“I don't want the church to be political.”

That's an understandable concern. The church's mission isn't to promote a political party or tell people how to vote. At the same time, the decisions made in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and our local communities affect real lives—our neighbors, school classrooms, healthcare, safety, and freedom to worship. As followers of Jesus, we should consider how our faith shapes the way we engage with these decisions.

We are disciples. Disciples bring every part of life under the lordship of Jesus, including how they vote. And the church should be a community where we can openly and respectfully talk about how to integrate faith into every part of our lives.

At some point, all of this becomes very practical. Election Day arrives. You are at your kitchen table with a ballot, and you see names on it you may barely recognize. One candidate has a voting record you can examine. The other has no record at all. You may agree with one candidate on an important issue and another candidate on something else. None of the choices will be perfect.

That is when discernment becomes real.

Here is some practical guidance for that moment:

Pray for the candidates. All of them.

Genuinely. These are human beings made in the image of God, operating under enormous pressure. They need prayer. So do you as you evaluate them.

Prioritize values over personalities.

Ask what a candidate's actual positions mean for the issues that impact our communities—education, public safety, healthcare, religious freedom, the economy, and the well-being of others. Consider how their policies align with your values and convictions as a follower of Jesus. Personalities fade. Policies last.

If a candidate has served in office, look at the record.

Campaign promises are easy. Voting records are harder to spin. For candidates with no record, look at their stated positions, public comments, prior experience, and endorsements. Becoming an informed voter takes time and effort, but it's an important part of approaching our decisions with wisdom and discernment.

Pay attention to party affiliation, but don't let it make the decision for you.

Party affiliation can tell you something about a candidate's general positions, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Take time to understand the party platforms, then look at where individual candidates agree with their party and where they differ. Consider party affiliation as one factor in your decision, not the deciding factor.

Read beyond your echo chamber.

Media outlets are not a spiritual director. It's easy to consume information that simply reinforces what we already believe. But if every source we turn to confirms our existing opinions, and we never take time to consider other perspectives, we may be limiting our understanding. Be willing to ask questions, examine different viewpoints, and prayerfully submit what you're learning to Scripture. Otherwise, we risk allowing our politics to shape our convictions rather than allowing our faith to shape how we engage with politics.

Recognize that no candidate is perfect.

Every candidate is a flawed human being. None will align perfectly with your values. It's easy to view candidates from one political party as entirely good and those from another as entirely bad. But that's tribalism, not discernment. As followers of Jesus, we're called to look beyond party loyalties and thoughtfully evaluate each candidate. Scripture encourages us to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Stay in community.

Talk to people who see things differently, not to win an argument, but to learn. Approach conversations with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen. Even when we disagree, we can grow in understanding, build meaningful relationships, and treat one another with dignity and respect. Our political differences don't have to divide us, especially when our unity is rooted in Christ.

Don't let the world steal your peace.

Elections have real consequences. But fear is not a fruit of the Spirit. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Paul wrote these words while imprisoned under Roman authority. Even in those circumstances, he encouraged believers to exchange anxiety for the peace that comes through prayer and trusting God. We can care deeply about the outcome of an election without allowing fear or anxiety to take hold of our hearts. Our hope and peace are ultimately found in Jesus, not in any political outcome.

Dig a little deeper.

There are several helpful resources available as you prepare to vote. Start with California's official voter information guide, which includes information about statewide candidates, propositions, and arguments for and against ballot measures. Your county elections office can also provide information about local candidates and measures.

Other resources worth exploring include legislative voting records for candidates who have served in office, official political party platforms, and voter guides produced by organizations that research candidates and their positions, including faith-based organizations. Keep in mind that different resources may approach issues from different perspectives, so take time to compare information, ask questions, and make informed decisions.

As followers of Jesus, our goal is to become more like Him, not more like a political party or the loudest voice in the room. Our faith should shape how we engage with the world around us, including the way we approach elections.

As you prepare to fill out your ballot, take time to pray, ask questions, seek understanding, and make informed decisions. And if you're unable to vote, you can still participate by praying for our communities, our nation, and those who lead us.

At the end of the day, our hope isn't found in a candidate, a political party, or the outcome of an election. Our hope is found in Jesus.

More like Jesus. In November, and every day after.