Andy Flannagan: Christian noise or kingdom influence?

Should Christians engage with politics? And if so how do we do it meaningfully? Andy Flannagan, Executive Director of Christians in Politics tells us how.

Christians know how to make noise. It’s in our DNA. Whether it’s trumpets at Jericho, cymbals in the Psalms, or worship bands with huge PAs. We’ll also mobilise huge numbers of people to march to make poverty history, send emails about climate change, or write letters about abortion. But there’s a difference between just making noise and having real influence. That difference is relationship. Can we make the journey from disconnected armchair commentators to participants who are being salt and light in the midst rather than at the edge of society?

In my last job leading ‘Christians on the Left’, I was preparing what I might say at our parliamentary launch, when the phrase, “They came expecting fireworks” dropped into my mind. It seemed an appropriate starting point for an event happening in the Houses of Parliament on the night of the 5th of November! I resisted the temptation to arrive in a Guy Fawkes costume.

It's in the nature of a launch, with a hugely successful new website, a Twitter storm of positive messages and huge amounts of enthusiasm in the room to expect some fireworks and glitz. There were a raft of newly joined members. Energy was high.

So I went on to point out that…

In first century Palestine, they also came looking for fireworks. An oppressed people were looking for liberation - now. They were hoping for a mighty explosion of energy and light that would restore their status as God’s chosen people, back in charge of their own destiny. Some were looking for a military extravaganza. And it looked like this carpenter of Nazareth might just light the touch-paper.

They came looking for fireworks, but what they got was a bloke talking about a mustard seed. They got a story about something practically invisible. He said, “This isn’t necessarily going to be fast. This might be slow.” He said, “This isn’t going to start huge, it’s going to start infinitesimally small”. Japanese theologian, Kosuke Koyama has written a book about this kingdom called ‘3mph God’. Our God seems to move slowly, because I believe he never moves faster than the speed of relationships. For him ends never justify means. For him it is about people, and he cares as much about the journey as the destination. He cares as much about the method as the product delivered. You could say the ‘how’ is as important the ‘what’. What us activists often forget is that he also cares as much about his mission in us as his mission through us. That is why it is often a slow, long journey. That is why in politics especially, we must be in it for the long haul. We endure because we care about people not just ideas.

We must not get sucked into the instant culture of the 21st century of ‘overnight sensations’ and the ‘next big thing’. We must prepare to do the hard yards of relationship building. Change in political thinking and practice is rarely fast, but we must believe that that mustard seed will produce fruit. There is also something of sacrifice and death about that seed. We will not necessarily be lauded for what we do, but unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies.

Replication

We find encouragement in knowing that this slowly replicating, sprawling DNA of the kingdom is not ours. It is God’s. Incredibly each of us are formed with this divine DNA inside us, made in the image of God. Every tree has within it the potential to start a forest. The seeds are there. Every human has within them the potential to start a movement. The seeds of reproduction are there. The kingdom is unstoppable because it is in our DNA no matter how much we try to suppress it. Those moments of slow growth happen with every decision of righteousness and justice. They happen every time we choose the King’s way rather than the easier way of disengagement.

Ask yourself why you joined any movement. It probably wasn’t because of an impressive website, or piece of writing. It was probably through a person. A living, breathing human-being gave you the nerve to sign up. Knowing someone involved and knowing that they are centred as a human being is often the key element in someone getting involved.

This kingdom will also replicate because our political system is crying out for integrity, creativity and vision. All across the country this sort of vision is being shown by believers who are finding creative ways to tackle the challenges in their neighbourhoods. Whether it is befriending schemes, or debt counselling programmes or life skills classes, the church is stepping up. That energy is already starting to feed through into the political realm and we have the privilege of being part of that transformation.

So as we attempt to influence the political realm, let’s remember again, it’s a long haul because our God is a God of relationship. In his very essence, God is a team. But relationships take time and relationships take effort, especially if they are being formed with people who we may well disagree with on some things. That is the road less travelled. As humans we generally form tribes and stick with the folks who won’t challenge us, but transformation happens when we stick our necks out beyond those comfort zones, not to just speak our truth and run away, but to build relationships.

What could you do?

So what’s the next adventurous relationship you might be called to? The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. As the old African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”

Our Influence Course is designed to give participants a biblical understanding of God’s call for every one of us to be involved in the public square. It’s not just about being a candidate. Find out more at www.influencecourse.co.uk or order the course materials from your local Christian bookshop or online stockist.