I recently took a class entitled, “Biblical Christianity in Modern America,” by Patriot Academy. It was phenomenal and taught about the role personal faith played in the hearts of our Founding Fathers as they helped birth our nation.
Unfortunately, I was shocked recently to learn of a local pastor telling his congregation it was unnecessary to get involved in the public square because God will take care of His people. Yes, I agree God does take care of His people, but with all due respect, Mr. Pastor, I disagree about not being involved in the public square. Our community, wherever we may be, is our mission field. Aren’t believers to be salt and light in the world?
Sadly, in this day and age, too many churches discourage Christian involvement in civic duty. Oh, how far we have drifted from the foundations of our great country. The Founding Fathers beseeched preachers to be the catalyst for the masses to make a stand and get involved. John Hancock implored every citizen, “not only to pray, but to act.”
George Barna of the Barna Group, which studies the religious beliefs and behavior of Americans as it intersects faith and culture, says practicing Christians are now a much smaller segment of the entire population. In 2000, 45 percent of all those sampled qualified as practicing Christians. In early 2020, just one in four Americans (25%) qualified as a practicing Christian. For many decades now, the Church is no longer changing the world, but has been changed by the world. Instead of our light penetrating the darkness, the darkness has dimmed our light, watering down our message so as not to offend, leaving us stuck in the miserable middle.
History gives us numerous examples how faith played a tremendous role in changing the course of history. One occurred in World War II: Rees Howells was the founder of the Bible College of Wales. He was devout in his belief that the power of prayer makes all the difference, so he began interceding on behalf of the Jews in Nazi Germany in 1934. When Hitler’s focus turned on Great Britain in 1940, very little stood in the way of the Nazi Regime. Never losing sight of the power of prayer, Rees and the young people at the Bible College of Wales interceded for spiritual victory so that real battles on the ground could be won. They prayed around the clock. As news of Hitler’s advance came over the radio and in the newspapers each day, Rees and his company of intercessors would press even deeper into prayer for God’s purposes to prevail.
Royal Air Force pilots were outnumbered four to one at the beginning of the Battle of Britain. By all accounts, it should have been a losing battle. However, when the Nazi advance was mysteriously turned away, right when all hope seemed lost, Winston Churchill famously said of the small group of pilots who had maintained air supremacy: “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few.” Some would say it is mere coincidence; I say it was all God through the power of prayer.
One of the frequent misperceptions believers have is that all they need to do to make a difference in society is elect Christians into office. Don’t get me wrong-- voting is vital, without a doubt, but it is just the start of our Biblical responsibilities with respect to politics. As the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14), the flourishing of the world is, in part, our responsibility. Caring for our culture and taking it to the public square is a believer’s part of good citizenship to the world. The right to choose our leaders is something most people in the history of mankind never get to do.
Our Founding Fathers got it. Noah Webster said, “Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God …. [I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted … If [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”
Voting is an excellent first step, but there are three other steps equally important-- engaging with legislators, considering service in public office, and intercession on behalf of those in authority.
Citizens are to influence by voting, but before we can choose wisely, we must know the principles by which to measure candidates, finding good people with quality leadership skills to run for office, impacting the political process by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and contributing.
We must also be involved with the legislative and judicial process: get involved with the state judiciary, support legal organizations that hold our government accountable, and educate ourselves and everyone of all ages how we are a republic, not a democracy. A democracy runs on passion; a republic runs on reason.
I see more clearly now how important our role is to be involved in all levels of government-- schools, local elections, state government, as well as on the federal level. Public education began in this country for the sole purpose of teaching children how to read so they could read Holy Scripture. Today, faith has been removed from schools while the government tries to further separate the public from their faith. Today, families are faced with a government run amuck stripping parents of the ability to decide what is best for their children’s education.
How does all this relate to the Convention of States Project? I’m glad you asked. Our Founding Fathers provided the ideal vehicle by which to rein in an out-of-control government through an Article V Convention. Self-governing citizens take it to the square everyday. Convention of States Project provides the education (such as Constitution classes and Servant Leadership) as well as tools to equip a grassroots army, while bathing all its actions in prayer and encouragement as we push onward to an Article V Convention.
Patriots, it’s time to stand up and put an end to the downward trend we are seeing in this country. Sign up today to volunteer for Convention of States. Together we can and will make a difference in our great nation!
