THE WEEKLY

Dear Calvary Family, 

Election Day is next Tuesday and we’ve been in election season for a while now, although it feels like we are perpetually in election season these days to me. I’d like to talk a little bit about voting and our citizenship in the United States of America. 

But don’t either worry or get too excited because I’m not going to tell you who or what to vote for. 

First of all, your citizenship is first and foremost in the Kingdom of God. As followers of Jesus, you are held to full submission to God and his words in the Bible. We serve Christ before and above any other allegiance, including our country. This perspective is your only option as a Christian and this is what I will rally for as a pastor more than anything else. 

Second of all, our first calling when it comes to our government and voting is to prayer. We should be praying for our local, state and national leaders. We should be seeking God in prayer for how he would want us to vote in any election. As we’ve been talking about on Sundays lately, take some time to listen to God as you pray.

Third, I believe there are some issues that we have a strong biblical opinion on and some others that we need to use our best wisdom that we receive from the Lord. 

I personally believe in a pro-life position that is both compassionate and supports life for the whole life, not just birth. We have communicated this position several times over recent years. It’s important to understand that the CA Proposition on this issue would allow abortion for any reason up until the point of birth. We believe we are called to protect and defend life from the womb to the elderly and to those of all abilities. We also believe and we act upon the fact that we must help women in poverty and other difficult situations. I personally believe this extends to caring for God’s creation, caring for the homeless, avoiding war if at all possible, reducing violence and shootings, helping with mental health issues, and caring for others in need. I believe we should take our pro-life stance as far as possible as long as it is in line with the Bible. 

You need to read the Scriptures and pray and vote according to how God leads you on all the issues on your ballot. 

I also would like to challenge you that if issues regarding abortion are important to you, then there’s actually a lot more that you can do than vote. And all of that will increase in importance as we live in a state where abortion will likely remain legal for years to come. 

• You can help any young women in need in our community that are pregnant and want to keep their baby or place their baby for adoption. 
• You can donate to or volunteer with Obria Medical Clinics. 
• You can become a foster or adoptive parent. 
• You can donate to or work with Safe Families for Children.
• You can get involved with Calvary Church’s Orphan Care ministry 
• You can support others in the process of adoption by giving to Calvary’s Adoption Fund 
• Or many other options to make a difference for life in a significant way. 

Let’s both vote and live out our values as Jesus followers. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you, 
Eric Wakeling