A. J. Swoboda

It seems like we're down to two presidential candidates—Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton. For decades we've functioned with two political parties—the Democrats and the Republicans. If your people aren't completely lost in cynicism, they're probably lining up behind one candidate or one party system. Wouldn't it just be easier to steer clear of anything that smacks of politics from the pulpit? Maybe, but as A.J. Swoboda says so brilliantly in our preaching skills article—"God's Huckster"—"Should we preach politics? Can anyone actually say the phrase 'Jesus is Lord' and, with a straight face, say the gospel has nothing to do with politics? In a sense, all gospel preaching is politics. Gospel preaching holds up a different Lord. It preaches an alternative administration. It proclaims that a new kingdom is present." Let this article stretch your thinking about your role in preaching "politically."

Todd Wilson

We also offer a great sermon from Todd Wilson (you may remember him from our pastor theologian series) along the same track as Swoboda. In his sermon "A God-Centered Vision of Politics," based on Jesus' conversation about paying taxes to Caesar, Todd Wilson argues, "Here's what I want to be, and, frankly, here's what I want you to be: not necessarily conservative or liberal or progressive or moderate or centrist or anything in between, but God-centered. I want your DNA as a follower of Jesus to shape the way you think about all of life, including the way you think about politics. And that means thinking about politics in a God-centered way." How do we get there? Well, let his sermon stimulate your own thinking on this topic.

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Fear Narrows the Circle of Our Lives
• Featured Video: Faith The Things Unseen - This short film gives us a visual of the ocean as a metaphor for faith.
• Featured Sermon: "A God-Centered Vision of Politics" by Todd Wilson
• Featured Skills Article: "God's Huckster" by A.J. Swoboda

Matt Woodley
Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.