Faithfulness to Christ in a Divided World
First Allegiance
During the 2020 election season, we want to campaign for Jesus to be the King of our whole lives, including our civic engagement. Jesus gave us a vision for how to live all of life, including political engagement, when he called his people to orient their lives around two commandments–loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We are launching the First Allegiance initiative to pursue a unique type of political engagement that is focused on how the character of Christ should shape our conduct before, during, and after this election season. We will engage in deep conversation rather than the exchange of slogans. We will make space for people with all types of political leanings, while challenging all types of political idols. Together, we will acknowledge that Jesus is King of Kings, the only one worthy of our first allegiance.
Join the Movement
Learn on Sundays:
Our sermon series will center on Gospel texts on the life and teachings of Jesus that show us what it means to pledge our first allegiance to Him in all of life.
Engage in Forums:
We will be hosting several online Forums that will help us engage in healthy political discipleship and discourse.
Fast and pray:
We will provide prayer resources to guide you and each Tuesday, we will fast and pray for our government leaders and the flourishing of our country.
Sign the Commitment:
We are inviting the congregation to sign onto a 10-point covenant that frames a Christlike posture during the election season.
Sermon Videos
Part 10: Peacemaking
Part 9: Loving Enemies
Part 8: Remove the Log
Part 7: Humble Learning
Part 6: Biblical Justice
Part 5: Fruitful Speech
Part 4: Biblical Wisdom
Part 3: Image of God
Part 2: Love of Neighbor
Intro and Part 1: Worship
First Allegiance Commitment
Ten Commitments for Faithfulness to Christ in a Divided World
I.
Worship
I commit my allegiance to King Jesus over all other idols and ideologies
(Ex 20:2-3; Psalm 115:1-8, Phil 2:9-11)
II.
Love of Neighbor
I commit to participating in civic life as a means of loving and serving my neighbor rather than just serving my own interests.
(Phil 2:1-11, Matt. 22:34-40)
III.
Image of God
I commit to honoring the image of God in all people by treating them with respect and abstaining from dehumanizing caricatures.
(Gen 1:26, James 3:9)
IV.
Biblical Wisdom
I commit to having my views challenged by the Biblical Story rather than using the Bible to proof-text my predetermined positions.
(Psalm 119; 2 Tim 3:16)
V.
Fruitful Speech
I commit to engaging in political discourse with speech that’s marked by the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
(Gal 5:22-23, James 3)
VI.
Humble Learning
I commit to being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger as I seek to learn from the varied perspectives within the body of Christ.
(James 1:19, 1 Cor 12:12-26)
VII.
Remove the Log
I commit to giving more attention to critiquing the potential flaws in my own political leanings, conduct, and sin than I give to scrutinizing others.
(Mt 7:1-5)
VIII.
Biblical Justice
I commit to understanding and pursuing justice as I engage in civic life, not minimizing scripture’s repeated call to seek justice and allowing scripture to critique popular conceptions of justice in our culture.
(Is 1:17; Micah 6:8, Mt 23:23)
IX.
Peacemaking
I commit to face-to-face conflict resolution rather than arguments on social media.
(Mt 18:15-17, Rom 12:17-21)
X.
Loving Enemies
I commit to loving and praying for my so-called political “enemies,” especially those whom I have the hardest time loving and praying for. This includes a commitment to pray for our government leaders regardless of who wins the election.
(Mt 5:43-44, 1 Tim 2:1-4)
Books
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations
Two Christian working moms from opposite ends of the political spectrum write about respecting the dignity of every person, seeing the nuance of every issue, and choosing to listen in order to understand. As impossible as it might seem – grace filled conversations about traditionally polarizing issues are possible!
Compassion & Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement
The AND Campaign writes about faithful civic and cultural engagement. The authors of this book insist that not only are we called to love our neighbors through the political process but also that doing so requires us to rise above debating along polarized lines.
Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals
In this book from 2008, the authors pose the idea that, “Maybe God has a different dream for America than Wall Street’s dream. Maybe God has another way to bring peace on earth than with drones and smart bombs. Maybe God has another party in mind than the ones we’re all tired of. Enough donkeys and elephants. It’s time for the Lamb.”
Spiritual formation is experiencing a renaissance in Christian thinking. In The Liturgy of Politics, the author shows that the church’s politics are shaped by its habits and practices even when it’s unaware of them.
Former Pastor Eugene Cho reminds us that “we find our hope not in a politician or nation, but in the person of Jesus Christ. And from that foundation, we can walk with integrity, with conviction, listen to the hurting—and always remember that God is still on His throne.”
Podcasts
Pantsuit Politics
Hosted by the authors of I Think You’re Wrong, but I’m Listening, this podcast series covers just about every “hot button” issue you can imagine from both sides of the aisle. A good episode to start with is from Aug 24, 2020 where the Democratic and Republican Party platforms are compared and discussed.
The Essential Church
An excellent Podcast series that exists to strengthen and encourage pastors and thought leaders around the world through weekly conversations about some of the most important and challenging issues facing the local church. A good episode to start with is from May 13, 2020 titled “The Church in an Election Year”
Holy Post
For those of you who grew up on Veggie Tales, you’ll enjoy hearing Bob the Tomato (Phil Vischer) discuss current events! Together with Skye Jethani, Phil brings a variety of topics to the forefront of Christian discussion. A good episode to start with is from Aug. 5, 2020 titled “Love and Truth in Politics with Justin Giboney”
Websites
The Lausanne Covenant is widely regarded as one of the most significant documents in modern church history. Uniting Evangelicals from around the world, this document defines what it means to be evangelical, and challenges Christians to work together to make Jesus Christ known throughout the world.
Existing “educate and organize Christians for civic and cultural engagement that results in better representation, more just and compassionate policies and a healthier political culture,” this website provides current initiatives, links to podcasts, videos, and information imperative to understanding political involvement from a Christian worldview.