Responsibility and Politics

Welcome! As I venture into this new territory for me, I pray that I will be able to provide some food for thought. I know that you probably will never believe that a pastor would be at a loss for words, but occasionally I do run out of things to say. Nevertheless, I will try to keep this updated at least once a week. I will also try to keep my comments relevant.


Well, here goes--I had an interesting experience this last week. I was interviewed by a reporter from our local newspaper. I say interesting not because this has not happened befoe--it has, (afterall I am the only female senior pastor in town and I am still somewhat of a novelty), but because of the results of the interview. Anyway, I was asked two questions. First had I seen the political forum by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, which I had not been able to, and second what am I looking for in a Presidential candidate. Timely subject, I thought.

I tried to be as honest as I could be without holding up one candidate over another, mostly because I know some people at least take very seriously what I say, and I personally feel that everyone has to make up their own minds about this important issue. The experience was interesting because the reporter or the editors left out the one thing I said in the interview that I really wanted to see in print, (besides my personal desire for honesty and consistancy). I said that I believe strongly that we as Christians need to be in prayer for our country and for both men who are seeking the presidency. We need to be seeking God's will, not just this year, but in every election. Then we need to put our prayers into action by registering and voting. This was not in print.

What I didn't say were the reasons I have for feeling the way I do. Perhaps I should have. As I look back over history, I have noticed that when the people cease to care, or believe that they have no say, the vacuum created allows the very worst examples to take control. We Christians have a duty to stand up and be counted. We may be on different sides of the political fence, and I personally think that is ok. But I think it is vitally important that we know the issues, prayerfully think them through, and then exercise our rights as citizens of this great nation of ours.

Maybe I am asking a lot, but then maybe it's too important not to do so.


Pastor Jan