This morning, I had a radio interview in which I was asked an interesting question about my role as a pastor now running for a congressional seat. Do you mind if I wax professorial for one blog entry, to give you a brief synopsis of my views?

First, let me say that I am not running to be pastor of Pennsylvania’s 5th District. While I am an ordained minister, I am also an attorney who not only studied but taught Ethics and Constitutional Law. I know the difference between a pastoral use of persuasion and a governmental use of power, and I believe that government’s power (especially the federal government’s power) must be limited to protect our liberties. As Thomas Jefferson said in his first inaugural address, “a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”

So keeping in mind my desire for smaller, less intrusive government, let me address the question of why a pastor would run for Congress, and see no conflict of interest.

First, there is a theological dimension. As a Christian, I believe that I am called to be a good steward of all that God has given me. His gifts are a trust, and we are trustees. Among God’s gifts are our freedoms, our rights, and our privileges as citizens who live under a republican form of government. In other words, in a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” we each have a sacred trust to preserve and protect the liberty with which we have been blessed. That sacred trust is not diminished or eliminated because I am a pastor—it is heightened.

This issue also has a practical dimension, however. What would happen if people of faith and moral convictions opted out of the political process? Obviously, the political process would then be abandoned entirely to … well, politicians. Now I know that a handful of people think that would be a good thing, but I do not. I think most people share my view that a person with bedrock principles, informed by faith, ought to have a seat at the table of government. Haven’t we had enough of alleged “leaders” not knowing who they are or what they believe until they read the latest poll?

And finally, there is an historic dimension. Did you know that one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was a pastor? (Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Witherspoon) The pivotal role of pastors during the Revolutionary War is well documented. And, should I be fortunate enough to win this race, I certainly would not be the first pastor elected to Congress, and likely not the last.

I would have to do more research to learn if I would be the first attorney AND ordained pastor to be elected. But right now, I’ll have to leave that research to you, or, at least wait until after the election. I’m enjoying the campaign too much for esoteric research!