ERC Monthly Newsletter

September 2020

From the Pastor’s Corner

Navigating the Waters Between Politics and Religion


I wasn’t in the pulpit this past Sunday, so there is no sermon reflections this week. However, I did want to take a moment to discuss how difficult it is sometimes—particularly in our current cultural and political environment—to navigate the waters of politics and religion.


Full disclosure: In my early to late 20’s, I wasn’t very politically active at all; neither was I religious (having walked away from the church when I was 18). Into my 30’s, I had a “political epiphany” in which I embraced political conservatism and began intentionally voting republican. It wasn’t until I was 36 that I came faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, so from that point on I became a conservative Christian.


This “conservatism” was both politically and theologically. I had gotten to the point that I honestly thought that if you didn’t vote republican, then you really couldn’t call yourself a Christian. I mean, what Christian would be for the right for women to abort their unborn children? What Christian would vote for someone who was a socialist? I had really believed that the Republican Party was the Christian party.


I’m 55 now, and I haven’t believed that for the last 5-10 years. Coming to a more Reformed Christian perspective rather than a Conservative Christian perspective has broadened my view somewhat. There are things the Republican Party believes that align with Christian values (Right to Life, personal responsibility, respect for law and order, etc.). There are things the Republican Party believes that are relatively neutral with Christian values (being pro-business, low taxation, strong national defense, etc.). Similarly, there are things the Democrat Party believes in that also align with Christian values (care for the poor and the oppressed, “social” justice*, etc.).


What’s my point? Simply put, it’s this: There is NO SUCH THING as a “Christian” party. Christians are free to vote for whomever, or whichever party, their conscience allows them to. Now I’m convinced in my own conscience that there are more reasons to vote Republican than Democrat, but these are decisions that I came to after thinking, researching, and praying.


Moreover, my first allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom, not to the United States of America or the Republican Party. As a Christian and as a minister of the Word, I am called to not only love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:39), but also to love my enemies (Matthew 5:44). In other words, the command to love supersedes national loyalty or party loyalty. The command to love knows no bounds—racial, political, social, religious, or national.


One of the things that troubles me every two years in this country (i.e., every election cycle) is that the nation becomes more and more polarized. This, unfortunately, bleeds into the church as Christians become politically active. Now, I have no problem with political activity. In fact, I believe we should exercise whatever rights we’ve been granted by whatever government under which we live. But if our political activity causes to not love our brother or sister, then we’ve crossed a line. If our political activity prompts us to speak evil of someone on the “other side,” then we’ve crossed a line. Again, full disclosure: I say this as someone who has been guilty of such sins and has had to repent.


Ultimately our destiny is not decided by who wins on November 3rd. If you’re a Christian, then your destiny was decided 2,000 years ago outside of Jerusalem by a Jewish rabbi who was crucified on a hill called Golgotha. That Jewish rabbi, was Jesus Christ—The Son of God, the Eternal Word, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Messiah! If you’re a Christian, then you’re a citizen of God’s Kingdom and our hope lies in heaven where Jesus now sits at the Father’s right hand and who will one day return to judge the living and the dead.


If you’re not a Christian, then ultimately it doesn’t matter who wins on November 3rd because you’re hope is in the things of this world, which, as the Bible says, are passing away (2 Peter 3:7). The Bible commands “all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31)! This is the only sure rock upon which to stand.


~Pastor Carl

Upcoming Events

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Sunday School
Sunday, September 6th  •  9:30–10:30 am (CDT)
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Worship
Sunday, September 6th  •  10:30–11:30 am (CDT)
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Family Bible Study

We will be resuming our Family Bible Study on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month. We will begin a study through the book of Revelation. This is a great opportunity to invite people to come!

Sunday, September 6th  •  7–8 pm (CDT)
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Consistory Meeting
Tuesday, September 8th  •  8:00–9:30 pm (CDT)
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Family Bible Study

We will be resuming our Family Bible Study on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month. We will begin a study through the book of Revelation. This is a great opportunity to invite people to come!

Sunday, September 20th  •  7–8 pm (CDT)
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Church Fellowship

Join at the parsonage after worship on Sunday For coffee, tea, and fellowship.

Sunday, September 27th  •  12–2 pm (CDT)

ERC News

Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS) posted an announcement
5 months ago — Edited

Church Fellowship

Come over to the parsonage after worship on Sunday, November 22, for a time of coffee, tea, and fellowship!

    Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS)
    5 months ago

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    Responding to the True Light
    The latest sermon from our sermon series through the Gospel of John called “Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.” In this message we explore John 1:6-13.
    sermons.faithlife.com

      Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS)
      5 months ago

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      In the Beginning Was the Word
      The first in a new sermon series through the Gospel of John titled “Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.”
      sermons.faithlife.com

        Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS) posted an announcement
        5 months ago — Edited

        ERC Ladies Bible Study

        Ladies of ERC, join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM, as we begin a study through the book of Genesis.

          Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS) posted an announcement
          5 months ago — Edited

          Current Sermon Series

          Join us each Sunday as we work our way through the Gospel of John. It’s a series titled “Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.”

            Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS) posted an announcement
            5 months ago — Edited

            Adult Sunday School

            Join us as we continue our study through Paul’s letter to the Romans.

              Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS) posted an announcement
              6 months ago — Edited

              Family Bible Study

              Join us on the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s of each month at 7:00 for a Family Bible Study through the Book of Revelation.

                Verse of the Month

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                By Emmanuel Reformed Church (RCUS)
                Glorifying God through the proclamation of the Gospel.
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