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theme Preaching and Politics
themeJune 4 , 2007
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Dear Church Leader:

Preaching sometimes means addressing topics that can be a little risky.  There is no question that biblical truth intersects with culture; therefore preaching touches on some of the same topics that politics touches on.  This raises the question:  Is it possible to preach the Word of God and not put your church’s tax-exempt status at risk?  Read Gary McCaleb’s article for insight and answers. Gary is the Senior Counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund.

As a follower of Christ, I find myself in congruence with both American political parties on certain issues and in marked conflict with both of them on others.  While I will not allow my faith to be equated with a political party, neither will I allow “political correctness” to force me into silence when I believe God’s Word speaks clearly on an issue.  But my prayer to God is that I will be tightly aligned with his heart in all areas and not allow any of my political engagement to distract from a presentation of his Word and the gospel.

After reading the article, feel free to share your comments on preaching and politics—but be forewarned:  Speaking in the public forum brings scrutiny to our thoughts and words.  You can see an example of this in the somewhat heated reader forum on last week’s article by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper.  I encourage you to express yourself—with conviction and grace!—in either or both of these forums.

After correcting an errant question on last week’s survey on Pastor’s Pay, we were able to gather some fascinating results you’ll probably want to see.  Tidbit: 32% of pastors reported an income greater than $50,000 a year.  This week’s survey on Pastors and Fatherhood is interesting as well.

Ron Forseth

  Ron Forseth

General Editor

SermonCentral.com

Managing Threats to Your Tax-Exempt Status
by Gary McCaleb
Senior Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund

Have you ever thought about the impact it would have on your church to lose its tax-exempt status?  There are many and growing examples of churches that have either had the status threatened or revoked.

With politicians to the right of us and politicians to the left—one would think it is already November 2008.  The daily news is dominated by stories of presidential hopefuls, “hate crime” legislation, and a host of other political issues.  And when politics permeates our culture as it does, it can sometimes create tensions for your church—as numerous cases have recently demonstrated.

Indeed, the 2008 elections raise profound questions on matters of war and peace; adoption and abortion; marriage and same-sex “marriage”; poverty and health care; and the role of faith in public life.  Some pastors may be deterred from speaking biblical truth for fear that their church’s federal tax-exempt status would somehow be endangered.  But consider the result of godly voices being silenced while secular voices are amplified in the public square.  Accepting this would deprive the church of its high calling to be “salt and light” to the world.
                                        
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Resources
PowerPoint of the Week
Top Three Videos for This Week’s Theme

1 Video

In the News
Time: 1:01
Simple intro for a “news” segment in a service. This is a great way to start up a topical study on looking at issues from a Biblical perspective. The one-minute long video is a perfect length for a smooth transition in your service.
click to watch »




2 Video

Presidents
Time: 4:12
In an age when many believe it taboo to mix religion and politics, it is nice to take a look at what our leaders had to say on the subject. Some amazing quotes from U.S. Presidents that demonstrate their faith in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible.
click to watch »




3 Video

Church Sky Dark
Time: 0:15
It often seems that we are caught up in the dark and violent storms of political ideology, changing worldviews and tragic news events. We are blessed to know that the Church and Her Foundation are firmly grounded. Use this loop as a background for worship or teaching.    
click to watch »


Top Five Sermons for This Week’s Theme
1
Politics and the Christian Voter
by James Boyd

Proverbs 29:2

From the moment the first settlers came to America, and dedicated the land to "the glory of God, and the Propagation of the Christian Faith," the Christian church has played a central role in shaping the governmental structure of our nation. In this election year, we felt it would be timely to look at
more »



2
Christians and Politics
by Jason Cole

Romans 13:1-13:7

On a talk show someone commented on the fact that both candidates for president have made their faith a paramount issue in their political debates. That commentator remarked, “What a person believes really shouldn’t matter because religion and politics don’t mix.” I understand that in a group of people we
more »



3
Called to Be the Salt of the Earth
by John Hamby

Matthew 5:13

A Peanuts cartoon showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. She said, "Guess what, Chuck. The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck." He said, "My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?" She said, "You’re my friend, aren’t you
more »



4
Where Do God and Country Meet?
by Melvin Newland

Romans 13:1-13:7

Dr. James Dobson began his 2002 Newsletter from Focus on the Family with these words: “Greetings! I trust your October is off to a good start. Unless you’ve been completely cut off from media access, you probably know that 2002 is an election year, and that Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5th.
more »



5
God and Country                     
by Brian La Croix
Romans 13:1-13:5
Let me guess: I’m not the only one here who heard about the Federal Circuit Court in California declaring the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of the phrase, “one nation under God.” Let me also guess that I’m not the only one, who hearing that, thought, “These judges aren’t exactly the sharpest tools in
more »
PowerPoints
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Top Five Illustrations for This Week’s Theme
1
Part of Their Duty

The church must take the right ground in regard to politics. Politics are a part of a religion in a country like this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God...He will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.


SOURCE: Charles Finney

Contributed by: Tim Najpaver


2
The Government Already Has!

The Lord spoke to Noah and said, “Noah in six months I am going to make it rain until the whole world is covered with water and all the evil things are destroyed. But, I want to save a few good people and two of every living thing on the planet. So I want you to build an ark.”

Well, six months passed, the sky began to cloud up, and the rain began to fall in torrents. The Lord looked down and saw Noah sitting in his yard, weeping, and there was no ark. “Noah!” shouted the Lord, “Where is My ark?” “Lord please forgive me!” begged Noah. “I did my best but there were some problems - big problems. First, I had to get a building permit for the ark’s construction, but Your plans did not meet their code. So, I had to hire an engineer to redo the plans, only to get into a long argument with him about whether to include a fire-sprinkler system.”

“My neighbors objected, claiming that I was violating zoning ordinances by building the ark in my front yard, because it was killing the dandelions - so I had to get a variance from the city planning board. Then I had a big problem getting enough wood for the ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists and the Fish and Game Commission that I needed the wood to save the owls, but they wouldn’t let me catch them, so NO OWLS.”

“Next I started gathering up the animals but got sued by an animal rights group that objected to my taking along only two of each kind; they wanted me to save them all. Then the Corps of Engineers wanted a map of the proposed flood plain. So I sent them a globe! The IRS has seized all my assets claiming that I am trying to leave the country, and I just got notice from the state that I owe some kind of usage tax. Really, I don’t think I can finish the ark in less than five years.”

With that, the sky cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up and smiled. “You mean You are not going to destroy the world?” he asked hopefully. “No,” said the Lord, “I am too late, the government already has.”

Contributed by: Scott Chambers



3
The Power of One

One vote may make the difference.

ONE VOTE made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and gave him control of England. (1645)

ONE VOTE caused Charles I to be executed. (1649)

ONE VOTE kept Aaron Burr – later charged with treason – from becoming President. (1800)

ONE VOTE elected Marcus Morton governor of Massachusetts. (1839)

ONE VOTE made Texas part of the United States. (1845)

ONE VOTE saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment. (1868)

ONE VOTE changed France from a monarchy to a republic. (1875)

ONE VOTE admitted California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho into the Union. (1850, 1850, 1889, 1890)

ONE VOTE elected Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency, and the man in the Electoral College who cast that vote was an Indiana Representative also elected by ONE VOTE. (1876)

ONE VOTE made Adolf Hitler head of the Nazi Party. (1923)

ONE VOTE maintained the Selective Service System only 12 weeks before Pearl Harbor. (1941)

ONE VOTE per precinct would have elected Richard Nixon, rather than John Kennedy, President. (1960)

I’m only one but I am one. I can’t do everything but I can do something and what I can do I ought to do and that by the grace of God I will do.

SOURCE: Brett Blair, Sermon Illustrations, 1999.

Contributed by: Dan Cormie



4
Rediscovering Freedom

Our Heavenly Father, help us to remember that freedom cannot be handed down and maintained without effort, that each generation must rediscover it for themselves.
 
SOURCE: Dr. Norman Vincent Peale


5
Speaking Up
 
Pastor Neimoller a doctor in Nazi Germany wrote the following poem prior to World War II. It has a message that we need to consider today.

In Germany they first came for the Communists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Trade Unionist,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
And I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me….
And by that time there was no one left to speak up.

When will we speak up?

Will we speak up before there is no one left to speak up?

Contributed by: Johnny Small

Coming Soon...

Celebrating Fatherhood

Crafting a Personal Development Plan for Pastors

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