For several months, The Ministry Collaborative has worked to come alongside pastors, leaders, and congregations during this divisive and polarizing political season. Individuals and communities in our network have approached their ministry during this time in a variety of different ways, but all have sought to be faithful witnesses and remain unified as the Church. It has not been an easy task – requiring discipline, discernment, courage, and care. We are grateful for those who have shared how they recognize the call to be A Unique Witness in the current culture. And now the Presidential Election 2024 is here. However, the challenging work of faithful leadership continues… because the brokenness neither begins nor ends on November 5th.
We conclude our current blog series – which flowed from our recent podcast series, When Politics Is Upstream of Faith – by inviting people in our network to answer one final pertinent question. We hope and trust that their responses prompt reflection, remind you that you are not alone in your call, and encourage you in your ministry in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Today we ask:
What will the ministry imperatives be the day after the election, regardless of the outcome? What do you anticipate life in your ministry context will look like and what will it require from people in your congregation?
I love the question, but I wonder if what is on offer is something less like an imperative and more like an invitation. The invitation has to do with occupying the space that is being increasing hollowed out. In a world of increasing polarization and fragmentation what’s being hollowed is the space that Jesus occupied – the space between. It’s a dangerous space, situated between the hated other. It is a space that opens us up to allegations of “traitor.” I have a hunch that we must be willing to occupy this space, learning how to form identities that are “with and for,” not “over and against,” lest we succumb to the false choice of “good guys” and “bad guys.” Historically those who occupy the space between are easily rejected and worse, but this, in fact, is how the Gospel of Jesus advances. – Kris Rocke, Executive Director, Street Psalms, Tacoma, WA
I anticipate severe anxiety and restlessness. I also anticipate a certain level of “silence” or “avoidance.” I am not sure which of these two realities will prevail during those days. However, I am certain some very strong emotions will eventually emerge in various unhealthy ways. So, we must prepare to offer some genuine grace and careful listening skills in order to keep good and loving fellowship. I also anticipate people wanting to be together to distract their minds and feel the Holy Spirit in our midst. – Jasiel Hernandez Garcia, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church Kerrville, TX.
This has been my new prayer, that no matter the election results, how can I be a light in the world for the future in tandem with or despite who is president. First, I am working on an initiative that I believe will give people hope. In UMC we have spent 2024 waiting to hear what is next, people have been hesitant to take steps because they are unsure what is next. I am hoping that the election spurs people to now begin to dream about more than how [we] exist today. – Gina Yeske, Associate Superintendent, Metro-Highlands Region UMC, NJ
I expect the days after the election to be filled with fear and trepidation just as the days before it have been. As a majority African American congregation in the south, we are trying to hold in tension the possibilities of the actual election and the very real consequences for our freedom and rights based on its outcomes. We are also concerned about the possibility of a less than peaceful transfer of power, and those who may take their frustration and/or anger out on innocent people. As Black People who suffered disproportionately during the pandemic, we have no delusions about how bad the future could be and while we are anxious, we also have hope. God has sustained us as a people through race and gender-based horrors throughout our history in this country. We believe God will never leave or forsake us. – Jennifer Watley Maxell, Pastor, The Breakthrough Fellowship, Content Curator, The Ministry Collaborative, Atlanta, GA
I think regardless of the outcome, we need to keep people focused on God as the ground and source of our strength and joy. We live in a difficult time, but it is by no means the most difficult time in human history – people have kept their faith through greater trials than we are experiencing in this election. I think reminding people of the greater perspective, and that neither their well-being nor mission is directly tied to political outcomes, will continue to be essential long past November. – Kate Flexer, Rector, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, New York City, NY
There is going to be a disappointment for ones or for others, however our faith invites us to highlight a what we have in common, and to celebrate what unites us, Jesus Christ and in that direction and only in that direction we will be able as a church to move forward to heal and restore a broken world. – Jonier Orozco, Pastor, Austell Presbyterian, Austell GA
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
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