moment. Isn’t she supposed to be the ‘Defender of the Faith’? I can think of no better way of defending the faith than to do what Jesus did, and it’s clear that He was willing to mix with anyone and everyone, irrespective of their background or the way they lived. He upset the establishment of course when He went to tea with a Roman collaborator. And He astonished His friends because He was willing to spend time chatting to a ‘loose woman.’ But these were not isolated incidents. In fact, He did this kind of thing so often that he ended up being called the ‘Friend of sinners.’

Sadly, we prefer to keep our distance, forgetting that if we want to see people change, we need to show we care for them and respect them first, whatever their failings. Thankfully, given her long admirable track record, I am sure the Queen will do just that. And in so doing, she will be a great role model for us all.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]