The Los Angeles church is struggling to balance politics, leaving some in the congregation divided.
Pastor Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out “what is ‘too political’ about the place of worship – or whether ‘being political’ is the goal of the Gospel,” according to a report by The Washington Post.
Hall’s First Christian Church of North Hollywood, a “politically mixed church,” has struggled with political discord before and after the presidential election, in which President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide victory.
Hall, a native of Alabama, led the church north of Los Angeles for two years. He intends to unite the church, but it has been a challenge.
The First Christian Church of North Hollywood, a “politically mixed church,” has struggled with political tensions before and after the presidential election. (Google Maps)
“Getting Republicans, Democrats and independents to sit down and pray for each other is becoming increasingly difficult,” the Post reported.
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The Post further reported, “When preaching what the Bible says about the authority to care for immigrants, Hall focuses on the story of Mary and Joseph rather than today’s nomads. every Sunday, so no one can question whether the voters were talking about politics.”
“And when someone tells him he thinks the sermon was directed at a certain politician, he says, ‘That’s one way to look at it!'”
Los Angeles has been a liberal city for several decades. The city has not voted for a Republican mayor since 1993.
Data from the November presidential election show that Los Angeles residents voted more for Trump than most polls had predicted.
According to The Washington Post, Pastor Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out “what is ‘too political’ about the place of worship – or whether ‘being political’ is the point of the Gospel.” (Stock)
Trump won more votes in LA than in 2020, with nearly 40% of the vote compared to 34%. In addition, Trump improved his vote share across the country, starting in conservative areas but moving to deeply Democratic states.
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Several congregations left the church because of their political differences. One of the members cited the film Hall planned to show about Christian nationalism as “very biased” and “anti-Republican.”
Some left after finding out their peers had attended Trump’s inauguration.
“One left the services on Sunday morning after the election, feeling that the leader on the stage was too focused on comforting the people who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris,” the Post added.
“When you’re in a football game, one side wins, and everybody leaves. And the week [and the election]it’s like everybody’s still there,” Hall said.
He continued, “Pops are still on the floor, Coke cups, chaos. 50 percent of the people are upset, we have to pick up the pieces.”
First Christian is part of the Disciples of Christ denomination and serves over 1,000 members. The origin of this sect was established to “bring together Christian groups that had broken theology and styles of worship.”
One member of the First Christian church left the church after finding out that their peers had attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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“If I am an honest teacher, I will console you both and face you. But I also need to be a prophet, don’t I? You must come to church and ask questions that will change your life.”
“Before Hall, this pastor had led First Christian for 52 years. Congregants say the late Rev. Robert M. Bock did not address the political issues of the day in the church – not even the Vietnam War, which marked its beginning. Hall is trying to create a new way,” the Post reported.
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