What is the role of faith in politics, or vice versa? How do you keep this in proper perspective, particularly during an election year?
Maple: We live in a time where politics is a part of our every day; often we can’t escape it even when we want to. The same should be true about our faith, though we seem much more adept at dodging that when we want to.
Because politics and faith are so much a part of our daily lives, we are forced to engage them both, which means they are often comingled … unfortunately the lines become blurred. Scripture teaches we cannot serve two masters … as Christ-followers we are called to prioritize Jesus, to have “no other God.” Our faith must influence our politics; if we are not intentional about that, our politics will influence our faith.
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As emotions run high, we must look at issues and candidates through a lens of faith. In my experience this lens of faith will bypass party lines and force us to dig deeper as we discern who the best leaders are to carry our communities and country forward. After all, our call from Christ is to serve others and consider the greatest good … not make decisions based on our own desires and agenda.
As a pastor, I think my responsibility is to make sure my congregation continues to allow their faith to influence their politics through daily disciplines and discernment. If we continue to pursue our faith and grow in our relationship with Christ it will inevitably influence our political perspective.
Kinion: When I was recently asked this question by a neighbor I simply replied that I believe as a Christian every decision I make should be informed by my faith. This applies to politics; I should always respond or support causes in a way that my Father in heaven would be happy with both my decision and my exercising of it with humility and compassion.
I encourage my congregation to be well informed, to pray, to vote their conscience, and to respect the opinions of others. Then without regard for who wins, our job is to continue to pray for our leaders that God has appointed.
Dennis: Faith does not shy away from its role in the world. Faith is a proactive response to life through a mature Christian worldview. …
While politics can be a difficult subject in the faith community by way of discussion, we must realize that many people have a calling to serve in roles where politics is central to their career. It’s a joy to serve several people who currently have local, state and federal posts.
Keeping proper perspectives on politics in the body of faith (Church) can be more about managing expectations instead of people or perspectives. Active listening can help a church to be reminded that their Shepherd (leader) is present as a help during difficult times, including an election year.
In recent months connecting with others has been curtailed and/or had to happen in different ways. Is there anything from this experience that should inform how people of faith live going forward?
Kinion: The last several months have been difficult for many and caused many churches to reevaluate how we gather and do ministry. I hope and pray that the end result will be a deep desire within God’s people to want to be connected to their church in person and to connect others to the faith family.
The internet and technology have made virtual gatherings possible, but I still prefer and desire seeing people face to face.
I think one benefit for the church could be for those who did not have a church family to now see the benefit of having people who long to see you, to encourage you and to support you through difficult times. I don’t know how people survive without a family of faith to walk through life with.
Dennis: There is a visible church and invisible church. They overlap but are not always motivated by the same mission and scope of calling.
The visible church has been more affected and realigned during social distancing and inability to meet in a church setting. “Churchiness” is a central tenet to the visible church, adhering to externals, more than being motivated by an internal higher calling.
The invisible church remains the bearer of the message of Light and Life (1 John 1:7), regardless of the times and despite external difficulties. (This concept of the church is often attributed to Saint Augustine.)
Riley Friends Church is stronger because of our shared experiences in 2020. We are growing numerically and had a planned relocation in February to accommodate for more space. If I had a single takeaway of how these times have impacted us, it’s that we really do need each other! …
One of our founding members and pillars passed away a couple weeks ago, and this has been hard on many of us. Leonard Haines of Miller’s Jewelry was such a blessing to the Greenfield community, and Betsy (Haines) was present in church just a few days afterward, reminding us there’s always a time for us in the service and love of others.
Maple: We are created to be relational people; when our connections with one another was taken away (or drastically changed) it impacted the very essence of who we are. Prior to COVID, the busyness of life had limited those whom we dive deep into life with … When the busyness was curtailed by the virus it highlighted how thin many of our relationships have become; loneliness and depression were a real struggle for many.
I will never forget that first ZOOM call with my Leadership Team. One leader simply said, “I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing other people.” The good news is that it also gave us a chance to get to know one another one again. I think this experience has made us more intentional about our relationships, willing to linger a little longer to really connect.
Yes, the virtual presence of the church has increased (and isn’t going away), but it will … be our relationships that carry us forward, our earnest care to connect with one another. My hope is that even as the busyness of our world returns, we’ve been reminded we need one another and those relationships are worth the investment.
{span style=”background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);”}What is the church’s role in promoting harmony and/or healing in our society?{/span}
Dennis: The mature Christian worldview has peace as a matter of the heart, first, before it’s promoted as external harmony in our collective communities. This principle is highlighted by the Apostle Paul: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NIV).{div dir=”auto”}It is imperative for the church to create, foster and promote a culture of practiced peace and lived-out faith. (You see this highlighted within the applied principle of John 13:35.){/div} {div dir=”auto”} {/div} {div dir=”auto”}When the internal message of the church equals the external practice, then great things happen within the society where the church is planted and takes root! We are fastened to a Rock (God) and fixed to the times as we continue to look for ways to love people.{/div}Maple: The church has a critical role in not simply promoting harmony and/or healing in our society but creating it as well. I think the church is uniquely equipped to be a voice in the midst of darkness, no matter the source of said darkness.
It starts by the church being bold enough to take on its most important mission … to love one another. I believe many Christians have dumbed down that commandment to simply mean we should not hate one another. To love someone is a greater call and is not accomplished until that person both sees and feels your love.
But loving is only one part of our call; we must also be willing to speak out against injustice wherever it pokes out its ugly head. This means we must be willing to gather people into uncomfortable spaces, ask people to wrestle with their ignorance and walk together in search of truth. If the church is not willing to do so, then we become part of the problem.
The church’s mission is to help the world be transformed through the love and power of Jesus Christ. Scripture reminds us that people experience God through love — not by saying it, but by doing it.
As important as it is for the church show love and boldly speak out against injustice, at the very core of that process is a heart to earnestly listen. It is our responsibility to both see and hear the pains of our community.
Healing and harmony will never be birthed out of silence; the church must be willing to create the space (internally and externally) for healing to happen. When we listen, we learn; and when we learn, we are able to love; and only when we love, are we truly able to live.
Kinion: With all the recent strife in America I believe the church should be leading out in sharing God’s love and message that all life is valuable, precious and useful.
The message of the church should be one of unity, respect and healing. After all, that is what Christ came for — not a political revolution but a spiritual revolution that says we are all created in the image of God and are being called by Him to be one family for eternity through Christ Jesus.
When my brothers and sisters hurt, I should hurt, and when they celebrate, I should celebrate. One body, many parts working together for the Glory of God. The church by design has a message of reconciliation and peace.
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Markus Dennis is the pastor of Riley Friends Church in Greenfield.
Roger Kinion is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield.
Ethan Maple is the pastor of Mt. Comfort Church in Buck Creek Township.
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I encourage my congregation to be well informed, to pray, to vote their conscience, and to respect the opinions of others.
Roger Kinion, Calvary Baptist Church
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When the busyness was curtailed by the virus it highlighted how thin many of our relationships have become…
Ethan Maple, Mt. Comfort Church
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When the internal message of the church equals the external practice, then great things happen within the society…
Markus Dennis, Riley Friends Church
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