Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Discipleship in a Political Year




 

As a pastor I know I have a great responsibility to shepherd and disciple the amazing people of State Street Baptist Church.  I also know that I will be held to a higher standard as a pastor (James 3:1).  The political season is well upon us and I understand that pastors and ministry leaders are giving their official endorsements of candidates. I am certainly not criticizing them. As long as they have sought God and they are being obedient to His following, they need to do what the Holy Spirit leads.  

However, I have never sensed the Holy Spirit ever lead me to specifically endorse a candidate. I came across the following article recently:  Is It Even Legal for a Pastor to Endorse a Political Candidate? If So, Should You?” I found it very informative and I absolutely agree with this portion of the article and this is where I stand: “…at the end of the day, we want our people to think for themselves and to learn to listen, deeply, to the both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit’s voice within them. This is the long-game we’re in and it’s not about pushing the easy button, pointing to a candidate or checking a box—it’s about discipleship.” My heart is to disciple the people God has graciously allowed me to pastor.  You won’t hear me telling you who to vote for, but you will hear me address, from God’s Word, the issues that are at stake in our nation. 

The only caveat I have about the article is to understand that one day we may live in a country that may make pastors choose between obeying man’s law or obeying God’s Holy and perfect Word. When given that choice, I will chose obedience to God, even it deemed illegal by the state.  The early church dealt with this when the Sanhedrin forbid the disciples to speak the name of Jesus. The Sanhedrin said, “’We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:28-29)  I know it sounds cliche, but my King will ultimately always be Jesus Christ.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Chet, I agree with your ideas here, and I believe that eventually we will move closer to the persecution and conviction of the early church. We absolutely must be firm in what we believe and in Whom we believe. God, help us teach our children and their children these things. I admire your honesty and boldness. May all God's children stand firm til the end. Speak what the Spirit tells you and be alert to the enemy. You all are in my prayers! Lead with passion and courage!