For years, many Christians have watched laws change, policies develop, governments make major decisions, and entire nations move in directions that concern them.

We pray.

We talk about what is happening.

We discuss what government should or should not be doing.

We sometimes complain about the people who have been elected.

But there comes a point when some Christians must ask a different question:

Should I be one of the people willing to serve?

Perhaps you have thought about entering politics.

Perhaps someone has told you that you would make a good representative, councilor, senator, member of parliament, legislator, mayor, or public leader.

Perhaps you have a genuine desire to help your community and nation, but you have no idea where to begin.

You may have questions such as:

Can a committed Christian enter politics without compromising his or her faith?

How do I know whether politics is really for me?

How do I prepare myself before seeking public office?

Do I need political experience?

Should I join a political party or run independently?

How do campaigns actually work?

How do I raise money without becoming controlled by donors?

How do I speak to people who do not share my Christian beliefs?

How do I handle criticism, opposition, political pressure, and attacks?

What happens if I actually win?

These are practical questions.

And Christians considering public office need practical answers.

That is why I wrote:

You may have the desire to serve but lack political experience.

That should not automatically disqualify you.

Every experienced politician was once inexperienced.

Every elected official had a first campaign.

Every public leader had to learn.

The important thing is that you prepare properly before placing yourself before the public.

How to Enter Politics as a Christian walks you through that preparation.

You will learn how to move from simply thinking about politics to understanding the practical steps involved in becoming a candidate and serving in public office.

One of the greatest concerns many Christians have about politics is compromise.

They have seen corruption.

They have seen dishonesty.

They have watched politicians say one thing during an election and do something completely different afterward.

They have seen the pursuit of power destroy reputations, relationships, families, and personal convictions.

So the concern is understandable:

“Can I enter politics and remain faithful to God?”

You can enter public service with your convictions intact, but you must prepare yourself before the pressure comes.

Political office will test your character.

People will disagree with you.

Some will criticize you.

Some may misrepresent you.

Party leaders may pressure you.

Supporters may expect favors.

Donors may want influence.

You may face decisions where there is no easy political answer.

This is why character cannot be something you develop after you are elected.

You need to decide who you are before you enter the political arena.

This book will help you think through those decisions before you have to make them under pressure.

Then this book may be especially useful to you.

It was written to help remove much of the confusion surrounding the process.

You do not need to know everything about politics before you begin learning.

You need somewhere sensible to start.

Instead of asking:

“Could I ever enter politics?”

You can begin asking:

“What would I need to do to prepare?”

That is a much more useful question.

And this book will help you answer it.

You believe God may be leading you toward public service.

You have considered running for political office but do not know where to begin.

You want to understand politics before deciding whether to become involved.

You are already involved in your community and are considering taking the next step.

You want to serve your country without sacrificing your Christian convictions.

You are a pastor or Christian leader who wants to better understand how believers can prepare for public leadership.

You want to help prepare younger Christians for future leadership.

Or perhaps you simply want to understand what a Christian should consider before entering political life.

You do not have to be a politician today for this book to benefit you.

You may be preparing for something that is still several years away.

Winning an election should never be your only objective.

You must also be prepared to govern.

A successful campaign can put you into office.

It cannot give you character.

It cannot automatically give you wisdom.

It cannot teach you integrity after the pressure begins.

It cannot replace preparation.

The person you become before entering office will greatly affect the decisions you make once authority has been placed in your hands.

That is why this book begins before Election Day.

It begins with you.

Your motives.

Your character.

Your preparation.

Your convictions.

Your family.

Your finances.

Your knowledge.

Your ability to work with people.

Your willingness to serve.

And your understanding of the responsibility you are considering accepting.

If you have ever wondered whether you should enter politics, how you would begin, or how you could serve without abandoning your Christian convictions, this book was written with those questions in mind.

You do not need to make the decision to run for office today.

Start by becoming informed.

Start preparing.

Examine your motives.

Understand the responsibility.

Learn what the journey involves.

Then make your decision carefully and prayerfully.