Provided by the DISCIPLES CENTER for PUBLIC WITNESS, the Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN), and Park Avenue Christian Church. Dear Pastor or Church Leader, Election Day is almost here! It has already taken place in Canada (October 14th) and will soon happen in the United States (November 4th). Jesus told us that we should "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). In a democratic society, participating in the political process is certainly something we should render unto Caesar. But we also render our civic and political activity to God. In the Bible, Christians are instructed to 'honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). And in a healthy democracy, the people are the ultimate political rulers who select their leaders and then hold them accountable for their performance. Voting is therefore not only a privilege for Christians, but also a responsibility and a duty. Furthermore, God tells rulers to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Speak up with fairness and justice, and defend the rights of the poor and oppressed" (Proverbs 31:8-9). Again, because citizens are the ultimate political rulers in a democratic society, Christian citizens are called upon to vote for those leaders and representatives who most faithfully carry out this responsibility. Please download and use our FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP packet, found at www.djan.net/faithful.pdf . Included in this packet are links to election-year resources, some of which can be found on web sites and some of which can be downloaded as PDFs. The same information can be viewed online by clicking HERE. We hope these resources will be helpful to you as you prayerfully reflect on the election, the candidates (their vision, views, values, and votes), and the important issues that confront our two great nations. We also hope that you will share these resources with others--your colleagues, congregations, and communities--and that they will be of use to you and many others as you prepare sermons on the importance of voting, hold candidate forums, encourage people to volunteer in the campaigns of their choice, help get people to the polls, and participate in election protection programs. Again, this packet of information can be downloaded at www.djan.net/faithful.pdf. And the same informtion can be found online by clicking HERE. Blessings on you as you join our organizations, other Disciples, and our ecumenical and interfaith partners in promoting FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP during this important election season.    Dr. Alvin Jackson             Dr. William Chris Hobgood     Dr. Ken Brooker Langston   Senior Pastor, PACC              President, the Center               Director, DJAN