As a church, we typically do not present political issues to our congregation unless they are clearly Biblical. I believe that policies must be debated and I can understand how godly people come to different perspectives on issues when the Bible doesn't clearly lay out a Christian posture on a particular matter. However, there are several political matters that introduce policies with an underlying ethic that either represents or completely goes against what Scripture teaches. When Biblical matters are brought into public policy, which they often are, we should not be afraid to speak into them with truth and love where prayer and action can be offered. Some Christians have the opinion that the church should not be involved in any political matters but this simply cannot be our perspective if we hold to the Bible as our ultimate authority. Politics negotiate policies which affect people and we care about people so we care about politics.
My job as a pastor is not to tell anyone what to do or how to vote. My role is to facilitate and foster an environment that gathers around the person of Christ, the truth of God's Word and the mission that He has given to us. Within this context, there will be times where I will put things in front of you for your consideration that are worthy of your prayer and potential action. We live in a state and culture that sees many issues like family, sexuality, healthcare, and identity almost entirely one way. This is reflected in our laws, public policies, media and educational system. Some people are unaware, some are angry, some are passive, and others are asking the question "what can we do" or maybe "what should we do?" Well, I think we should always start by praying. Jesus is always the answer and when someone surrenders their heart to the person and Lordship of Jesus Christ, we know that He will change their heart. As followers of Jesus this is our primary work in fulfilling the Great Commission.
The question might be “how then should we view politics?” That is a great question. I personally think we should view “reaching people” and “voting on public policy” as two different things that we can participate in at the same time. This is the conclusion that I have come to in my desire to navigate the times we are in with the issues that we face. I want to reach people that will not have the same views that I hold from Scripture. Furthermore, the people that I want to reach often have polarizing views that most likely make me look like someone who doesn’t love them. Because of this, some Christians will never talk about Biblical values especially as it contrasts with cultural values that often find their way onto our voting ballots in the form of public policy. We cannot hide our Biblical values or reserve them to private conversations because we are afraid that we will lose our witness to an unbelieving world. However, I don’t think we need to so loudly declare our values in a way that flaunts them in people’s faces to demonize the very people we seek to reach. There is a way to do both and that is what I will seek to do and encourage others toward.
With that said, when a policy in our state deals directly with Biblical issues I may introduce a petition for signing that will allow for a vote to get on a ballot. To be clear, I will not do this often but there are some things worth our action and consideration and not just our prayers. Recently there was a bill (SB5599) that was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee. This bill is seen very different by Democrats and Republicans (of which I am neither - as you know). This bill gives youth shelters and hosts homes (which all receive government funding) the power to not contact the parents of a runaway youth - if there is a compelling reason not to do so. Now, to some that doesn't sound bad but that’s because we don't know the current laws. We already have several laws in place that protect the neglected and abused children and we even have a government department that handles this. Typically, an institution like this MUST contact the runaway youth's family within 72 hours (24 if possible). However, the compelling reason for not contacting the family, according to this bill, is if the child is seeking "protected health care services." These services are further detailed in the bill quite clearly which are as follows (Bill Summary HERE);
"Gender-affirming treatment means health services or products that support and affirm an individual's gender identity, including social, psychological, behavioral, and medical or surgical interventions. Gender-affirming care services include, but are not limited to, evaluation and treatments for gender dysphoria, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgical procedures. Reproductive health care services means all services, care, or products of a medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, mental health, behavioral health, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, supportive, counseling, referral, prescribing, or dispensing nature relating to the human reproductive system including, but not limited to, all services, care, and products relating to pregnancy, assisted reproduction, contraception, miscarriage management, or the termination of a pregnancy, including self-managed terminations."
Why am I sharing this with you? Well, after reading the bill and watching the sessions at our capitol I just want to make sure you know how serious this really is. If our education system teaches one way, our media shows this thinking/behaving as normal, and our laws make any other opinion abusive (even for parents) - I want to make sure that you know we can vote different. This bill effectively made non-affirming views and non-affirming homes - abusive. To put things even more clearly; if you model and teach your children a Biblical sexual ethic, the sanctity of life, the design and distinction of male and female as created by God is now considered a level of abuse toward your child if they should differ with you and you don’t affirm/agree with their perspective. All they need to do is runaway to one of these places and receive the free “protected health care services” without parental consent. To me, this actually is insanity when your child can’t even get an allergy shot or a root canal without a parent being present (ask me how I know).
I understand that we have youth and children today that are confused about their sexuality. I am aware that some of our kids are dealing with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts because of these struggles. As a Christian, I don’t lack compassion for anyone who is struggling with these things. However, I don’t believe the path that is being offered is helping. In fact, I think it is making it far worse by promising one thing and delivering something entirely different. In addition to this, the government is saying that parents who differ from this perspective (which Christians do) are leading abusive environments making it worse for their kids. The Bible is in clear opposition with this perspective of sexuality, design, identity and parental involvement in the life of child. We already have laws that protect kids from abusive homes but this should not have been added to the definition of abuse.
In response to SB5599 there are 2 petitions that I am in support of that will be available at Northwest Church for signing if you choose. The first is Referendum 101 which you can read about HERE. The second is I-2081 which not only reaffirms parental rights but protects those rights in multiple ways. I encourage you to read about these as I have and consider signing the petitions. R-101 needs to be signed before this Saturday and I-2081 needs to be signed before December 18th 2023. They both need hundreds of thousands of signatures in order to get on the upcoming ballots. This is not a vote, but if these aren’t signed then we won’t even have the option of voting which is my concern. Thank you for considering signing these petitions.
Pastor Ben Dixon
Lead Pastor - Northwest Church