Politics and Elections
One of JPIT’s six hopes is for ‘A politics characterised by listening, kindness and truthfulness’. We believe that Christianity has a lot to say about politics and how we should do politics. Jesus taught about the issues and everyday choices facing ordinary people and those in power, and wasn’t afraid to confront unjust power structures that were harming the very people they were supposed to nurture and protect.
We cannot ignore the challenges facing society today, and we need to engage fully with democratic processes and decision-making. By participating in elections and political life, Christians can make a positive impact on the political landscape.
Constituency Action Network
We encourage you and your church to begin (or continue) to develop a meaningful relationship with your new (or returning) MP. We are keen to encourage a collaborative approach with them, based on listening and sharing.
Our programme to help develop churches develop a meaningful relationship with MPs is called the Constituency Action Network.
Elections
The Joint Public Issues Team produces resources to equip and inform Christians ahead of local and national elections.
Below are some of the resources we have produced in the last few years to enable churches and individuals to explore politics.
Meet your MP
Meet Your MP was an initiative to build links between congregations and their MPs.
Find out more and get involved
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (2022)
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill was enacted by Parliament in 2022. The Bill was the subject of controversy, especially around proposed limitations on protests – but what is actually included in this wide-ranging piece of legislation? And what do Christians have to offer into the debate?
Art of the Possible
Does politics have a role in the Church or is it a distraction from our mission? Is politics about compromise – what is possible – when our Christian faith is about truth?
At a time when a lot of people say they are turned off by politics, many in our churches are still concerned about what is going on in our world. What does politics mean for our faith – and what should our faith mean for our politics?
The Art of the Possible is a resource produced to help people to explore these questions.
It was initially released in 2013, but was updated and renewed in 2017:
Download the Art of the Possible
Take a look at our Art of the Possible Youth Resource here too: