Politics And The Church

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Photo: Alex Workman

[box_light]Today’s guest post is from Alex Workman. I had the absolute privilege of traveling with him on the 2012 Quarterlife Ultimate Road Trip, so let me tell you–––he’s wicked smaht (we did go to Boston, after all). Please visit his website, www.alexworkman.com, and give him a follow on Twitter. Thanks, –JS[/box_light]

I once had someone tell me that if I would even entertain the thought of voting for a Democrat, I must not be saved. Obviously, I took this irresponsible, emotionally charged comment with no offense, but it does show how the church is distorting who and what we, as believers, are.

We live in a world where in many places Jesus and the Republican party are interchangeable. I know a pastor that has a George Bush bobble-head doll in his office and others who would actively promote the Republican agenda and candidates from the pulpit. I even witnessed someone who made shirts that said “Jesus was a Republican” and I do take offense to that.

Health care is a huge issue in this election, and I am sure we will be hearing about all sorts of other social issues as well. Poverty is not just an issue in Africa and other third-world nations, but also an issue in the United States, the richest country in the world. When Jesus was on this earth, He charged His followers with taking care of the widows and the poor. The sad thing is that the Church doesn’t seem to be doing it.

It should never have been the responsibility of the government to take care of the widows and the poor, but because the Church, in many areas, ignores that call, the government must step in and do so. I remember reading a short article in Relevant Magazine a few years ago. I went back and found it and this is what it said…

The Power of Giving

If Christians had given the traditional 10% tithe of their income to their churches in 2004, instead of the 2.56% that they actually gave, there would have been an additional $164 billion available, according to a report released in October called :The State of Church Giving through 2004.” If the churches chose to funnel just $70-$80 billion of that additional income to missions and humanitarian works, the basic needs of every person on the globe would be provided.

With the Republicans calling for less taxes and a restriction on government programs, the church that is supporting them [GOP], is not fulfilling the need. While there are by far more “yeses” than “nos” in Scripture, it seems to me that all I hear about from mainstream Christianity are the things not to do. I totally agree with small government and decreased taxes, but if the poor and the widows are not being taken care of and if the church is not going to step up, someone else will have to. What kind of message does it send when Christians get up in arms about government sponsored (or mandated) programs while they are not actively living out mandates of scripture.

Yes, there are many amazing churches doing incredible things to serve those in need and by no means is this meant to be a knock on what they are doing. It is about the individual. It is so easy to attend church once a week and write a check. It is our time and energy that is a far greater commodity.

I am interested to see how the church addresses this year’s Presidential race. It is my hope the clergy of our nation do not quickly jump to endorse and/or place the emphasis only on a certain candidate or political party, but rather that they’d be quick to serve and challenge society in the loving way that Jesus did. There is too much division in our nation to have those calling themselves followers of Jesus not living out what they say they believe.

What say you?

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