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By FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Tim Throckmorton, pastor of Crossroads Church of Christ in Christian Union in Circleville, former pastor of Plymouth Heights Church of the Nazarene in Franklin Furnace, says, “when Christians win - they quit.”

“When we have a cause, an amendment, an issue that is dear to us, whether it be our freedom to preach the scriptures, or the sanctity of marriage, or the sanctity of human life, if those issues come up, we’re threatened and we respond,” Throckmorton said. “Then, after that, we just kind of go away. But we need to be active and aware all the time.”

Throckmorton held a Faith and Freedom Pastors Briefing with pastors and church leaders Monday at the Scioto County Welcome Center. Speakers included attorney Matt Rawlings of the Alliance Defense Fund; Randy Wilson of the Family Research Council; Mark Smith, president of Ohio Christian University; and former state legislator Seth Morgan.

“The real focus was to engage and encourage and equip pastors with information, tools to share with their congregations and their spheres of influence, and encourage them to preach their values,” Throckmorton said. “The real mantra is Pray, Preach and Partner.”

Throckmorton said church leaders were urged to encourage their congregations to pray for the country and to be involved in prayer events.

“This isn’t just about the November election,” Throckmorton said. “This is about a church being involved.”

Throckmorton referred to statistics that only one in four Christians votes as “a sad fact.”

“With 60 million evangelical Christians in the United States half are registered to vote, and of that half, only half do vote,” Throckmorton said. “So when the churches or pastors or congregations look at what is happening around us, the reality of people serving in leadership in government from the local level to the national level, only reflect the values of those who do vote.”

Throckmorton cited what he said was, “the godly heritage that founded our nation,” in urging church leaders to become more involved. He said standing for truth sometimes involves speaking to the issues that affect all Americans.

Throckmorton said the group plans to have similar events in June and September.

“I have a beautiful new granddaughter — Kairi, and I cannot fathom years from now, having my granddaughter look at me and saying, ‘Grandpa why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you get involved when you looked around and saw what was happening in our country?” Throckmorton said. “Not only am I called by God, but I’m motivated by that reality as well.”

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com