Election Day

This is an article written by Rev. Chris Roberts of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. Original article is found at: http://pastorchrisroberts.blogspot.com/2007/11/election-day.html

At the church I serve two members are running for Mayor. One is the Democratic candidate and the other is the Republican candidate. Both are respectable men who are passionate about making the Kokomo community the best it can be. While I have cringed at a few of the commercials and ads I have seen and heard from these two men, mostly it has been a clean and honest campaign.

These two men have differing political views and opposing opinions on a number of issues, like taxes, education, labor, how to run the local government and perhaps other polarizing social issues (that have not become an issue, Thanks be to God! because they are not extremely important in a mayoral race). While they have these differences I am encouraged to see them in the pews on Sundays.

This is a testimony to true Christian unity. While two people may stump and run on different platforms of government and issues, they sit side-by-side in worship of the one true God. Since the beginning, the Christian faith has been inclusive of people with lots of opinions on lots of issues. While we are not going to argue over the basics of the faith (such as the Creeds), let’s join John Wesley when he said, “Think and let think.” In the parking lot, we can disagree about the war, governmental programs, legalization of marijuana, who is going to win Survivor, who is best suited to be the next mayor (or President), or any number of divisive issues, but when we get around the Table, we are unified about worshipping Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we all get to heaven our pride and polemics will disappear in the greatness of the God of All Creation. None of the social, economical, political, and national issues will be important as we encircle the Trinity and worship for all eternity. None of our political or national allegiances will matter.

As for today’s election, I pray for both of these men and their families. Both of them will remain strong leaders in our community. I hope both of them will get more involved in their church family and continue to take their faith more seriously than their politics. For their willingness to serve the community, I am grateful. I look forward to worshipping with and working along side these men (and their wonderful wives) for years to come.