FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
As Election Season Intensifies, North Carolina Council of Churches Offer a Different Approach to Faith and Politics: Lead with Love
North Carolina Council of Churches launches nonpartisan resources designed to help people of faith connect their beliefs, public life and the common good
RALEIGH, N.C. – As Christian nationalism continues to shape conversations about religion, politics and power in the United States, the North Carolina Council of Churches is offering a different vision for how Christians should engage one another in the public square.
The Council is releasing its Faithful Voter Guide and Companion Toolkit, nonpartisan resources that challenge the Seven Mountain Mandate, a framework embraced by some Christian nationalist movements that directs Christians to gain influence over seven spheres of society.
The Council’s guide explores those same focus areas: Family, Education, Government, Media, Business, Arts & Entertainment, and Religion, but asks a fundamentally different question: How can people of faith serve the common good within these spheres rather than seek power over them?
“If we can think of ways to engage with our neighbors by calling on the great themes of Scripture, reminding people that God is the God of the vulnerable and always tells us to look out for the people in our communities who are most vulnerable,” said the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, “then maybe we can begin to ask some of the harder questions, like, do you see this policy as good or bad for the vulnerable, do you think the minimum wage is really enough for vulnerable people to support their families?”
“This useful guide reminds us to live according to God’s divine plan.” said Linda McNair-Moore, President, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Health and Wellness Ministry “It lets us know that we must take a stand, act to seek justice, and love one another.”
The Faithful Voter Guide highlights God’s call to protect the vulnerable and offers conversation starters for neighbors to think faithfully about the policies that bracket our lives. It does not endorse candidates or political parties or tell people how to vote. Instead, it offers a faith-based framework for reflection and civic engagement. The Companion Toolkit helps congregations and small groups bring those conversations into their communities.
The resources are available free online, including a Multifaith Adaptation Guide to help adapt the materials for other religious traditions, as well as a Spanish-language edition.The Council will also host a three-part virtual orientation series September 15–17 to help people of faith put the resources into practice.
Faithful Voter Resources: https://ncchurches.org/
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