Dear Pastor, 
“We’ve never done this before.” How often have we pastors heard this reasoning as we try to lead churches into new waters? When you heard about CBF Advocacy’s 2026 focus on increasing voter engagement, was this a first thought for you or some in your congregation?
“We’ve never done this before”…so why now? If your church has never focused on Get Out the Vote efforts, you may be asking the timely question, “Why now? We’ve never done this before…why should we weigh in now?” Now, when everything in our nation is so polarized. Now, when even moderate non-partisan voices get accused of siding with one or the other. Now? Why now?
It’s a vital leadership question. I hope you will hear me out. In addition to being a CBF Advocacy Fellow and graduate of a CBF seminary, I served as the associate pastor in “big tent churches” for many years and currently serve as a pastor. I’m deeply aware of the tensions that present themselves at such a time as this. As a pastor, I ask the above questions as I weigh whether or not to bring the topic to the staff or deacon meeting table as a suggested direction.
So, let’s talk: why now?
The moment is urgent. I was struck by the message of every democracy advocate who spoke at CBF General Assembly—to a person they communicated that our democracy is not “at risk”; rather, it is currently in the process of failing. The urgency of the moment is critical. Voting Rights are in unprecedented danger. (See example here.)
- The federal government’s mechanisms are being threatened and used against voters. There are calls to limit and restrict voting and threats of sending troops to voting locations. The 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed to overcome state governments’ interference with their citizens’ ability to vote. Many religious groups were part of that movement. Now that the threat is coming from the federal government, it will take even more of us to enter the fight to protect our ability to vote.
- Protecting the right to vote has a long history in the church. We stand on the work of many churches (predominantly Black) and other denominational entities who advocated for every citizen to be represented in the voting process. Is it not better late than never for churches of the CBF to step together into the struggle with our sister churches to get out the vote? We find ourselves bolstered by the legacy of those who have championed this cause for generations.
- Our Get-Out-the-Vote initiatives are strictly non-partisan. There will be many highly partisan get-out-the-vote initiatives this election season, but “love your neighbor to the voting booth” is not one of them. Voting is important, and it is the right of every citizen to vote freely and fairly. It may be challenging to overcome perceptions, but the urgency of the moment calls us into the courageous work to help sustain our democracy by protecting the right to vote. I encourage CBF churches to recognize that Jesus’ call to love our neighbor extends to helping all our neighbors’ voices be heard through their votes.
- Take the first step. There is a way for everyone to help get out the vote. Your work can begin as simply as hanging an “Are You Registered” sign in a place where you serve the community (food pantry, clothes closet, etc.). September 15 is National Registration Day and the CBF Advocacy Fellows are taking over the CBF Instagram and Facebook pages to highlight the urgent need for CBF churches to play a part in loving your neighbor to the voting booth! Keep an eye on the socials that day for opportunities to repost and learn!
- This is a beginning, not a one-off. Buy-in for the long haul, for every election cycle your church now seeks to love your neighbors to the voting booth. The work is long: you can commit your church to the work from here on out so that it becomes a practice of your church no matter who is wielding or seeking political power.
CBF churches, in the midst of all the current election and voting struggles, we have an opportunity to stand up, speak up and hold out a light for our neighbors. Loving our neighbors means making sure all voters have a voice at the polls, and that none should be hindered or scared away. Will you take the first step to hold that light in your community? Will you take the next step to love your neighbors to the voting booth? The time is now.
Grace and peace,
Brooke, a fellow pastor