On the eve of the election, Bishop Lanette Plambeck invites us to remember our calling as Christians, love our neighbors, and be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and carriers of hope.

As I write this, I am preparing to leave for our Council of Bishops gathering the first week of November. I have asked our communications offices in the Dakotas-Minnesota area to release this statement on Election Day Eve. Even though the outcomes of the presidential and other critical elections remain unknown, I knew I wanted to speak into this moment in our history.  

In the days following the release of this message, many of us may be caught up in a feeling of elation or despair—or perhaps experiencing a whole host of emotions as we struggle to makes sense of how our elections will impact global, national, and local concerns. Whatever the result, we are invited to remember that our calling as Christians is deeper than any temporal event or passing season. Our anchor, our hope, is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, who calls us to steadfast love, patience, and humility regardless of the external circumstances. 

If the aftermath of elections brings tension, protest, or even violence, may we find strength and wisdom together in the core of our faith. This is a moment when the church is called to stand firm in the call to love our neighbors and work toward reconciliation. Through our prayers, presence, and service, we bear witness to a vision of peace and beloved community that transcends fear and conflict. If there is violence—or even the threat of violence—let us respond to unrest with empathy, courage, and the steadfast belief that grace can create new pathways where none seem possible.  

Dear ones, we are living in an age marked by division, disinformation, and tactics—sometimes even by foreign powers—intended to disrupt our democracy and deepen discord among us. Let us call on the peace of Christ in every setting we find ourselves in, because what we see in the world also can show up in our churches. In reflecting on the theology of Karl Barth, I am struck by how he emphasized that the peace of Christ is not just a feeling or a temporary resolution of conflict, but a transformative reality that believers “pass through” as they encounter Christ himself. For Barth, Christ’s peace is active and ongoing, achieved through reconciliation with God and extended to all of creation. This peace, he argued, was not merely individual but communal, reshaping relationships among people and between humanity and God. 
 

In “Church Dogmatics,” Barth stressed that the peace of Christ transcends human understanding and challenges human-made structures of power and division. As we pass through Christ’s peace, it compels us to actively work toward justice, healing, and unity in the world, inviting us to participate in God’s ongoing reconciliation. This experience of Christ’s peace is deeply rooted in grace, making us agents of peace in a world that deeply needs it. 

In the face of these complex challenges we are facing, our calling as followers of Christ is to seek truth, foster unity, and offer ourselves as instruments of peace. We are not meant to mirror the hostilities of the world but to reveal a love that holds fast, even when challenged. We are to be a people of the Great Commandment. We are to extend Christ’s peace and presence into the world.  
 

Furthermore, in the Wesleyan tradition, we are reminded of the profound commitment to live with “holiness of heart and life.” John Wesley understood that the practice of our faith transcends political victories or losses, calling us instead to a life where our actions reflect Christ’s love and grace. This election is a moment, but our witness to the world is a lifetime journey. Our purpose as disciples is not swayed by the direction of public opinion or policy but is defined by our commitment to the ways of Jesus. 

Holding to the character of Christ means striving to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and carriers of hope. It means we respond to others—especially those with whom we disagree—not with hostility or judgment, but with the humility and kindness that Jesus demonstrated. We are to speak truth, advocate for justice, and extend compassion in ways that invite healing and foster genuine community. 

In uncertain times, it can be tempting to fall into despair, resentment, or anger. Yet, as Wesley taught, we are empowered by grace to rise above these fleeting emotions and ground ourselves in holy love: love that listens, love that forgives, love that works tirelessly for the dignity and worth of all people. 

May we move forward from this election with the resolve to embody Christ’s character more fully, living as a light in the world and a beacon of the peace that surpasses all understanding. And may we trust that God is at work as we walk together in faith, choosing to embody hope and extending love in all seasons. 

A Prayer for Steadfastness and Peace 

Gracious and loving God, 

We come before you, uncertain of what lies ahead but certain of your steadfast presence with us. As we stand in the wake of this election, we ask that you fill our hearts with peace, guiding us to hold fast to the character of Christ, who is our true foundation. 

Help us to respond to both joy and disappointment with humility and grace. Teach us to be peacemakers in a world that is too often divided, to be bridge-builders where others might create barriers, and to be compassionate listeners to those who feel unseen and unheard. 

Grant us the courage to embody your love in every thought, word, and deed so that we may be agents of your hope and vessels of your peace, sharing a vision of justice, kindness, and mercy that points others to you. 

May your Holy Spirit fill us with the strength to love even when it is hard, to forgive when it feels beyond us, and to trust in your wisdom that exceeds all understanding.  

May our lives bear witness to the transforming power of your grace in every season. 

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our guide, our Savior, and our hope. Amen.