How Should I Vote?

Christians must render unto God what is God’s, but also render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. In our representative democracy, that means that every Christian must vote, and be informed and prayerful. Many will be called to be poll workers, a few activists, and a tiny minority…candidates.

By Mark D. Harris

Primary elections are fast approaching, and the political storms are surging in this presidential election year. West Virginia’s primary elections are on May 14th. Many people are just now beginning to pay attention to the races, and many do not know who they should vote for. National races, like Trump and Biden, swallow up media time and space, and local candidates rarely gain publicity.

For Christians, the question of who to vote for is secondary to the question of why and how to vote. Christ-followers are first citizens of heaven and only second citizens of our earthly nation. Our allegiance lies first with Jesus and only second with the United States (in our case). The direction of believers’ allegiance is not new. Followers of Jesus refused to worship Roman emperors and perform religious duties that would put Rome above God. Often, these Christians were killed for their “disloyalty.” Killing Christians was a bad move for Rome.  Christianity was spreading like wildfire through the Empire regardless of the persecution. Further, the sterile and abortive Romans needed to have their failure to make more Romans offset by the fecund Christians.

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Fundraising for Performing Arts Organizations

The arts are a vital part of life, and music is the most widely used art of all. Rural areas sometimes lack the people or the funds for art and music programs, so locals fill in the gaps. This article presents a sound course of action for organizations interested in improving their fundraising.

By Mark D. Harris

The arts are shrinking in America. Schools are limiting or canceling art and music programs due to budget constraints. Ordinary men and women are visiting performances and art displays less and less.[1] Yet the arts have powerful positive effects on those who experience them. Arts organizations across America seek to reverse these trends, but they must have money and other resources to do it.

The foundation of fundraising in any organization is to be good at what you do. Just as an artist must make beautiful art and a musician beautiful sound, an organization must have its own kind of beauty. Top leadership in musical organizations must have a clear and compelling mission and vision and communicate well. Lower levels of leadership must direct their teams to recruit fine performers and produce excellent shows. Team members must perform their tasks, however large or small, with aplomb. Donors will not donate to, and concertgoers will not patronize, an organization unworthy of support. Administrative excellence is paramount to make the magic of music and other performing arts.

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Why celebrate a Christian Seder?

The Seder Supper is a meaningful Jewish tradition from the late first century (BCE/AD). Christians have modified it to retain much of the Jewishness while redirecting its meaning toward Jesus Christ. Is a Christian Seder cultural appropriation? Is it antisemitism?

By Mark Harris

Israel and the body of Jews throughout the world suffered a terrible tragedy on 7 October 2023, when Islamic Hamas terrorists killed 1200 Israelis in an unprovoked attack. As Israel has retaliated and casualties climbed, worldwide opinion seems to be turning against Israel. Despite the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, the world has turned Israel from victim to villain. Israel stands alone.

Christians, especially conservative evangelicals, have been the firmest supporters of Israel since its reconstitution in 1948. Tourism comprises 5% of Israeli GDP, and Christians comprise at least 50% of all visitors.[1] Since the Hamas attack on Yom Kippur (7 Oct) killed 1200 Israelis, US evangelical Christians have flocked to aid Israel in its war effort and recovery.[2] Christians in 2024 are solidly pro-Israel. Why do people object to Christian Seder suppers?

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Planning and Executing Medical Missions Trips and Telemedicine

Planning a medical missions trip to another country? Unsure which medications to put on the formulary? Concerned about how to handle malpractice and other regulatory requirements? Looking for inexpensive medication, equipment, and supplies? Need to know what other services would be useful to make available? Wanting to integrate telemedicine?

By Mark D. Harris

Christ told His disciples to go into all the earth and make disciples of all nations. For millennia, medical care has been a reliable and fruitful way that Christians have obeyed His commands. Medical missions, however, are increasingly fraught with difficulties. Can we make the standard of care in the developing world the same as the developed world? Will we undermine the local medical system and economy by providing treatment that the locals would have otherwise done? What if the locals cannot provide the same standard of care that foreigners can? How can our doctors, often US-based, practice medicine on patients they cannot understand in countries in which they are not licensed?

Sample Formulary

Medications are a large part of clinical medicine. Health care providers do more with medications than just about any other intervention. Patients often expect medication when they walk out. This sample formulary should be modified to meet the needs of the people at the trip location.

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