Nazarene Theological Seminary

Change.

The general election on Tuesday Nov., 4^th represents more than a change in guard for the Presidential administration. There is more at stake under the moniker of change than the elected alone, skin color alone or, even, political party alone. At the core of what changed on Tuesday was the identification and philosophy of the electorate. This change goes beyond whom they decided to vote for to why they decided to vote.  The change that is represented in a new era for the United States of America is embodied in a people who have felt disorganized, marginalized, and ignored.

 Change is seen in the largest voter turnout in history. You see change when a world stops and listens. Change is in the Latino who is convinced there is purpose or the person of color who sees more than a politician but a brother. Change happens when a generation senses identity.

For too long we have waited our turn, accepted the kool-aid and kept our mouths shut.  This country is no longer represented by those who told us we weren’t old enough, or smart enough, or rich enough, or Christian enough, or white enough. It is possible that this election is a swing in the opposite extreme but undoubtedly it is a voice, a large voice, represented by the minority, the young and the eager saying that enough is enough.  We will speak to be heard, we will vote to be represented, we will hope for change.  What I recognize as change is not exclusively personified in Barack Obama. The change we experienced in this election season is represented in those who decided to show up, speak up, and be heard.  

The implications for the church are enormous. There is also a voice within its core that has been pushed to the side, brushed under the rug and kept quiet for far too long. Speak up voiceless generation. Show up young ones and old ones. Rise up minority and majority.  The time is ripe for new leadership and for new direction.  Tuesday Nov. 4^th will go down as a paramount shift in who gets to lead in a country that has monopolized the wealth of decisions for too long but some day soon the time will also come for the church.