Church and Politics

[Amanah]

I recently listened to a Utube message from an apostolic church leader who made the following points:

*The church should be multicultural, reaching all the diverse people in its localities (I agree).

*The church should not take a political stance because our mission is to reach all nationalities, and some groups have been politically to the left as a part of their culture for decades.

*We should take care to avoid making statements that could be misconstrued, for instance, someone might say they are a red neck (meaning they enjoy gardening and hunting), while for others that may bring thoughts of people being lynched (made me think of DeSantis' comment about *monkeying around* being taken as racist.)

Do you think the church should avoid taking a political stance for the sake of winning the lost?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Do you think the church should avoid taking a political stance for the sake of winning the lost?

I voted "No."

While I don't believe a church should be the propaganda outlet for either party, I don't believe a church should be afraid to take a stand on political views.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I recently listened to a Utube message from an apostolic church leader who made the following points:

*The church should be multicultural, reaching all the diverse people in its localities (I agree).

*The church should not take a political stance because our mission is to reach all nationalities, and some groups have been politically to the left as a part of their culture for decades.

*We should take care to avoid making statements that could be misconstrued, for instance, someone might say they are a red neck (meaning they enjoy gardening and hunting), while for others that may bring thoughts of people being lynched (made me think of DeSantis' comment about *monkeying around* being taken as racist.)

Do you think the church should avoid taking a political stance for the sake of winning the lost?

By nature, the church will have positions on topics that are also issues up for "political debate". And so, the church should preach the Word. Regardless of one's political views on abortion's legality, Christians don't have abortions. No matter one's political views on gays having the right to marry, Christians don't get gay married. Regardless of what one's political views about gun rights, Christians do not use lethal force. Regardless of one's political views about national defense, Christians do not glory in war. And so forth.

I also think churches should be cautious not to endorse a given candidate. All too often this will end up reflecting badly on the church and the pastor... especially if the candidate turns out to be a lying, corrupt, fink. It proves that the pastor lacks discernment, and mobilizes the church to be a political action committee to march like a little army help the idiot get elected.

Pastors should pray for the welfare, guidance, health, and salvation of every candidate. For one of them will win and become a leader. And all of them need all the help they can get.

The partisanship so prevalent in our society has bled over into the church to the point that the clearness of this vision almost seems alien to most any more.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Aquila

By nature, the church will have positions on topics that are also issues up for "political debate". And so, the church should preach the Word. Regardless of one's political views on abortion's legality, Christians don't have abortions. No matter one's political views on gays having the right to marry, Christians don't get gay married. Regardless of what one's political views about gun rights, Christians do not use lethal force. Regardless of one's political views about national defense, Christians do not glory in war. And so forth.

I also think churches should be cautious not to endorse a given candidate. All too often this will end up reflecting badly on the church and the pastor... especially if the candidate turns out to be a lying, corrupt, fink. It proves that the pastor lacks discernment, and mobilizes the church to be a political action committee to march like a little army help the idiot get elected.

Pastors should pray for the welfare, guidance, health, and salvation of every candidate. For one of them will win and become a leader. And all of them need all the help they can get.

The partisanship so prevalent in our society has bled over into the church to the point that the clearness of this vision almost seems alien to most any more.

Hey, A and I agree on something.
Churches need to preach the Gospel!
Anything else is not our main mission.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Hey, A and I agree on something.
Churches need to preach the Gospel!
Anything else is not our main mission.

What are we to preach?

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Message is that the Kingdom of God is at hand, therefore REPENT (start obeying God). This message is for the NATIONS, they are to be taught, and they are to be taught to obey all things that Christ commanded.

That's called "theonomic reconstruction".

[Wilsonwas]

I voted no..

But that no is based on a definition that politics includes the false left/right dichotomy and or Party affiliation with it.

I think that churches should preach the gospel. I think they shoud support small non-invasive government. Explaining values that someone seeking office should have can help steer government to not interfere with the church. At the semon on the mount Jesus did not say, go out and find some guys to make rules to equalize outcomes, and feed the poor on your behalf.. He also said we shoud compel persons to come to him, not hire the government's guns to do it regardless of the wiingness or resistance given.
Political discussion- can be part of the church fellowship, I do not think preaching political view is correct though.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What are we to preach?

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Message is that the Kingdom of God is at hand, therefore REPENT (start obeying God). This message is for the NATIONS, they are to be taught, and they are to be taught to obey all things that Christ commanded.

That's called "theonomic reconstruction".

[Amanah]

Preaching the gospel does not necessarily align with political parties, even though it has political implications.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Preaching the gospel does not necessarily align with political parties, even though it has political implications.

If the Gospel is preached in purity, it will challenge everyone, be they politically conservative or politically liberal.

Sadly, men craft a Gospel in their own image. Liberals preach a "liberal gospel" and conservatives preach a "conservative gospel".

Just teach the Scriptures. You might step on toes on both sides, but it is truth.

For example:

- Liberals will be uncomfortable hearing that homosexuality is a sin because they are compassionate towards people whom they feel have been given a raw deal or discriminated against.

- Conservatives will be uncomfortable hearing that the poor tithe wasn't an option because conservatives value property rights of the individual and would see such as an agrarian land tax and redistribution of wealth.

Please note, each side has noble reasons for what they believe. This is only one example as to how teaching the Bible as it is written is going to step on someone's toes no matter what. And sadly, both sides ignore the Scriptures that don't support their partisan politics.

[BuckeyeBukaroo]

I voted yes because it is impossible for one church to represent all of the political views of all of its members.

When a Pastor starts to make "political talking points" something that members must agree on in order to be in unity with the church, that Pastor is taking his church in a direction that God never intended.