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Should a church have a political conference on church grounds?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Marcia, Jul 31, 2008.

?
  1. Yes, it's a good idea

    14 vote(s)
    29.8%
  2. No, this is not biblical, or I have other reasons to say no

    29 vote(s)
    61.7%
  3. Yes, but only if presidential candidates are involved

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Not sure or I don't know

    4 vote(s)
    8.5%
  1. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Should a church host a political conference on church grounds?

    I know there was a similar topic in the Baptist Theology and Bible Study Forum, but it got overshadowed by the personality of the pastor involved, which was not the issue of that thread. Also, this is a poll, and that thread was not.

    I want to ask this in a Baptist forum because I always thought that Baptists would be against this and I was surprised at how many people did not even think I should ask the question!

    I am truly interested to see how people vote and would appreciate you giving reasons for why you voted the way you did. Thank you.
     
    #1 Marcia, Jul 31, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2008
  2. nunatak

    nunatak New Member

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    This is a very good question. The answer to the OP is NO.

    Act 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

    This is the purpose of the church. It is not a place for politics.
     
  3. Beth

    Beth New Member

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    Yes

    ONLY if you intend to get the politicians together for the sole purpose of reasoning the gospel with them, then send them home to Bible believing churches, LOL!
     
  4. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    no. at least not in a church where I am pastor. but in these days of "scratch my back, I scratch yours", anything can happen.
     
  5. North Carolina Tentmaker

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    NO!

    I like Beth’s response, but unfortunately the politicians like to talk more than they like to listen.

    I am sure there are many other board members who like myself have lived through the “Moral Majority” style right wing political activism that filled our churches the last 20 years or so of the 20th century. This same pattern has repeated itself in the United States many times. In some churches it was the left wing political activism of the civil rights movement. Eighty to a hundred years ago it was temperance, before that suffrage and abolition. Every time the church and her members get more concerned with political or social activism then they are with spreading the gospel it spells disaster for the church.

    Let's remember the words of Jesus to Pilate in John 18:36:

    My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight

    We are supposed to be seeking and building His kingdom, not our own.

    Now that does not mean that Christians can’t be concerned citizens active in their communities, we can be, AS INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, but that is not the purpose of the Church. Let’s give Caesar what belongs to him and let God keep what belongs to Him.
     
  6. Reformer

    Reformer New Member

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    I to must say NO. Jesus didn't get into politics nor did any of the Apostles, or Paul, or anybody in the NT that I know of.

    Not to mention we are told not to do ANYTHING that offends a Brother and that obviously is taking place
     
  7. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    As I mentioned in the other thread it is a brilliant idea. Our churches need to be engaging our culture and society with opportunities to regain the lost crediblility and share the Gospel once again. This is a great way in addition to many others.

    Our churches need to be the prefered meeting places for our communities. Our churches need to places where people know they will come and hear honest, intellectual engagement with issues that affect us all.

    As we talked I mentioned that my support for this forum is based several points:
    1. Politicians attending won't be teaching Sunday School or delivering a Gospel message
    2. The Pastor of a church that hosts something like this is a terrific moderator since pastors are supposed to be without political affliation. This guarantees his neutrality.
    3. Any politician speaking will have a great opportunity to share their vision for (in this case nation) community. Why would they be "dishonest" about their vision?

    Our churches have these towering and (often) deeply useful facilties for larger crowds and can accomodate such a dialogue. Why wouldn't we want to do this?

    A church building isn't a super holy place where God lives and we have to tip-toe through the tulpis (metaphorically and theologically I guess.) A church building is just a building where The Church meets as led. The amazing thing about the new covenant is that God took us out of the Temple and put the temple in us.

    What a great way introduce deeply unchurched and and dechurched people to our facilities, people, pastors, and vision. What a great way to break down barriers and let people experience your environments outside of a typical Sunday morning experience. What a great way to get people through the door and into the chairs/pews. I don't see how this isn't a good thing.

    Honestly, I think the only people that would picket such a thing are Christians.
     
  8. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Thanks for all the answers so far!

    So far, 2 say "yes," 9 say "no," and 3 "not sure or don't know"
     
  9. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I voted No, for all the reasons already posted.
     
  10. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    I say "yes", but with qualifications. Here is my reasoning.

    I was a member of a church that was a polling place on election day. It was a baptist church. Many churches of different denominations provide this service in the community. If that is OK, and I think it is, it seems the church could be a place where issues are discussed as well. It should be a place where candidates come and answer questions. However, the situation you talked about earlier seemed to be a matter of a church giving an endorsement to political positions or at least an implied endorsement. I do not think a church or a pastor should endorse or give an implied endorsement.
     
  11. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    In my opinion, the only politics a church should be involved in are the politics of that church.
     
  12. Reformer

    Reformer New Member

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    I must ask for a verse please (I Like Verses) I mean the idea of worldliness is just rampant in your post..

    As far as getting "people through the door and into the chairs/pews. I don't see how this isn't a good thing." well I will explain. The Church is for the SAINT"S because we are the body of Christ Eph 1:22&23, Col1:24, more specifically the Church is for the "Edifying of the BODY OF CHRIST" Eph 4:11&12

    Therefor what business dose a group of unregenerate pagans have in a church?? I know, I know, to hear the Gospel believe it repent ect.. and I can almost agree with that but the church is still for the Saints. and I will answer the next question someone will have "Well then when do they hear the Gospel? What do we do just let everyone go the hell? Here try this How shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? How shall they preach UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? Rom. 10:14,15 Did everybody catch that last part SENT not brought in but sent. The reason people are sent is because they have had good upbringing and have been edified in a church..

    I am of the opinion that the majority of the problems in the churches today exist because of unregenerate people in the church (I think James would agree James ch 4) I believe we have been so consumed with getting the world in the churches that we have unfortunately succeeded.. This is why persecuted churches are so powerful they have almost all sheep and no goats...

    and would you consider that last statement you made "Honestly, I think the only people that would picket such a thing are Christians" are you really saying "the world is probably right and the Lords church is wrong" think about this.

    Reformer
     
  13. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    The "church" are people...not a building.

    I voted "yes". A building is a building. We tend to hold up a building as being sacred.
    The above post has a sentence that states quite bluntly the problem with many believers today...
    Therefor what business dose a group of unregenerate pagans have in a church?? :tear:
     
  14. Reformer

    Reformer New Member

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    Ok I will admit that was a little a harsh but I hope you get my point. Sometime I get on a rant and the pendulum swings a little far the opposite way in an effort to get the point across

    And I am fully aware that a Church building is just a building, the problem is that a Church building is by default associated with the members hopefully claiming to be Christian..Right?? Would you attend a church that doubled as an abortion clinic on Monday's and Friday's. It is just a building.. Right.. I mean nobody used it those days anyway

    It is called guilt by association

    Reformer
     
  15. superwoman8977

    superwoman8977 New Member

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    I guess I have to ask this one question: How is God supposed to work in politics when we shy away from it? I mean my church back home is hugely into politics hugely into who would Jesus have you vote for? I think it would be cool to hold a rally on the church grounds and get people registered to vote, show the church members who the candidates are..all that..very beneficial.
     
  16. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    Here is another hesitation that should be considered when getting involved with politicians. Politicians, historically in the US, have used Christian figures for their own advantage. Billy Graham was used by Nixon. Jerry Falwell was used by Reagan. So, be wise as a serpent when dealing with politicians.
     
  17. Reformer

    Reformer New Member

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    Allow me to answer a question with another.. Did Jesus get involved in politics? Isn't He our example? What about Paul did he get involved in politics? Peter maybe? No. what about James? John? Mark? Surely somebody did but who???

    I am not saying that we should completely stay away from politics BUT it should never come in our churches, it shouldn't be our main objection or outreach. How about the great commission. Community outreach. Dare I say street preaching. All these things and many, many more trump politics.

    Reformer
     
  18. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Where do you suppose politics was discussed 100-200 years ago?
     
  19. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Sure it is, especially when the issue is about murdering of innocent unborn or legalizing homosexual marriage. Our FF would be all for it. In fact, there is historical evidence that politics has been involved in our pulpits throughout our history, such as during abolition. :)

    Ya'll must be a bunch of liberals. :laugh:
     
  20. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I see nothing wrong with it. We are citizens, after all, and we have a right to vote and need to be informed about the issues as well as the candidates.

    Remember 'separation of church and state' is to protect the church from the state...not the other way around.

    God was always involved. We are told that no one gets into a position of power unless God places him there.

    Many of the prophets were also involved. Remember, we did not have Presidents back then, we had Kings. How many times did God send a prophet to tell a King what to do, when to go to war, etc.?

    Just because we are Christians does not mean that we should stay out of politics. If anything, we should be MORE involved than we are today!
     
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