In Part - Fall 2008 - Reflecting on patriotism

What are appropriate expressions of patriotism in the Church? How does your church navigate the issues of displaying flags, recognizing national holidays, and praying for political leaders?

We hope that you’ll take part in the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comment boxes provided!

At Ashland (Ohio) BIC, we regularly pray for our national leaders and urge our people to be good citizens by participating in elections. We are very thankful to be part of the country in which we live and will make mention of that on national holidays (like Memorial Day and Independence Day), but that is the extent of it. Most of the leadership feels that overt expressions of patriotism are not appropriate for a place where God and God alone should be worshipped. The only time we allow flags in the sanctuary is during sermons or other messages on the need for worldwide evangelism. As pastor, I will not have a flag in the sanctuary for regular display as I feel it is idol worship.

—Keith A. Tyson, Ashland (Ohio) BIC

I agree that many churches go to extremes in the area of patriotism; our allegiance must always be first to the Lord and we must avoid, at all costs, becoming nationalistic or politicking from the pulpit. However, an appropriate response for the church includes recognizing those who have chosen to sacrificially give their time, careers, and maybe even their lives for our nation and the values for which it stands. Displaying a flag or celebrating a national holiday is very appropriate because it allows us to “render to Caesar” (Matthew 22:21) the recognition that a country deserves from those who call it home. Anabaptists tend to error by failing to recognize the benefits that a nation and its people have brought to the world as a whole—especially for Americans, who would not have the freedom to express who we are as Anabaptists if people had not served and died to ensure that freedom.

—Rev. Daniel Longamore, Marsh Creek BIC (Howard, Pa.)

Above all, we must live as citizens of the kingdom of God. Jesus calls us to a righteousness that is clearly more love-based than justice-based, more global than nationalistic. So though we are grateful for our country, we must also critique and stand against its self-oriented values. We must be willing to be humble and face our nation’s faults. And our “allegiance” must be to Jesus only—all other powers must ultimately bow to Him. We most promote love for all nations and stand as citizens of another world, even if that means imprisonment or death.

—Fred Miller, Cumberland Valley BIC (Dillsburg, Pa.)

Here at the Big Valley BIC Church, we have never displayed an American flag, though I have no problem with the flag and have one that my wife and I display every year in front of our own home.

As a congregation we most often lift up in prayer our national leaders and most importantly our President. We have been praying about the coming election for some time now. In the past, I have encouraged our people to register to vote and to get involved in the voting process.

—John M. Keefer, Big Valley BIC (Belleville, Pa.)

One situation came up at our church on the Sunday before Memorial Day when a slide featuring the U.S. flag was created as a welcome to newcomers. I was taken back because we never ever had anything like this in the history of our church. I always felt that our allegiance is first and foremost to the lordship of Jesus Christ, whom we serve and proclaim.

Yes, we are to obey our government leaders and pay our taxes (thus Jesus’ command to “…give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…”), but our ultimate allegiance and obedience is unto the Lord. Furthermore, separation of church and state helps us draw the line between the two and not overlap our allegiances by displaying the flag in our churches. Referencing our peace stance has a lot to do with this separation since we value human life.

Additionally, preaching the Gospel to all nations is an added dimension where we do not discriminate between whom we think friendly and those that are “hostile” toward us. Oftentimes, when we pray, we only mention the persecuted church. But it is crucial that if we want to win souls to the Kingdom, we must pray for our enemies as well.

—Costy Saba, Westside Christian Community (Springfield, Ohio)

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