The Lord’s Day
Minute for Mission: Christian and Citizen

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As Christians, we are to take our citizenship responsibilities seriously and to remember that the power of God is paramount over all aspects of life—including political life. Our political and social responsibilities do not need to conflict with our personal or spiritual obligations.

In Mark 12:28–34, Jesus was asked to determine the importance of various laws to the people and the nation. On this Christian and Citizen Sunday Jesus’ message about love of neighbor is an important lens through which to focus on our own nation. From age to age, we have said:

• That the General Assembly emphasize the moral obligation resting upon each citizen to register and vote in primaries and in local, state, and national elections.
• That the General Assembly designate November 5 [1944] as Election Day Sunday, with a theme such as “This nation under God”; with appropriate recognition wherever possible of those in each church who have reached voting age during the past year.
• That the General Assembly urge that through such means as discussion groups, forums, panels, and town meetings, our churches, seminaries, colleges, and Westminster Foundations help their members to form opinions and reach decisions in respect to social issues in the light of Christian principles.
• That the General Assembly urge the members of our churches by interview or letter to convey to candidates, and to political leaders who participate in the nomination of candidates, their informed and active concern in community and national issues of social and ethical importance.
• That the General Assembly urge our churches, seminaries, colleges, and Westminster Foundations to encourage their members to petition or communicate with, during the year, their representatives in Congress or [the] state legislature upon pending measures of moral and social significance.
  
  —Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, director, Washington Office

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