Resources for Churches: General Election 2024
After months of speculation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a general election for the 4th of July.
As the nation prepares to vote, Christians are called to reflect on the choices before us, to help ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote can do so, to promote the dissemination of accurate information, and to pray for the candidates, voters, and process.
Churches and Christian agencies/groups are offering resources to assist with this, including:
- A commonly agreed Guidance for Hustings
- 24/7 Prayer Movement prayer guides
- CAFOD and St Vincent de Paul Society’s ‘A Year of Encounter: Using the Catholic voice in this election’ – booklet with ideas for engagement and a variety of issue briefings
- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales issue briefings
- Christians in Politics and the Bible Society’s election video – a call to think about the links between Biblical faith and politics
- The Church of England’s ‘Pray your part’ resource. Designed to “encourage prayer and participation in the life of our nation and communities, both as voters and as citizens,” it gives for every day from 14 June to 4 July a “short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for an aspect of our common life” Available in print and online.
- CTBI’s own Lent Course – which is a good reflection/discussion starter – “Politics at the service of the common good” and a special page linking to a variety of news and resources from churches, an invaluable resource
- The Evangelical Alliance’s guidance on hustings and connecting with candidates, as well as research on evangelicals and politics
- Green Christian and Operation Noah’s General Election pack for churches, focusing on climate and environmental issues
- The Joint Public Issues Team’s suite of election resources, including materials for praying and preaching, six ways for churches to engage, information about voter registration champions, an ‘issues briefing’, and a guide to constructive conversations in a time of polarisation.
- Materials from the Let’s End Poverty campaign, of which many churches are members
- The National Church Leaders Forum’s ‘Black Church Political Mobilisation: A manifesto for action’
- The Quakers’ election guide, template email to candidates, and legal guidance