Politics and The Church

The political climate these days is really depressing to me. I can't remember a time when things have been more polarized, and it seems that people are only talking at each other instead of to each other. Bill Clinton recently jumped into the fray when he angrily wagged his finger at Chris Wallace over questions about his administration's actions, or lack thereof, in the years preceeding 9/11. In the meantime, George W. Bush is being hammered in the media, the entertainment industry, and the polls, for his job performance. These are only a couple of examples of the tempermental political culture in our country today.

I try to stay out of the political scene, but I want to be an informed citizen. The problem I have is not a personal problem with politicians, but a philosophical problem with the process. I really see politics as ultimately futile. Our political system is not the solution to our human condition. There is something deeper going on here than politics, and as a pastor, it's my role to remind people of that truth.

That's why I found this article on pastor Gregory Boyd so interesting. Boyd, the pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, recently preached a sermon series on the difference between kingdoms of the world, and the kingdom of God. He has also written a book on the subject entitled, "The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church." I find his story fascinating, and what is really interesting is that he lost over 20% of his congregation when he started preaching on this topic. Amazing how politics could have that much of an effect on the church.