Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

Today is election day.

Decisions will be made about a variety of candidates, policies, and other initiatives around the nation. I do hope everyone who is eligible to vote has done so…or will in the next few hours!

How the followers of Jesus find their way in this political season is fraught with difficulty. I recently read that many Christians in progressive/mainline churches are making their voice known on a variety of issues with increased effectiveness. They are, of course, rivaled by Christians on the other side of the political debate in more fundamentalist/nationalistic circles. The church, it seems, has become just as much a house divided as our nation itself is.

As Jesus-followers we might just find ourselves caught between two poles.

We should be cautious of attempting to enshrine our faith, doctrine, and tradition on others through the laws of the land. This kind of agenda has a legacy of failure filled with a measure of violence over our 2,000-year history. No government should be the agent of God’s witness in the world. That role falls to the Body of Christ alone. Even God does not enforce His will on those who do not choose it.

“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:21

We need to be keenly aware of our own sense of spiritual integrity. When faced with a choice between being obedient to our faith and utter allegiance to any state, our choices become clear. Our response may certainly be protest or some other public witness. Most often, our response takes the form of defiance and compassion as an opportunity to witness to our faith. Keep in mind that Jesus-followers lived under Roman oppression for 300 years.

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all people.” Titus 3:1-2

I am convinced the world we live in at this very moment needs a Christian witness of a different sort. Churches who PRACTICE compassion, grace, mercy, and even defiance. It seems to me that the unrealized moment for Christians is to live exactly as their “founder” told them to.

John 13:34-35 – I’ll let you read it for yourself.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(November 4, 2025)