With all the announcements of people who are running for president in 2024. As of this writing, fifteen people have announced candidacies (11 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 1 third party). The rhetoric is already rancorous and plays on dividing “us” from “them.” I have resolved that I will in no way be a part of this game. I’ve watched friends and families separate. I’ve witnessed the “othering” of various groups–creating “them” versus “us” rather than just “us.” Too many friends, and to be honest, too many fellow followers of Christ are in groups that some would want me to fear or sanction or oppose. I’m not going there. These are family. So here are some things I’ve resolved:

1. To remind myself daily that Jesus is Lord, and far more important to me than any politician or political party or agenda.
2. To equally remind myself daily that the global family of God whose first allegiance is to God’s rule is my family and takes precedence over my earthly citizenship, party affiliation, or any other membership. The latter are not unimportant but of lesser importance, penultimate.
3. I will not discuss political candidates or who I am voting for (and I do believe votes matter) in public, and especially on social media.
4. I will discuss issues that I care about, and that I think should unite us, even if politicians are trying to use them as a wedge to divide us. To do so means I won’t fit in any of the partisan categories. For example, no party that I know of is consistently pro-life. I believe you cannot be for the lives of some and not for others. Dealing with and limiting the effects of climate change is another. The weather affects all of us.
5. I will not share memes or stories about politicians and exercise care to ascertain the truthfulness of anything I do share. I will focus on what builds bridges of understanding and work for the common good, not what builds walls.
6. I will keep scripture and prayer before and above news and monitor the impact of news media on my spirit.
7. I will remember that politics is “just politics.” Necessary but not the only or most important thing in life. I will not let it take my life captive and as a leader in my congregation, I will resist any attempts to take the church captive to politics.
8. I will not forget the axiom that “all politics are local.” In our obsession with national politics, we forget that important matters are being weighed by our local school board, our local city council or county commissioners, at our state house.
9. I will listen to friends who differ with me to understand why other valuable human beings see things so differently. I’ll be glad to talk with others who are similarly curious about me, but not otherwise.
10. I will focus my life on the Creation Mandates of Genesis 1 and 2, the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and I will work in solidarity with all who share these life-framing commitments of the Christian.

I’ve written here openly about my faith and I realize that not all of you share that faith and that some who share my faith will not share my convictions about how faith should shape one’s approach to the elections. I share this because I don’t want to be caught unawares by another election. If it is helpful for you, all the better. And if not, that’s OK. You are a fellow human being, which is of infinitely greater worth than any political difference.