Politics and Religion

Virginia State Senator Amanda Chase moved with her family from Sheffield, Alabama, to Virginia when she was eleven years old. Chase was among the majority of believers who did not involve themselves in politics. I interviewed her, and here’s what she said. “I remember I was sitting in church with my husband and four children, and I felt God speak to my heart in a way He never had before. I knew when I left service that day, God wanted me to run for the senate state seat in the year 2015. I was not political at all. I voted on Election Day and that was it, but I could not deny the call God gave me.”

Chase believes government and politics can play a pivotal role in God’s work of reconciliation. Unfortunately, the church tends to avoid politics in order to avoid controversy, instead of educating themselves on issues and candidates. There is a great disadvantage for the church to not engage in the political world because the vote of the people makes a difference for the state of the country. Says Chase, “I volunteered with the Family Foundation, a non-partisan group that encourages people to register to vote and educate themselves by producing a scorecard so people know what the candidates stood for. I had churches refuse to put those in their foyers because they associated voting with government and politics.”

Why Do Politics Matter?

In a democracy, the people have the right to decide who goes into leadership. This gives believers an opportunity to influence the public arena with biblical core values by electing leaders that exemplify such beliefs. “The church is missing an opportunity,” Chase says, “by not researching and comparing the values of candidates running for office with the values of the Word of God. We can’t leave our faith at the church door. We have to understand the Holy Spirit is with us 24/7.

For people to divide their spiritual lives and the rest of their lives is very misinformed. God saved us so we can serve Him in what we are doing. Why would we not embrace the political sector, too, since it significantly affects our culture?” Chase reminds us that America was founded on biblical principles, and it is up to the American believers to continue those values going forward.

Chase encourages believers to pray for our political arena and find creative ways to encourage our legislators. She has one pastor who partners with he in prayer and encouragement for her and her family. That partnership has lifted the spirits of both Chase and her husband as they have continued in politics. She encourages the church to reach out to their political leaders, embrace them, and give support as they run after the calling God has given them.

Chase says, “I tell my staff every day, ‘we may be in a Senate’s office, but this is a ministry.’ We have hurting people reaching out to us in need of help and service. I joke with my staff that we are the hands and feet of Jesus, but we are also lepers who no one wants to associate with, because there are two things not to be mentioned: religion and politics.” She is adamant this is a myth that must be torn down.

Reflection

Both topics of Christian faith and politics are vital and are great points of discussion because they make a generational and eternal difference. The church must wake up and become educated about the importance of understanding and supporting politicians who affect the systemic life in our country.

In order to follow Senator Chase’s advice to stop separating politics and faith, the church needs to recognize God has called His people to be a blessing in all spheres of life, including the political arena, so they may re-establish His values of justice, mercy, and provision for all. 5

What ways could you educate your congregation on political topics from a Biblical perspective?

An Excerpt from the book, “Church for Monday” by Dr. Svetlana Papazov.

Svetlana Papazov is Lead Pastor and Founder of Real Life Church, President/Founder of Real Life Center for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Excellence, a first of its kind model of church and business incubator that educates in entrepreneurship, leadership and faith praxis.