As we moved into our building in June 2021, new people started coming regularly. In those first couple of months, I had two new people talk to me about the church. In the course of the two separate conversations, they both asked me what the church’s political position was. Now at that point I had been involved in church ministry for over 30 years and no one had ever asked me that question. I quickly responded that the church doesn’t have a political stance because we want to reach Democrats and Republicans with the message of Jesus. Our purpose is to build God’s kingdom by loving each other, serving the poor and sharing the gospel. We weren’t going to start talking about politics when we had these other more important purposes to invest in.
A number of years ago I read a good book called, The Preacher and the Presidents. It is the story of Billy Graham, the famous evangelist, and his relationship with the Presidents from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. It was written by two TIME correspondents. (TIME was a weekly magazine.) The book is very well written. I was so impressed with Graham and his ability not to get involved in politics but just love these men whether they were Republicans or Democrats. He always tried to stay neutral, and he readily admitted when he failed with that.
The authors were marveling about Graham’s ability to be neutral and love people no matter what political party they were from, especially in this age of bitter partisan hostility. Graham frequently stated throughout the book that his job was to preach the gospel and stay out of politics and love people on both sides of the aisle. He said over his many years around politics that he had met many people both Democrats and Republicans who were people of integrity doing their best for America. I read that and thought I want to be like Billy Graham in my ministry.
So, I always tell people to vote and participate in the political process however you want to. But don’t put your trust in a politician or a political party, they will only let you down. Put your trust in Jesus, “the author and perfector of our faith who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 When we do that our worlds are ordered correctly.
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