Finding God at Work

If you want to engage the conversation about faith and politics more deeply, check out these thinkers and leaders. Sources: Proverbs 3:33-34 (ESV) Bonnie Kristian, Staff Editor at Christianity Today Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life Justin Giboney, Founder and President of the AND Campaign Matthew Soerens, VP of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief Feeding America Eugene Cho, President/CEO at Bread for the World Curtis Chang, Executive Director at Redeeming Babel #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #BonnieKristian #ChristianityToday #MichaelWear #CenterForChristianityAndPublicLife #JustinGiboney #ANDCampaign #MattSoerens #WorldRelief #FeedingAmerica #EugeneCho #BreadForTheWorld #CurtisChang #RedeemingBabel #TheAfterParty #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

Can you articulate a commitment to a Gospel value while also charitably presenting the political viewpoint that is opposite to your own? Food insecurity—lack of consistent access to the food needed to live a healthy and active life—is a serious issue, even here in the United States. It's also an issue that stirs us as disciples of Jesus; caring for those who don't have the food they need is an indisputable Gospel value. But we may still disagree about the political policies that affect food insecurity. Learning to distinguish between the Gospel value and our own political perspective is critical. When we can charitably disagree, we are better able to love each other, and everyone around us. Sources: Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) Romans 13:4 (NIV) "Food Security in the U.S. - Definitions of Food Security," Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 10, 2025. "What is Food Insecurity?" Hunger in America, Feeding America. "Map the Meal Gap: Hunger & Poverty in the United States," Map the Meal Gap, Feeding America. Alexander Griswold, "A Confused Compassion: The Religious Battle over SNAP," Juicy Ecumenism, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, September 27, 2013. Jen Pollock Michel, "A Rich Christian in the Age of Food Stamps," Her.meneutics, Christianity Today, September 17, 2013. Catlin Nchako, "A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, January 21, 2025. Northern Illinois Food Bank #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #FoodBank #FoodBanking #FeedingAmerica #AlexanderGriswold #JenPollockMichel #CharitableDisagreement #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

What does it look like to bring compassion and conviction together in conversations about abortion? Often, the cultural debate focuses on the question of law: What should be legal or illegal. It's a critical question. But as disciples of Jesus, our care extends beyond the question of what's legal or not. Not only do we care about just law, we also care about the whole social fabric of the community. As the church, we are called not just to influence policy, but also to *do the work* of Gospel invitation in our own neighborhoods, presenting a more compelling alternative to violent choices. When we're engaged in that work, our faith in Jesus informs how we vote, how we talk, and how we love. Sources: Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV) The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache, in Early Christian Fathers (The Library of Christian Classics, Volume 1), translated and edited by Cyril C. Richardson (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1953 / Christian Classics Ethereal Library). Together Chicago #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #Luke1 #Psalm139 #Didache #LifeInTheWomb #TogetherChicago #CompassionAndConviction #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

Migration is part of the story that God is telling in the world. Often, when the topic of immigration comes up, we think about how to defend "our turf." But what if the Bible gives us a different way of thinking about turf? When we look at God's instructions to his people in the Torah, we find a call to compassion and empathy toward immigrants. As we make the leap from those instructions to our context in a pluralistic representative democracy, there are still questions about policy that followers of Jesus can disagree about in good faith. But whatever our take on policy is, it needs to reflect the Bible's priorities for public leadership. When we step into the story God is telling about migration, we practice witness in a way that others "may see [our] good deeds and glorify God" (1 Peter 2:12 NIV). Our compassionate welcome of immigrants into our communities, in our own action as the community of God, and in the ways we influence public policy, is a witness to the power of Jesus' resurrection to everyone around us. Sources: 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV) Leviticus 19:9-10 (ESV) Deuteronomy 10:17-21 (ESV) Acts 17:26-27 (NIV) #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #Migration #1Peter2 #Leviticus19 #Deuteronomy10 #Acts17 #AllNations #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

"True integration will be achieved by men who are willingly obedient to unenforceable obligations." – Martin Luther King, Jr. Sources: Proverbs 29:4,7,14 (NIV) Isaiah 10:1-4 (NIV) Isaiah 16:4-5 (NIV) Romans 13:8-10 (NIV) Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2024). Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (Boston: Beacon Press, 1967). #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #MLK #MartinLutherKing #WhereDoWeGoFromHere #MichaelWear #SpiritOfOurPolitics #DallasWillard #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

Political campaigns are always about the future. From "Let Us Have Peace" (U.S. Grant's 1868 slogan) to FDR's "Happy Days Are Here Again" (1932) to "Change We Can Believe In," the message is *hope.* Things will get better. There's something to look forward to. But we know that somehow we keep finding ourselves stuck in the mud as human beings. Our efforts to establish justice, to make things better, are faltering and failing. Jesus offers us hope that's secure. His coming return both relativizes our hope for political good now and redeems our present imperfect efforts. Sources: Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV) Dallas Willard, as quoted in Bill Gaultiere, "Dallas Willard's Definitions and Quotes," Soul Shepherding. The Book of Common Prayer (2019), Special Liturgies of Lent & Holy Week: Ash Wednesday N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (New York: HarperCollins, 2008). Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards (Lucasfilm, 2016). #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #RebellionsAreBuiltOnHope #RogueOne #ChangeWeCanBelieveIn #YesWeCan #HappyDaysAreHereAgain #TippecanoeAndTylerToo #TomWright #NTWright #SurprisedByHope #DallasWillard #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

What does it truly mean to pledge allegiance to Jesus? The discussion navigates the difficult choices between faith and national loyalty, urging a commitment that might require personal sacrifice. It examines the balance of allegiance, shame, and the implications of choosing the kingdom of God over political affiliations. Through biblical insights and real-life reflections, listeners are encouraged to evaluate their personal beliefs and the impact of these commitments in today's complex political landscape.

When is it right to speak up about a political issue in the workplace? We need discernment. Spouting off every opinion we happen to have is not the same as courageous witness. At the same time, there are times when we need the courage to speak up. Scripture calls us to speak in a way that will "benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29 NIV). Taking a political stand can build others up in at least two circumstances: When your political conviction gives people a window into a different kind of world. When your political conviction gives a voice to a vulnerable group of people. When the time is right, we need courage to speak. And Jesus has promised he'll give us the courage we need. Sources: Matthew 10:16-20 (NIV) Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Knox Thames, "Coronavirus Church Closures Are Not Persecution," Speaking Out, Christianity Today, October 7, 2020. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #Courage #Courageous #SpeakUp #SpeakingUp #SpeakOut #SpeakingOut #Matthew10 #Ephesians4 #Persecution #KnoxThames #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

What adjectives would you use to describe political conversations you've had throughout your life? Awkward? Loaded? Angry? What about . . . gentle? We have strong feelings about politics because politics is about people, and people matter. So what does it look like for us to practice gentleness with our own strong feelings about politics? When we learn to practice gentleness even in the things we're passionate about, we discover that gentleness helps. Not only do we love people better when we listen to them with gentleness. We also persuade them better, too. Sources: Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) Proverbs 25:15 (NIV)' Titus 3:1-2 (NIV) Dallas Willard, "How to Live Well - Eternal Life Begins Now," conference lecture, Knowing Christ: Equipping Pastors as Teachers of the Nations and Churches as Schools for Living, Westmont College, February 21, 2013. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #Gentleness #Gentle #Proverbs15 #Proverbs25 #Titus3 #JointInquiry #DallasWillard #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand

When it comes to politics, our personality shapes how we want to engage—or disengage. Maybe you're an armchair pundit, always reading the news and staying informed (and opinionated) about current events. Maybe you find politics distasteful and try to avoid them as much as possible. We have different God-given personalities, and that's okay. But all of us who follow Jesus are students of Scripture. So we want to pay attention to the parts of Scripture that directly address political issues. One key text that can help us do that is Psalm 14. When we listen to what it teaches about life with God, it can help us become more thoughtful in our political conversations. Sources: Psalm 14 (NIV) Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (New York: HarperCollins, 1998). #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #Psalm14 #GoodnessOfGod #GreatInversion #DallasWillard #UnitedStates #Conservative #Liberal #RightWing #LeftWing #Neighbors #CommonGood #FaithHopeLove #PoliticalPower #Allegiance #Idolatry #Resurrection #Witness #Eschatology #ReturnOfChrist #ChristTheKing #Parousia #SecondComing #PoliticalIssues #Immigration #Abortion #FoodInsecurity #AwkwardConversations #TakeAStand