East Tennessee Church Selected for Research
A Church of God near Knoxville, Tennessee, is getting the chance to tell politicians what it thinks about hotly debated issues.
New Harvest Church of God was one of just a few across the nation selected by New York University to share its opinions to create a conversation where politics and religion overlap.
In a television interview with a local television station, Tony Richie, senior pastor of the New Harvest church said, “We feel like talking with others, ministering with others, hearing what they have to say as well, cooperating for good is part of our mission in the gospel of Christ.”
After September 11th, the church started meeting with other religions. From there it became one of just a half dozen churches across the country NYU polled, all to tell Congress and the White House how they felt about hot button issues: Abortion, contraceptives, and same sex marriage to name a few.
“Many times faith plays in an important role in our decision making process on those values,” said Richie.
The television reporter said during the interview, “That’s why congregations across religion and sect were brought together to improve communication and maybe, eventually policy.”
“I don’t think it’ll be a magic panacea where everything will be ok, but yes, I do think it’ll be a step that’ll bring some actual practical change,” said Richie. “It’s kind of like the little church that could, you know. We’re a little country church, but our vision and our mission is large,” said Richie.
The survey will be released next fall.
