10.23.20 | Advocacy and Action
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
–Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
United Methodists define themselves as a people of personal and social holiness. Our pastors preach with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other and our laity bring their faith to conversations about social issues facing our communities and world.
Sometimes our faith leads us to disagree with popular opinion or cultural norms. In these instances, United Methodists speak out in a spirit of respect and dissent.
During this election season, United Methodist bishops in the United States issued a statement that says, in part, “The right of every citizen to vote in the United States is under attack, and with it, the foundation of American democracy and the sacred worth of all persons. We call United Methodists to vote and to protect free and fair elections and peaceful transfer of power.”
The United Methodist Social Principles in Para. 164.F state: “...we recognize the right of individuals to dissent when acting under the constraint of conscience and, after having exhausted all legal recourse, to resist or disobey laws that they deem to be unjust or that are discriminately enforced. Even then, respect for the law should be shown by refraining from violence and by being willing to accept the costs of disobedience. We do not encourage or condone any form of violent protest as a legitimate exercise of free speech or civil disobedience.”
Church leaders serve as models for both prophetic witness and pastoral care and safety. As such, there must always be a balance of demands for justice and non-violent engagement.
Learn more:
- The Political Community: Civil Obedience and Civil Disobedience – from the 2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶164.F
- Is The United Methodist Church Involved in Politics? – An article explores this question
- Just Peace – A United Methodist group that addresses conflict in churches and communities with the aim of furthering the theology, theory, and practice of conflict transformation. They assert: “We can all be constructive in the way we engage conflict, making it an opportunity for growth, learning, healing, and even revelation.”
- Worship and Election Day – Discipleship Ministries offers a variety of opportunities for worship in connection with the upcoming November elections in the United States
- United Methodist Social Creed – Accompanied by a litany to be used in worship or small group settings
