Can Christian clergy seek elective political office?

Emerging Discussions

June 16, 2021 4 comments

THE CHURCH AS A PARTICIPANT

This theme will focus on the active and direct participation of individual believers, Church leaders, and the church as body corporate in political contest. Can clergy run for elective political office? Can the church corporate support a specific political candidate or party? What are the pros and cons?

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Adhiambo Osiro

3 years ago

Yes,clergy can vie for office. But even power comes with all its trappings,which I believe Jesus’ cautioned that man cannot serve God and mammon. We recognise that the call of the HolySpirit is different in our lives.At some point, Israel’s theocracy had judges with political roles. However the same history will prove that priestly functions clash with political roles as many of the judges’ stories exemplify. My parting shot:any clergy who feels the push to venture into politics should do so in consultaion with God. Then we can see the HolySpirit-led difference that Samuel had over Israel as compared to King Saul. If the impact in politics is anything short of holiness, then the clergy needs to seek God’s face and repent, lest they attract God’s wrath like Phinehas or Samson.

Gil Lewis j

3 years ago

There are many biblical examples of leaders who made a great mark in political leadership following God’s leading ie; Joseph the prime minister in Egypt, Nehemiah the Governor, David the King/President, Daniel the Governor/Prime Minister. What is crucial is one’s personal commitment to God’s Lordship followed by a willingness to yield to God’s counsel and guidance consistently. He gives wisdom every step of the way regarding leading with discretion while scaling the challenges that come with money, power, and glory. Therefore clergy can vie as directed by His Holy Spirit who is our present counselor.

Margaret N Gichuki

3 years ago

I truly believe that the church needs to roll its sleeves and get into the politics.
We have feared for a long while yet this has costed us a lot.

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Barasa

3 years ago

They can seek elective posts as a democratic right of individuals. BUT they should be principled enough to relinquish the Church leadership and focus on “doing” the right things in political leadership without compromise. If we have people who rule by the rule of law justice and fairness, we can not worry about issues such as inclusivity. We are now being hoodwinked by inclusivity by adding posts, (despite our Country having 42+ tribes) because we have created a culture of if our person is not there, we can not get. The clergy then must be role models that equitably share resources as enshrined in the Constitution. As do whether we need a political part for this purpose I feel that that can easily make us start having a tendency towards a ‘” religious inclined” systems that may lead to animosity among religious majority or minority.

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