Alabama’s senators and representatives are settling back into the routine of Montgomery politics with the opening of the 2013 legislative session Feb. 5. They undoubtedly will be lobbied, urged and pressured to make decisions based on what this person or that business believes important.
The faith community is but one small voice among the choir and one that offers no glamorous reward for a legislator’s support. But it is a voice that can continually remind those in political office of biblical standards.
One recent example came during the annual (and also final) Legislative Prayer Luncheon, co-sponsored by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and the governor’s office. More than 50 of the nearly 450 people attending the Feb. 6 event held at Embassy Suites in Montgomery were involved in state politics in some form. State leaders present included Gov. Robert Bentley, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Luther Strange, senators, representatives and members of the judicial branch.
Buddy Champion, pastor of First Baptist Church, Trussville, urged the leaders to remember the great commandment as outlined by Jesus in Luke 10 — “Love the Lord your God with all your heart … (soul) … strength … mind … and your neighbor as yourself.”
“Could you do that?” Champion asked the leaders. “Could you make decisions and impact the generation that’s following us by depending on Him?
“You are making decisions that are going to affect generation after generation,” he said. “Many of us love the state of Alabama and the people we are called to serve. What if we could operate as if we love the people we serve more than ourselves?”
Champion noted that God’s Word says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others.
“You are called to lay down your life for the person across the aisle, the person you don’t like, the person not like you,” he said, asking state leaders to consider what their legacy might be.
“I don’t have the ability (to lead First, Trussville) … but if I love God with all my heart, soul, strength, mind and other people more than myself, then God has something He can work with,” Champion said. “He has something He can bless.
“God bless you as you lead, as you make decisions,” he said to the state leaders. “We are counting on you.”
Bentley’s remarks during the luncheon were brief and focused on a description of his Christian faith as well as thanking Alabama Baptists for their prayers.
“I want to do what I can to glorify Him,” Bentley said.
He also acknowledged 2013 as being the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement in Alabama.
“We need to remember that we as public servants are here to serve all the people,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what color you are, gender you are or politics you have. As Christians, we certainly need to always feel that way.”
Other participants in the program included an Old Testament reading by Chip Starnes, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bay Minette, and a New Testament reading by Tim Cox, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Chelsea. Amy and Keith Hibbs, along with Jesse Conte, provided special music.
Joe Bob Mizzell, who organized the prayer luncheon for more than 20 years until his retirement last year attended this final event.
“I’m sad to see it go,” he said.
But it comes down to finances, said Bobby Dubois, SBOM associate executive director.
“It has been a popular gathering through the years but due to rising costs and decreasing income, SBOM leadership has determined that the event cannot continue in the future,” he said. “We regret this but remain committed to conducting ministry audits on all expenses and living within our income.”
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