Tag: politics

NEWS FLASH: The Election is Over–  Let’s Love One Another Again. 

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

Donald Trump is the president elect. There are those in our church who are glad and those in our church who are unhappy with the results of last week’s national election.  That is the way elections work. Someone wins. Someone loses.  My concern is how the country and more specifically how the church moves forward (no matter who happens to be residing in the White House). 

I’m going to sound like an old man (which is Ok because I am an old man): We don’t have to be so divided. We don’t have to be this way. It wasn’t always like this. Democrats and Republicans could be friends. Hang out together. Actually, enjoy each other’s company. They knew how one another voted and it didn’t send either into a tailspin. It was OK. Everyone loved the country. They just had different ideas on how it should be governed. 

I’ve talked to so many people who have lost friendships or worse over the election. They aren’t going to Thanksgiving family celebrations because of the political divide within their family. Are you kidding me? (OLD MAN ALERT AGAIN: Everyone needs to grow up).

Repeat after me: Relationships are more important than politics. Relationships are more important than politics. Relationships are more important than politics. 

People who voted for Kamala Harris are good Americans. So are those who voted for Donald Trump. Are there crackpots on both sides of the aisle? Of course, but let me remind you, Jesus said we are to love our neighbors (presumably even the goofballs). Even if our neighbor had yard signs for a candidate we didn’t like, we still need to love them. Paul wrote: “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:15). Jesus said this about our family members with whom we may disagree, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:22-23). In other words, relationships matter! Even if our crazy cousin Harold spouts crazy conspiracy theories all day long. We still need to love him and his booger eating kid. 

Love means you talk. Love means you care. Love means you are present. Love means you are respectful. Love means you say, “I’m sorry.” Love sometimes means you zip your lip and say nothing. Love means you are constantly looking for the good, not the bad. Love means you say (or type on your keyboard) things that build up and not tear down. Love means… love. Honest. Faithful. True. Consistent. Persistent. Keeping no record of wrongs. Love Always Protects. Always trusts. Always Hopes. Always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:6-8a)

News Flash: the election is over. One side won. The other side lost. That’s the way the system works. No gloating. No bitterness. Let’s move forward as a country. Let’s try to be legitimately called “the UNITED States of America” (ALL CAPS ON PURPOSE). Let’s work together. Let’s be the great hopeful nation that everyone wants it to be. Let’s love one another again.

Election Year Preaching: Keep Jesus In, Politics Out

On By Rob Prince2 Comments

The nation is on the cusp of what could be the most contentious USA political season in modern memory. My approach to election year sermonizing is simple. Keep Jesus in, politics out. 

I don’t endorse a candidate from the pulpit. I don’t allow candidates to come “share their testimony” while up for re-election (I’m not opposed to Jesus-following politicians sharing their testimony, just not from the platform during their election). Side note: in 2016 a prominent presidential political figure wanted to “share his testimony” at Central church, I said, “Thanks but no thanks. We’d love to have you share your testimony after the election.” Haven’t heard from him since. (Notice the quotation marks are only around “sharing their testimony” when the intention is to garner votes, not garner praise to Jesus). 

The USA is more divided than ever. It’s quite possible that the eventual winner in the upcoming presidential election could win without 50% of the vote (depending on the third party candidates). When I look at those numbers, I remind myself that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for 100% of the people. So how do we reach 100% without alienating 50% or more? It’s done by preaching Jesus. Keeping Jesus in. Politics out. 

The reality is that preaching Jesus (and the Bible) will upset those on either side of the political spectrum from time to time. Jesus is the Lamb, not the donkey or elephant. Preaching Jesus is the antidote to partisan political rhetoric infiltrating sermons and thereby water-down the Gospel. Keep preaching Jesus. Let the Gospel speak for itself. Let the Gospel inform voters how to vote. Let Jesus be our Voter Guide. Let Jesus be our deciding factor. 

The preacher’s job is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. Period. The job description is simple: Make Disciples. Baptize them. Teach them the ways of Jesus (See the Great commission). I’m not called to make Republicans or Democrats or any other political party member or group. I am Christ’s ambassador, no other. I’m not called to tell you how to vote. I’m called to tell you about Jesus – the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is the Answer and the truth of Jesus’ message can/should inform our voting. Just preach Jesus and all the rest (political and otherwise) will take care of itself!

In an election year, it’s important for the preacher to keep Jesus in and politics out.