My Ad in Politico

Ok, so this isn't exactly my ad in Politico...but I am one of the 4,000+ pastors who signed on to this letter. It appeared on page 18 of Politico's digital version on Wednesday.

The text of the ad read:

We are pastors. We work, pray, and do whatever we can to remain faithful to the responsibility of every Christian to help the poor. Still, we can’t meet the crushing needs by ourselves.

Programs like SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, and Head Start aren’t just abstract concepts to us; they serve the same people we serve. There are changes that can be made or efficiencies that can be found, but every day we see what government can do.

We have seen government support allow young people to be the first members of their families to get college degrees, ensure mothers can feed their children a healthy diet, enable those with disabilities to live fulfilling lives, give much-needed medical care to those who can’t afford it, support seniors, provide housing for families, and help people in finding a job.

As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up – how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources.

As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We want to support you in reducing the deficit. There is more need today than churches can meet by themselves. This is why we join in the “Circle of Protection” around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.

Sojouners writes more about this on their God's Politics blog. They also list the ad signers by state.

Sojo invited me to write "2-3 sentences" about my support for this movement,  which they will distribute to local media. I admit I hope I will get contacted about this. I find this very important, a time and a place when we who follow God in the Way of Jesus must raise our voice on behalf of people who, largely, are voiceless in this federal budget process. Here's what I wrote:

As a parent, I know how important it is to be able to feed our two young children. As an American, I want all people to be able to feed themselves and their children. As a Christian, I am called to help make that hope a reality. So I stand with those resisting budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people.

I join Sojo, Bread for the World and many others from across the denominational spectrum (and the non-denominational one) forming a Circle of Protection with and around the poor.

How will you add your voice?