When churches get active in social justice and practice prophetically speaking out against injustices in the country (and the world), there is one critique that stands out above all the others: “The church isn’t supposed to be political.” But when we look at scripture and see how Jesus interacted with the society and culture around him, we begin to see that clearly the church is political.
Jesus “set his face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51)—a phrase that signals more than a travel plan. It was a bold act of public theology. Jerusalem wasn’t just a city. It was the epicenter of religious authority and imperial power. Jesus’ decision to walk toward it, knowing the risks, was a courageous declaration: transformation happens when we engage the systems that shape our world.
At Illustrated Ministry, we affirm that following Jesus isn’t about withdrawing from society—it’s about joining the sacred work of justice in the streets, statehouses, and ballot boxes. Today, our democracy is fragile. People are afraid. We see institutions of higher education, law offices, and corporations giving in to an administration that has consistently shown itself to be openly hostile to democratic norms, driven by white Christian nationalism, and dangerously adept at manipulating fear to erode civil liberties and consolidate control.
Jesus calls his followers to step in with courage, compassion, and clarity. That’s why we’re lifting up three sacred actions: Resist. Act. Vote.
Jesus Was Political—So the Church is Political
Some try to frame Jesus as apolitical—spiritual, but not politically active. Yet, his life tells a different story. Jesus flipped tables in the Temple to protest economic injustice. He stood with the marginalized—lepers, sex workers, outsiders—while calling out the hypocrisy of the powerful (Matthew 23). His parables disrupted social hierarchies and pointed toward a kin(g)dom where all belong.
A note on our use of kin(g)dom: At Illustrated Ministry, we previously used the term kin-dom to move away from patriarchal language and oppressive systems while emphasizing the inclusive, interconnected community of God. All the while, we struggled with our use of kin-dom because we knew that kingdom carried profound political weight in the first-century Roman world. Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God was a radical declaration challenging the Roman Empire and its systems of power. Therefore, we have chosen to use kin(g)dom now to honor both the radical disruption Jesus brought to political and governmental systems and the vision of an interconnected, justice-filled community of God.
Jesus wasn’t crucified because he was quiet. The state executed him for challenging the status quo. His message of distributive justice, compassion, and radical inclusion was—and still is—profoundly political.
Resist: Saying No to Injustice
To resist is more than opposing. It means naming systems that harm and choosing a different way. Just as Jesus resisted the collusion of empire and religion, we are called to resist voter suppression laws, economic exploitation, and policies that strip dignity and humanity from the vulnerable.
Resistance begins with moral clarity—and with a commitment to collective action. It means recognizing that, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught, injustice anywhere erodes justice everywhere and refusing to remain neutral when our neighbors’ voices are threatened. It’s not about standing for others—it’s about standing with one another in a shared pursuit of justice and liberation.
Act: Turning Our Faces Toward Power
Jesus didn’t avoid power—he confronted it with holy defiance. There is a long history of churches and interfaith organizations following this legacy. From the Poor People’s Campaign to congregations visiting legislators to advocate for healthcare, housing, and environmental justice, action becomes sacred.
Like Jesus, we move with purpose. We advocate. We protest. We testify. We show up—because love calls us to be present in the places where decisions are made.
Vote: Our Sacred Witness
Voting is not the end—it’s one part of a much larger call. Still, it matters deeply. Voting is how we amplify our values, how we affirm the dignity and humanity of every person, and how we build toward the kin(g)dom of God here and now.
When we help register voters, provide rides to the polls, or offer childcare on Election Day, we are not just being “civic.” We are being faithful. Voting becomes an act of communal hope, a prophetic witness, a liturgy of justice.
A Sticker, A Statement, A Commitment
To remind ourselves and others of this call, we’ve created a new sticker: Resist. Act. Vote. Stick it on your laptop, journal, water bottle, or church bulletin board. Let it be a daily reminder: faith isn’t passive. It walks. It speaks. It shows up. You can order your “Resist. Act. Vote.” Stickers here or below.
Jesus didn’t shy away from politics—he entered Jerusalem with eyes wide open. As his followers, we are invited to do the same—the church is political. Our democracy needs us—not as partisans, but as prophets. Not with fear, but with fierce love. So let’s move forward together.
Let’s resist injustice.
Let’s act with purpose.
Let’s vote with hope.
And let’s keep moving toward the Jerusalems of our time.
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