As a leader of a Christian nonprofit organization, I do not make recommendations on how people should vote in elections. However, there is one exception: voting according to the Bible. On the other side of Election Day, all Christian leaders should heed important signals and warnings regarding the nature of Christian participation in public life after the 2024 presidential election.
As the world's leading professional association of Christian communicators, National religious broadcaster (NRB) will continue to educate Christian voters by hosting a candidate forum at the 2024 NRB Convention, publishing numerous op-eds, and releasing a series of audio PSAs urging Christians to get out and vote. , equipment, and encouragement. (Related: Frank Rich: What Pam Bondi needs to do as President Trump's attorney general)
As I wrote in October, evangelical voters have the numbers to decide the election once the results come in.
To what extent did evangelical Christians “decide” the 2024 election? As the smoke clears, two main questions emerge: Christians had a decisive influence, and Christian voters' influence is waning. An interpretation emerged. Both are true.
evangelical Christian voters contributed to President-elect Donald J. Trump's victory leaves room for concern about the future of this voting bloc. According to Post-election survey According to Dr. George Barna, the influence Christian voters had on Republican victories was not the result of high turnout, but rather an unusually low turnout among Democrats' key targets. Barna's post-election survey found that participation among “evangelical churchgoers” declined from 65% in 2020 to 59% in 2024, while “theologically defined born-again Christians” It was also revealed that there was a similar decrease.
Other research on Christian political engagement shows that apathy is entrenched. Only about half of churches nationwide encouraged their members to vote or taught them about issues related to the upcoming election. Faith affiliation had no effect on the amount of time voters spent researching issues or candidates. Additionally, Christians who did not vote were twice as likely as non-Christians to say they abstained because they were disinterested in the government or elections. This is consistent with Barna's previous findings that “theologically defined evangelicals are less likely than anyone else to pay attention to news about politics and government,” and among those surveyed. More than half report that they do not pay much attention to these subjects. Equally concerning is the fact that 20 percent of people of voting age who identify as Christians said they intended to vote but simply forgot or were unable to go to vote. It is. Whether out of apathy or forgetfulness, evangelicals are steadily relinquishing their culture-shaping influence.
These trends are worth careful consideration by all Christian leaders, lest we encounter a future in which Christians withdraw from public life just as the American people are demonstrating a renewed interest in the things of God. There is. Consider the fact that Bible sales are up 22% so far this year. An anxious and desperate culture is turning to Christianity. Christianity must not turn away from its culture.
First, pastors must play a greater role in encouraging Christians to think biblically about political issues. When politicians headline their campaigns with issues that are clearly addressed in the Bible, refusing to teach on moral and ethical issues with policy implications does not protect the flock and protects the church. exposing it to manipulation and disruption. Every faithful Christian minister must be committed to teaching the whole counsel of God from the pulpit, including difficult social and political issues.
To this end, the NRB is challenging the Johnson Amendment. The Johnson Amendment restricts 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, including churches, from expressing support for or opposition to political candidates, or even comparing candidates' positions. It is a legal provision. Bible. In August, NRB joined with three fellow plaintiffs in the Eastern District of Texas to vindicate the constitutional right of all churches and nonprofit organizations to speak out on all issues that their faith informs, including political issues. filed a lawsuit. The NRB is not seeking to overturn the Johnson Amendment's political contribution limits or lobbying restrictions, but rather to encourage pulpit ministers and other nonprofits whose speeches are chilled by the law's inconsistent application. We are calling for an end to the unjustified silence of the group's leaders.
Second, Christians must take seriously their responsibility to stay informed and aware of the issues facing our nation. It is impossible for us to act as wise stewards of our country and culture if we are not concerned with our country's affairs. For those who tune out due to negative, anti-Christian, or sensational media, the world of faith-based news and broadcasting offers the highest quality journalism, commentary, and independence, including the great work of NRB members. We will provide you with a detailed analysis. Christian broadcasting is thriving and its offerings can fill this critical information gap.
Finally, we must encourage all Christians to pray for America's leaders in the White House, federal agencies, the 119th Congress, and the courts. Prayer is the solid rock of unity that allows Christians, regardless of political beliefs, to come together and advocate for the spiritual well-being of our nation. This prayer practice strengthens the connective tissue that has been tested by a difficult election season. As a church, we cannot tolerate division. We must ensure that we are ready to disciple the waves of people who have been hurt and abandoned by godless ideologies, policies, and movements and who are turning to Jesus Christ.
This is no time for indifference or inaction in the face of the next presidential administration extending a hand of friendship to Christians. We must take advantage of every open door and seat at the table, from running for office to serving in government to speaking at local school board meetings, to advocate for wise and godly policies. It won't. Rather than simply enjoying the next four years without worrying about threats to our freedoms, we need to commit to a bigger, more ambitious vision. As Christians, we must inspire one another to love and good deeds through our public presence and participation, trusting that God will use our activities to serve His purpose in the life of our people. It won't.
Troy A. Miller is president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasting Corporation. NRB is a 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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