The age old question of whether the church should be involved in state matters is one that has no universal answer. Coming from a history in which the church's opinions were the end all and be all of a nation, to becoming a world where public recognition of religious beliefs is taboo, in today's world, people are faced with two conflicting choices that have no easy solution. Even though it is a tricky subject, religious leaders say no matter what the final conclusions, there should be an amicable relationship between the state and the church.
"This is truly a tricky subject, but I do believe that there should be an established relationship between the state and church so there is some sense of continuity when it comes to maintaining law and order in a country," said Bishop John N. Humes, national overseer of the Church of God. "Without a sense of morality that is consistently adhered to, countries are likely to face problems in immorality. I believe that churches should be free to stand up so standards of Godliness can be kept. There should be no settling or compromising when it comes to the job of the 'watchdog' of the nation. This is why churches should not and cannot take sides when it comes to politics. Our mission is to lead in the best way, and this cannot be done if we are blind to our own agendas."
The church and its leadership are the spiritual gatekeepers of the nation and they in addition to governmental leaders should be able to communicate with ease for the good of the country, said Bishop Humes.
The Pentecostal minister said church leaders should not push their political beliefs on their congregation or attempt to influence them in any way. He said it was important that the church remain neutral when it came to politics and instead see its duty as one to support the government - no matter who is the head.
"I see the prime minister as a leader of the country and not the head of a party. As a leader of the church, our mission is to guide the people in the ways they should go and be a counsel for the leaders of the nation. I don't think the church should have a marriage with political parties. If it does happen, you are compromising and forgetting to be true workers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We should always be the voice and beacon of God's work and His will. We have problems with unions and other problems in the country, but we have to let people know we can't put our personal agendas before the country's best interests. It takes sacrifices to build a better place. How we react will show where we go and the church should be in an objective position so it can properly lead the people in the ways God intends," he said.
South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Overseer Pastor Paul Scavella said the church should always maintain a distinction between itself and the state. He said that it is not appropriate for the church to take sides - no matter how they feel about certain government leaders. And that it is the church's responsibility to be a counselor and support system for the people and the nation's leaders.
"Every person is given the ability to think and act on their own by God. As a church leader, it is not your place to push your ideas or beliefs on the people because they are the ones who need to make a decision on their own. Our position in the Seventh-Day Adventist church is that we maintain a distinction between state and church. We make it a point to support the state whoever is in power. It is not our say to which party should be in power. After all, the Bible mandates that we as leaders of the church should support the government for God puts them there and will bring them down. In the meantime, we must continue to speak His word and do our part in enriching the nation spiritually."
Scavella said church leaders should not forget that they are here to preach the Word and spread God's love and will. And that in these political times, leaders should be helping the congregants to make a good decision on their political choices through prayers and asking for guidance from God. He said believers should be wise and think carefully about who they put into power. He encouraged them to look at candidates as people and not party members.
"It is important to not only hear about their political ambitions, but also know their theological position. It is equally important to know this because their religious beliefs say a lot about who they are and what they are likely to do should they take power," he said.
The Seventh-Day Adventist pastor said it was essential for people to be wise in this season, but just as important for the church to be a beacon of support for the nation's leaders no matter what comes to pass.

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