In a little over a month families will gather for Thanksgiving. Many families and friends will be on pins and needles hoping the conversation does not turn divisive. The bitter divide in our nation has damaged families and churches, in part, because we have confused being partisan for doing politics.

The word politics rises from the Greek word for village or city. Politics in its best form is reasoned, civil conversations seeking the greatest good for the whole community. In that sense, the Gospel is deeply political. We are called in our baptism to resist evil in whatever form it presents itself. Resisting evil is at the same time political and spiritual, for we set aside our own self, and in dire times we may lay down our lives for our friends and community.

Partisan also appears in the New Testament. It is often translated as division, sect, or party. The Greek word for partisan gives rise to our word heresy, the opposite of the truth. The high and hard calling is to avoid partisanship the way we would avoid murder. Partisanship is the death of truth and likely valued relationships.

Therefore, we strive to offer in this newsletter the truth presented in love. You will read quotes from the two major party platforms and the candidates on issues of creation justice.  The side-by-side table contrasts key matters. We pray you will use this material to prepare to vote. We hope it can be a source to speak the truth in love when conversations turn partisan. It is never easy in those moments to be present fully, listen actively, and engage faithfully as followers of Jesus. Even so, we can do no less. Thank you for being a witness.

Rev. Keith Sexton
Coordinator of Advocacy for the
Creation Care Team of the
North Carolina Annual Conference