News and Views

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, some United Methodists may be overwhelmed with politics and the rhetoric in all the television ads, text messages and phone calls. Some might even wonder if it’s worth voting at all. Many can agree that November 5th can’t come fast enough.

But a toolkit from the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society encourages Methodists to not only vote, but to also proactively participate in the election by helping others to navigate the process.

“Our Methodist faith calls us to actively engage in the political process as part of our Christian witness, including the crucial act of voting,” according to Sacred Votes, which was created by members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the General Board. “Participating in our country’s political life isn’t just about casting our own vote — it requires working together so we can all vote and vote faithfully.”

The toolkit encourages United Methodists to be civically minded both as individuals and as congregations.

Throughout the final days of the election season, United Methodists can check in with their communities to ensure that those who vote by mail have sent in their ballots. They can also provide transportation to those in need of a ride to their polling place.

Congregants are also encouraged to host prayer vigils for the election — or to include prayers for the country and the election during prayer times at church. And when someone does vote, remember to celebrate. 

“Our involvement in the political systems is rooted in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, to care for the vulnerable,” said the Rev. Stacey Cole-Wilson, executive minister of Beloved Community in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. “As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good.”

“We acknowledge that such political engagement demands humility and mindfulness of our own complicity in perpetuating injustice. It also necessitates compassion, prayer and a willingness to discern God's guidance. We invite congregational leaders to really think deeply about what those words mean for them, for us in this hour at this season in this season at this time,” Cole-Wilson added.

The Scriptural evidence on the importance and emphasis of voting is ample, according to Sacred Votes. The toolkit encourages clergy to preach on topics of civic engagement and to use power toward the goal of justice.

In Matthew 22:21, Jesus said, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” That sentence, according to Sacred Votes, calls followers of Jesus to navigate the complicated relationship between faith and politics “with wisdom and integrity,” ensuring “our allegiance to God informs our political decisions and actions, including voting.”

Lesson plans and sermon ideas for clergy and lay members are also available to discuss topics related to voting, such as issues important to United Methodists, the pursuit of justice and decisions that reflect the will of God.

And United Methodists, potentially, have the social witness to back up their values in the public square.

As one of the largest mainline protestant denominations in the United States, United Methodists represent a large share of the voting population. In tight races in the Rust Belt, United Methodists could decide races up and down the ballot. Nearly 330,000 United Methodists live in Pennsylvania, in addition to 102,000 members in Michigan and more than 47,000 members in Wisconsin.

The swing state with the largest number of United Methodists is Georgia, which boasts a United Methodist population of more than half a million lay members.

United Methodists in Maryland, too, will have an outsized role in a competitive race. The state’s more than 100,000 Methodists have a choice in a tighter-than-usual Maryland Senate race between former Gov. Larry Hogan and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washinton and Peninsula-Delaware Area, said now is the time for United Methodists to be bold in their faith — and their participation in their democracy.

“We encourage our clergy and lay leaders to be actively engaged in our democratic process,” Easterling said in a message on voter participation. “This is not a time to shrink or regress; rather, this is a time to offer a prophetic and loving alternative to hateful and unjust rhetoric. We are called to be bold witnesses of God’s grace, justice and righteousness.”

“While doing so, we know we are called to a higher standard of engagement and interaction with our neighbors, even those with whom we may disagree,” she added.

See a comprehensive resource on the 2024 Election and the Church's Witness.