Letting the candidate into the sanctuary

On a recent Sunday I did something I was pretty sure I’d never do. I introduced a political candidate, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, to our congregation. This takes on even more personal and professional weight for me, as I’m on public record decrying the exploitation of the pulpit by colleagues who make endorsements from behind the sacred desk. 

So, how did I get here?

I went searching for a prophetic alternative to the only two options previously presented in the relationship between the church and electoral politics. Either wholesale support of a particular agenda or party (usually Democratic, in the black community) or total rejection of political engagement. Both options have been found wanting.

So, when I got the call for a meeting from the Robin Carnahan campaign, I was prayerful about it and discussed it with disciples of the church gathered at an evening Bible study. We were guided by the scriptures, their experience with candidates and consideration of our neighborhood. This informed what I offered as “terms of engagement” to the Carnahan campaign. I believe it gives a glimpse of a prophetic alternative of civic stewardship that is consistent with religious discipleship.

First, the candidate could in no way interrupt worship. Any presentation would come after the close of our celebration of God on the Sabbath.

Second, no congregant could be surprised by this visit. It had to be confirmed in time to let every disciple know that the candidatewas coming. That way they could opt in or opt out of the address.

This early confirmation also allowed us the time to inform our neighbors. Due to the depressed nature of our Fairgrounds Park neighborhood, they seldom get the opportunity to see statewide decision-makers face to face. So, we needed to make that possible.

Fourth, we would make direct contact with the campaign of her opponent, Roy Blunt, at a statewide level and offer them equal access of opportunity to address the congregation under the same terms.

We refuse to endorse anyone, but would open the door to dialogue for all and hold each person accountable for what they said.

Finally, in the spirit of democratic power of the people, the candidate must be willing to take questions from the congregation.

Carnahan and her team agreed to all counts. She came into a small congregation of 200 people with 100 worshipping regularly – in a ward plagued with poverty and one of the lowest voter turnout records in the city – to appeal for support, voter engagement, mobilization and participation. If nothing else, the neighborhood and congregation know how important their personal participation in the process is to this candidate.

Should we hear from him, they will also know how important it is to her opponent.

Until we find something else or God says differently, I’ll accept this as the prophetic alternative I’m looking for and offer it to others. The experience was positive for all involved and worked to inspire responsible civic participation. So, I think it can inform our way forward to be responsible stewards of the mysteries of God and the management of the state.

I am also meeting with state Senator Robin Wright-Jones and state Representative Jeanette Mott-Oxford to discuss pulling together pastors, politicians, and political activists for a luncheon on Faith and Politics on October 29 in advance of the November 2 mid-term elections. Together we can consider faithful, creative options for preserving the prophetic voice and perhaps, prophetic progress.

If a candidate for the U.S. Senate, in what has been deemed by national pundits one of the most important races in the midterm elections, can engage at this level, there is no excuse for the local alderman, state representative, state senator, congressman, statewide elected official or the aspirant of any of these offices for not doing the same. Let’s make sure that, as people of faith and protectors of the prophetic tradition, we call on them to do it.

The Rev. Starsky D. Wilson is pastor & teacher for Saint John’s United Church of Christ, a progressive congregation in North St. Louis. He holds degrees in political science and theology.