My journey to faith and politics continues. I was actually in two different church services yesterday. I was at an 8 a.m. service at a very large local church, and also my current church at the 10 a.m.. So far… what I am finding is confused and fearful Christians when it comes to politics. How did we get this way?

I just read an article that referred to a comment I guess J.D. Vance made about prioritizing who we help. Like helping our own family first, then perhaps a close neighbor, or someone we know, and so on and so forth unto the uttermost parts of the world. This article said he caught flack from other Christians concerning his comment! Whaaat? What he said is very biblical! How is it the average Christian does not understand these basic things? Scripture even says if a man don’t take care for his own family, he is worse than an unbeliever!

As far as my own challenge of convincing other Christians we need to talk politics, and finding a place to do it, let’s just say, as of yet, I have not been welcomed with open arms. Even though both John the Baptist and Jesus faced the politics of their times. So did the early church fathers. So did Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, and etc. of the Old Covenant. How is it we do not understand these basic things? Where are our teachers? To be so unlearned, surely we have none.

So… here are two reactions I have gotten so far at two different churches. Church #1 > Point one > I usually build my case a little before I present the idea. For example, I ask the question, we as the “sheep” of the flock are supposed to get spiritual guidance of all important affairs in life from our shepherds/Pastors/ etc.. Right? (I ask.) They agree. Completely agree! No doubts!

Then I explain what a big part of our lives are affected by politics. Our schools, children, laws, freedoms, jobs, speech, vaccines, taxes, money, etc. etc. etc. I then reveal I’m looking for a group who are into combining faith and politics. Suddenly, they are filled with apprehension! What was completely logical before, in that we as the sheep need spiritual guidance in at least all the major events of life, now seems to be questionable. Really?

They can’t explain why. They still admit my statement is correct. They agree with every point I make! Such as the survey of how many Christians actually vote. How small it is, and some of us even cancel each other out. We could be a giant in this field, but we seem to be scared ants. Like the ten spies said, we are grasshoppers in their sight!

Church #1 member advised me the church keeps a tight reign on what the small groups do, and that is wise. (He knew I was hoping I could find a small group that would be doing this. And they have a lot of small groups.) And I agree the small groups do need to be in the hands of trustworthy people of God who will do the right thing. But my point is, politics IS the right thing.

Church #2 > Point #2 > I spoke to an elder in the church, a man also involved with small groups, and he knows me well. When I shared my dream of a faith and politics group, his eyes got big with surprise and he swallowed hard, before telling me that our Pastor gave out information sheets on the election candidates prior to the election. It was simply information. Somehow I missed this. I don’t know if the info had a Conservative lean to it. But the elder informed me the Pastor caught flack from a few angry members just for doing that! Oh my God, we need your mercy, Lord.

The next part of my plan is going to take some time. I’m going to explore a few of the small groups and get to know the people. I will slowly share my idea with a few. Maybe someone will agree. Maybe some will warm up to the idea. We will see. But my plate will be full with attending two churches.

Eventually, if I cannot crack open this door locally, there is a good church I know some 20 minutes away that are into politics. Their Pastor actually got elected as our Lt. Governor! If I have to travel that far to find my tribe, a Christian people who understand facing the culture and values of our time, then I will. But not without first giving places I already know, and closer to home, a chance.

This is my journey so far. Feel free to tell me if you think I’m crazy. But when Israel was hiding behind the hills and afraid of facing Goliath, a simple shepherd boy asked, “Is there not a cause?” (or a need?). And God said David was a man after His own heart. They all thought David was crazy too. They thought he was headed out to his own slaughter. After what we just saw in the last four years, and already some pretty scary stuff this year, can anyone deny there is a need? Am I really the crazy one?