It is not our intent to pretend that there are no political differences regarding national policy issues. Nor do we want to say that religion should never exercise a prophetic role which might call particular policies into question. However, we do see the role of the local church as far greater than informing people about issues or persuading them to adopt certain positions.

Following the analysis of Bruce Reed of the Grubb Institute (in The Task of the Church and the Role of its Members), we understand the congregation to be a place where more than rational discourse takes place. The church is a place where people can acknowledge their human limitations and be empowered to act with grace and courage. Potentially destructive or enervating feelings of dependence find their proper object in God, and the power of the transcendent is internalized so that people experience themselves as competent actors in the world.

In order for this transforming action to take place, people need to be able to express their hopes and fears and allow themselves to be acted on in non-rational ways. Dealing with issues simply in terms of facts and imperatives to action may continue the discursive, rational process and our reliance on "human action" rather than allow the primary religious process to work. In biblical terms, "being anxious," "trusting in princes," or "trusting in ourselves," prevents us from experiencing the power of God.