“I’ve often heard people say, ‘Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics. But if Christians aren’t, then who will be? This only leaves non-believers. We have the clear command of Christ to be active in changing society.”
Joe Godfrey, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program for 13-plus years, was guest speaker for Shelby Baptist Association’s pastors’ fellowship Sept. 1. Bill Traywick, president of the Shelby Baptist Association’s pastors fellowship, noted the pastors had not met since March 3 and could not gather at their customary conference room at Shelby Medical Center, so the meeting was held at nearby Siluria Baptist Church.
Godfrey explained to the group that ALCAP deals with moral issues on behalf of Alabama churches, and he spends much of his time lobbying the Alabama legislature.
“The spring legislative session began in February, and lawmakers took spring break in March,” he noted. “Then they reconvened in May for a short while to deal with the two budgets and local constitutional amendments. We’re not sure at this time if the governor will call a special session this fall for unfinished business.”
Godfrey said ALCAP supported pro-life legislation during the session and sponsored two of the first three presenters to the governor’s “Gambling Policy Study Committee.”
“The study committee took a ‘white paper’ we submitted, and we also gave each member a DVD copy of ‘Out of Luck — Where Does The Lottery Money Go?’” he noted. “Opinion is divided among pro-gambling legislators on a state-wide lottery, or a lottery and casino gambling, or whether to give the Poarch Band of Creek Indians more leeway in the state. They’ve already said they’d like to put casinos in Birmingham and in the Huntsville area.”
Godfrey said the “Out of Luck” DVD can be ordered from Amazon, and he recommended the “education edition.” The iTunes [original] version, available for rental or purchase, has some objectionable language, he added.
ALCAP “split” its school programs in 2010, forming American Character Builders, Godfrey said. The organization provides free curriculum for schools and churches on bullying, opioid use, alcohol and tobacco.
“Some research shows that opioid use was on a decline before COVID-19,” he noted. “Now it seems to be on an incline.”
The current popularity of CBD oils presents two major problems, Godfrey added. One, the oils are sold in many venues, so the purity and strength isn’t consistent, and two, the oils aren’t regulated by medical professionals.
“We oppose this trend since the more widely marijuana products are used, the more acceptable they appear to our young people,” he said.
Godfrey also spoke about a video project entitled, “The Forgotten Command.”
“The Great Commandment” has to do with loving God and neighbor, and “The Great Commission” has to do with evangelism, he explained. “‘The Forgotten Command’ is what I call the words of Jesus to be salt and light, or influencers in our world.
“We have videos and study guides, and this study can be used in Sunday night worship or in small groups for three weeks or up to six weeks,” he said. “Or individuals can study the materials themselves. All of these materials are provided at no cost by those who contribute to our work.”
Godfrey asked the Shelby pastors to put ALCAP on their weekly prayer list and consider including the organization in their annual budget, adding he’s happy to schedule time to speak in the churches about his work.
“The Forgotten Command” materials are available at alcap.com. Other study materials are available at Americancharacterbuilders.org. Godfrey can be reached at jgodfrey@alcap.com.
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