Editor's Note: Election year issues are beginning to heat up. It's important to reflect and decide about our level of involvement — as citizens and Christians— especially in view of our Wesleyan heritage. Pastor Lesher helps us consider why we should get involved, and how we might begin to do so.

Why Get Involved in Social Issues?
by Pastor Paul K. Lesher, FMC of Greensburg (PA)

"Why should I get involved in social issues?" This is a question I hear from time to time — and it is a great one.

The first thing we need to do in answering is to look at Scripture. In Genesis 1:27 we read that human beings were created in God's image. Other scriptures project the value and preciousness of human life regardless of race, gender, age, heritage or color. Jesus aligned Himself with the captive, blind, oppressed, poor, widowed and weak. He came to proclaim the "year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:16-19) or Jubilee — nothing less than a call for social justice, a challenge to social structures and a call for liberation.

The Free Methodist Church's heritage is a rich history of commitment to social justice and action. Issues that give us our name "Free" Methodist include freedom from slavery and pew rentals, as well as the ordination of women as pastors. John Wesley placed strong emphasis on the Christian life as a combination of faith and love put into practice. Our Free Methodist Book of Discipline affirms our commitment to transforming our culture for Jesus, for example, as it upholds the sanctity of human life while speaking against euthanasia. Our church stands firm in its opposition to social evils such as drug abuse, gambling, pornography, homosexual behavior and more. How can we get involved in social change within our community? "Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" as the Bible commands us to do. Here's a plan of action we can adopt:

Choose an Issue — Look in your community/ neighborhood, state — or even nationally — to find an issue for which you have a passion (examples: racial injustice, gambling, literacy, abortion).

Narrow Your Focus — Social issues can be very complex. If you try to deal with the whole issue, you may become frustrated and even overwhelmed. So find a focal point. For example, you may choose homosexual behavior as an issue. Don't run out and take on every organization that promotes the gay agenda. Instead, focus on how this issue is infiltrating your local school district's educational practices.

Learn About the Problem — Knowledge can be powerful. The more you know about a problem the better equipped you are to deal with it. If you deal with a local issue, you should use the resources available in your community.

Design a Plan of Action —You need to set realistic goals. Then, plan clear ways to implement/achieve them.

Act! — Your action can take many forms. Some examples:

• Education — informing and/or sharing facts with others who have a similar passion
• Political Action — writing letters to elected officials and/or the editor of a local newspaper, organizing vigils or times of public prayer, assisting with voter registration
• Socioeconomic Action — boycotting or participating in rallies