As I mentioned earlier, every candidate or incumbent tries to know
the feelings and desires of his constituency. Here is another im-
portant area where church groups can be most effective. Invite the
various candidates and elected officials of both parties to speak before
your groups. Here is an opportunity for the members to see, to hear,
and to ask questions of their representatives or prospective representa-
tives. You may be surprised at the willing response which you will re-
ceive from the various political figures. This is the type of opportunity
they seek because it enables them to discover what the people are
thinking about and how the people feel about the various issues which
arise.

You can organize groups who can study the various issues, local and
statewide, national and international, and can analyze the various
approaches to the problems by both the parties and the various candi-
dates. You can urge your congregations to write to their representa-
tives frequently and tell them how they feel about the various issues.
You can also urge the members not only to register and vote, and to be
aware of issues and policies, but to participate actively in the political
party of their choice. This is easily accomplished as the parties are
always seeking active new members to aid in the variety of activities
which a political party undertakes.

There are occasions when an issue arises which is of its very nature
a moral one. Here, I feel, you not only can, but should take an active
role. For example, an issue such as the child labor laws was one on
which the active and forceful influence of the churches had a great
effect. An effective letter writing campaign on an issue such as this
has great influence on candidates and officeholders of both parties.

In summation, I feel that you have a most important role in two
basic areas—information and communication. Information in the sense
of informing your congregations of the need for political responsibility.
Such deceptively simple, but most important things, as where and
when they can vote, who their representatives are and how they may be
contacted, and what the important issues are with which they should
familiarize themselves, are all within the purview of church activity.
Communication in the sense of contacting the various candidates and
officeholders of both parties and informing them of each members'
views on the various timely issues. Communication also in the sense of
allowing the various candidates and officeholders an opportunity to
present themselves and their views to your congregations.

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