As a Pastor, I'm sometimes asked "How involved should our church be in political and social issues?" Before looking into God's Word to find the answer to this question, we need to first make a distinction between the fundamental responsibilities of the local and/or universal church and those of individual Christians.
Some Christians are called to be more engaged in politics, governmental affairs and social issues than other Christians, or the church at large. Each of us need to be obedient to the Lord's calling in our lives, recognizing that we have differing spiritual gifts, talents and ministries. It is important, however, that "...whatever you do, do to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31). Each one needs to be sure that his or her motives are to glorify the Lord, seeking His will, "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Having said that, the Bible does clearly teach that the primary mission and fundamental responsibility of the church (and Pastors), centers on spiritual and eternal matters rather than on the temporal matters of this physical life. Shortly before His ascension Jesus gave the church what is known as the Great Commission; "...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) The church is to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and be "...the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).
Our enemy, Satan, will do whatever he can to limit, discourage, undermine and distort the mission and responsibly of the church. One of his most effective strategies is to keep the church distracted and busy, focusing time, energy and resources on temporal issues, at the expense of doing what will truly impact souls both now and for eternity--- Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and teaching His word.
Someone recently characterized our local church as "just a big Bible study", implying that we are not a "real church" because there is too much emphasis on Biblical doctrine and not enough concern for politics, government affairs and the social issues in the world. Actually, in addition to our devotion to teaching sound doctrine, we do strive to do all the things we believe God has instructed a local church to do in "loving one another (and others) in deed and truth", as well as, loving and worshiping God "in spirit and truth".
But the primary mission and fundamental responsibility of Maranatha Bible Church, and its Pastor, is to bring glory to God and to edify and equip His Church through the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the systematic, expository teaching of His Word.
Salvation of the lost and the sanctification of believers happens as the church stays focused on its primary mission and fundamental responsibility. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Maranatha!
