How can Christian leaders faithfully navigate politics?

Christian leaders may wonder how they can be true to their faith convictions in a polarized political atmosphere. New resources, along with essays and interviews from the Faith & Leadership archives, can help.

The 2024 election
Christian nationalism
The 2020 election
Politics and religious faith
Leading in the public square
Conflict and polarization
The 2016 election

Image link to article: What is the role of the church in helping the nation heal after this divisive election?

What is the role of the church in helping the nation heal after this divisive election?

Austin Almaguer William H. Lamar IV Liz Theoharis Lydia Shiu Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Adam Russell Taylor Michael Wear

Image link to article: What do you pray for before an election?

What do you pray for before an election?

Image link to article: Kelly Brown Douglas: The history and hope in Kamala Harris’ candidacy

Kelly Brown Douglas: The history and hope in Kamala Harris’ candidacy

Image link to article: What does it mean to follow Jesus in a divided America?

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a divided America?

By Bekah McNeel Journalist and author

Image link to article: Six ways small churches can help us stay human during election season

Six ways small churches can help us stay human during election season

By Andy Stanton-Henry Co-director, Quaker Leadership Center at Earlham School of Religion

Image link to article: Ruth Braunstein: More organizations are recognizing the threat of Christian nationalism

Ruth Braunstein: More organizations are recognizing the threat of Christian nationalism

Image link to article: Churches will have work to do no matter who wins in November

Churches will have work to do no matter who wins in November

Erin Weber-Johnson Thia Reggio

Image link to article: Curtis Chang: Moving people toward greater hope and humility across political differences

Curtis Chang: Moving people toward greater hope and humility across political differences

Image link to article: For many Black church leaders, it’s about seeing God in Gaza

For many Black church leaders, it’s about seeing God in Gaza

By Willie Dwayne Francois III President, Black Church Center for Justice and Equality

Image link to article: Dan Partland: Christian nationalism threatens democracy and the church

Dan Partland: Christian nationalism threatens democracy and the church

Image link to article: Christians cannot remain silent about the plight of Gaza

Christians cannot remain silent about the plight of Gaza

Image link to article: Ensuring access to the polls is a sacred cause

Ensuring access to the polls is a sacred cause

By Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners

Image link to article: David P. Gushee: Christians threaten democracy — and can help save it

David P. Gushee: Christians threaten democracy — and can help save it

supreme court photo

Reproductive justice and abortion

By Rebecca Todd Peters Professor, Elon University

Image link to article: ‘The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism’

‘The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism’

By Tim Alberta Journalist

Image link to article: Christians have a responsibility to confront Christian nationalism

Christians have a responsibility to confront Christian nationalism

By Amanda Tyler Executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty

Image link to article: Ruth Braunstein: More organizations are recognizing the threat of Christian nationalism

Ruth Braunstein: More organizations are recognizing the threat of Christian nationalism

Image link to article: Dan Partland: Christian nationalism threatens democracy and the church

Dan Partland: Christian nationalism threatens democracy and the church

Image link to article: The pastoral challenge of Christian nationalism

The pastoral challenge of Christian nationalism

By Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Assistant director and lecturer, Center for Public Theology & Public Policy, Yale Divinity School

Image link to article: Faith-based advocacy and understanding the separation of church and state

Faith-based advocacy and understanding the separation of church and state

By Holly Hollman General counsel and associate executive director, BJC

Image link to article: Watching the events of Jan. 6 as an ex-evangelical

Watching the events of Jan. 6 as an ex-evangelical

By Bradley Onishi Author

Image link to article: Why did Biden underperform among Latinx voters?

Why did Biden underperform among Latinx voters?

Mark T. Mulder Gerardo Martí

Image link to article: Kelly Brown Douglas: After the election, faith leaders must fill the vacuum of moral leadership

Kelly Brown Douglas: After the election, faith leaders must fill the vacuum of moral leadership

Image link to article: Ian Carr McPherson: Seeking the common good in an uncommon time

Ian Carr McPherson: Seeking the common good in an uncommon time

By Ian Carr McPherson Associate Pastor, United Church of Chapel Hill

Image link to article: In a season of reckonings, forgiveness is not forgetting

In a season of reckonings, forgiveness is not forgetting

By Anthea Butler Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania

Image link to article: Kristin Kobes Du Mez: Toxic masculinity in evangelical culture is crucial to Trump's success

Kristin Kobes Du Mez: Toxic masculinity in evangelical culture is crucial to Trump's success

Image link to article: David P. Gushee: The problem with white evangelicalism is not Jesus

David P. Gushee: The problem with white evangelicalism is not Jesus

Image link to article: John Fea: Evangelicals may vote the same in 2020 as in 2016, but we understand them much better now

John Fea: Evangelicals may vote the same in 2020 as in 2016, but we understand them much better now

By John Fea Professor of history, Messiah University

Image link to article: Errin Haines: Called to be a voice of clarity

Errin Haines: Called to be a voice of clarity

By Ellen Ann Fentress Writer

Image link to article: Protecting the freedom to practice all faiths without fear

Protecting the freedom to practice all faiths without fear

By Melissa Rogers Visiting professor, Wake Forest University School of Divinity

Image link to article: Prince Rivers: Getting Souls to the Polls this election season

Prince Rivers: Getting Souls to the Polls this election season

Image link to article: Exorcism at the polls

Exorcism at the polls

By Patrick B. Reyes Senior director of learning design, Forum for Theological Exploration

Image link to article: Interfaith advocacy groups collaborate to help the nation’s vulnerable

Interfaith advocacy groups collaborate to help the nation’s vulnerable

By Edie Gross Journalist

Image link to article: Leah Schade: How pastors can bridge political divides in 2020

Leah Schade: How pastors can bridge political divides in 2020

Image link to article: Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove: Voting for our own souls

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove: Voting for our own souls

By Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Assistant director and lecturer, Center for Public Theology & Public Policy, Yale Divinity School

Image link to article: Why don't all Latinx Americans vote 'blue'?

Why don't all Latinx Americans vote 'blue'?

Mark T. Mulder Gerardo Martí

Image link to article: Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove: Reclaiming public faith from the religious right

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove: Reclaiming public faith from the religious right

Image link to article: Faith-based advocacy and understanding the separation of church and state

Faith-based advocacy and understanding the separation of church and state

By Holly Hollman General counsel and associate executive director, BJC

Image link to article: Broken faith

Broken faith

By Anthea Butler Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania

Image link to article: "How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace"

"How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace"

By Melissa Florer-Bixler Pastor, Raleigh Mennonite Church

Image link to article: Laura Stern: Must we keep the church out of politics and politics out of the church?

Laura Stern: Must we keep the church out of politics and politics out of the church?

By Laura Stern Senior Pastor, Apex United Methodist Church

Image link to article: Michael Wear: Christians should be involved in party politics

Michael Wear: Christians should be involved in party politics

Image link to article: Luke Bretherton: Politics is key to loving your neighbor

Luke Bretherton: Politics is key to loving your neighbor

Image link to article: Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson joins the tradition of prophetic Black faith leaders

Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson joins the tradition of prophetic Black faith leaders

By Jazmine L. Brooks Pastor and journalist

Image link to article: The shadows and fears cast by US immigration policy

The shadows and fears cast by US immigration policy

By Maria Teresa Gastón Former director, Foundations of Christian Leadership

Image link to article: William J. Barber II: We have to dare to preach the gospel

William J. Barber II: We have to dare to preach the gospel

Image link to article: Eric D. Barreto: Reading the Bible in public

Eric D. Barreto: Reading the Bible in public

By Eric D. Barreto Frederick and Margaret L. Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary

Image link to article: Ben Irwin: Reject political idolatry this election season

Ben Irwin: Reject political idolatry this election season

By Ben Irwin Writer and editor

Image link to article: Edgar Moore: Election Day, in the shadow of the cross

Edgar Moore: Election Day, in the shadow of the cross

By Ed Moore Retired United Methodist elder

Image link to article: John Inazu: Confident pluralism -- surviving and thriving through deep difference

John Inazu: Confident pluralism -- surviving and thriving through deep difference

Image link to article: Stephen R. Haynes: The battle for Bonhoeffer

Stephen R. Haynes: The battle for Bonhoeffer

Image link to article: William H. Lamar IV: Black preaching, after the election

William H. Lamar IV: Black preaching, after the election

By William H. Lamar IV Pastor, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church

Image link to article: Cameron Barr: The pastoral vocation in the age of President Trump

Cameron Barr: The pastoral vocation in the age of President Trump

By Cameron Barr Senior Pastor, United Church of Chapel Hill

Image link to article: Ginger Gaines-Cirelli: Sacred resistance is about our being, not just our doing

Ginger Gaines-Cirelli: Sacred resistance is about our being, not just our doing

Image link to article: Robert Wilson-Black: Resistance and healing, after the election

Robert Wilson-Black: Resistance and healing, after the election