Pastors Unite to Protect Marriage
by Staff
October 10, 2008
LA MESA, Calif., (christiansunite.com) -- As part of the effort to protect marriage in California, thousands of pastors and church members from across the state have joined forces to "get out the vote" on Nov. 4 - not in support of one presidential candidate over the other, but to pass Proposition 8, the Marriage Protection Act.
If passed, Proposition 8 will define marriage in the state as between one man and one woman, as a majority of California voters had previously upheld. However, in May, the California Supreme Court ruled to allow homosexual marriage. Pastors joined forces to collect more than the one million signatures necessary to call for an amendment to the state constitution, placing it on the ballot as Proposition 8, the Marriage Protection Act.
The effort is being spearheaded by a handful of key influential pastors in the state, organized by Dr. Jim Garlow, senior pastor of Skyline Church in La Mesa. Garlow explained why pastors all over California believe they must get involved in this issue:
"First, a judicial oligarchy - rule by a few - has robbed Californian's of their voice. We already voted on this - and we affirmed marriage by a 61% vote.
"Secondly, in countries where same sex marriage is legal, religious freedoms are lost, because it becomes illegal to speak out against the homosexual behavior and in favor of 'one man/one woman' marriage. Pastor Ake Green of Sweden, preaching from Romans chapter one about homosexuality, was arrested, tried, found guilty of 'disrespect' and sentenced to one month in prison. There are many such examples.
"Third, our California Education Code (#51890) will permit children as young as kindergartners to be indoctrinated about homosexuality. In Massachusetts, when David Parker objected that his kindergartner was being taught homosexuality, he was arrested and jailed."
Through a combination of bi-weekly webinar calls helping thousands of pastors around the state and nation stay encouraged and on message, and a series of three satellite simulcast rallies linking hundreds of churches across California, the movement is keeping communication flowing among participants.
Thousands of volunteers have been recruited to phone lists of church members to encourage them to vote in support of Proposition 8. Other volunteers are also going door-to-door throughout California's 1,600 zip codes to poll likely voters, and they will then work to ensure that those in favor of Proposition 8 make it to the polls on Nov. 4.
Pastors are preaching sermons on the topic of marriage and the family during the month of October. Families are encouraged to vote together on "Family Voter Weekend" Oct. 18-19, casting absentee ballots in advance of the election, so that they are free to work to get other voters to the polls on Election Day.
Finally, church members throughout the state have committed to fasting and praying for the 40 days leading up to the vote - they began Sept. 24. Forty days is the length of time that Jesus fasted in the desert while preparing for his public ministry, and is significant in other instances in the Bible, as well.
These pastors and churches have joined across denominational and racial lines in the defense of marriage. Garlow works closely with African- American pastors Miles McPherson, senior pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego, and Phillip Goudeaux, senior pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Sacramento. From denominational to independent, from charismatic to evangelical, churches across the spectrum - such as Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter, led by Dudley Rutherford; and Cornerstone Church in Fresno, led by Pastor Jim Franklin - have locked arms in the effort.
Garlow reminds pastors and individuals around the state that "We are at one of those moments. This is the major change point of the last few decades. While the abortion issue is a foundational issue, the marriage definition issue is a survival issue. No single social issue has threatened to forever muzzle Bible believing Christians like this contest," he said.
"If we lose on this one, the culture loses. One person has astutely observed that 'we cannot win the culture war merely on Proposition 8, but we can lose it on Proposition 8.'"
Garlow concludes, "It is imperative that all pastors and Christian leaders view this for what it is: an irretrievable moment, with profound and lasting consequences. We must vigorously support Prop 8, as if our ministries and lives depend on it. Ultimately, they will."
