Articles by Kevin Baird

It is no secret that barring the finger of God writing Trump on the wall of my office, I am going to vote alternatively from the two-party box. I have been clear that both political candidates of the two-party tango are simply unacceptable for the Christian who endeavors to live and function according to clear biblical precept. I am well aware that I have friends who are legitimate Bible-believing Christians who are seeing it differently. We will agree to disagree…undoubtedly passionately. I can live with that. The question is, “Why can’t some of you?”

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I define politics as the process by which a community of people codify their corporate concerns and values. Politics, by its nature, might include elections, legislation, coalitions, and basically all the things we so easily see accompanying the process of figuring out how a community chooses to live together. Politics is not limited to civil government. How many of us have used the term “office politics” or “church politics”? Politics, to some extent, is unavoidable. The human race is certainly not monolithic in its worldview or value system, which means there will always be some process by which communities, states, and nations determine how to get along and what is best for it’s general public. A quick look around the world to civil governments, as well as noting the variety of church governments, tells us that people see the process of governing in a variety of ways. Monarchies, oligarchies, democracies, dictatorships, and the like checker the landscape. We all have an opinion to what we believe is best.

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It’s the election season and people are passionate. Any person slightly involved in social media has seen the flurry and firestorm of opinions with regards to candidates, platforms, nominations, and the general election. It is as passionate and crazy as I have ever seen in my lifetime.

One of the common themes or comments I see repeatedly is the cry for more pastors to be involved in the political process. It stretches from simple wishful thinking to an all out assault on pastoral integrity. Believe me, I get the frustrations and the dynamics of pastoral involvement better than most. I am not only a pastor who is deeply involved in cultural engagement and the political process, but I believe a part of my calling is to help fellow pastors cross the bridge to more meaningful involvement. I understand what it is like to lead people in a real live congregation in these matters as well as reach out to pastors and understand their reluctance to open up this can. I have on more occasions than I can count challenged my colleagues to get on the field and use their influence in this arena for “righteousness exalts a nation”. I have also tried to lead people in executing a better and more biblical template with regards to how we select our civil leaders and turn a nation’s trajectory back to God.

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