US Senator Roger Marshall
479A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:5–6
Senator Marshall,
We write as fellow disciples of Jesus, seeking, like we believe you seek, to live in a way that glorifies God. We write as constituents, who love Kansas and want the best for its people. We write as United Methodist clergy, alarmed and dismayed at the recent rhetoric employed by your campaign, specifically attacks from you and Vice President Vance on the United Methodist Church, the congregation of the Church of the Resurrection, and the pastoral ministry of Rev. Adam Hamilton. You describe the church and his ministry in a way that ignores the tremendous good they have done to bring hope, light, and healing to the world.
Political campaigns should highlight the differences between candidates to help voters decide who will best represent their interests. We encourage robust and vigorous debate about taxes, spending, regulation, foreign policy, military intervention, social welfare, immigration, human rights, the judicial system and countless other issues pertaining to the health and governance of our country. There are so many things to talk about in this campaign Senator, we see no need for you to spend time insulting, demeaning, or dismissing the faith of other Christians.
Throughout his letters, the Apostle Paul wrote in the midst of conflict to implore mutual support and encouragement. His overriding message is clear: to follow Jesus is to give grace to one another and allow for different expressions of faith. Our founder, John Wesley, said the same thing like this: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?”
United Methodists across Kansas hold a wide array of political views. We believe this is one of our strengths as a church. There are United Methodists who will vote for you and others who will vote for Adam. And the week after the election, we will return to our sanctuaries to pray together, to worship together, to serve God and our communities together. Our diverse churches are like countless other churches across Kansas, perhaps even your home congregation in Great Bend. When you attack Adam’s pastoral ministry, his home congregation, and our denomination as a whole, you sow seeds of division and dissent. You tear at the fabric that is the body of Christ.
Further, our US Constitution declares “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This is a cherished and essential right that has contributed greatly to the strength of our nation. When, as a sitting Senator, you base your attacks on differences in faith and question other’s belief in God, you are failing to protect religious freedom.
In the weeks ahead, please focus your messaging on the public policy issues central to this race. Leave our churches free from political attack so they may carry out their mission of love, service and sharing the Good News.
In peace and hope,