Pastors and political office: They too are
Dumi Mmualefe | Monday May 26, 2014 14:12
That human beings are political beings need not be overemphasised. These beings, even those who think of themselves as atheist are religious as they seek “non-religion” to feel the religious space in them thus making a religion out of no-religion.
Botswana being predominately Christian is, needless to say very religious. It is due to this factor that usually at this time, “the silly year” of election, debates abound on whether church ministers or pastors should be involved in politics.
First and foremost, these baruti are part of a humanity that is both political, occupying a political space and religious. In fact as religious leaders their being religious is glaring for everyone to see.
Secondly, these baruti as citizens of Botswana, which happens to be a republic have every God-given right to participate in political processes such as voting.
Those with a right to vote have a right to be voted into the same political office they have a right to vote others into. Christians act responsibly when they participate in elections.
No one questions whether it is right or wrong for Christians to cast votes at elections. Neither does anyone question whether or not it is okay for Christians (who are not pastors) to be elected into political office. A good number of our political leaders are Christians.
So the question of whether it is right or wrong for pastors to seek political office should not arise.
There is nothing inherently wrong with political office otherwise Christians should not elect anyone into it. The problem is not whether it is right for ministers or pastors to stand for political office.
The question is, at least for me whether a Christian minister who stands for a political office can stand for Christian principles while exercising their political rights and responsibilities.
The question is more of commitment to the Christian calling and ministry than of the sanctity or otherwise of politics. This commitment to be different, indeed a commitment to stand for the justice of God should be seen at political party level.
The question should be what value do these men and women of God add in their respective political organisations?
The problem is when one is in a political party and adds nothing different. The quest to be liked and to go with the tide is most of the time overwhelming. This calls for steadfastness and commitment to the divine calling.
There are arguments that it is good for pastors to contest for political office because they will sanitise the supposedly dirty political world.
The reality is if they cannot sanitise it at local political level then they cannot sanitise it at council, parliament or cabinet level.
Church ministers should always be prophets in the mould of Amos, Isaiah, Zechariah and others.
These men professed the mind of God and called for justice and righteousness, they stood against oppression and corruption, and they spoke out and counselled the powerful of their time.
Pastors and ministers should be the voice of the stranger, the naked, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the thirsty and the hungry, they should be the voice of “the least of these who are members of my [Jesus’] family” (Matthew 25:31ff).
This, as they say “charity begins at home”, must begin at local level. For me that is the measure of a minister who understands and is committed to his/her calling.
The question ministers aspiring for national or local government office should wrestle with is whether they would be missed, of cause for the right reasons, should they leave their parties, and whether they are making any Godly difference.
Having said that we need to dispel the fallacy and fantasy that make us assume the church is the most righteous place.
Where there is no justice there cannot be righteousness for righteousness is the justice of God.
Unfortunately, there can be more injustice in the church especially when it is practiced in the name of God.
How many times do church courts think God’s justice when making decisions on congregants? One who aspires for political office must demonstrate their commitment to their justice-calling starting in the church.
The other assumption that we must deal with is the thinking that Christians will always agree on theological, ethical and moral issues.
It is folly to believe for instance, that Pastor Biggie Butale and Revs. Mpho Moruakgomo or Rupert Hambira, though all in the Botswana Democratic party will agree, for instance on how to respond to key population issues such as homosexuality!
The two might be more in agreement with Rev. Prince Dibeela though he is in the opposition while they will differ amongst themselves on many other issues.
We need resolute and steadfast pastors and ministers who will stand up for their religious convictions and calling.
However, as alluded to, such should know that even their convictions are not absolute! A Christian pastor of worth should always commit to what is the most Godly, and what is most Godly is the most loving thing to do. Such will be fearless yet fair and just.
Such would also accept that they do not possess monopoly of truth nor intelligence.
This calls for a combination of boldness and humility, it calls for one who would not conform for the sake of the party line, one who would not be preoccupied with attracting political favours from party leadership.
One would have no option but to make themselves vulnerable and constantly risk becoming the “black sheep” of the family.
If pastors who are vying for political office, and interestingly, most of them are my friends and brothers, could commit to this, not only would their political parties be healthier and more attractive: they would be more hope for this country.
But at the end of it all: let God’s love and justice be the guiding principle. To God be the glory!