Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Bible teachings, political agendas don’t mix

By JOHN HATCHER
Pastor

A relative new trend has taken hold in churches: to get into politics by becoming somewhat of a Political Action Committee (PAC). Some churches, in fact, have crossed the Constitutional line of separation of church and state by endorsing certain political office seekers by introducing them in a Sunday worship service. It seems that politics is where the power is and many churches want a piece of the power. Indeed, it must be a power rush for pastors when powerful politicians seek their favor.

For those churches that really want to impact social issues through political action, let me suggest that they take up the issue of temperance as it relates to any form of alcohol consumption. Here’s a plan for doing just that:

• Form a church committee to study the issue and make recommendations.

• Place signs on the church lawn condemning the practice of drinking alcohol.

• Ask members not to take jobs in any way related to alcohol, including jobs at Kroger and Publix where alcohol is sold.

• Implore members not to patronize restaurants where alcohol is sold.

• Refuse any volunteer who does not renounce alcohol.

Through such a campaign, your church can become known far and wide as the church against alcohol. Your church could host conferences on the subject and invite church leaders from around the country to study how you took a stand and carried out your agenda. You will become a magnet for all the forces against alcohol. People will come to your church just because of your stand against drinking.

But I have an idea, an idea that the very people who need to turn from the bottle will stay away from your church in droves. When churches become Political Action Committees for various social issues here and around the world often times they ignore or forget the main thing of helping people connect to God through Jesus Christ.

There is no way that I can connect with God through taking a stand on homosexuality or abortion. I do not become any more spiritual by marching in a pro life parade or by becoming disgusted at two gay people getting married.

Before you have a coronary, let me add this. Any church that regularly preaches the Bible will get around to stating very clearly God’s mind on various social issues. When a church, however, makes a social issue its primary reason for existence, it misses the most important aspect of Christianity and that is relationship.

The Bible says that although we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In his dying, Christ made a way for a personal relationship to be established between us and God. God did not require us to get our position on social issues spiritually correct before he befriended us. He initiated his relationship with us and that relationship is one of unconditional love.

Churches should be in the business of initiating relationships with men and women, boys and girls who just may not see things “spiritually” correct. Within the context of relationship with Christians and with God, the lights may come on for people.

A group of powerful pastors once approached Billy Graham about running for president. One pastor, however, counseled the evangelist not to step down from his high office to run for president. Thankfully, Billy Graham did not run for president but has continued to tell millions that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.

The church should never stoop to become a voice for any cause other than the cause of Christ.

John Hatcher is pastor of Outreach International Center, 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215. 770-719-0303