With great urgency and conviction, we call on you, urging you to mobilize your congregation and inspire them to exercise their sacred duty to vote in the upcoming Ohio Special election on August 8th and the General election on November 7th. These critical elections present an opportunity for us to combat pro-abortion forces seeking to expand abortion in Ohio and diminish parental rights over their children. Let us stand together, guided by our unwavering faith, and make a resounding impact in the defense of biblical values and the sanctity of life.
Our nation, under God's providence, has been entrusted with a unique role in advancing His kingdom. We are called to be a light in the darkness, to champion righteousness, and to protect the vulnerable (Matthew 5:13-16, Proverbs 31:8-9). The battles we face today are not merely political; they are spiritual battles with eternal consequences. Our commitment to the Gospel compels us to engage actively in shaping the policies and leadership that govern our land.
The Word of God serves as our compass in these tumultuous times. It teaches us that God established the Family, the Church, and Civil Government as pillars of society, each with a distinct purpose and divine design (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Ephesians 1:22-23). Our duty as pastors and leaders is to equip and empower our congregations to fulfill their God-given responsibilities within these institutions.
The Family, ordained by God, is the bedrock of society. It is within the family unit that we cultivate Christian character, impart godly values, and instill a love for truth (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). As pastors, you have a vital role in equipping families to navigate the cultural challenges that threaten their foundation.
The Church, as the body of believers, is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, proclaiming His love and truth to a broken world (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42-47). It is within the Church that we find strength and unity, and it is through our collective efforts that we can effect change in our communities. Let us inspire congregations to be agents of transformation and active participants in the political process.
Civil Government, established by God, carries the weighty responsibility of promoting justice, safeguarding liberties, and upholding the sanctity of life (Romans 13:1-7). We cannot abdicate our role in shaping the government, for it is through righteous leaders that we can secure a society that aligns with biblical principles. Let us encourage our congregations to vote wisely, electing leaders who cherish life and champion the values we hold dear.
The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Our silence is not an option when innocent lives are at stake, and the foundations of the family are under attack. We must register our members to vote, equip them with knowledge about the candidates and issues, and encourage them to exercise their democratic privilege. Let us demonstrate our love for God and our fellow citizens by engaging actively in the democratic process, guided by biblical truth.
Together, as one body, we can make a difference. As we unite in prayer, action, and unwavering faith, we can confront the forces that seek to undermine our values and reshape our nation. Let the voice of the Church be heard loud and clear in the upcoming Ohio elections, as we stand for the sanctity of life, the preservation of parental rights, and the enduring principles of God's Word.
May God bless you abundantly as you lead your congregations in this vital endeavor.
In Christ's service,
Jessica Franz, Chris Maurer, Stephanie Kremer
Dear Pastors and Leaders,
CHURCHES MAY NOT:
Endorse or oppose a particular candidate.
Contribute to or raise money for a candidate (including free use of church list)
CHURCHES MAY (among other activities):
Encourage their members to register to vote
Pass out Voter Guides
Invite all candidates in a race to speak (Even if only one of the candidates shows up)
Speak directly about specific issues and legislation (abortion, marriage, etc.)
Pastors can preach on biblical, moral and social issues such as WOKE ideology, transgenderism, and abortion. Pastors can urge the congregation to become involved in the political process and urge them to register and vote. Pastors can acknowledge visiting candidates. Pastors can personally endorse or oppose political candidates, personally work for political candidates, and personally contribute to them. Also, a pastor’s name may appear in a published ad or letter signifying the pastor’s endorsement of the candidate, and the pastor’s title and affiliation with the church can also be listed with the notation, ‘Title and affiliation for identification purposes.’
It is imperative that Christian pastors and leaders are not delinquent in their responsibility to address their congregations about current political and social issues. This is especially important because 25 million registered Christians do not vote and there are 15 million Christians who are not even registered to vote.