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BY ISAIAH-PHILLIPS AKINTOLA

THE INFLUENTIAL ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN COMING 2024 ELECTION

FOR THE KINGDOM IS THE LORD’S AND HE IS
THE GOVERNOR AMONG THE NATIONS. PSALM 22:28

With South Africa on the brink of a crucial political transition, the church’s role and influence demand immediate attention. The church wields the power to reshape the nation’s political landscape, steering it towards a brighter, more prosperous future.

The time has come for the South African Church leadership community to refuse the enticement and deception of allowing charlatans to use its voice to promote and propagate an agenda that continues to keep the nation divided, impoverished, and marginalized by the elite few in the corridors of political and economic power.

The South African Church community, particularly those with a profound understanding of their apostolic commission, bear a sacred responsibility. They must ensure that South Africa’s political leadership transition is not only transparent but also peaceful. Moreover, they must ensure that governance is entrusted to leaders of unimpeachable integrity and service.

The question arises: Should the South African Church play a role in governing and leading its citizens from an active political presence? If so, what is that role, and to what extent should this role be extent and utilized? Additionally, to what degree is the Church’s community aware of its political governance, influence, and power in organizing itself and becoming the political force that can reform and shape the destiny of its citizens?

Like many others, the South African Church is not a detached entity from its citizens and environment. It is deeply rooted in the geographical region it serves, with a sacred mission to enlighten, transform, and reshape society. Its influence, guided by the eternal principles of the kingdom of God, is a beacon of ethical leadership and grace.

As Scripture demonstrates, the church is directly linked to the various states or provinces in which it is located, defining its relevance to societal reform and transformation. The church’s presence and representation should exert a profound influence on the economic and political systems of the region it serves, whether through direct legislative representation or through the powerful voice of spiritual counsel that guides policymakers.

POLITICS IS SPIRITUAL

Politics is inherently spiritual, as political ideologies and the policies they inspire are deeply rooted in beliefs influenced by spirituality. Our thoughts, words, and actions are guided by our beliefs, making spirituality an inherent part of our lives. The spiritual realm governs the physical human realm, divided into two distinct orders: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world, governed by what the Bible refers to as the Prince of this world.

It is imperative that the church transcends a narrow, self-centered, materialistic gospel. We are called to proclaim and teach the expansive gospel of the kingdom, the gospel of the kingdom of God. With its vast reach and diverse applications, this gospel is designed to permeate every aspect of human affairs, potentially leading to significant societal transformation.

The South African church collectively owns its community, the nation, and the Body of Christ globally the responsibility to speak clearly regarding the kinds of leaders and governing system they require from the various constituencies that will represent the people in this upcoming 2024, May 29 national election.

It cannot be denied that the South African church holds significant representative capital and influence. It has the potential to leverage this position to establish a strong influence and authority that shapes the political landscape and fosters effective leadership. If well understood and utilized, such influential capital could lay the framework for transformation and prosperity for its citizens and beyond.

ONE OF THE REASON WHY THE CHURCH EXIST

Matthew 5:14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
As the Lord engages us in recalibrating the national and global church’s vision, one of the directives given to us reminds us that we must renew and reset the prophetic ministry to continue to occupy it until He returns. If we are meant to occupy our various places of assignment until Christ’s return, we need to comprehend the wider prophetic and leadership scope, as well as the immense responsibility placed on our shoulders.

One of the primary reasons the church exists is to influence; the battle within society is that of political and economic influence, whether we accept it or not. Vast sums are spent on marketing campaigns today, primarily to win people over to a particular agenda that is not necessarily authentic. If your agenda is true, why do you need so much money to persuade people to vote on a particular party or policy line?

While the church lives within the context of a world governed by democratic laws and processes, it must respect these systems while carrying out its assigned duties. We are in this world but not of this world – a concept that must be understood in the context of our assignment as instruments of salt and light.

The church must understand that it functions within a cosmos controlled, influenced, and determined by philosophies and values that are alien to biblical principles. Yet, the Church is encouraged not to be taken out of this world but to be kept by the power of the Holy Spirit until it fulfills its prophetic mandate.

While we are not of this world’s culture and philosophy, we are sent to influence and transform the people captured by this world’s influence, who are ultimately children of God. Our role and influence in interfacing our message must be well-established through the examples found in Scripture.

We must continue to sensitize the Body of Christ to use their knowledge of the truth to educate their communities, making choices that will help build a strong citizenship force that will stand together in one voice, advocating for a shared visionary society that creates an empowering community with hope, faith, and prosperity for their children and the next generation.

The South African church community must use its voice as a powerful advocate of righteousness and prosperity for its citizens, regardless of which side of the nation or community they find themselves on. Through its unwavering commitment to the gospel of the kingdom, the church can be the catalyst for transformative change that ushers in a new era of justice, peace, and abundance for all.