To my fellow Christian Leaders in Washington State,

“If you find the perfect church please don’t join it because it won’t be perfect after that.” You have probably heard that line from a Pastor like me. As Christians we recognize that churches aren’t perfect yet we join them. I am not sure why we have such a hard time applying that same logic and grace to political candidates.

The fact is, there was only one perfect candidate and they crucified him!

The election is only a few days away and I fear that Christians will hand the election to the worst elements in the political system by not voting, or by voting for some but not others. If we can’t find a perfect candidate, we abdicate and let others elect an awful one.

No one did exit polling in the primary election but I have a suspicion that tens of thousands of Christians did not vote. When we fail to vote, we hide our light under a bushel.

We won a tremendous victory on gay marriage with the vote of the Supreme Court. The gays have promised to try to undo that in the legislature. Who we elect to the legislature will determine the outcome!

It will matter whether Mike McGavick or Maria Cantwell is elected to the US Senate. One or the other of them will cast hundreds of votes for judges and on pieces of legislation during the next six years. When I endorsed Mike McGavick over a year ago I did so by deciding who had the best chance to beat Cantwell. I knew we had to defeat her.

Last year I went to Washington DC to try to get some funding for the School of Nursing at Northwest University. We have a serious nursing shortage in this state and my Senator could help with that. Although she knew we were coming, Maria Cantwell would not step ten feet out of her office to say hello to a Pastor and University President from her state. Patty Murray gave us time. Even Hilary Clinton welcomed us into her office and heard our concerns. But not Maria Cantwell.

When I see her ads on TV she’s always talks about “pushing” this or “fighting” for that. What are noticeably absent are claims of actual success. She doesn’t say “I accomplished this” or “I did that.” The reason is that she is exceptionally ineffective. She doesn’t serve us well in Washington State. We can do better, lots better. That is why I endorse Mike McGavick.

Every once in a while someone will say to me that they are not going to vote for McGavick because they disagree with some position that he holds. I always answer “So you are not going to vote for McGavick because of a 10% disagreement on an important issue and thereby allow others to elect Cantwell with whom you have a 90% disagreement on important issues.” I am thankful my church members don’t treat me like that. I might say something they disagree with on some point but they don’t leave the church over it.

In this election, we need everyone to vote. Ask your Sunday School class to pray. I am asking any Pastors who might read this to be sure to lead in prayer, from the pulpit, for the election. Pray that God’s people will vote and that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Vote for Steven Johnson on the Supreme Court. Vote Republican in all the Congressional races. Elect a legislature that will not dishonor God and impose ungodly values upon us.

If you would like my detailed recommendations, go to pastorspicks.com. (I passed 20,500 hits by the time of the primary election.)

If you think this is worthwhile, please pass this note along on your email list.

Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten
Senior Pastor
Cedar Park Church