More than 400 U.S. Christians of multiple denominations have signed an ecumenical statement urging Christians to stand up for their neighbors, protect vulnerable people and defend democracy as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
Drafted by an ad hoc coalition of prominent faith leaders, “A Call to Christians” begins: “We are facing a cruel and oppressive government; citizens and immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed; the erosion of hard-won rights and freedoms; and a calculated effort to reverse America’s growing racial and ethnic diversity — all of which are pushing us toward authoritarian and imperial rule,” reads the letter, which organizers said was spearheaded by a group of Christian leaders who have been meeting regularly to discuss how to respond to the Trump administration.
“A Call to Christians” was released on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of penitence and reflection known as Lent. The 40-day observance recalls Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and encourages Christians to engage in self-examination and prayer.
A video introduces the statement, featuring leaders of multiple Christian traditions including evangelical pastor-activist Shane Claiborne and Jim Wallis, former editor of Sojourners magazine now affiliated with Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice. The video also features Jennifer Hawks, director of advocacy with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
The website includes two sections with connections for Christians to pursue spiritual and nonpartisan political outreach:Ways to get involved, a calendar of events, and tools and resources, liturgical and advocacy resources and communications tools for conducting worship, prayer and public witness.
The statement’s call to action urges Christians, among other steps, to:
- Protect and stand with vulnerable people
- Love neighbors
- Speak truth to power
- Seek peace
- Do justice
- Strengthen democracy
- Practice hope
- Ground discipleship “in prayer and love”
The statement also refutes recent comments by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist who issued a theological defense of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Johnson contends biblical instructions to “welcome the stranger” apply only to individuals, not governments, an assertion that the statement refutes.
Jack Jenkins of Religion News Service reported: “The statement adds to growing faith-led resistance to the president’s agenda that has erupted over the past year, particularly in opposition to his immigration policies. In addition to statements and sermons issued by religious leaders — including Pope Leo XIV — condemning various policies, more than 100 clergy and faith leaders have been arrested while protesting Department of Homeland Security actions over the past year, and others have been pepper sprayed or shot with pepper balls and pepper rounds.”
The statement closes with a section titled “Choosing Faithfulness” that cites Joshua 24:15, exhorting Christians: “Now is the time to take risks for the sake of the gospel and our democratic rights and freedoms.”