Ministers throughout St. Louis and the nation reflected last Sunday on the outcome of the Nov. 5 presidential election.
Many were speaking to heartbroken, angry or frustrated, parishioners in the election’s aftermath.
Roam said unity in the church is important but added, “Unity does not mean uniformity; disagreement does not have to lead to division.”
Using Genesis 45:1-7 as the frame of his sermon, Rev. Freddy Clark of Shalom Church City of Peace told his congregation, “God has a grand overarching plan and often uses crises to reveal His power and purpose.
“Joseph’s journey, symbolized by his coat of many colors representing all of humanity, illustrates that God’s grace can elevate someone from hardship (the pit) to triumph (the palace).
Even in times of misinformation, we must discern truth as God values truth tellers and has assignments for each of us. Ultimately, God’s authority transcends politics, and His presence is with us in every challenge, working to show us grace and make a difference. Trusting in God’s process allows His purpose to unfold in our lives.”
Pastor Brent Roam of One Family Church in University City, a non-denominational congregation, opened his sermon with “We’re in a divided time.”
He reminded people that this isn’t the first time as a country or as Christians “we’ve been in a divided time.”
“Quite frankly, we almost always have been, that’s why there are so many denominations of the church now.”
Roam said unity in the church is important but added, “Unity does not mean uniformity; disagreement does not have to lead to division.”
In Alexandria, Virginia, Alfred Street Baptist Church offered a virtual gathering, “Prayer and Support for Post-Election Wellbeing,” from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 Just a few minutes after the event, the livestream had already garnered more than 362 likes and 5,600 views.
“We’re going to come together to lift up prayers, offer support and create a safe space for those who need to sit with their feelings,” said Rev. LaTasha L. Morgan, counseling ministry leader.
She reminded the audience that God was in control, the outcome was not a surprise to Him, and they have been in difficult circumstances before.
“The first thing that came to mind when the first member called this morning was Psalm 46: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’” said Rev. Derrick A. Aldridge, pastor of Second Chance Church in Flint, Michigan.
“I’m encouraged by that entire Psalm, so I will suggest they read it and that we stay focused on the fact that no matter what happens, we still have to live in this world together in peace and harmony.”
Bishop Ralph L. Dennis, head of pastors at Kingdom of Fellowship Ministries in Columbia, Maryland, said Harris’ loss to Trump leaves parishioners “exactly where I believed we would be” and that they should look to the heavens for comfort.
“Our hope and future must never be in an earthly system and the flesh of men,” said Dennis.
Baltimore pastor Kevin Slayton said it’s important to remember that all politics are local, and that Marylanders still have things to celebrate from the election.
“We can all shout at the outcome of electing the first African American woman from the state of Maryland to serve in the U.S. Senate,” Slayton said. “There is always something to give thanks for.”
Rev. Dante K. Miles, pastor of Koinonia Baptist Church, said he’d talked with his congregation leading into election night and they fasted and prayed through the evening.
Their prayers, he added, were “not for a particular candidate or party but that God’s will would be done.”
In conversations with some parishioners, “I could feel their grief and tried comforting them,” Miles said. But “in the same way people are angry when they lose a loved one, nobody at that initial moment wants to hear about God,” he said.
Miles said they’ve been going over the Articles of Faith, “but I’m going to focus on what we believe about civil government and tie the election to it and then tomorrow for our group prayer time. If someone brings it up, we will lift the winners, the losers and the country.
In closing her sermon at Shalom, Clark said, “It does not matter who is in the White House, God is still in control.”
This report was written by Robin Britt, Alvin A. Reid and Robin Whitener of the St. Louis American, and Dorothy Boulware of Word in Black