Ché Ahn: Pastors and Politics? Giving the Church a Backbone
Where Was the Church on Election Day?
Another Election Day came and went, but the question we should all be asking is: Where was the church?
Every election cycle is significant, yet some hold greater sway than others. Despite this being an off-year election, Nov. 7 had unfortunate repercussions in certain pockets of our nation.
The state of Ohio, which voted red in the last two elections, passed Issue 1 cementing abortion into the state constitution. Ohio has joined the ranks of California and five other states that have bolstered pro-abortion legislation since the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
If voter turnout was noticeably “robust” this election, what does that mean for the Christian constituents of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia — all of which favored non-conservatives in the recent vote?
It clearly means the church has been asleep and silent, especially during elections.
While everyday Christians have an important part to play in this equation, I believe the responsibility lies primarily on the shoulders of church leaders (myself included).
Within the past decade, all indications show that conservative pastors are less and less likely to tackle political issues in a public setting. By and large, this decision is based on the fear that people will leave the church, and with them their tithes and offerings.
To be sure, a study by Dr. George Barna found that the majority of church leaders attributed their reluctance to speak candidly on social and moral issues to pressure from within the church, not outside the church.
The pastors of America need a holy dose of conviction and courage, two necessary ingredients not only to voice the truth but to stiffen the spines of others.
The late great Billy Graham wrote the following words four months prior to the 1964 presidential election: “The world today, it seems to me, suffers not only from a lack of convictions, but also from our timidity in expressing those convictions we do have.” It is astonishing how germane these words are to our present time.
Graham continues, “In the face of all kinds of conditions screaming to be rectified” — today that could be summed up by the radical left agenda decomposing traditional Judeo-Christian values — “too many of us find ourselves afflicted with moral laryngitis.”
As the title of Dr. Michael Brown’s recent book aptly puts it, we are witnessing “the silencing of the lambs.” If we do not speak up and act now, we run the risk of seeing moral cowardice and passivity spread throughout more of the church.
In a time of moral decadence, strong leaders must arise to champion strong values. We must have both pastors and church members engaged in the political process to vote for candidates with biblical worldviews who will help to turn our culture around.
The priorities of conscientious Christian voters should revolve around the non-negotiables: pro-life, pro-family and pro-religious freedom.
Looking back just one year ago, we cannot take the landmark SCOTUS case Dobbs v. Jackson for granted. What seemed impossible — the toppling of the menacing giant that was Roe v. Wade — became a reality in our generation.
A major victory was won, but the battle continues. We must do all that we can to maintain the territory that came through Dobbs, and to build on that momentum.
As church leaders, we need to relentlessly preach biblical values to change and reform our culture.
Today is the day of reckoning — the day to draw the line in the sand. Will you take a stand, plant your feet in the soil of an authentic biblical worldview, and speak the truth in love?
Source:
The post Ché Ahn: Pastors and Politics? Giving the Church a Backbone appeared on The Western Journal.
Why is it important for church leaders to address social and political issues in addition to spiritual matters?
Y Christians remain silent. We must remember that silence is not neutrality; it is a choice to align ourselves with the prevailing culture, even if that culture conflicts with our deeply held beliefs.
As church leaders, we have a responsibility to not only teach and guide our congregations in spiritual matters but also to apply biblical principles to the social and political issues of our time. We cannot shy away from these discussions simply because they may be uncomfortable or unpopular.
When we look to the life and ministry of Jesus, we see a Savior who was deeply concerned with the well-being of society. He confronted unjust systems, challenged oppressive leaders, and spoke out against hypocrisy and greed. Jesus did not shy away from political and social issues; rather, he engaged with them and called for justice and righteousness.
Church leaders must follow this example and address the pressing issues of our time – issues such as abortion, religious freedom, racial injustice, and poverty. These are not political issues; they are moral issues that directly impact the lives and well-being of individuals created in the image of God. As such, they deserve our attention and action.
In doing so, we must remember that our role as church leaders is not to endorse or promote a specific political party or candidate. Our role is to provide biblical guidance and principles that can inform the decisions and actions of our congregations. We must equip our members to think critically, pray earnestly, and vote responsibly.
When the church is silent, it fails to be a voice for the voiceless. It fails to be a light in the darkness. It fails in its mission to love and serve the world. As church leaders, we cannot allow fear or complacency to keep us from fulfilling our calling.
So, where was the church on Election Day? It was in our sanctuaries, our pulpits, and our pews. It was in our prayers and our conversations. It was in our engagement with the world around us. But it must be more than that. It must be a powerful force for justice, truth, and compassion.
As we reflect on this election and prepare for the next, let us not be silent. Let us be bold in our proclamation of the Gospel and in our pursuit of righteousness. Let us be a church that is engaged, informed, and actively working for the well-being of society.
As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Indeed, the days are evil, but we serve a God who is greater.
May the church rise up and fulfill its calling on Election Day and every day, for the glory of God and the good of our nation.
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