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Representative Tim Wesco has a distinctive story and calling in that he serves as both a pastor and a legislator. Many of us manage dual roles (such as employer/employee and parent), but his dual roles conflict or at least appear to conflict with one another in our current political climate. In this conversation, I asked Representative Wesco about his call to ministry in the pulpit and the public square, his public theology and how he leads well in two distinct God-ordained institutions.
Also, Representative Wesco recently shared a powerful presentation on how to persuade government officials, and this presentation drew from his more than a decade of experience in the state legislature. I thought this presentation was especially helpful for church leaders and other committed Christians, so I asked him to share some of the key points in this interview.
Representative Wesco represents District 21 in north-central Indiana, serves as the chair of the Election and Apportionment Committee and also serves on the Public Policy Committee. He has represented District 21 since 2010, and he pastors First Baptist Church of Elkhart. For a full bio and information about his work in the legislature, see his caucus page here.
Key takeaways:
- How he conceptualizes and manages leadership in the three God-ordained institutions: family, church and state.
- His call into ministry in the pulpit and in the public square.
- His public theology and how he practically applies his faith to his work at the statehouse.
- Why we should not lose sight of the fact that government officials are, first, people with spiritual needs.
- How persuasion differs from manipulation and political power plays.
- Three methods for engaging government officials: the absent, blast and best methods.
- Why Christians must understand and emphasize the difference between principle and strategy in their public witness.
- A reminder that our ultimate identity, satisfaction and purpose should not and cannot be found in politics.