The role of the church in this administration - Carrie Dedrick, Pastor Resources Daily

One week from today, Donald J. Trump will be sworn into office as the 45th President of the United States. For the next four years (and up to eight), our nation will be under his leadership. 

The road getting to this point has been filled with mudslinging, hate, and anger. The division in our country is just as palpable today as it was on election night. Mr. Trump will be entering the Oval Office with a torn nation on his hands. 

In the Moody Church Media blog The Role of the Church in a Trump Administration, Pastor Emeritus of the Church Moody Church, Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, asks this necessary question: 

How should the church respond in this time of division?

Lutzer says that the church will be needed more than ever after Trump becomes president. The role of the church is to be a place of reconciliation. We can pursue that reconciliation by doing three things: 

1. Listen without Judging

Lutzer suggests talking to someone who voted differently than you. Seek to understand their position without shaming them. 

Remember that many citizens felt obligated to “vote for the lesser evil.” Others couldn’t vote for Trump or Clinton in good conscience and selected a third party candidate. Right and wrong were not black and white in this election. Both candidates were flawed. 

Lutzer writes, “Don’t tell people that they are upset about the wrong issues; after all, they may think the same about you. Let people own their disappointment and anger. Seek to understand them, not to correct them.”

2. Find Common Ground

Look for the things you can agree on, despite party lines. Whether or not you voted for our president-elect, the good of the country is what we should focus on now. 

“Surely we can agree on matters that relate to human rights, freedom of religion, racial equality, and helping the poor. Let the two political streams that developed during the campaign push us toward a more unified and Christ-honoring center,” Lutzer says. 

3. Pursue Unity

Be the church by actively seeking reconciliation through unity. We are not just the United States, but we are united in Christ. 

Lutzer writes, “Let our unity in Christ overshadow divisions about race, gender, economic status, or strident political positions. Let those who name the name of Christ be welcome in our churches regardless of who they voted for, and may that welcome not merely be shown with words, but with deeds and attitudes.”