Political Campaigns and Church Growth

I hate to be the one to tell you the bad news, but the political campaign season is up- on us.  This is an off-year (non-presidential) election but that doesn’t mean that you will be spared exposure to persons running for political office who are seeking your support.  The yard signs are already popping up like mushrooms in a damp forest.  The “our guy is a great guy” ads have begun to be aired.  There are even attack ads placed by special interest groups informing us that one candidate is a bad guy who lives in “The Swamp”.

In the US, the energy, effort and resources spent on political campaigns is truly stunning.  In one contest for a state senate seat, that pays just under $30k a year, the two campaigns in the last election spent an average of just over $1,000,000 in their respective campaigns.  Obviously, this is not about the money but about the ideals, values, ideology, and convictions of the candidates, their supporters and their constituents.  And it is not just about having lots of money to spend.  More than one candidate has out spent their opponent and still lost.  It appears that the real power of an election is what we might call the ground game.  The ground game is when the candidate and his/her committed supporters to get out in the community and talk to people face to face.  The power of a handshake, an insightful question and genuine concern trumps all else in a campaign.  One friend of mine who lives in Florida and is very active politically tells me that he and his teammates plan on visiting 30,000 homes and make over 30,000 phone calls before the November elections.  In temps often above 95 degrees and near 100% humidity they will be walking door-to-door in an attempt to engage supporters. 

The church needs to have the same kind of passion and energy for her mission.  Let us ask a few questions to compare and contrast the church and the political operatives.

Whose message is more critical?  The church.

Whom does the Heavenly authority command?  The church

In 10,000 years who will still be celebrating their victory?  The church

Who has the message that can transform eternity for every man woman and child? The church

Then why is it that the political operatives appear to be much more committed to their cause than the church?

As I think about that question there doesn’t seem to be one answer.  There are, no doubt, a host of answers that are as unique as the individual believer or congregation.  Perhaps it’s laziness that borders on indolence?  Maybe it is apathy; we just don’t care if people go to hell?  Maybe we are so distracted, fighting battles for control of congregations, fellowships or denominations, that we have lost our focus.  Maybe we are committed to ineffective methods that we are used to, and are therefore comfortable to us. I would be most thankful if you would contribute your opinion to this core dysfunction of the church.  But more importantly, I would cherish your suggestions about what we can do.  The decline of the church will only be reversed if we repent.  If nothing else, we know that is the starting place.