In this election season, church leaders offer ways for us to live out our Christian values and respect each other, especially when we disagree on politics.

JAMES DEATON
Content Editor

Editor’s note: This article is the first in several election-related articles and blogs to be published in MIconnect.

We are just over six weeks away from the 2024 U.S. elections on Tuesday, November 5. Adult citizens of this country possess the basic human right to vote in fair and free elections, and United Methodists affirm these democratic principles in our teachings, rooted in scripture.

The last day in Michigan to register to vote online or by postmarked mail is October 21. Click to register. Eligible voters (click to learn more) can also register to vote in person on Election Day but must do so at their local election office. Click to find your city or township clerk.

We are called to engage in our democracy as people of faith, but the polarization prevalent in American culture is divisive and deeply troubling. We witness it in the media, our families, and even church. At times, it seems we’ve lost the ability to respect our different political opinions.

As people of Christian faith who seek to follow the ways of Jesus, how can we model a different way of engagement that is honest but kind and seasoned with grace? How can we witness to Jesus’ golden rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31, NRSVUE)?

United Methodists around the country are taking their commitment to follow Jesus’ command seriously by stepping up to transform how we speak and act in this heated election season.

Two prominent examples have come to light in recent news:

• • Resurrection, a multi-site United Methodist church based in Leawood, Kansas, has created the Do Unto Others: A Campaign for Kindness “to encourage people to be intentional about treating one another with kindness, even those with whom we disagree.” They invite other United Methodist churches and individuals to join this grassroots movement by downloading their free resources. Click to sign up and learn more.
  • The Western North Carolina Conference has started the Purple Church Initiative, reflecting the theological and political diversity of the churches in their annual conference. Along with other resources, individuals are invited to sign a pledge to be “an ambassador for peace within my family, my church, and my community.” Click to learn more.

Here in Michigan, at the 2024 Michigan Annual Conference, lay and clergy members approved a resolution urging all United Methodists “to use personal courtesy (PC) in political conversations and to vote for civility, compassion, and democracy.” Churches are encouraged to download this resolution and brainstorm ways to live it out in their communities.

The resolution was presented to members by Rev. Rich Peacock, a retired elder in the Michigan Conference and a member of Troy: First UMC. He believes civil political discourse has devolved in this nation, especially since the 1990s. He also believes that United Methodists can be leaders in effecting change by being nonviolent and grace-filled in our rhetoric.

“I think it’s important for United Methodists in the civic realm to be calm, cool, and collected,” says Peacock. “I like to define ‘PC’ as personal courtesy in political discourse. I believe in personal courtesy in everyday conversations as well.”

Rich has been personally committed to peace and justice issues for many years and was pleased to see members of the Michigan Conference take a stand on these matters.

In addition to specifics about promoting civil dialogue and speaking out against politicians who use insults and dehumanizing language, the resolution urges pastors and lay leaders to use resources that advance democracy and good citizenship. Click to find more resources.

“Good governance depends on participatory democracy,” Peacock says. “Democracy only works if a bunch of people — all citizens — participate.” This reminds him of Jesus’ demonstration of anger in the temple. “Jesus wanted the temple to be inclusive, a house of prayer for all the people. For me, it’s a parable for both church and civic life to get everybody involved.”

Therefore, the resolution concludes with a call for United Methodists and friends to participate in nonpartisan organizations to help all citizens registered to vote. It also urges people to evaluate political candidates based on our United Methodist Social Principles, revised and updated at the 2024 General Conference.

United Methodism has a rich faith heritage and dedication to social engagement and can inform our work. John Wesley was committed to prison reform, public education, and emancipation for the enslaved, among other matters. We can look to our teachings and stay engaged in politics, respecting our differences without becoming partisan.

Since this resolution was passed, other church leaders in Michigan have been expressing their thoughts on how we might implement various pieces of it.

In the coming weeks, leading up to Election Day on November 5, MIconnect will publish various voices from church leaders here in the Michigan Conference, asking them how we can faithfully engage in our democracy and cultivate a culture of kindness, following Jesus’ example.

Last Updated on October 1, 2024