The COVID pandemic was a difficult season, for a variety of reasons. The world became a medical research project that played out in real-time in our communities. We developed and employed new practices as we attempted to safely navigate a relatively unknown contagion. Within the walls of First Baptist Church, we installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the church, we made available and encouraged the use of masks, and we enacted social distancing measures. We did all of this out of an abundance of caution at the recommendation of our local health department and medical professionals within our church membership.
In no way were our actions politically motivated. They were motivated by a desire to be faithful to the truth of Scripture. We were making every effort to be good and loving neighbors, to go the extra mile to protect the most vulnerable in our congregation and the community at large. We were attempting to put the second half of the great commandment into practice: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Unfortunately, our attempts to enact policies and procedures driven by sacrificial grace and compassionate care were seen through filters of political partisanship. This resulted in some uncomfortable interactions coming from all sides.
Questions or assertions concerning my political leanings were extremely uncommon when I first entered full-time ministry 25 years ago. In recent years, however, it has seemingly become a matter of first importance.
One Sunday clearly illustrates the difficulty of the moment for me, both personally and professionally. As I stood in our entryway following one Sunday service, a person approached me and asked if they could speak to me. They chastised me for forcing these protective measures upon them, waving a mask in my face, gesturing to the hand sanitizer, and calling out the social distancing. In conclusion, they informed me that “you’ve become a tool of the liberal agenda” and then headed out the door. Within mere minutes, I was approached by a second person who wanted to voice some concerns. This person, too, waved a mask at me, gestured at the hand sanitizer, and referenced social distancing, but they believed we weren’t doing enough in our enforcement of these measures. In conclusion, this person informed me that “you’re acting like a right-wing nut-job.”
That day, I broke down. I very seriously contemplated quitting ministry. Within about five minutes of time and five feet of flooring, I was accused of acting in political ways that somehow put me and my leaders at odds with both sides of the political spectrum. Actions taken out of an abundance of caution in the pursuit of biblical integrity and in obedience to the commands of Jesus were overshadowed by political perspectives and cultural divisions. It was one of the most difficult days in the most difficult season of my ministry career. The difficulty didn’t end with the pandemic.
Questions or assertions concerning my political leanings were extremely uncommon when I first entered full-time ministry 25 years ago. In recent years, however, it has seemingly become a matter of first importance. In fact, the recent trend is that the first question people ask upon learning I am a pastor is what side I’m on politically. It’s actually less of a question than an assumption that I am on their side, whatever side that may be. People don’t ask about my denominational affiliations, biblical convictions, or doctrinal distinctives. I am often evaluated and defined based upon what political side they believe I’m on.
Jesus is the Christ, our one true king. He is our Lord. Rather than insisting people support our side, we should make every effort to align with Jesus.
I have no desire to affiliate with any political party. The only party I want to join and unreservedly endorse is the party promoted by Matthew the tax collector with Jesus at the center (Matthew 9:9-13). A party that welcomes all, including, but not limited to, the indigenous and the immigrant, political outsiders and insiders, those struggling with sin and addiction as well as those living successful and righteous lives. A party that challenges us to confess and confront the sin and struggles within our own attitudes and actions, but also avails space and grace for the work of repentance, unmitigated forgiveness, and meaningful change. A party defined by deep faith in Christ and in each other, unrelenting love for allies and enemies alike, and consistent effort to offer aid to any and all who need it, whether or not they “deserve it.”
Jesus taught that we should pursue the straight and narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14). He advises against following the masses on the wide paths, whether they bend to the left or the right. The path of Jesus, more often than not, leads us to live somewhere in the middle. This is often unpopular on all sides because it refuses to center their people, their perspectives, or their priorities. Instead, it centers Jesus and demands we seek and serve Him by demonstrating the same unreasonable and unrelenting grace and compassion in our dealings with others as He has shown us. Jesus is the Christ, our one true king. He is our Lord. Rather than insisting people support our side, we should make every effort to align with Jesus. We shouldn’t be defined by loyalty to the donkey or the elephant; we should be defined by faith in and obedience to the Lamb.
