7 Gospel Solutions in a Politically Divisive Culture

j2barovo The last several weeks in the political world have certainly been fascinating. This election cycle has been a microcosm of the political divide present in our nation. Personally, one of my hopes over the last several weeks was that Election Day would bring finality to at least some of the controversy. Unfortunately that appears not to be the case. Protests and arguments persist. In such a polarized political climate, what is the church’s role? Is there anything we as pastors can do to proclaim peace to our culture?

I’m sure some readers, like many congregants in our churches, will find themselves on different sides of the political spectrum and on different sides of various issues. As I write this, I’m mindful of friends, pastors, and church leaders across the political spectrum that I follow and befriend. Fellow leaders, we must now more than ever emphasize the healing and hope offered in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The gospel of Jesus Christ, his perfect life, death, burial, resurrection and our response to it of repentance and faith, is the ultimate hope for our world. Specifically, I believe the gospel provides the framework for us to address many of the political tensions that face our nation. By preaching and applying these gospel solutions, we offer hope and challenge to our congregants.

  1. The gospel teaches us there is something more important than politics. The last several months have drawn much attention to the political arena. I’ve heard and read imprudent comments from Christians on both sides of the political aisle regarding the twists and turns of this election cycle. While politics is fascinating and can inform us about the pulse of the culture, it is not preeminent. What truly matters, our standing before God, is apolitical and is based on our acceptance or rejection of the gospel.
  2. The gospel points us to the only Savior. Presidents are not saviors. Certainly, as citizens we can and should vote our values and hope for the best for our country. But given the polarization of the last several political cycles and the hope envisaged by the electorate on at least the last two presidents, much has been left undone (and much will be left undone by the current President-elect). Politics, and the flaws it reveals in human nature, show humanity’s desperate need for a Savior that can only be found in the message of the gospel.
  3. The gospel reminds us that we are equal in our need for redemption. Many in the New Testament church faced the tension of the Jew/Gentile theological controversy. That tension is one of the reasons Paul wrote that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female (Galatians 3:28). Applying that truth to today’s context, we could say that in Christ there is no Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. Labels divide. Jesus unites—through the gospel. Please don’t read this and think that I’m suggesting political perspectives and values don’t matter. They do. But God forbid if we let our political views and identifications become an idol or keep us from sharing the gospel across the political aisle.
  4. The gospel humbles us. Because the gospel powerfully points out our sinfulness, pride has no place in our Christian lives. Humble people are less concerned about being right than they are about being made right with God. Humble people are willing to listen to the problems and tensions of others rather than ignore those who think differently. A dose of gospel-birthed humility would greatly aid the church in this tension-filled political atmosphere.
  5. The gospel propels us toward actual, not just political, solutions. As much as anyone, I value the sanctity of life and the biblical view of marriage. I want what’s best for our country politically and economically. But more than that, the gospel propels us to long for spiritual renewal and healing. The problems of rampant pornography, cultural rot, relativized truth, bi-partisan corruption, substance abuse, etc. (I could go on and on) certainly have political implications. We can and should pursue legislative and political solutions to many of these challenges. But we must realize that ultimately the power of the gospel and the heart change it brings (that will affect many of the aforementioned problems) is what our nation needs most. A word of caution, we must be careful to avoid identifying our political brand as part and parcel of the gospel itself.
  6. The gospel models the love we should have toward one another. Racial tension and the need for reconciliation remain with us in this broken world. But the love that took Jesus to the cross, the love that redeemed us, is racially blind. Christians changed by the gospel must be as well. This means that we should listen to the hurts, fears, injustices, and concerns of people who don’t look like us or affiliate politically like we do and love them. We should all be disappointed by the loveless political spin surrounding us. As Christians, the gospel’s love must be reflected in our dealings with others, especially those who identify differently than we do politically.
  7. The gospel gives us hope. In the last several election cycles, I’ve watched different friends and acquaintances appear to lose hope. Their candidate or party lost and deflation ensued. Hopes attached to political views or candidates are fleeting. Hope attached to the gospel is eternally permanent. Christians, above all others, have the gospel to give them hope. We do have a Savior, a King, and a Ruler who inspires awe and provides the hope of something better. We can walk in hope regardless of which party is power and who is President.

These are general solutions, but they can be found throughout the biblical record of God’s interaction with people. As we have opportunity (when the biblical texts provide the content) we should apply these gospel solutions in our churches to the current political climate. What other gospel solutions have you observed regarding culture and politics?

5 Reasons for Pastors to Appreciate their Church

Originally published by LifeWay Pastor’s Today Blog

October is pastor appreciation month. It is wonderful for pastors to know that their churches appreciate them. I’m grateful for every encouraging comment, card, and acknowledgement. But pastors are not alone in their need to be appreciated. Pastors should take the time and energy to appreciate their churches and church members.

I’m certainly aware that pastoring and leading people can be challenging. I know that churches have difficult members, and I also know that some churches have difficult pastors. In fact, my father was asked to resign one of his churches for no cause whatsoever. As a pastor’s son, I watched the unfairness of that situation affect my father’s ministry and family life. As a pastor today, I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to see his example of forgiveness and continued ministry. Regardless of the challenges pastors may face, we have many important reasons for showing appreciation to our churches.

  1. Pastors, we should appreciate our church’s heritage. Our churches existed before us and will exist after we’re gone. While some churches can certainly become chained to the past, pastors cannot afford to neglect their church’s heritage. Past influence and successes provide the framework for future growth and ministry. Heritage doesn’t have to be a hindrance to church growth, rather it can become a springboard. By publicly acknowledging elements of church heritage, pastors cultivate healthy connections between the past and the present.
  2. Pastors, we should appreciate the giftedness of our church members. Many church members use their spiritual gifts and talents regularly. Thanking congregants publicly and privately who use their gifts in the church builds a culture of gratitude. As the body of Christ, churches need more than professional staff. The body needs every member, and those that use their gifts faithfully should be thanked regularly.
  3. Pastors, we should appreciate the attendance, involvement, and giving of our church members. Being a pastor is a calling and mandate to study, preach, minister and lead weekly. Our congregants give hours on the weekends (that is not a part of their jobs) to attend, to serve, to be involved. We should not take the involvement of our members for granted. We can acknowledge and appreciate the attendance and involvement of our congregants by faithfully preparing sermons, carefully articulating God’s Word, and genuinely ministering to our congregation regularly.
  4. Pastors, we should appreciate the difficulties many of our church members face. Disease, financial challenges, personal struggles, death, and other significant situations permeate our congregations. Some of those challenges bleed into how church members interact with us and other congregants. I’m not suggesting we excuse poor behavior. Rather, we need to minister with consideration, gentleness and kindness to all our congregants.
  5. Pastors, we should appreciate our churches because we are the bride of Christ. Jesus bled, suffered and died for his church, his bride. Jesus loves his church more than we could possibly imagine. Think about how important it is for you to appreciate and acknowledge your spouse. Think about how hurt and upset you might become if someone took your spouse for granted or treated her/him poorly. As pastors, we are responsible to shepherd, love, and care for someone else’s bride—the bride of Jesus Christ. Our churches are really his church, and our appreciation and service to them is a reflection of our service to him.

On a personal note, I’m deeply grateful for Wilkesboro Baptist Church. God blessed me with the privilege of serving a gifted congregation with a glorious heritage full of members who love Jesus and serve others. To the members of Wilkesboro Baptist, thank you for the honor of being your pastor.