Leadership
Boarding the Campaign Trail
As we led our volunteer teams at our churches, we need to be involved in the conversations that are important to our culture.
Obviously this year, the political scene is a hot topic of discussion. As leaders in our churches, we need to be informed and knowledgable of our current political climate. Your volunteers may ask you what you believe politically and where you stand. Let me give you three tips on leading your volunteers well as we all ‘board the campaign trail’ this year.
1. Know where you stand Biblically on Issues.
You don’t have to know all the answers, but you do need to have a grasp of where you and your church stand on certain moral and social issues especially.
Here are a few resources for some hot button social issues:
Focus on the Family: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues
Desiring God: http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by-topic/social-issues
Christian Answers: http://christiananswers.net/menu-ag1.html
Christianity.com: http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/political-and-social-issues
2. Be informed on Where Political Candidates Stand on Issues.
One problem I notice in church world is that sometimes people can be either misinformed or ignorant of where their favorite candidate stands on a particular issue. As a Christian, you may know God’s Word is clear on a certain topic, yet you may be supporting a candidate that believes the opposite of your Biblical stance. Those in the political scene can sway with the wind and say different things to grab votes – but we have a responsibility to research candidates and be as informed as we can on their voting record and their beliefs on important issues.
Here are several official Websites of 2016 Democrat and Republican candidates for you to send your volunteers to:
Republican
Donald Trump: https://www.donaldjtrump.com
Ted Cruz: https://www.tedcruz.org
Ben Carson: http://bencarson.com
Marco Rubio: https://marcorubio.com
Jeb Bush: https://jeb2016.com
Mike Huckabee: http://mikehuckabee.com
Democrat:
Hillary Clinton: https://www.hillaryclinton.com
Bernie Sanders: http://berniesanders.com
3. Encourage their Involvement and Participation in the Process.
As Christians, if we do not vote, then we have no right to complain about anything the government does. If we don’t vote, we give up our voice. Encourage your volunteers to vote. Make arrangements to take groups, provide rides, or anything you have to do to get your volunteers to the voting booth. If they are like me and will be out of town on voting day, help them with the process of submitting an absentee ballot. As leaders in our churches, we must encourage our volunteers to be involved and participate in our political process.
Visit the sites below to find out when your State’s primary elections will be held and communicate these dates to your team:
2016 US Election News: http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-presidential-primary-schedule-calendar
BallotPedia.org: https://ballotpedia.org/Important_dates_in_the_2016_presidential_race
Last night at the Harmon Tree Farm in Gilbert, SC, I had the opportunity to attend a Donald Trump event as a member of the press. The venue was packed with thousands of people interested in what he had to say. Check out some photos and full audio and video of his speech below.
Full Audio of Donald Trump’s Speech:
Full Video of Donald Trump’s Speech:
CARL BARNHILL
Creative Director / Owner
[twelve:thirty]media | Columbia, SC
twelvethirtymedia.com
Carl Barnhill has served on staff at some of the largest churches and organizations in the country. He served as Media Director at Precept Ministries International, directing the television and radio program Precepts for Life with Kay Arthur, broadcasted to over 98 million homes around the world. He served as Video Production Director at Pinelake Church in Brandon, MS, where he produced media content for four campuses, as well as led volunteer teams.
He most recently served as Video Coordinator for Newspring Church in South Carolina. Newspring has 10 campuses across the state with a weekly attendance of over 35,000. At one campus alone, the number of consistent volunteers serving in media production tripled, under his leadership.
He currently serves as Creative Director and Owner of [twelve:thirty]media, a company that serves churches and ministries all over the world through motion graphics content and church media coaching.
