More than ever

before, the church must present herself as for all nations. After all,

the church of Jesus Christ hoists no nationalistic banner; the banner

over the church is the banner of God's love.

I challenge

anyone to question my love of the United States of America. I answered

the call of my country during the Vietnam era. I served with pride and

distinction. I am a patriot. I vote. I salute and honor the flag. And,

I pray for and honor our President.

But there is

one whom I honor more. He is the Jew, Jesus Christ, born and raised in

Palestine, except for a short time in his life while he and his family

were in Africa. I honor my Savior and Lord more than I honor flag, country,

President. After all, he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So, as I understand

it, the Christian church is the territory of Christ, not the domain of

any country. When I visit Uganda and worship with Christian brothers and

sisters, I sense I am in the same "company of the redeemed"

just as if I were worshipping with my brothers and sisters in Christ here

in the United States. Christian and American are not always synonymous.

In fact, more Christians are located outside the United States than in

our country.

I have long

held that separation of church and state also meant that the church does

not adopt one political ideology over another, except in those cases where

political ideologies are consistent with those of Christ. For instance,

freedom is consistent with Christianity and with the Constitution of the

United States. Pastor Dietrich Bonhoffer of Nazi Germany chronicled life

when freedom was no longer consistent with the government's policy in

his book, "The Cost of Discipleship." When government is no

longer righteous, it is the compelling duty of the church to take its

stand even if it means ridicule and even persecution.

But