After more than 25 years of pastoral ministry, the Lord called me to shepherd a new “congregation” — the Missouri State Legislature. As an Assemblies of God chaplain with Capitol Commission, I take the gospel into the political arena. Instead of sharing a political message with legislators, I share the good news of Jesus Christ.

When I started ministering in the state Capitol, I prayed about how to serve. The Lord whispered, “Pastor people more than politics.”

Pastors will do well to embrace a long-term view of engaging culture and the political arena with prayer, presence and proclamation.

Prayer

Intercede for government leaders. We should talk to God about government leaders before we talk to government leaders about God. Paul encouraged Timothy to pray for all people, including kings and those who are in authority. God wants everyone to understand the gospel and come to know Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Seek God’s will in legislative decisions. Stay informed about pending legislation. Follow city council proceedings. Visit state and federal government websites to see what lawmakers are considering. Inform your church, and pray with knowledge.

Find common ground through corporate prayer. Schedule focused quarterly prayer services with your congregation. Or come together with other churches in your community to pray. Ask God to give government leaders wisdom, discernment, courage, perseverance, humility, teachability, moral integrity and self-control. Pray also for God to work in all areas of the election process to accomplish His purposes. Seek the welfare of your city (Jeremiah 29:7).

Pray outside the church walls. Lead an election-eve prayer gathering at your state Capitol. Have a barbecue, inviting churches, the community, guest speakers and legislators. Close out the night with a prayer walk around the Capitol grounds.

Presence

The presence of Christ in the political arena is not an option. When you are present, you get to participate. Where are you setting up a beachhead of trust? Whom are you engaging in conversation? How are you participating?

If we lose our focus on the eternal realities, we blur the lines of our mission.

Offer grace and truth. Jesus led with grace and truth (John 1:14). What might it be like if this election year you reached across the aisle to engage Republicans and Democrats alike? Christians do not need to compromise the biblical message to offer gracious words of truth.

Lead with love. Love will draw people to you. The closer people are to you, the more they should see the authentic Jesus. In that relational space, hearts are open, conversation flows, and unlikely people become followers of Christ. Make a long-term investment in these relationships rather than participating in a short-term argument. No one can argue against love. We are most like God when we love. After all, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Focus on the eternal. Legislation is important; it affects the social and moral fabric of citizens. But legislation changes. Some legislation includes a sunset law, which means it has a termination date. Ultimately, all earthly legislation will terminate. But the work Jesus calls us to is eternal.

Does God call us to advance conservative political agendas in the way conservative radio talk-show hosts do? Are all Christians of one political party? Of course not. If we lose our focus on the eternal realities, we blur the lines of our mission.

Proclamation

Proclaim the Scripture. Teach a biblical worldview. Tell the narrative of Christ. Remember that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, NKJV).

Every Tuesday morning, I teach the Scripture to approximately 20 percent of the legislators in the Missouri Capitol. What I know is that only the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word can change the desires of a person’s heart and renew the way a person thinks. That’s true whether you’re ministering to a group of lawmakers or a gathering of congregants.

Vote your values. Each election cycle, pastors have the opportunity to teach people to vote with a biblical worldview in mind — to stand for righteousness, not for what is politically expedient (2 Timothy 4:2-5). Voting your values is one way to make your voice heard. Encourage your congregation to pray about serving in the political sphere. A Christian and statesman are not incompatible.

Demonstrate good works. Scripture teaches us to live righteously among our unbelieving neighbors, who may see our good deeds and give honor to God (1 Peter 2:12). We live in a fallen world, but we serve a risen Savior. When we demonstrate that reality every day, we will have a profound influence on those around us.

Our hope is in Jesus, and our calling is to reach people. So, how will you pastor people more than politics this election year — and beyond?

This article originally appeared in the September/October 2018 edition of Influence magazine.