God's Political Affiliation
I have admired three politicians in my life: Elliott Richardson who, as the U.S. Attorney General, resigned rather than carry out President Nixon's order to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox during the dark days of the Watergate investigation; Mario Cuomo who, as Governor of New York, delivered a scintillating keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention calling on the United States to live up to the "city on the hill" imagery found in scripture, and who steadfastly refused to allow capital punishment in New York during his administration; and John Lewis, currently serving as the U.S. Representative from the Atlanta area, who has been a leader in the Civil Rights Movement from the early days, enduring violent personal attacks, threats and jail as he worked for justice in our society.

This is not to characterize all other politicians as unworthy. Rather, it is to say, as people of faith we simply can't place our ultimate hope in political leaders or parties. I have spent most of my life living in the Washington, DC area "inside the Beltway," and politics is the air we breathe there.

For a number of years in my ministry I was involved in social justice activities, and the temptation always was to achieve "victories" over "opponents" who were to be fought on the issues. The tendency was to appeal to those with "power" in order to reach goals.

I have witnessed people of faith so caught up in the political process and power-brokering that they lost sight of what sparked their concern for justice and peace in the first place. There was little, if any, difference in approach or sensibility from secular political action groups or organizations. Pride, ego, and arrogance are stumbling blocks found in faith-based political efforts just as they are elsewhere.

William Sloane Coffin often referred to a quote from Lord Acton: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." If we look to the managing or acquisition of political power as the key to the fulfillment of our version of God's reign, we flirt with corruption. It inevitably becomes a very serious romance.

Someone I used to know had another idea. Simply put, he said if you want to change the world, begin with yourself. This was a man who had it all in terms of worldly success. He was living a life to which many aspire, but he became mindful of the many street people he stepped over on the way to his car at the end of every work day.

His response was to quit his job. He went to live with the poor, ministering to them, and lending his voice to speak out on their behalf. He felt he could not call society to account if he himself were complicit in systems that contributed to the poverty of his neighbors.

People struggle with the practicality and effectiveness of his approach, but this is his way to change the world. He may not change the whole world, but he has his corner covered.

Maybe this is something people of faith should think about -- covering our corner of the world, inviting change through the way we live our lives.

I vote in every national election, and in most local ones. I have written letters to my congressional representatives and senators. I have visited them in their offices in Washington and in their home districts. But, I don't imagine that God's reign will be more fully evident and expressed because of their efforts. Their vision, their priorities, and their political parties are too limited.

The changes I make in my life are small, as well, but I feel better about their effects because I try to make changes in my life based on the call of Christ and his claim on my heart. He tells his followers, "I have overcome the world."

The rest of us have not done so.

Conversion
On Sunday, I mentioned in my sermon an incident that occurred as I was preparing to leave seminary and launch my career as a pastor. I was at the CTS building and happened to run into my faculty advisor, Dr. Ed Towne.

Enthusiastic and upbeat, I said to him, "Well, I was ordained in January, and now have been called to be the pastor of a church. I guess I'm ready to go out and convert the heathen!" Without missing a beat, Dr. Towne replied, "Or be converted."

Yikes!

He made a good point, as I soon discovered. Folks were interested in my confirming their notions, prejudices and perceptions. When I resisted, some tried to convince me of their point of view, and I'm sure some even dismissed me when I failed to see things their way.

This complicates the pastoral relationship, and I admit it is difficult for me to feel kinship with parishioners (and others, of course) who express views denigrating or stereotyping others.

Somehow mediating grace in those circumstances depends upon my remembering that God's grace even is extended to me, with all of my shortcomings, oversights and failures. If I believe God's grace is applicable to my life, I can't sort out others I disagree with, or whose opinions I find offensive.

But, it ain't easy! Resisting conversion to their views is one thing. Embracing them as brothers or sisters is another. I have to depend upon God's help, looking to the example of Jesus.