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Presbyterians believe in the separation of church and state. But they believe just as passionately in not separating politics from faith. Presbyterians believe in freedom of religion and all the implications of the first amendment. We believe the state should not dictate what a person believes, how a person worships or what religion a person professes, if any, when that person runs for office. Likewise, when it comes to the affairs of the church, Presbyterians hope the state will mind its own business. But Presbyterians also believe the church should faithfully-even boldly---mind the business of the state. Citizenship is a gift from God and proper exercise of citizenship is part of how we understand our personal and corporate stewardship.

The link between faith and politics begins with the Presbyterian belief in a biblical call to justice. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, scripture reminds us that God asks not only for charity but also justice---through our actions as individuals, our laws and our ways of governance. The prophet Micah wrote, "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Mic. 6:8). Isaiah concurred, saying "Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isa. 1:16b--17). The book of Isaiah also has harsh words for policymakers who do not seek justice and fairness: "Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be your spoil, and that you may make the orphans your prey!" (Isa. 10:1--2). The way of God is a way of justice, where those who are powerless-poor or sick people, orphans and widows-are not excluded or oppressed. They are, instead, welcomed fully into the community and loved by God. This "way of God" was never more fully expressed than in the person of Jesus Christ, who shared his life and ministry with poor people, outcasts and the oppressed. Yet Jesus declared that he had come with the authority of God's righteousness and justice: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Lk. 4:18--19). As followers of Christ, we, too, should proclaim this good news. The Book of Order makes clear our call-"The Church is called to be Christ's faithful evangelist . . . participating in God's activity in the world through its life for others by healing and reconciling and binding up wounds; ministering to the needs of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the powerless; engaging in the struggle to free people from sin, fear, oppression, hunger, and injustice; giving itself and its substance to the service of those who suffer; sharing with Christ in the establishing of his just, peaceable, and loving rule in the world" (Book of Order, G-3.0300). In Christ, God has given us the example of how we are to live in community with one another, and in him we have found new life. In return, we are called to proclaim that life of wholeness, love and justice to the world around us.

Religion Vs. Politics

The Reformed tradition has strongly influenced the Presbyterian understanding of both the role and structure of governmental systems. Central to Reformed theology is the idea of the sovereignty of God above all people and institutions, including kings, emperors and presidents. But civil governments also have an important role to play as part of God's plan for the welfare of people, as illustrated in the Scots Confession (based on Romans 13:1) in The Book of Confessions: "We confess and acknowledge that empires, kingdoms, dominions, and cities are appointed and ordained by God; the powers and authorities in them . . . are ordained by God's holy ordinance for the manifestation of his own glory and for the good and well being of [all]" (The Book of Confessions, 3.24). This theological belief about the nature of government became the foundation for the representational system found both in the Presbyterian church (the General Assembly) and in the United States Congress. In fact, the formation of the General Assembly in 1789 most likely had a marked effect on the organization of the newly-formed United States. In his book, A Brief History of the Presbyterians (Louisville, Ky.: Geneva Press, 1996), James Smylie writes "Some in the past have argued that the [U.S.] government was modeled after the Presbyterian system of government. It would be more accurate to say that Reformed views of God's sovereignty and of human sinfulness and potential moved those in the new nation to proceed in this direction. While human needs and potential make society necessary and possible, human sinfulness makes it imperative to provide the proper checks and balances and the proper separation, as well as relationships between governmental functions, to keep authority and power from becoming absolute, arbitrary and corrupt." Whatever the relationship between creation of the General Assembly and the ordering of the United States Congress, Presbyterians living in this country during the late 1800s believed involvement with political systems was a right and appropriate way to exercise faith. Moreover, the state is the creator of our societal systems of justice through law. It was crucial, therefore, that government be comprised of representatives from the society itself and be constructed on foundations of justice and fairness. The creation of a government "of the people" ensured that the purpose of government would continue to be the betterment of the society as a whole, rather than the benefit of a powerful few.

A Tradition of Activism

The Presbyterian denomination has a long history of participation in government and advocacy. From our Presbyterian ancestors who helped write the Declaration of Independence to the 49 Presbyterian representatives and senators currently serving in the 107th Congress, we've regularly brought our faith into the political arena. Presbyterians have lobbied on Capitol Hill, run for office, fought in the military, given money to political campaigns, been arrested protesting unjust laws and voted in elections-all on the foundation of their religious beliefs. Reflections from the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) and its predecessor denominations provide guidelines about the church's role in government. In 1988, the General Assembly stated that churches, organizations and individuals of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are "obliged by the religious faith and order they profess to participate in public life and become involved in the realm of politics"(1988 Statement --- PC(USA), p. 572). In 1993, the 205th General Assembly adopted a study entitled "Why and How the Church Makes a Social Policy Witness," a statement that emphasized the importance of social policy witness in the life of the church community. Various General Assemblies have also produced policy reflections and recommendations on a variety of social issues. The social witness policies represent the denomination's "corporate witness in society." The Presbyterian Social Witness Policy Compilation (SWPC), completed in 2000, is a summary of the issues addressed by the denomination(s) since 1946.

In the SWPC, a wide variety of issues are identified as important to the faith of Presbyterians. Common themes are present despite the diversity of issues. God's charge to advocate for people who are poor, hungry, sick, marginalized and oppressed is clearly articulated. Stewardship of God's good creation, reconciliation with neighbors near and far, commitment to fairness and justice in law, and peaceful resolution to conflict are also present the resolutions. And the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms that the purpose of government is to promote the good of the society, the nation and the world.

Advocating Nationally and Globally

Since 1946, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has maintained a Washington office that serves as the public policy and advocacy office of the General Assembly. In addition to providing a Presbyterian presence in this nation's capital, staff in the Washington Office analyze policies, meet with lawmakers and share the legislative concerns of the General Assembly with our elected leaders in Congress. The General Assembly and other bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide direction for individuals and churches to proclaim God's will for our cities, nation and world. Through examination of scripture, theology, church history and denominational polity, our call to participate in civic life is clear. In a democracy, it is our blessing and responsibility to voice our ethical beliefs in political arenas. We are able to voice our opinions, write to our members of Congress, vote in elections and even run for office without threat of violence or oppression. But as citizens of the United States, our responsibility extends even further. The United States is the most powerful country in the world. The decisions our government makes have tremendous impact on the well being of people around the world. Often, the decisions of our government also influence the choices of other powerful nations, multiplying their effect for good or ill. We live in an increasingly globalized world and daily we become more and more interconnected around the planet. Yet the gap between rich and poor, between the haves and have nots, grows ever wider. There is perhaps no more important time than this for Christians in the United States to ensure that our government makes sound choices for the welfare and good of everyone. God calls us to the work of justice and to advocate for those in need who have no voice. As a community, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, let us answer God's call.

Aimee Moiso is a frequent contributor to Horizons. She is the religious media associate for Bread for the World, a Christian antihunger lobbying organization. This fall she will leave that position to begin the master of divinity program at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Resources

The Presbyterian Washington Office has a variety of resources to help you participate in public policy ministry. To request copies of any of the following materials, visit www.pcusa.org/ washington/resources.htm or call 202/543-1126.

Speaking Truth to Power
Outlines the purpose and programs of the Presbyterian Washington Office

How To Be An Effective Advocate . . . Making Our Voices Heard!
Offers advice on communicating with public officials, making visits to Capitol Hill and writing letters to the editor

Washington Report to Presbyterians
A bimonthly publication that covers a broad range of public policy issues of concern to the General Assembly

Bread for the World

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) often collaborates with other denominations and organizations on matters of public policy. One such group is Bread for the World, a grassroots Christian organization of 45,000 members nationwide that works to end hunger in the United States and worldwide by lobbying Congress in support of antihunger legislation. Each year, Bread for the World members and churches write letters to Congress as part of an "Offering of Letters" and their combined voices have consistently won victories for hungry people. This year, Bread for the World's campaign, Working from Poverty to Promise, seeks to strengthen the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF, better known as welfare). As people move from welfare to work, it is crucial that they have the support they need during their transition so they are able to leave poverty behind. More than 31 million people, including 11.6 million children, currently live in poverty in the United States. During 2002, Congress must renew and revise TANF, giving concerned Christians and citizens the opportunity to urge Congress to strengthen the program by supporting workers and emphasizing poverty reduction. "It will take people of faith to move Congress to reauthorize TANF in ways that truly reduce poverty in America and provide an adequate safety net for needy families," said Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Washington Office. She added, "Working from Poverty to Promise is a useful way for churches to make an effective public policy witness." To find out more about Bread for the World's campaign, call 800/82-BREAD or visit www.bread.org. Information is also available by contacting the Presbyterian Hunger Program, 888/728-7228, ext. 5816; gcook@ctr.pcusa.org; or visit www.pcusa.org/wmd/hunger.

Hunger No More

Hunger No More: Decisions 2002 is a packet of educational materials designed to help people understand how we can move closer to the promise of Revelation 7:16: "They shall hunger no more." This new resource has been developed thanks to a unique partnership among the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the hunger ministries of several other protestant denominations, Bread for the World Institute and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, in conversation with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Jewish and Muslim organizations. The six sessions of Hunger No More are suitable for a variety of groups and occasions, including adult study groups, church school classes, youth groups, Christian communities, social ministry/justice committees and interfaith discussions. Biblical passages introduce key discussion themes, such as who is hungry and poor in the United States; how current welfare programs are working; national nutrition programs and ways to strengthen them; how public policies can support people trying to make ends meet; the situation of children in the United States; and balancing personal and social responsibility. For more information about Hunger No More: Decisions 2002, contact the Presbyterian Hunger Program, 888/728-7228, ext. 5816; gcook@ctr.pcusa.org; or visit www.pcusa.org/wmd/hunger.

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