https://youtu.be/G4TY1mcLBh0 Presidential election years can be especially contentious, and this year will be no exception. Thom and Sam discuss how church leaders can manage the tension in ways that are helpful to the church body. Four prevailing views of politics and the church: Churches should embrace politics. Churches should use politics. Churches should avoid politics. Churches should condemn politics. You likely have a wide spectrum of views in your church. Remember, you always represent your church. * Avoid endorsing individual candidates from the pulpit. * Avoid debates on social media. * Avoid being co-opted into polarizing political movements. * Don’t fear being patriotic and using political examples in sermons. * Use cultural events like July 4th to unite rather than divide. * Use biblical language rather than political rhetoric. * People can tell when you are genuinely convicted and sincere. Resources: * California Baptist University * Upward Sports Know My Community Politics Report - Coming soon! * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptists have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs. Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time. An online degree can: Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose; Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others. Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you! The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths. This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations. Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable. Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more. Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.