Common Perils and Common Opportunities

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Election Day 2024 has come and gone, the votes are in, and a new president-elect has been determined. No matter how you voted, our country will now face common perils and common opportunities. Your response as a faith-based leader to both the perils and the opportunities will set the stage for how your people respond as well.

In this blog I name three perils and three opportunities, with suggestions of how to respond to each. But first, I’d like to remind you of one important myth and how you can avoid falling prey to it.

The Myth of Omnipotence

A great deal of weight has been placed on the presidential election. And rightly so. This is a crucial leadership position in our country, and there is much at stake. However, the president alone does not control the fate of the U.S., or the world, or especially you.

Yes, the president does have a great deal of influence. However, they are not omnipotent. Checks and balances exist between state and federal law, and ideally within the three branches of government. More than that, as faith leaders, we draw upon a Higher Power to guide and direct us. This Power has been known to burst through jail cells, confound rulers of the day, and transcend even the grave. Therefore, I encourage you to exercise your faith, and remember Whose you are, even in uncertain times. Especially in uncertain times.

Three Common Perils

Peril #1: Adjust your morals. There will be constant, steady, unrelenting pressure to adjust your morals. Outrageous behavior and unacceptable actions will again become normalized in the public eye. You may have to work very hard to keep your moral grounding. Norms that were once commonly accepted will begin to feel radical. Norms such as making space for people who are different than you, without having to demonize them or ostracize them. Or norms such as agreeing to disagree. 

Don’t give in to this pressure. Know what you stand for. Be clear on your values. Maintain your morals and ethics. At the same time, don’t demonize those who voted differently than you did. To do so would simply reinforce the polarization that got us here.

Peril #2 The gospel may sound increasingly like politicized statements. Love your neighbor as yourself. Show hospitality toward strangers. Welcome the alien and immigrant. For Christian nationalists, “making disciples” may sound like a rallying cry to lead more followers to acceptance of authoritarianism. Or leading them to treat others with a cruelty that has no place in Christianity. Or any religion for that matter.

Preach the gospel anyway. More than that, live the gospel anyway. Be kind. Be hospitable. Be welcoming. Even more so, interrupt acts of unkindness. Speak up for those getting bullied. Correct hateful or derogatory language uttered in your presence. As St. Frances is quoted as saying: “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

Peril #3: You will be tempted to censor your words or even downplay the gospel so as to not upset others. You may even be tempted to ignore your baptismal vows. Peer pressure can be a fearsome thing.

Pause, get your internal bearings, and then live true to your values. Frankly, the gospel has always been countercultural. It has always made us uncomfortable, even back in the day. Yet, a word of caution: don’t beat people up with the Bible. Or with your interpretation of things. That doesn’t help either.   

Three Common Opportunities

Opportunity #1: Love others. The need for love, hospitality and kindness toward strangers will only increase. More than ever, people in vulnerable populations will need hope and help.  Even the term “vulnerable populations” will expand. LGBTQ persons, people of color, immigrants, women, disabled and elderly persons, as well as non-Christians – such as Jews, Muslims and Sikhs – may all be targets of hate.

Natural disasters and interpersonal violence will both create opportunities to extend the best qualities of the gospel toward others.

Opportunity #2: Dream of a better future. The time to create inspiring and inclusive visions of a better future for all is now. Dream big and extend your sights beyond the church to the community and world around you. Partner with agencies and groups who may share your vision. Tap into the wealth of resources around you.

While the numbers of vulnerable people may grow, so will the opportunities to be of service. As a leader, you can show others how to expand their vision beyond your church’s walls.

Opportunity #3: Deepen your spirituality. Spiritual grounding and growth will be essential. If you look to the circumstances around you for hope, or for affirmation, you may find that wanting. To continue to be a light unto the nations, you will need to tap into your own inner divinity. Practice rising from faith in Jesus to the faith of Jesus.

If your congregation has a vision or a mission statement, let that be your guiding light. If there is a particular thing you are called to, do it, and do it well. If it is feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, providing sanctuary for the immigrant – continue what you’re doing.

But keep an eye out for other opportunities to help.

Leaders, this is the time to not only believe in Jesus, but to believe like Jesus. Expand your capacity to be a light in the world and to be the change you wish to see.

Help bridge the gap between our common perils and our common opportunities by following me on Facebook and joining me for my 40-Day Spiritual Transformation Series, starting November 27. I also encourage you to join me this Thursday, November 14, for my free seminar, “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success."

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