Leadership has a spiritual component attached to it. Things like wisdom, discernment, insight, self-control, and the like are all intricately tied into the spirit. A good and godly leader must have and maintain these qualities if their leadership is to reflect righteousness and solicit God’s favor. That is why it is critical to consider the spiritual status of the candidate running for office. There is a legitimate place to evaluate (because we can’t use the term, “judge”) a candidate’s spiritual condition or proclivity.

The oft repeated phrase of those who ignore such evaluations will say that it is impossible to “judge the heart” of another. At one level that is certainly true for only God can ultimately dissect the status of a heart. However, we are not left to total spiritual ambiguity when it comes to how we might evaluate where a candidate may be spiritually.Continue Reading

Leadership is born out of leadership and management in other arenas of life. This principle is most easily seen by the historical fact that Americans like electing people who have participated in military service. It is not an absolute necessity to have served in the military, but it can often time help. Why? It demonstrates certain qualities and abilities that might be helpful for the office that is being sought. This concept is not new. It is a Biblical one as well. As we continue to offer questions that might vet potential candidates for office, let’s review a couple of items to make sure we are remembering what we are building upon.

* Government Officials are considered “ministers of God”. (Romans 13:4,6)
* No one is “telling” you how to vote, but most people need “training” in how a vote should be cast as a Christian citizen.
* Government begins with answering the question as to how well one governs themselves.
* Our vote involves an action which should give glory to God. (I Corinthians 10:31)Continue Reading

Governing is a serious matter. In fact, the Scripture speaks of 4 distinct areas of government which the Lord underscores as important arenas of “rule”. These areas are:

1. Self-government
2. Marriage / Family Government
3. Church Government
4. Civil Government

The next posts will focus on these four areas because it lays the foundation for the Christian to begin to “filter” who might best be qualified or prepared for the job of civil government. Let’s review several points as we ask this question:Continue Reading

The word “compartmentalization” is the separation of what is perceived to be secular and what is sacred. It is the greatest singular heresy currently propagated in the Church. Yes, you heard me right on this one. I used the word, “heresy” (and I don’t use that word flippantly). Pastors are the greatest culprits because they are the primary teachers of the Church. We hear taught from our pulpits certain errors which we receive as truth without appropriate Biblical study. For example…

~ Jesus and the early Church was never involved in “politics”. (False)
~ The Bible teaches us about the way to salvation and nothing else. (False)
~ Government and Christianity should be completely separated. (False)
~ The Church shouldn’t be involved in public policy. (False)
~ Scripture speaks about our relationship with God and not public policy. (False)
~ The Church deals with the spiritual and politicians deal with the nation. (False)
~ We will lose out tax-exempt status if we breach the “separation”. (False)Continue Reading