Pinnacle Leaders Podcast: Navigating Today’s Political Environment Biblically
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ABOUT THE EPISODE
As a Kingdom-minded leader, your greatest reference book is the word of God. The Bible has templates for every possible leadership challenge including how to navigate today’s tense political environment. We are called to pray for our government, partner with them, and be a voice of truth in our sphere of influence. In our latest episode of the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast, Navigating Today’s Political Environment Biblically, Dr. Kevin Baird, Director of Pastoral Ministries at the Florida Family Policy Council, shares his thoughts on the church’s role in government with our current political climate.
TODAY’S GUEST: DR. KEVIN BAIRD
Dr. Kevin Baird is the Director of The Florida Capital Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to building relationships between church leaders and government officials. With more than 40 years of extensive ministry experience, his professional background includes positions as a lead pastor, church planter, national conference speaker, college professor, talk radio host, Biblical worldview advocate in public policy, blog writer, and media analyst on culture. Kevin holds a B.A. in Religion & Philosophy, an M.Div. in Historical Theology, and a D.Min. in the History of Christian Thought.
EPISODE OVERVIEW
As a Kingdom-minded leader, your greatest reference book is the word of God. The Bible has templates for every possible leadership challenge including how to navigate today’s tense political environment. We are called to pray for our government, partner with them, and be a voice of truth in our sphere’s of influence. In our latest episode of the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast, Navigating Today’s Political Environment Biblically, Dr. Kevin Baird, Director of Pastoral Ministries at the Florida Family Policy Council, shares his thoughts on the church’s role in government with our current political climate.
“We need leaders that will use the word of God to create policies with the right spirit, the right perspective, and with truth,” Dr. Baird shared with Dr. Langley. “If pastors eject from the system, then there is no voice for God’s word in decision making.”
“In a Biblical worldview, believing that the Bible has templates for every arena of life, there has to be a way for pastors and the church to engage their civic government to 1) Pray for them 2) Partner with them and 3) Help them do what’s morally right in the eyes of God. The only way that can happen is if those who are commissioned to carry God’s voice as preachers and pastors connect with their civic leaders. The shepherds of the church must connect with the shepherds of government.”
“We have to begin to switch our vocabulary. Government is a mission field. When you can begin to think of it as a mission field, you’ll find that our representatives are as needy of evangelism, discipleship, training, input, support, correction, encouragement, and rebuke as anyone else.”
“I believe that God has a plan and if we can get people to embrace it then we will solve the myriad of issues we are faced with and the challenges presented in our culture. So long as we keep rejecting that (God’s plan) for the sake of selfishness and self-will, we will continue to be blind to true prosperity, peace, and joy.”
Subscribe to the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast with Dr. Langley for more Biblical wisdom for today’s kingdom-minded leaders.
RELATED READING
- Engaging the Culture with a Biblical Worldview (BT800) by Dr. Kevin Baird – This online course available through Christian Life School of Theology (CLSTG) is designed to help students understand how scripture relates to and mandates specific engagement of the governmental arena and “perceived” political activity. It is intentionally and distinctly non-partisan, recognizing that civil government and politics is incredibly broken and at times convoluted. The course is divided into the theology of cultural engagement, the philosophy of cultural engagement, and the practices a Christian leader or pastor might seek to implement. Learn more about this course by visiting https://clstgo-clstglobalonlinelearning.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:542
- Florida Capitol Project – Under the direction of Dr. Kevin Baird, this organization educates pastors on their historic and Biblical roles as civic influencers, equips them with leadership tools to be effective with their spiritual influence, and empowers them with opportunities for connection and ministry to their civic representatives. Learn more at https://floridacapitolproject.org/
- Kevin Baird – Visit Dr. Baird’s website at http://drkevinbaird.com/ to learn more about the role of pastors in important cultural conversations and how the church can collaborate with our civic representatives for prayer, partnership, and public policy discussions.
QUOTES & SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER
- “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” ~ Psalm 75:6-7
- “Open your heart and mind to think biblically and not politically.” ~ Dr. Randal Langley
- “We need leaders that will use the word of God to create policy with the right spirit, the right perspective, and with truth.” ~ Dr. Kevin Baird
- “If we can begin to teach the simple things like, ‘what does love really mean, biblically?’ and ‘how does God see love?’ then these ideals can be applied more easily in our culture.” ~ Dr. Kevin Baird
- “If pastors eject from the system, then there is no voice for God’s word in decision making.” ~ Dr. Kevin Baird
