Currently Reading Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rendezvous with Destiny By Frank Freidel see related

It has been way too long since I posted anything here.  I have only the building project as an excuse.  Now that we are in the building, though, I hope to post more regularly. 

As my first return-post, I am linking to an article by Cal Thomas. 

So that everyone is aware, Cal Thomas is a politically conservative journalist.  In his article, he references Pulpit Freedom Sunday—an event that took place this past Sunday, September 28, in which 28 pastors in 20 states told their churches for whom the pastors thought church members should vote in the upcoming presidential election. 

Normally, I wouldn’t post something like this.  I agree, however, with Thomas’ conclusion.  Personally, as a pastor, I do not believe it is my responsibility to tell people for whom I think they should vote.  Though I am secure in my own political views, I believe serious-thinking, devout Christians can disagree with me and, therefore, vote differently. 

Those who attended our Sunday Worship Gathering know I was not one of the participants in Pulpit Freedom Sunday. 

For me, my role as a pastor works out differently.  Instead of telling church members how they should vote, I prefer to teach on how we should process political issues.  I am not as concerned with whom you vote for as how you make your decision.  I am most concerned that people in our church think Christianly.  Put simply, are your faith and understanding of God’s kingdom leading your decision? 

As Christians, I believe we are called to be Christians first, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, or Independents second. 

Four years ago, I did a sermon series entitled God’s Take on Politics.  In that series, I argued that God is neither a conservative Republican nor a liberal Democrat.  In fact, God isn’t even American!  That is still my view. 

I believe good Christians can vote Republican or Democrat.  As a pastor, I just want them to do so as Christians, not as Republicans or Democrats.  The Christian whose faith leads him or her to vote for the candidate who backs pro-life legislation has my support.  The person whose faith leads him or her to vote for the candidate that backs government programs to help the poor and downcast has my support.  For me, the key is that one’s faith leads to political ideology (or no ideology). 

As November 4 approaches, I hope we will all prayerfully consider our vote and let faith lead us in the ballot box, not propaganda and certainly not a pastor’s viewpoint (even if it’s mine).  As Christians, each of us should prayerfully make our choice.  We don’t get to pass on this by depending on the thoughts and decisions of others.