What a fortnight it has been since the election! There have been scenes of joyful celebration, mournful somberness, hesitant hope and overwhelming fear in many directions. For some, it’s the start of a new era, for others the end of the world and all ranges of outlooks in between. As a Faith Group Leader any one of those emotions, outlooks or people might be present in your group… probably even more than one.

How can you guide them all one step closer to Christ?

Might I suggest you continue to do what we designed Faith Groups to be: places where people with real questions, seeking guidance, love, comfort, connection with each other and connection with Jesus can come and be safe.

As the dust settles from the campaign, please make a concerted effort to help people in your group continue to get to know each other better, learn more about the Bible and put what they have learned into practice. Now is a great time for us to practice the basic tenets of our group life and live out the powerful attributes of the Spirit as we make our groups places of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

I am not saying you must address politics, or make your groups places of discussion about the political climate. Neither am I saying you must avoid these topics. I am asking you as leaders to guide people in your groups regardless of the discussion to look to the hope we have in Christ. I encourage you to guide people deeper in their love of Christ and greater in their love for others. Let’s make these larger abstract vision statements flesh and blood realities in our groups so that truly everyone this week takes one step closer to Christ, every day this week.