In our Under Pressure sermon series, I shared a message about how we are “A Nation Under Pressure.” If you didn’t listen to that message, I want to encourage you to do so. The pressure is only going to build as we approach the upcoming election season. Most people in America feel disappointed about our electoral prospects or are anxious about the outcome of the election. In the midst of that pressure, we are presented with a question: How am I going to respond to the pressure? Will I become increasingly argumentative? Will I become disappointed and cynical? Will I become tired and exhausted?
In their helpful new book, The After Party, Curtis Chang and Nancy French call us to something more—they call us to become disciples of Jesus. My challenge to you personally is to care as much about the “how of politics” as to the “what of politics.” In other words, Christians don’t just think about politics in a different way, but they show up in the world as a different kind of people. Last week, Pastor Todd sent our small group leaders a link to a six-week curriculum based on the ideas in the book. I would encourage you to do that study with your small group.
Julia and I, along with our church council and leadership team, are praying for our church and our nation as we all experience increasing political pressure. I want to share with you ten commitments we’ve made as leaders of Vineyard Columbus as we lead our church through political pressures. They are commitments that we believe are important for us in this current moment. As you will see, the commitments are rooted in our loyalty to Christ and his kingdom, exalting him over political parties, holding to our spiritual unity, and growing in Christlike character toward those with whom we disagree. I believe these commitments are not just relevant to us corporately, but to each one of us individually. I ask you to consider making these commitments your own, and I invite you to pray for grace for Vineyard Columbus to faithfully live out these commitments this year.
God bless,
Pastor Eric
We will exalt Christ as Lord over all kingdoms of this world and remind ourselves that our primary allegiance and loyalty is to His kingdom.
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
We will prioritize the things that have been central to the Church for the last 2,000 years: worshipping Jesus as Lord, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, shepherding the flock, teaching the Word, doing mercy and justice, and engaging in mission.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
We will uphold our spiritual unity in Christ as far more important than our political or national unity.
1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
We will resist temptations to embrace political ideologies that are contrary to the Gospel, or to look to any political leader as a savior.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
We will not compromise Christ's kingdom values because of personal, cultural, or political pressure.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
We will not give in to the temptation of partisanship, and we will resist the hateful and angry rhetoric of the Right and Left.
Luke 6:27-28 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
We will resist cancel culture and condemn violence in all forms from the Left or the Right.
Matthew 5:21-22 MSG “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill."
We commit to ensure that our speech and conduct, especially toward those we disagree with, reflect the character and humility of Christ.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We will choose to pray and be at peace with those whom we disagree.
1 Timothy 2:8 MSG Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men [and women] to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.
We will seek to overcome impasses through kingdom-oriented perspectives and solutions.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.