Local officials need and want to hear from pastors whether controversial issues are flaring or not.
That was the message Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen shared with those gathered at a Nov. 14 lunch meeting sponsored by Alabama Citizens Action Program and held at First Baptist Church Montgomery in conjunction with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
“Get to know them so you can pick up the phone and talk to them,” Allen said. “The city council and the county commission in your area make important decisions. And many of them are on trajectory to higher office, so getting to know them helps you to speak truth when necessary and perhaps have greater influence later.”
Allen, elected to the state office last year, previously served as Pike County probate judge and as a member of the Alabama legislature. He is a member and a men’s Bible study teacher at First Baptist Church Troy. He was introduced by his pastor, Ross Lankford.
Allen’s father, Gerald, represents Tuscaloosa in the Alabama Senate. The Allens were the first father and son to serve in the legislature.
Personal experience taught him that candidates and elected officials are better from the “push and pull” of public forums, Allen said.
“We take hard questions, and it causes us to learn more about the issues,” he said. “Citizens should value opportunities to ask questions and share their thoughts with all of us.”
Influence
Pastors especially should not “downplay” their influence, Allen said, suggesting church leaders can encourage those in their congregations “to register to vote and vote.”
“We speak into our culture through our vote, and Christians must engage in this civic responsibility. The phrase, ‘vote your values,’ may be trite, but it is, nonetheless, true,” he said.
Allen said Christians also must pray for elected officials.
“Paul is clear in 1 Timothy 2 that Christians pray for ‘all those in authority,’ and we must be faithful to pray for local, state and national leaders,” he said. “We pray for their wisdom and protection as they represent the people.”
Running for office is also an option, he said, because “we need people of faith to commit to campaigns for office and ensure our voice is heard.”
Voice in Montgomery
ALCAP Executive Director Greg Davis reiterated the importance of advocating for moral issues as he updated attendees on current issues ALCAP is following.
“We spoke on the COVID visitation bill in the Legislature after family members were refused contact with their loved ones in the pandemic,” Davis said. “We asked that pastoral visits be included, and they were, so this in place if we ever have another situation like this.”
Davis said ALCAP continues to monitor legislative efforts to loosen restrictions on “ready-to-drink” alcoholic beverages, also known as “RTD” or “mixed-spirits beverages.”
“These are 16-ounce cans of alcohol mixed with something else,” he said. “They contain as much alcohol as three beers, so this can be a lethal mix. We’re fighting bills that intend to loosen restrictions and would put these within easier reach of the vulnerable.”
Davis expects gambling to continue to be an issue in the state as well.
“When proponents say ‘regulate’ (gambling), they actually mean ‘legalize,’” he said. “This battle is ongoing.”
That’s why the mission of ALCAP remains vital, he said.
“There are a number of Christian lobbyists in Montgomery, but ALCAP represents churches.”
For more information about ALCAP, go to alcap.com.
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