A church from Los Angeles has difficulty balancing politics, causing part of the congregation to leave due to differences of opinion.
The Rev. Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out “what is ‘too political’ for a place of worship — and whether ‘being political’ is the whole point of the Gospel,” according to a report by The Washington Post.
Hall’s First Christian Church of North Hollywooda “politically mixed congregation,” grappled with political differences before and after the presidential election, when President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide victory.
Hall, a native of Alabamaled the church north of Los Angeles for two years. He wants to unite the church, but it has been a challenge.
First Christian Church of North Hollywood, a “politically mixed congregation,” has struggled with political disagreements before and after the presidential election. (Google Maps)
“Convincing the Republicans, Democrats and independents in his pews to stay and pray together is becoming increasingly complicated,” the Post reported.
CHRISTIANS ARE INCREASING PERSECUTION WORLDWIDE AS ‘MODERN AND HISTORICAL FACTORS WORK TOGETHER’
The Post further reported, “When he preaches what the Bible says about the mandate to care for migrants, Hall focuses on the story of Mary and Joseph rather than modern-day wanderers. every Sunday, so no one could question whether his choices were a political statement.”
“And when someone tells him he thinks a sermon was directed at a specific politician, he says, ‘That’s one way of looking at it!'”
Los Angeles has generally been a liberal city for decades. The city didn’t do that voted for a Republican mayor since 1993.
Presidential election data in November, it appears that residents of Los Angeles voted more for Trump than many polls had predicted.
According to The Washington Post, Rev. Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out “what’s ‘too political’ for a place of worship — and whether ‘being political’ is the whole point of the gospel.” (iStock)
Trump won more votes in LA than in 2020, receiving about 40% of the vote, up from 34%. Furthermore, Trump improved his vote share across the country, starting with conservative areas but extending to deeply democratic states.
BELIEVE A STRONG FORCE IN JIMMY CARTER’S LIFE, LEADERS SAY: ‘HEART OF A SERVANT’
Several congregants left the church due to their political differences. One of the members cited a film scheduled to be shown at Hall about Christian nationalism being “too one-sided” and “anti-Republican.”
Others left after discovering their colleagues attended Trump’s inauguration.
“Another person left services early on the Sunday after the election, feeling that a leader on stage was too focused on comforting people who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris,” the Post added.
“When you’re at a football game, one side wins and everyone leaves. With a church (and the election) it’s like everyone is still there,” Hall said.
He continued, “The popcorn is still on the floor, the Coke cups, the junk. Fifty percent of the people are angry and we need to pick up the pieces.”
First Christian is part of the Disciples of Christ denomination and serves more than 1,000 members. The denomination’s origins were founded to “unite Christian groups who had broken down theology and worship styles.”
One member of First Christian left the church after discovering their colleagues were attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“If I’m a good preacher, I comfort you and I confront you. But I have to be a prophet too, right? You are meant to come to church seeking questions that will change your life.”
“Before Hall, the same pastor had led First Christian for 52 years. Congregants say the late Rev. Robert M. Bock did not speak in church about contemporary political issues — even during the Vietnam War, which marked the beginning of his term. Hall is trying to turn a new leaf,” the Post reported.
