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A Lutheran Perspective on Voting
Election season brings many campaign ads, competing promises, strong opinions, and sometimes difficult conversations with family and friends. Amid it all, we might ask a Lutheran question: What does our faith have to do with voting?
That question matters because public decisions shape our schools, communities, and the daily lives of people we may never meet. For Lutherans, voting is one way to live out our calling to love and serve our neighbors. Martin Luther taught that God works through ordinary vocations—not only through pastors and church leaders, but also through parents, workers, teachers, caregivers, and citizens. In a democracy, taking part in public life is one way we exercise that calling.
In Mark 12, Jesus tells us, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” That command extends beyond the church doors. As we consider issues and candidates, faith invites us to look beyond “What is best for me?” and ask, “How will this affect my neighbor?” We might especially consider those whose voices are often overlooked: children, older adults, people living in poverty, immigrants, and those facing illness or discrimination. Our concern reaches beyond individual interests to the well-being of the entire community.
Does this mean there is a Lutheran ballot or a “Christian candidate”? No. The Gospel is not the platform of any political party, and God's kingdom cannot be equated with any nation or government. Faith shapes our values and informs our consciences, but faithful Christians may disagree on which policies best advance justice, peace, and the common good. These differences call for humility, careful listening, and respect.
Lutheran teaching also distinguishes the responsibilities of the church and the government. The church proclaims God's grace in Jesus Christ and calls us to love our neighbors. The government is entrusted with maintaining civic order, protecting rights, and promoting the public good. Though these roles are distinct, Christians do not leave their faith behind when they enter the public square. Our baptismal calling goes with us.
At a Repairers of the Breach prayer vigil on August 3, 2026, Bishop Hirsch said, "[Voting] is an essential way that we love our neighbors and seek the common good." He explained that Scripture calls Christians to engage with governing authorities and that the ELCA supports equal access to voting.
In his October 10th blog post, Bishop Craig Miller of the Upper Susquehanna Synod “connects voting with our baptismal promises to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” He argues that Lutherans bring their faith into civic participation, remembering that our commitment to the neighbor should inform how we vote.
Our civic responsibility does not end when we cast a ballot. We can continue listening, learning, advocating, volunteering, speaking truthfully, and holding elected leaders accountable. We can defend every eligible person's right to participate in elections, even when we disagree with the outcome. We can refuse to treat neighbors with different political views as enemies.
The ELCA's teaching on civic life reminds us that engagement in public affairs is part of Christian discipleship, even though the church itself does not endorse political parties or candidates. That distinction protects both the freedom of conscience and the church's proclamation of the Gospel.
As Election Day approaches, may we seek reliable information, weigh our decisions prayerfully, and remember those affected by them. We do not vote to prove that God is on our side. We participate as imperfect people, trusting in God's grace and asking how we might serve others.
As Christians, our vote is a small act of citizenship. Our love for our neighbors is a lifelong calling.
Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM or on Facebook at Hopeclinton. We will remember the Saints who have gone before us to their heavenly home.
Peace+
Pastor Eric
Sources:
1. https://www.uss-elca.org/blog/2026/10/10/from-bishop-miller-october-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. https://blogs.elca.org/advocacy/lutherans-engaging-in-the-electoral-process/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. https://baptistnews.com/article/interfaith-coalition-launches-100-day-vision-voting-action/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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