(pic to the left is my wife and I at church couples night)
This political season has been a very busy one for me personally. I was very involved in the fight for Proposition 8 (protect marriage) here in California. During the process I received some backlash but was amazed to see so many Christians standing idly by. I read yesterday that only 66% of believers actually voted yes while thousands are taking to the streets to protest the passing of 8 and have already filed complaints to the state supreme court. Many pastors I know did not engage as some were afraid of being "too political" or of being offensive. What do you think the role of the pastor / church should be in battles like this one? Just curious!
I love the photo. We just had a date night at Christian LIfe Center last week. We are in a series, Family Portraits, teaching the biblical prospective on what makes a Godly family.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. Family values need to be exemplified and not just debated. I read an article in Enrichment Magazine that polled non-Christians from the ages of 16-29. 84% of them said that they knew a Christian personally, but only 15% of them said that they believed that their lifestyle was any different. WOW!
ReplyDeleteI commend you for your involvement in this crucial area. I think Pastors have to walk a fine line when it involves politics (i.e., not pushing their own convictions; not promoting a particular candidate). I personally couldn’t allow my own personal opinion to enter into the mix when it came to the Presidential election. I remember one Sunday morning sharing with my congregation that I was going to tell them who I was going to vote for. They looked at me and was just watering at the mouth to know…that’s when I said “I’m voting for Jesus”. Lol – I think they understood what I meant and then I proceeded to share the principles from the Bible that every believer is to live by. I continued that till the election. Honestly, the election did not turn out like I had voted, but I made sure I represented Biblical views before them. This is a tender topic especially amongst multi-cultural churches. It shouldn’t be – because we aren’t voting on a white man/black man (in my opinion) we’re voting on a leader to lead this country.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the marriage issue – Although that wasn’t a ticket item for us…we were very aware of what was happening in California and praying accordingly. I spoke about it from the pulpit without any hesitation. To me, this is an area clergy should enter into and speak because it’s not about promoting a particular candidate…it’s about promoting morality and Biblical standards. Sounds like you have come under fire from people in the church for taking a biblical stand on morality. Keep on standing my brother.
Appreciate the feedback. I thank God the backlash did not come from within my church but rather those around us and that was to be expected. Aside from having some signs stolen twice from my yard and some words from people as cars passed by etc. we didn't get as much as I had expected. I did have a gay female couple in attendance several months ago and was told what a wonderful pastor I was until the week I addressed some key issues concerning this topi and was immediatley told I was a breeder of hate etc. I realize more than ever the seriousnes of my role and appreciate everyone's prayers as this topic is far from over here in California!
ReplyDeleteWhat should our role be (as pastors)? We must speak out for what is moral, decent, just, and biblical. Silence is killing the church in California. I took a stand for Prop 8 as did many of my pastor friends.
ReplyDeleteOne transgender man in his forties recently came to our church. He was a woman from the waist up. Surgery was scheduled to complete his change. But Jesus changed him. He cancelled the surgery, started to reverse the process and said, "I'm going to be the man that God created me to be". Last week, he said, "Pastor, one day I'm going to get married in this church!"
He was one of the first to greet me after the service with two thumbs up when I took a stand for Prop 8 (defining marriage as between a man and woman). How many confused boys, girls, teens, and young adults sit in pews across America waiting for the voice of their pastor on such issues. In Acts 18, God came to Paul in a vision and said, "Don't be silent. Keep speaking out. No one is going to attack or harm you, because I have many men in this city". We can't be silent!