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Don’t discuss whether the church should be involved in politics. Rather, ask, “What activities should the Church avoid?”

Should it avoid digging wells in Africa? Developing land for a nursing home? Prudently investing an endowment? Helping refugees establish a business?

In addition to ministries, there is no objection to a Church pursuing activities whose primary goal is to generate revenue for ministries. Generally, we accept that the Church can be involved in pretty much any activity it can support, except things that are morally wrong or corrupt, such as prostitution or casino gambling.

If we believe there is a specific essential area of life that the Church should avoid, it suggests a flawed theology that limits the Church’s reach and Christians’ influence while assuming a god who is impotent in that area.

So why would a pastor say that the Church shouldn’t be involved in politics, even as he attends a board meeting where two members try to persuade others to support their stance, just like legislative debates?

Why indeed. Christian participation in politics includes calling out government support of sinful practices and fighting for policies that align with Christian values. The problem is that those promoting values hostile to ours despise being called out and opposed.

What Did Jesus Do?

Jesus had an enormously successful ministry for three years. He was seriously popular. Rather than taking it to the next level, he stepped up his chastisement of the Jewish leaders who were leading people astray. Read the blistering seven woes he proclaims on the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-36.

For example, “You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” (NIV) I doubt that would have gone over very well. Nobody in power, especially those who wanted to appear righteous before men, would allow such condemnation to stand. His enemies acted as one would expect.

If he were to ask your pastor, would he be willing to be like Jesus and follow his example of lashing out at iniquity and enduring the consequences? Or would he assume that God would let this cup pass from him without even considering it?

Is There an Obligation to Talk About Abortion?

We hear the excuse that we can’t preach on abortion for fear of making a woman who has had an abortion feel condemned. But by staying silent, we also miss the chance to help prevent others from making the same choice. It also excuses members from speaking out. If it is not important for the pulpit, it must not be important for the churchgoer.

Proverbs 31:8 exhorts us: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” (NIV) Who but an innocent child before birth is more in need and more deserving of us speaking up on their behalf?

It is difficult to conceive of anything more evil or barbaric than partial birth abortion, which is akin to “causing your children to pass through the fire to Molech,” as forbidden in Leviticus 18:21. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is quoted as saying, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak, not to act is to act.” The pulpit has the duty to raise a standard for Christians to follow. Will it be held guiltless?

Laws Have Consequences

Laws are made for the benefit of those who are involved in making them. If the Church is not engaged in the process of making laws, it should not be surprised when hostile ones are enacted. You are either at the table or on the menu.

We have seen what can be accomplished by a tiny but aggressive minority of LGBT activists who are at the table, transforming laws and our culture. We have also seen what can fail to be accomplished by a much larger group of passive Christians who allow themselves to be on the menu.

Will Your Pastor Join the Fight?

If a swarm of well-armed foreign invaders were overrunning us, would we try to make Christians more virtuous and loving to win them over? Or would we give Christians training and weapons so they could defend their lives, their families, and their homeland?

James Dobson is quoted as saying, “We are in a civil war of values, and the winner gets our children.” We are being invaded by hostile, satanic powers who are inviting your children and grandchildren to explore their sexual identity and gender identity. Ask your pastor, “Is it time to say, ‘Over my dead body,’ or to pass the chips and see what’s on another channel?”

Is your pastor fiery hot in his concern over the direction of Australia, or is he only lukewarm?

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