I was in the shower dreaming about this Kingdom-vision for Capitol Hill (these things typically take place in this sacred space!) when it hit me: what does this look like practically for the millions of American Christians who want to influence their government for Jesus, but either do not know how to do so beyond the status quo petition card and protest call or simply cannot “do ministry” like me because they live well outside of the beltway. Well, I think I finally have an answer.
Every year, several thousand American Christians from both sides of the political and denominational spectrum make a trip to Washington, D.C.. Typically, these visitors are families who come on vacation, but quite often they are concerned individuals who want to meet with their Member or congressional staffer to share their concerns on a range of issues. While both are laudable goals, I think there is a better alternative, a Kingdom alternative.
As I have already written in previous posts, I believe American Christians have, by in large, capitulated to the world’s way of influencing by whoring themselves to a particular party, rather than loving the Capitol Hill community through the gospel and living incarnationally. The status quo really only provides three options for concerned American Christians: 1) sign a pre-printed petition card from a Christian lobbying group; 2) join other callers in a scripted call-in campaign; or 3) send $25 to supplement the “war chest” of these Christian lobbying groups to wage war for you and your values. As a former congressional staffer, options one and two simply are next to useless, and option three is just plain shady. So what’s the alternative?
In thinking Kingdomly this is the proposal: plan a spiritual pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. and use the power of the Ecclesia to influence the Capitol Hill community for Jesus Christ. There are four key components that I envision in the spiritual pilgrimage: prayer, fasting, relationship building, and the communication of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. These four components would be executed in the following way:
1) Pray and fast for the salvation of your Member and their staff. Sounds so simple and cliche, doesn’t it. But if the Ecclesia is going to recapture the essence and power of itself, it must return to these very basic practices. Now, to be sure, I do not simply mean a 20 minute word-nod to God and one meal skip. I am talking about a day-long pray vigil and perhaps fasting for the entire stay of your pilgrimage. The spiritual practices of prayer and fasting are historical staples of the people of God’s petition of their Abba for change, and recapturing these practices as we desire to influence the Capitol Hill community are essential.
2) Pray and fast for the adoption of the Way of Jesus by this community. Again, same idea as above, but praying specifically that the countercultural reality of God and Way of Jesus would penetrate the actions and policy of this community.
3) Set an appointment to pray and share the Gospel with your Senator or Representative. Realize that constituents rarely have opportunities to meet with their Member, but it is possible. It is easier to arrange a meeting with a Congressman than a Senator, but persistence and prayer will make it happen. In your meeting, do not discuss policy, but use the time to articulate your appreciation for them as a leader and representative, explain the Gospel Redemptive Narrative, and pray over them and their important work. I guarantee you they will be gobsmacked that you did not come to see them for political reason, and they will especially appreciate your prayer.
4) Set a lunch appointment with a legislative assistant of an issue you care deeply about to: build a relationship, pray for him/her, and share the gospel. Now, the most important: developing a relationship with a congressional staffer. When planning your trip, call the office and ask to speak to a legislative assistant for an issue you care deeply about, like poverty or abortion. This will allow you to connect with a congressional staffer for an issue that resonates with you. The point of the meeting is NOT to discuss the issue, but to be relational. Sharing a meal would be an excellent way to build this relationship and would allow you the opportunity to get to know them, hear their story, share the gospel story, and pray over them. But the point isn’t to simply do a drive-by, hit-and-run presentation and leave it at that. The idea is to pray over them each day for their salvation and growth in relationship with Jesus Christ and even perhaps write them to communicate these ongoing intentions. Obviously, you are not going to develop a life-long relationship with this hour-long meeting, but showing in interest in them as a person and human being, rather than in the policy they on which they work, will probably blow them away! And most importantly beyond doing lunch and hearing their story is the change to explain to them good news of restoration in Christ. How exciting!
I realize all this sounds so nutty, weird, foreign and countercultural (speaking of the American Christian culture), but it seems like this is what is more inline with what the power of the Ecclesia is: the love of Jesus Christ expressed through the gospel and incarnational living. And realize these four components (prayer, fasting, relationship building, and gospel sharing) are spiritual weapons designed for spiritual battles, and that is what is really happening in the Capitol Hill community. Remember these words by Paul in Ephesians:
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Our struggle is not against Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, or Bill Frist. No, our struggle is against the evil and powerful forces of the Enemy who seeks to own the Hill community for himself. As I’ve said before, the Hill is a dark place filled with lost, hurting, and broken individuals. And these people legislate out of that darkness and brokenness. If we desire to see a transformation of the policy that governs our culture, we need to pray and work for a transformation of the hearts and lives of the elected and unelected leaders that shape it. That transformation, the spiritual kind that only matters, will never come through petition, protest, and anger, but through love manifested through prayer, fasting, relationship building, and gospel sharing.
Imagine if one million Christians throughout a year came to Capitol Hill to bear witness to the light of Jesus Christ, share that Light and love with Members and their staff, and gave serious prayer and fast over the Capitol Hill community! Why is the Ecclesia settling for the butter knives of the world, when we clearly have access to the Excalibur of Jesus Christ?
The dream is big, the dream is lofty, but join in, pilgrim.
