From Labor Day forward in 2020, we will find ourselves in the midst of a presidential election as well as races for the United State Senate, United House of Representatives, state legislatures, and numerous other state and local offices around the country. As is the case every four years, the presidential race will set the tone for the election cycle in general. The outcome of the presidential election generally has some impact on races down the ballot. It will be of interest to find out whether that will be the case when we wake up on Wednesday, November 4 – the day after the general election. The 2020 election cycle will be hard fought and exhausting over the next several weeks.
In case you are wondering, no, I am not going to endorse any candidate for United States President, or any other public office, in this blog, or in the context of my role as pastor of Saloma Baptist Church or as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While I have been active in politics, and even more in the advocacy and development of public policy, I have never felt it appropriate to use the position of pastor as a means of advocating for a particular candidate or a particular political party. I fully realize that others in the ministry would disagree with me on that decision that I made years ago, but it is a decision that I made early in my call to the pastoral ministry and one that I have never felt I should change.
That does not mean that I have not personally supported candidates for public office at the local, state, and national office. As most of you are aware, I served on the staff of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for three years – early in my tenure as pastor of Saloma Baptist Church. I served as chair of the Education Transition Team for the Governor-Elect in 2003. I have been humbled to serve on a number of state, regional, and local boards and commissions. Active advocacy for certain public policies has been a part of my entire professional career.
As a pastor, I have spoken out on a number of important issues that have a moral aspect to them, and I have not hesitated to work to influence local, state, and national officials to make decisions that are in keeping with our values as Christians. That is a part of my calling and a part of the prophetic work of ministry – including the call to speak truth to power when necessary. Sometimes, it is necessary to take a moral stand on given issues even when the moral position is not necessarily popular with the culture at large, or even with some in the church. Following the example of Jesus, we can assuredly be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” while maintaining a positive and humble witness for our Savior and Lord.
This year’s election, unfortunately, will most likely be one of the most divisive and bitter in our modern American history. The widespread availability and use of social media gives rise to unfounded conspiracy theories that are gaining footholds in the mainstream of our political discourse, and many people increasingly choose which online media sources they will read and believe – i.e., they choose to read and believe those which reinforce their preconceived biases and ideas. Debates become little more than shouting matches, and candidates seem to choose to mouth falsehoods more than meaningful policy proposals. Personal attacks are the order of the day – and candidates’ family members are subject to vicious slanderous and libelous onslaughts.
So, this brings me to this point. What should we as believers in Jesus Christ do about all of this? First, we must be involved. Second, we must vote. Third, we should be praying for all the candidates for public office and their families. Fourth, it should be our expectation that candidates will tell the truth and that they will engage in positive campaigning. Fifth, we should let all candidates know that they cannot automatically expect our vote as Christians – just because the candidate is of a particular political party. Six, it should now be apparent to us that character does in fact matter for those whom we elect to public office. It matters in other professions – why should it not matter in public office? Seventh, a candidate should be judged by whether he or she will work to unite people, or is that candidate one that simply campaigns on the basis of dividing people and demeaning people. As Christians we are called to bring people together and to build bridges across lines that have historically divided us – we should reflect that part of our faith in the way we vote and the way we live. Eighth, we should hold our candidates for pubic office, and those who are elected, accountable to work to improve the quality of life for all people – not for just a few – no group of people should be excluded – Jesus died for all – and we should work to improve quality of life and opportunity for all.
In closing, let me offer another very important point. Much too often in American history, we have misplaced our loyalties – by apparently believing that a particular political party or ideology will bring about the Kingdom of God. Much too often, Americans have turned to elected officials with the expectation that those officials, and the particular political party they represent, will bring about the Kingdom of God. That is wrong! As Christians we are citizens of the Kingdom of God – and that citizenship cannot be abdicated to a political party or ideology – we will always be disappointed when we are guilty of placing our trust in political leaders and parties to bring about God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is spiritual and eternal – and based on our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The kingdoms of this world are material and temporal. When November 3 comes around, vote for the candidates of your choice. Make an informed choice. Pray about your vote. But remember that you are voting for a human being to run a particular political office. May God bless you as you make important choices – and may He guide us and keep us in all things.