Leadership and Politics

May I state the obvious? We are in the middle of an election year. Every few minutes, whether it is social media, news programs, television commercials, yard signs, or billboards, we are being told that democracy is at stake or that a candidate is lying, or the stock market is going to crash, or that illegal immigrants are moving into the neighborhood.

I don’t have to name everything being said for you to agree that these are very intense, confusing, and demanding times for Christ-centered leaders. Many of our churches have gone the direction of our culture. We seem to be split down the middle and our churches have become political minefields.

Engaging as Christ-Centered Leaders

As a spiritual leader, there is no way you can avoid the swirl of political opinions. Particularly during this election season, it is necessary to engage the political questions with Christ-centered information and insights.

I know the political wind might be blowing in another direction, but you have the responsibility and authority to hold God’s love and purpose for all humanity before the people voting in November.

As a Christ-centered leader, you are a follower of Jesus. Let’s look at one scripture that can help us be the leaders needed for this time in history.

Read Philippians 2:3-7

2 If then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, ²make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. ⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,⁶who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human…

Reflect on Philippians 2:3-7

These words of Paul are related to the last words of chapter 1. He is saying, “Since there is comfort in Christ…consolation from love…tender affection and sympathy, make by joy complete…” Paul identified with both Jesus and the church. His joy was not his alone. The joy of Paul and of the church was nourished by their relationship with each other and the Spirit.

His joy is in what he says in four expressions: being of the same mind (the phrase does not refer to agreeing on everything, but to having a common orientation or focus); having the same love; being in full accord, and of one mind (he repeats the need for a common focus). By referring to “mind” twice, Paul is preparing his readers for a Christian mindset, attitude, and orientation.

Discord in the Philippian Church

There was some kind of discord in the Philippian church. Some scholars say there was a polarization around two members of the church. Both worked faithfully with Paul but did not get along with each other. Other scholars say there was dissension generated by the preaching of those who sought to bring elements of Judaism into the faith and practice of the church.

We know there was some conflict because Paul insists that he loves and prays for all of them. The implication is that some members felt they were not in the circle of Paul’s friends.

After being positive about past experiences (verse 1) and about the unity he sought (verse 2), Paul presents the forms of conduct and relationships to be avoided: selfishness, empty glory, and self-interest. What he lists seems to be the thinking and action of persons focused upon themselves and not upon Jesus.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, there is a way of approaching life, others, and God. What it means to be a follower of Jesus is not up for discussion or negotiation.

Have the Mind of Christ

Then Paul either wrote a hymn or quoted a hymn to rehearse the story of Christ, the anointed one. Here is part of the scripture that will be helpful for engaging the political discussion. Though in the form of God or created in the image of God, equality with God was not regarded as something to be grasped. The words “to be grasped” do not tell us if equality with God was already possessed or was a quality to be seized.

This scripture focuses upon Jesus coming under all the conditions of being a human being, becoming a servant, and being obedient even to death. This is who Jesus is and to have the mind that was in Jesus means this is who you are as a follower of Jesus. And who you are is how you lead.

Respond as a Christ-Centered Leader

As a Christ-centered leader, how will you lead during these intense, confusing, and demanding times? As a follower of Jesus how will you respond in the midst of political issues and opinions?

Consider the following: (these are in no particular order)

Ask the question when making decisions “does this look like love of neighbor?” (Your focus is always upon loving others).

Ask the question when in the midst of misinformation and misunderstanding “how do I best work for this person’s well-being? (Work for the good of others is called “agape” or the love of God and neighbor).

Love Your Neighbor

You are entitled to opinions on political and cultural issues, but the pulpit is not the place to express your opinions. You are an “ambassador of Christ.” You represent the values and interests of God’s business in the world. As an ambassador, what you say and do reflects Jesus’s thoughts and desires. As a Jesus follower, whatever political process you choose to be involved in is not for your own purposes or your own interest. You represent the love of God. The question is “Does this look like the love of neighbor?”

Jesus is Priority

As a follower of Jesus, Jesus is your number one priority. Nothing should come between you and Jesus, especially political opinions and issues. As a Christ centered leader, if being involved in a political process causes you confusion in your following Jesus, then don’t do it. The question is, what good will it do if your candidate wins, and you lose Jesus? Your allegiance is to Jesus. Jesus was a political person, but he was not partisan in his politics. Everyone was included in his loving embrace, especially those no one else wanted. Who you are and your value as a human being is not defined by this election or any other election. Your identity is in Jesus.

Our country, state, county, and city need Jesus followers involved in the political process. We need followers of Jesus serving on school boards, city councils and state legislatures. We need followers of Jesus believers in Congress and in the Senate. We need Jesus followers to run for President. Political leadership, at its best, is loving and caring for our neighbors.

You were created and gifted for such a time as this. Keep yourself focused through prayer and yourself active in love. Be who God needs you to be in these intense, confusing, and demanding times.

Reflect

Now, take a moment to reflect upon your leadership. Give God thanks for the people you met today. When did you have an opportunity to work for the well-being of someone you encountered? When did you remind yourself “does this look like the love of a neighbor?” When did you actively listen? When do you keep yourself from offering your opinion when you knew it would not be helpful to the conversation? What did you learn about being political but not partisan? Who is helping you remember that you are a child of God and that you have been empowered to love others as God has loved you? What will you do differently tomorrow? Ask God to give you the faith to be the leader God has created you to be.

Prayer

O God, today I give you thanks for life and work. Thank you for the opportunities I have had to care for others the way you have cared for me. I offer myself to be the leader you need me to be in these politically charged times. In the name of Jesus. Amen.