Uncommon Sense: Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church

When the request from the campaign staff of a major presidential candidate landed on Rev. Hustisford’s desk at Forbearance last week, he knew he’d have to take it to the Session for consideration. “Your state,” it said, “is vitally important…your church’s central location will enable your members and friends to hear our candidate’s message of national renewal… during a Sunday service, perhaps… a ‘meet and greet’… a plan for a new direction… message of hope, concern and determination.”

It made Rev. Hustisford uneasy. While he was, in some respects, a political junkie, he did not want his church to appear to endorse one candidate or one party over another. And, even more than that, it seemed to him that the “culture” of the church and that of a political campaign were at fundamental odds—a timeless message versus an expedient message… the Gospel of Christ, not for sale, versus the money and dominance sought by political candidates… justice and mercy, no matter where they lead, versus poll-driven calculations and shrewd regional message refinements urged by handlers… the development of a deep faith that sensitizes souls to what really matters versus bumper sticker morality and shortcut allegiances.

How do Rev. Hustisford and the members of Forbearance align religion and politics? And what can we learn from them about faith and politics? To find out, read the full text of this article in the September/October issue of Horizons.

Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2007 issue (HZN-07-240; $4 plus shipping).

Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She (and the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian Church) welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396, or email wjohns4949@aol.com. Some of Charlotte’s most beloved tales from Forbearance are now available in the book, Annie, the Kitchen Queen and Other Dispatches from Forbearance Presbyterian Church. Order through Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612 or www.pcusa.org/ marketplace; item HZN-06-304; $10 plus shipping and handling.

Illustration by Catherine Latson

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How do Rev. Hustisford and the members of Forbearance align religion and politics? And what can we learn from them about faith and politics? To find out, read the full text of this article in the September/ October issue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/ October 2007 issue (HZN-07-240; $4 plus shipping).	Uncommon Sense by Charlotte Johnstone When the request from the campaign staff of a major presidential candidate landed on Rev. Hustisford’s desk at Forbearance last week, he knew he’d have to take it to the Session for consideration. “Your state,” it said, “is vitally important…your church’s central location will enable your members and friends to hear our candidate’s message of national renewal… during a Sunday service, perhaps… a ‘meet and greet’… a plan for a new direction… message of hope, concern and determination.” It made Rev. Hustisford uneasy. While he was, in some respects, a political junkie, he did not want his church to appear to endorse one candidate or one party over another. And, even more than that, it seemed to him that the “culture” of the church and that of a political campaign were at fundamental odds—a timeless message versus an expedient message… the Gospel of Christ, not for sale, versus the money and dominance sought by political candidates… justice and mercy, no matter where they lead, versus poll-driven calculations and shrewd regional message refinements urged by handlers… the development of a deep faith that sensitizes souls to what really matters versus bumper sticker morality and shortcut allegiances. How do Rev. Hustisford and the members of Forbearance align religion and politics? And what can we learn from them about faith and politics? To find out, read the full text of this article in the September/October issue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2007 issue (HZN-07-240; $4 plus shipping). Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She (and the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian Church) welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396, or email wjohns4949@aol.com. Some of Charlotte’s most beloved tales from Forbearance are now available in the book, Annie, the Kitchen Queen and Other Dispatches from Forbearance Presbyterian Church. Order through Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612 or www.pcusa.org/ marketplace; item HZN-06-304; $10 plus shipping and handling. Illustration by Catherine Latson Other Articles Online This Issue The Sabbath Promise Keeping Time Cultivating a Sabbath Heart Everyday Prayers [web exclusive] Builders of a Legacy, Keepers of the Faith Celebrating St. Nicholas How Will You Celebrate? Supporting Mission Building Community Mosaic Health Connections Faithful Parenting	Current Issue SEPT/OCT 2007 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the September/October 2007 (HZN-07-240) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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