More Texans and more Christians should be engaged in our government; this is especially true of Christians. Only nine percent of Texans have contacted their elected officials, according to the Annette Strauss Institute Texas Civic Health Index. Given the small number of Texans contacting their elected officials imagine the outsized influence this nine percent has on the actions or votes of their government representatives?

We have the opportunity to have significant influence with our local school boards, our local city council members, at the Capitol in Austin, and in the halls of Congress. Literacy Connexus has worked tirelessly to encourage churches to respond to the literacy needs of those in their community, but the decisions about funding for adult education and pre-kindergarten are made at the state level. It is important for young children to have access to books, and it is also important that they have qualified teachers to teach them how to read those books.  

Christian advocates that have concerns about these needs--adequate funding for adult education or quality pre-kindergarten programs--have an opportunity to create change that can go far beyond one bookshelf or one ESL class. Private charity is wonderful, but sometimes the people who come to our churches for help are facing systemic issues which require attention beyond the immediate need.

We believe the Bible commands us to be a voice for the voiceless and condemn injustice. (Proverbs 31:8-9) Advocacy, whether at the community, state or federal level, is just one more way to lend our voices to those in need.

As Christians, our advocacy for the poor, the marginalized, the orphan and the widow is discipleship.  (Isaiah 58) It is a part of our public witness and it is how we can demonstrate our concern for justice. God is very much concerned with justice, we see it in His reproach of the Israelites in the Old Testament, in the ministry of Jesus Christ, and in the writings and testimonies of the disciples.

Advocacy is just speaking up about the systemic issues facing those in our care, to those people in the position to make a positive change. Many laypeople feel as though advocacy is not for them, but if you participate in your child's PTA, you are an advocate; if you have questioned your parents' doctor, then you are an advocate; if you have spoken at your HOA or joined your neighborhood watch, you are an advocate. It can be done at the local level (school boards, city council meetings, neighborhood associations) or the national level (congressional hearings or visiting your Senator or Congressperson).

So, where do you begin?

1. Advocacy should begin with missions
   1. Maybe you have volunteered with your church's prison ministry or food pantry
   2. What problems have you observed or have been shared with you?
2. Educate yourself on the issues
   1. Read books to learn more about the issue
   2. Meet experts both within your church or in the larger community
   3. See what other people or groups who care about the same things are doing
3. Make a visit or phone call, write a letter or email
   1. Describe what you have seen, read, heard, and experienced, and why its important to you
   2. Exercise civility, integrity, and humility
   3. Do not engage in partisan politics or personal attacks

As Christians, we absolutely should engage in public policy. As citizens and concerned neighbors and friends, we have a tremendous opportunity to be a point of light in an often dark place.      

Kathryn Freeman