With the Presidential debates well over, millions of people are heading to the polls. One of the key voting blocks will have an opportunity to make their vote a spiritual act. My church, The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, will holding a communion service on election day.
Election Day Communion, a movement started by several pastors, is encouraging congregations and Christians to head to the communion table after heading to the polls. Evangelicals, a targeted demographic by Republicans, are often noted for their conservative stance on political issues. Now, all Christians will have the opportunity to unite around The Table instead of being divisive. Insuring that Election Day Communion does not get partisan, the movement does not endorse a candidate or party.
The movement’s website describes how Election Day Communion started:
The Election Day Communion Campaign began with a concern that Christians in the United States are being shaped more by the tactics and ideologies of political parties than by their identity in and allegiance to Jesus.
Out of this concern, a simple vision sparked the imaginations of several Mennonite pastors: The Church being the Church on Election Day, gathering at the Lord’s Table to remember, to practice, to give thanks for, and to proclaim its allegiance to Christ.
Truly, to share communion on such an important day in our country’s future seems to be natural. To not only provide an opportunity for spiritual connection, but also to remind us that God who ultimately gets our true alliance and vote. Having a great awareness of God’s role in our lives and our voting decisions is critical in this new era of incivility in politics. Our hope and strength comes from not advancing a political agenda, but from affirming that the Kingdom of God deserves our attention, adoration, and allegiance.
John Wesley wrote in his journal on October 6, 1774, some very good advice when it comes to politics and voting:
“I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them, 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy: 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: And, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
Wesley’s words are a brilliant guide to following the Kingdom of God in the midst of political differences. Through the simple and ancient act of Communion, we can all gain a deeper reflection upon God’s inclusiveness and priorities in a system were the majority rules.
You can sign your church up here.