Giving thanks for our leaders

As Christians, we are enjoined by the Bible to pray for our civil leaders. The Apostle Paul offered this guidance in 1 Timothy 2:1-4,

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings [presidents] and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."


When Paul wrote this, Nero was the "President" of the Roman empire. He was a cruel leader, especially towards Christians. Despite this reality, Paul recognized the importance of not only offering "supplications, prayers, intercessions," but also of "giving thanks" for "kings and all who are in authority."

How can you thank God for someone with whom you disagree? Why should you thank God for someone whose policies you consider to be wrong or unbiblical?

The purpose of giving thanks is to keep our hearts clear of bitterness and darkness. (Romans 1:20-22) Giving thanks for all people, and especially leaders, promotes civility among citizens, so that we all may "lead a quiet and peaceable life." It is also necessary to recognize the principles of government, even while we work to change bad policies. As Christians, our assignment in sharing the Gospel of Christ with willing hearers is unaffected by whoever occupies a civil office.

That said, let us pray and thank God for President George Bush, President-Elect Barack Obama, Governor Mitch Daniels, Mayor Greg Ballard, and for all others.

Some suggested prayer items for our new president

    Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
      1. Wisdom to lead the nation through our national/international economic crisis
        2. Protection/deliverance from wicked and unreasonable people (2 Thess. 3:2)
          3. Blessing and peace for wife and children
            4. Favor with nations and world leaders to restore cooperation on matters in our national/international interest
              5. Strength of conviction to resist evil and uphold good, including the defeat/destruction of terrorists and resistance against radical Islamists (Rom. 13:1-4)
                6. Useful counsel from wise and godly advisors
                  7. Health, rest and relief from the pressures of the office (Hebrews 4:1-8)

                  Understand The Tears


                  [Image from the Chicago Tribune]

                  For many older African Americans, witnessing the election of our nation's first black president was unthinkable only 30 years ago. The occasion is so astonishing that many of us have been moved to tears. These tears of joy celebrate American equality and opportunity at the highest level, representing lifetimes of hopes and questions.

                  Older Americans see our society as a montage of images, memories and experiences. When I pull into the driveway of my northeast side home, I sometimes remember my father showing me the deed to the small home he purchased in 1967. The deed said, in part, that the property should never be sold to "negroes" or "mulattos." I live in a neighborhood where blacks would have likely been unwelcome when my house was built in 1965. I am always aware that brave people, white and black, prayed and sacrificed to overcome racial inequality.

                  On the day of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968, I went bike riding with my friend Bobby. The fact that he was white had not been significant before that day. As the scales of indifference fell off my eyes, I began to understand that there were people who did not want blacks and whites to co-exist as equals in every respect. Bobby and I, as 11-year-olds, were seeds of "the dream."

                  While there have been irresponsible blacks who attracted negative focus, at the core of the "movement" was decency and the determination to be respected as equals with all others. That path to equality required excellence supported by changes in laws and hearts. The most admired Americans share the transcendent quality of excellence and compassion. Admiration is a foundation for equality that causes race to become less of a factor.

                  In reality, whites were more instrumental to Obama's election than blacks. This is the best evidence that America has grown and changed for the better. And the whole world takes notice.

                  President-elect Barack Obama's excellence, personally and politically, is remarkable. His campaign has been both seminal and energizing for our electoral process. He possesses a unique mix of culture, gifts and abilities. At the same time, we must continue to empower people who are less gifted and fortunate.

                  If you see "tears of joy," try to understand this: African Americans, even from the days of slavery, have staked their lives on the hope embedded in these words from our Declaration of Indepdendence, "...All men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

                  Pray for our new president-elect and his family.

                  1 Peter 2:13-17
                  13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

                  New Media for Ministry Pastor’s Roundtable 1.0



                  Come join us for New Media for Ministry Pastor’s Roundtable 1.0

                  Saturday, November 8 @ 10am to 12noon
                  (Click on Image to watch video)

                  New Media for Ministry Pastor’s Roundtable” 1.0 (“one point zero”) will be the first in a series of discussions exploring the growing world of technology, social media and New Media as it relates to effective congregational ministry, outreach and community impact. New Media is a term that defines the convergence of “old media” such as graphics and print with “new” digital media such as Internet based content, digital video-audio, social media. Pastors and their key technology staff/leaders will both share and gain valuable insights. Helpful information and solution resources will be shared.

                  Schedule for Saturday, November 8

                  9:30 am Get acquainted: Sign-in, Pick up free materials
                  10:00 am Opening Prayer | Introduction by Pastor Bryan Hudson, “Do we need New Media?”
                  • Meet Panelists (Show info on screen)
                  • Opening statements from each panelist

                  10:15 am General Discussion Topics:
                  • “What is the state of the Church today in relation to new media and the Internet?”
                  • Are we maximizing the use new media for God’s purposes?
                  • What forms of new media are most effective for “inreach” and “outreach”?
                  • How can pastors lead congregations to adopt new media tools? Is this necessary?
                  • What are the benefits of social media like Myspace and Facebook? Should we promote it or avoid it.
                  • We are some effective productivity tools and techniques?

                  10:50 am Focus Topics (About 20 minutes per topic including Q&A.

                  • Pastor Clary Butler: “How can we leverage the power of social media such as Facebook and MySpace for ministry impact?”
                  • Pastor Al Jennings: “Using new media and technology to more effectively serve our church and community.”
                  • Pastor John Posey (Via Skype): “Harnessing web-based services for networking, training and entrepreneurship”
                  • Pastor Bryan Hudson: “Concepts and best practices for doing cost-effective video and web production?”

                  11:50 am Wrap Up: What topics would be valuable to discuss in a future roundtable?

                  Closing Prayer | Refreshments Served

                  Register at www.NewCovenant.org
                  Call (317) 205-6000

                  Main Street vs. Wall Street: The U.S. House kills rescue bill

                  Here's my take on the failure of the $700 billion rescue bill in the U.S. House of Representatives today (That is wrongly perceived as a "bail out" for wealthy people): I think the angry public is cutting off their nose to spite their face.

                  Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives must respond to districts of voters, especially since they must run for office every two years. Senators are less influenced by smaller districts since there are only two senators per state and serve for six years. In my view, the U.S. House is more susceptible to leading by emotional consensus than is the Senate. House members who hold office for short two-year terms become overly concerned about re-election. This causes representatives to choose to satisfy ill-informed constituents, more than make decisions based on larger concerns like the overarching national necessity for a properly functioning market.

                  I think that President Bush offered a workable solution.

                  Many people are upset with "Wall Street" in terms of greed, corruption, executive pay and such. There is a perception of "Main Street vs. Wall Street," but this is not exactly the case. Many folks think the $700 billion deal is designed to make rich people richer. Everyone wants a "cut" of that pie.

                  I think that doing the deal is more about protecting our investments such as our home values, savings, retirement accounts, college loans, home mortgages (for qualified borrowers!), small business lines of credit, etc. Most folks haven't looked into how financial markets work, so that news of abuse in financial institutions or failures make "Wall Street" appear entirely corrupt.

                  Then there's the whole problem of people thinking the deal is about "socialism." Again, as with financial markets, a lot of folks don't know what socialism is, so rather than respond with informed statements, we react with fear.

                  If public opinion is going to drive this process, we may have to endure a serious financial market crash that makes the public feel the pain. Then, the same people who opposed the deal will enthusiastically support it.

                  Some say that the "market will correct itself." Yes it will, but this won't punish Wall Street more than it punishes us. Wall Street is not a person with a mortgage to pay or kids to raise. The "fat cats" might become a little slimmer, but they have the resources and expertise to survive any financial crisis.

                  Under any scenario, I think it is only the lower and middle classes of citizens that will suffer without this, or another form of financial rescue bill.

                  We need to pray for wisdom for our congress, and that God would allow the spirit of discontent, unforgiveness and anger to lift from our national consciousness.

                  Bryan
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