As I write these words, the 2016 presidential sweepstakes has begun. At least one candidate already has declared the republic may not survive without his leadership. In the coming months, it’s likely that eight to 10 more Republicans will alert us that they are the best thing since sliced bread, and for $1 billion or so in campaign funds we can avail ourselves of their services.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side of the campaign bus, things appear all but wrapped up; though lots of folks don’t seem terribly thrilled about it. It’s similar to when your mom bought you that one-of-kind shirt: You didn’t really want to wear it, but it was all you had, and you couldn’t go to the dance without it, so…
Given that everyone else and his brother is running for president, I’m thinking of throwing my hat in the ring. After all, who knows more about politics than a pastor who has survived years of deacons’ meetings and Baptist business meetings?
I’ve decided that if I do run, my campaign slogan will be: “Not that Great, but Better than Those Other Folks.” I borrowed the slogan from a church I served, in which case the first part was true, though I couldn’t vouch for the latter part.
Actually, it might be a good thing if we had a whole cadre of preachers run for president. They certainly would know how to give a good speech, and we won’t charge you $200,000 to hear it (unlike some potential candidates). We’re also pretty good at using email, and most of us are too cheap to set up our own servers.
Someone who has led a church certainly has the skillset to be president—casting vision, keeping the opposing factions from open warfare, managing budgets, and fighting terrorists. OK, not exactly terrorists, but Sister Sadie and the Blue Hair Gang can be pretty frightening when they get up in arms about some perceived slight.
Then again, maybe it’s better to leave politics to the politicians. Youth retreats may not be fun, but they beat working with congress.
Michael Duduit is executive editor of Preaching and dean of the Clamp Divinity School of Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Although he’s decided not to run, he still welcomes your campaign donations.