Faithful engagement in polarizing times

Romans 12:18 instructs us, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

And yet, election seasons tend to highlight the reality that Christians are not immune to the complexities and polarization evident in our culture. See below for some resources to consider with your church as you discern how to faithfully navigate polarizing times.

Northwest Conference

Webinar: Being Faithful Ambassadors for God in Our Civic Engagement

Using Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:20 as a base text, in this webinar we provide some perspective and principles for helping us answer the question: “How are Christians to engage civically and politically in our day?” We provide reflections in three primary areas: being citizens of God’s Kingdom; being citizens of earthly nations/states; and contrasting patriotism vs. nationalism.

Recognition is also given to the reality that Christ followers often find themselves in spaces in-between polarities, conflicting world views and places of strong disagreements in public spaces. The opportunity/challenge in these spaces—maintaining authentic, thoughtful, respectful, Godly posture and engagement within each of these human intersections for God’s glory.

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Evangelical Covenant Church

Critical Conversations: Faith, Conflict and Community

Theology Lab, hosted by Highrock Church (a Covenant church based in Massachusetts), offers free resources on important issues of our time to foster a more thoughtful, curious faith and way of being church community. This year’s series aims to tackle the question of how can we learn to better navigate topics that tend to divide Christians? The series is free and open to all and features ECC President Tammy Swanson-Draheim, Russell Moore, Stanley Hauerwas and others.

Love Mercy Do Justice: Christian Faith & Politics

The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to fostering discipleship and unity in a more caring and just world. This new resource is designed to support pastors in navigating challenging conversations with a biblical foundation. By focusing on the teachings of Jesus and the questions, “Where is it written?” and “How goes your walk?” this resource aims to enhance communal dialogue and strengthen our love for one another.

Visit Christian Faith & Politics to complete a form and access this valuable tool for individual and community growth.

National Association of Evangelicals

Prepare Your Congregation for Civic Engagement

As you explore content for fall sermon series, adult classes and small groups, consider resources designed to help Christians apply their faith in this election season. In particular, explore the NAE’s free resource suite:

For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility:

Downloadable, printable PDF copies of the original For the Health of the Nation publication are available in English and Spanish. Printed copies are available for order at $4 per copy + shipping. Discussion questions are also available in English and Spanish.
The For the Health of the Nation video curriculum includes 8 teaching sessions (10-15 min. each) and is complemented by a discussion guide. Access the video curriculum and discussion guide for free through the NAE portal (also available to RightNow Media subscribers).
Following the God Who Transforms is a 10-day devotional based on the principles of For the Health of the Nation. The devotional imagines a public discipleship oriented towards God’s character (available in English and Spanish).

Click on any of the links above to help your congregation explore the public implications of our discipleship, navigate these complex times with biblical clarity, and approach civic engagement with confidence in God, not fear.

Carey Nieuwhof

N.T. Wright on Christians and the Culture Wars (Pastoring in a Partisan Age)

Theologian N.T. Wright deconstructs why Christians have bought into the culture wars, talks about how the Gospel is political, and offers his best advice on leading through the election without losing people.

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Additional Resources