Information Alert: Pastors Encouraged, Challenged by Grudem

Chris Freund, Vice President Friday, September 2, 2011 Information Alert: Pastors Encouraged, Challenged by Grudem This week, over 100 pastors and ministry leaders gathered in Newport News and Roanoke for two pastor workshops featuring Dr. Wayne Grudem. They did not leave disappointed. Dr. Grudem, using his book Politics and the Bible, instructed and encouraged pastors on what the Bible says about civil government and the churches role.  Dismissing several myths about church and state relations, Dr. Grudem effectively challenged attendees to be a voice for moral values in the public square.  Pastors left the meetings energized and mobilized!  Already, pastors in the Roanoke area are organizing to hold elected officials accountable. Randy Wilson of Family Research Council also inspired pastors with his presentation about FRC’s “Watchman on the Wall” outreach and the impact it is having around the nation. You can get more information about FRC’s outreach to pastors at www.watchmenpastors.org/. Dr. Grudem, following the first chapter of his book, explained to pastors that while government should never compel religion, it should not exclude religion from the public square either.  Religious liberty is the right to profess and persuade, but faith cannot be compelled.  He also explained that government is not evil, but an institution designed by God for the benefit of mankind.  Dr. Grudem encouraged pastors that political involvement should never replace evangelism, but speaking to the issues of the day and encouraging civic involvement is necessary and good. The Family Foundation is hosting several pastor workshops around the Commonwealth this fall to encourage church leaders to educate and mobilize their congregations to action on issues important to our families.  These briefings couldn’t come at a better time.  While homosexual activists seek to discriminate against faith based adoption ministries through state regulations and the abortion industry mobilizes against abortion center safety regulations, Virginians prepare to go to the polls in November to elect 140 members of the General Assembly.  Participation by churches is critical! Two more pastor workshops are scheduled, one in Danville and one in Martinsville, on Thursday, September 22, with Lt. General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin.  If you are a pastor, I hope that if you are in those areas and can attend you will join us for these informative and encouraging programs!  I know that you will be glad you did.  To register, just click the city above where you’d like to attend.  ** Please forward this e-mail to friends and family who you think are interested in issues affecting traditional values and encourage them to sign up for alerts at www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?APP=Registration&AID=334&SiteID=-1 ** You have received this message because you have subscribed to a mailing list of The Family Foundation of Virginia.