Evangelicals encouraged to think faithfully about politics
The Evangelical Alliance responds to the announcement of a general election on 4 July.
With an election set for 4 July, it is a crucial time for evangelicals to think and pray about how they engage in politics.
The Evangelical Alliance is resourcing churches and Christians across the UK to respond in a way that places their faith in Jesus at the centre of their political engagement.
The organisation recently released Thinking faithfully about politics, based on a survey of nearly 1,400 evangelicals in the UK and found a high appetite for engagement in politics, diverse opinions and priorities, and frustration at how the political system operates. The report also set out that policies which support those most in need topped the list of factors influencing how they vote.
Danny Webster, director of advocacy for the Evangelical Alliance, commented on the election announcement: “This election is a chance for evangelicals to demonstrate the good news of Jesus as they prayerfully consider how to engage.
“We know evangelicals represent, campaign for, and support all the mainstream parties and we want to see that engagement influence the direction of our nations.
“Evangelicals’ care for the most vulnerable was clearly illustrated in our recent research and we know as the campaign unfolds, they will be engaging with parties and candidates to see how they would act if entrusted with power and authority.”
The Evangelical Alliance is encouraging three key areas of focus during this election campaign.
First to pray for our politicians, our political systems and all those who seek to exercise authority.
Second to think about what your faith has to say about key issues facing the UK and our world. We will be producing a number of resources including special episodes of our Cross Section podcast and features from member organisations engaged in particular policy areas.
Finally, the election is about more than voting day, it is a chance to build relationships in communities across our nations. The Evangelical Alliance is keen to see churches engage with candidates, hold hustings events and continue that relationship with whoever is elected. This is a chance for churches to demonstrate the good news to politicians through their words and actions and demonstrate the vital place for Christianity in our public life.
Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, said: “At this vital time for our nations I am encouraged by how evangelicals are already engaged and passionate about how we can make Jesus known. This is a time to prayerfully consider how politics and our engagement can be part of our witness to Him and His kingdom we are praying will come.”
Find out more about the Evangelical Alliance’s election resources at eauk.it/ge24
Notes to editors
Danny Webster is available for interview on request. Please contact Nicola Morrison, media manager, at [email protected] or Danny Webster at [email protected] or call 07766 444 650
About the Evangelical Alliance
We are the Evangelical Alliance. We join together hundreds of organisations, thousands of churches and tens of thousands of individuals for the sake of the gospel. Representing our members since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance is the oldest and largest evangelical unity movement in the UK.
We love Jesus and we want everyone in the UK to be given an opportunity to know Him.
We love His church, and we will do all we can to unite evangelicals, building confidence in the gospel and speaking as a trusted voice into society to see it changed for Him.
Working across the UK, with offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast, our members come together from across denominations, locations, age groups and ethnicities, all sharing a passion to know Jesus and make Him known.
