What If You’re Not Mike Huckabee?
Celebrating Everyday Believers in the Public Square
In the days following President Donald J. Trump’s re-election, he nominated former Arkansas Governor and popular media personality Mike Huckabee to become the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
What a great move!
Governor Huckabee is a serious-minded Christian public servant whose support for Israel has never wavered, and who also has executive experience that will serve him and our nation well in that post.
Following that nomination, my social feed piled up with friends who know or have had interactions with the Governor over the years posting their pictures with him to celebrate the nomination.
Middle East politics is complicated, but this is wonderful opportunity for Huckabee to serve the Lord and his country.
Christian Influence is Good.
While some may contend Christians should stay in their ecclesiastical lanes, Christians gaining influence in the public square is a good, godly thing. We should aspire to leverage our influence for the good of our neighbors, the advancement of the Gospel, and the glory of God in the greatest ways possible.
Christians gaining influence in the public square is a good thing.
Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Daniel, Ester, along with John the Baptist, Peter, John, and Paul are all amazing examples from the Bible of men and women who recognized God placed them in roles of power and influence “for such a time as this.”
But not everyone is Ambassador Huckabee. Most of us are not famous, and will never be famous. Yet, every believer has influence well beyond our church. We all have the opportunity, ability, and divine calling to live for the glory of God and advancement of the Gospel.
Most of us are not famous, and will never be famous. Yet, every believer has influence well beyond our church.
So, the question for today is, “How can the church partner with and celebrate the work of everyday Christians in the public square?”
Church Planting and Revitalization + City Building
National politics grabs the headlines, but all politics is local. So is personal and community transformation.
I met a church planter recently who is planting in a town that doesn’t yet exist. Industry is coming, and a town will soon rise up from the cotton fields. What is possible when that church planter gives attention to building the kind of community God would build?
How could he and his team identify and encourage people God has already prepared to serve in future positions of public influence?
When pastors integrate city building into the church ministry plan, we equip the saints for the ministry God has given to them, and we will soon find an army of local, Jesus-loving leaders serving their neighbors out of their giftedness and calling in every domain of our community every single day.
Integrate city building into the church ministry plan
This influence not only gives us opportunities for direct Gospel conversations, but it builds a Gospel-rich culture where more of our neighbors experience the goodness of God, trust Jesus as Lord, and live out their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We Get What We Celebrate
We’re all drawn to celebrities, but what if pastors and church leaders begin celebrating in public worship, church communication channels, and on the socials, the normal, everyday business leaders, educators, farmers, healthcare workers, tradecraft men and women, civil servants, and nonprofit leaders who are living as ambassadors for Christ in their community?
What if we found ways to partner with them, help them be successful, and then champion them as examples to follow?
Someone has said, “We get what we celebrate.” How great would it be to get more of that?
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
EVERYONE’S WILSON | THE EVERYONE’S WELCOME NETWORK
I’m the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson and The Everyone’s Welcome Network—a platform for Gospel transformation in local communities.
Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives.
Very simply, we’re passionate about helping Jesus-loving people live like missionaries in their local community through prayer, service, evangelism, and collaboration.
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