{"id":2175,"date":"2018-12-23T17:47:46","date_gmt":"2018-12-23T22:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/hedgerow\/?p=2175"},"modified":"2020-02-22T15:36:14","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T20:36:14","slug":"a-christmas-blessing-in-thousand-oaks-continuing-legacy-of-pastors-in-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/hedgerow\/2018\/12\/a-christmas-blessing-in-thousand-oaks-continuing-legacy-of-pastors-in-politics\/","title":{"rendered":"A Christmas Blessing in Thousand Oaks, continuing legacy of pastors in politics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

In 2014, a pastor in Thousand Oaks, California, was asked to run for the California Assembly. Four year laster he was sworn in as the city\u2019s mayor.<\/p>\n

Pastor Rob McCoy had been preaching at Calvary Chapel for more than 13 years when he was first approached to run for political office. His initial response, was \u201cnot doing that,\u201d but after weeks of prayer announced he would run. He had 650 volunteers who backed him, campaigning for 11 straight months. Despite their best efforts, Pastor McCoy lost the race by 4,000 votes out of the 130,000 votes cast.<\/p>\n

It should be noted that this man does far more than preach on Sundays. He leads community efforts after regional and national tragedies, leads groups and speaks all over the world. He\u2019s also a husband, father and grandfather. Running for office, and keeping the commitment to represent his constituency would result in scaling back on other commitments\u2013 or not being able to sleep.<\/p>\n

The next year, Pastor McCoy was asked again to run for office, this time for Thousand Oaks City Council. His response again was, \u201cno thanks, I\u2019m spent.\u201d But his supporters wouldn\u2019t back down because they truly believed in his capabilities to lead. They then took upon themselves much of the heavy lifting for this campaign.<\/p>\n

One of these supporters, a retired police officer, knocked on 10,000 doors. Another, a businessman, called 12,000 people. Another, a new U.S. citizen from England organized 150 community outreach coffee events in homes of residents, most of whom had never been to McCoy\u2019s or any other church.<\/p>\n

But after meeting the pastor, and after much hard work, McCoy won the election by 52 votes.<\/p>\n

Pastor McCoy quipped, \u201cDo you know what they call someone who wins by 52 votes. The winner.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2018, Pastor McCoy, who is still preaching and leading at Calvary Chapel, ran for the position of mayor of Thousand Oaks, and won.<\/p>\n

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He was sworn in on December 11, 2018.<\/p>\n

David Lane, founding director of the American Renewal Project, and a member of Calvary Chapel, argues that \u201cmany\u00a0serving in pastorates possess similar skills as elected officials, such as \u2018social astuteness, interpersonal influence, and networking ability\u2019.\u201d\u00a0He adds that pastoral skills also include the ability to be\u00a0exceptionally perceptive, to recognize\u00a0truth and reality and observe\u00a0human nature.<\/p>\n

Many pastors have run for office at the state and federal level. Below are a few pastors who became representatives in U.S. Congress or governors of their states.<\/p>\n

Pastors and congressmen include:<\/strong><\/p>\n