Why I Got Involved in Politics

politics

January 5, 2009

This year I had an unusual experience: I worked as the campaign manager for a local (St. Louis metropolitan area) candidate for state representative. As campaign manager I did everything from recruit and deploy volunteers, coordinate with the state party, campaign on behalf of the candidate, and manage election day poll workers. I also handled yard signs, lots and lots of yard signs.

I decided to work as a campaign manager because I cared about the representation of my local area in state government. It also represented an exciting opportunity to play offense because my candidate was a credible Republican running in a seat the Democrats had easily held for a number of years. On a professional level, I had studied and even dabbled in politics before, but this opportunity allowed me to delve into the actual mechanics of politics; to get my fingernails dirty in the grass roots.

It also fit a personal need. I had finished law school and needed some employment to hold me over during the summer and fall. I was getting married in September, and wouldn’t be starting my career as an Air Force JAG officer until January 7, 2009.

I approached the candidate about helping on the campaign. I didn’t think much would come of it, but a few days later I was being offered the chance to work part-time during the summer months, and full-time in the fall.

Pentecostals in Politics

The seat is fairly unique. It is centered around the city of Hazelwood, Missouri, where the United Pentecostal Church International headquarters are located. There are also two UPCI churches in Hazelwood, as well as Gateway College of Evangelism, the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, and the Missouri District headquarters. The legislative district didn’t include all of those entities, but many families from the UPCI Headquarters and area churches lived in the district.

The campaign offered an opportunity to connect the local Apostolic community with local political leaders. The candidate was the long-time mayor of Hazelwood. Despite having served as Mayor for almost nine years, T.R. Carr had not visited Gateway College, the UPCI Headquarters, or any of the UPC churches.

Having a local network of Apostolics became very useful. For example, early in the campaign the photographer the state party had set up for the campaign became unavailable. My local church happened to have a talented photographer who gave us a good deal on pictures. He ended up being used by two other St. Louis area candidates for their campaign photos.

Carr was invited to welcome the Missouri District camp meeting being held in Hazelwood. He spoke for about five minutes on the importance of faith in his life and in public life. He received a warm standing ovation. On the way out, he said to me, “Sure is an exuberant bunch.”

He was invited to guest lecture in the American Government class at Gateway College. He talked about a variety of local issues, including the impact of gambling on the region. One Gateway student later told me that he felt a calling to the area of government and politics after that session.

Finally, the campaign rented the cafeteria of Gateway College, where over 25 area Apostolic couples served as co-sponsors for an event entitled “An Evening for Apsotolics with Hazelwood Mayor T.R. Carr.” Over 100 people attended this two hour event. Carr spoke again about his own faith (he grew up in an Assembly of God church), and the importance of his election to the direction of the state. He explained that his election would help ensure Bryan Stevenson, a state representative from Joplin, would continue as the Judiciary Chairman of the State House of Representatives. (Representative Stevenson attends a UPC church in Joplin and has spoken at conferences and meetings.)

Pentecostals (Lost) in Politics

In the end the campaign lost. The district had been trending Democratic. That bent was reinforced in such a Democratic election year. Plus, our opponent ran a strong campaign and was well funded, spending over $100,000 while we spent closer to $50,000.

Despite its failure there were many successes. First, we stood up for our beliefs. In the last state elections no one even ran against the incumbent. This time we had a choice, and it was someone who believed in life, family, and limited government. Second, we created and demonstrated new links between the area Apostolic community and local political leadership. Finally, more people got involved in electing their representative. Home school students, young adults, Bible college students, and business owners all participated in helping to elect someone they believed would be a strong representative for them.

Pentecostals in Politics Again?

While being a Christian requires being a good citizen, what should our involvement be with politics? While the Old Testament was filled with individuals who were called by God to use political power and influence, the lesson of the New Testament is about God’s Kingdom, not man’s.

Also, as Christians we believe the world is ultimately fallen. What then is the purpose of the Christian in politics? To slow the fall? To preserve freedom of religion? Understanding the purposes of Christian engagement with politics is an area that needs more theoretical and practical exploration.

While every profession is susceptible to corruption, politics is especially so because of its nature. Politics is public power, it involves money, the approval or disapproval of people, ideas, but also large egos. While a professional career in business or academia also involves many of these attributes, politics is unique in many ways and needs to be treated as such.

While I am fascinated and interested in politics, I have chosen to do something non-political for the next season of my life. Politics is not for everyone. Students and young people thinking about making it a career need to consider what their purpose is. Since politics can be such a rough adventure, one should ensure they have the life experience, emotional depth, accountability to a strong spiritual mentor and church body, and personal self-confidence to maintain their Christian identity despite the obvious temptations.

ninetyandnine.com

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Eric J. Morley is leaving this week to join the Air Force JAG. After spending time with his wife Janna, Eric enjoys an occasional game of Risk.