If you guys regularly read the newspaper then you probably would have noticed right now that Brother Eddie Villanueva has been releasing semi-political advertisements (Bagon Pilipinas campaign). He’s also appeared on several programs on TV wherein he talked about his plans for 2010. Other than him, we also have Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio who has already announced his intention to run for the Presidency. Lastly we have El Shaddai Brother Mike Velarde who recently said that he was considering his options as well for 2010. We now have three religious charismatic leaders who are saying that they’ve been called by God to lead the country as the President. This turn of events has so much implications in the political arena.
Fragmented Vote
If all three of them run, that would spell disaster for the opposition. The religious voting block will be split among all three leaders. Christians might support Brother Eddie, while other Catholics might pick either Brother Mike or Governor Panlilio. This will only benefit the administration candidate – whoever he or she is. I’m sure that the Palace is all smiles when they heard these three guys announce their intentions to run for office.
The more candidates run for 2010, the less votes the strongest opposition candidate will have against the administration.
Experience and Expertise
Leading a church is a totally different from running a country. While these three men might be in good moral standing, I’m not really sold on their expertise in public administration. This country needs a leader that can hit the ground running once he or she is elected. We can’t afford a President that will take time to learn the ropes. Each administration only has 6 years, that’s why it’s important we get someone who understands how government agencies work so that there won’t be a “courting” period anymore.
With all due respect to these three guys, I can’t just imagine them running the country effectively. Yes, they can probably hammer down on corruption, but ultimately the Presidency is more than just that.
It’s like what Malcolm Gladwell said in his book, Outliers. A person needs at least 10,000 hours of practice in one field or skill before he can be a master. I’m sure that these three guys have more than 10,000 hours of practice in preaching and counseling. The question is if they have the competency for all the other skill sets required of the Chief Executive of the country? In fact, I really don’t think it will be easy to stamp out corruption if you don’t know how it’s being done in the first place.
If I’m not mistaken, it was Brother Eddie Villanueva who said in a television interview that if the church is weak, the nation will also be weak. If that’s the case, then focus on your church. Continue saving lives by having them commit to Jesus. Build your church and continue to disciple and reach out. That’s your way of building a better nation.
Presidency, Criticism, & Hate
Let’s face it, being President is probably one of the hardest jobs ever. You can never please everyone, so there will always be criticisms and insults hurled your way. Even US President Obama, who was hailed as one of the most charismatic and down-to-earth Presidents, is now reeling from the punches being thrown at him by his detractors and the media. What was once a hero is now shaping up to be a villain. Can Bro. Eddie, Bro. Mike, and Gov. Panlilio handle all that hate? Let me change the question a bit – can the groups they’re representing, be it El Shaddai or JIL, handle all of that? Spare your church from all of that intrigue.
Instead of being politicians yourselves, why not just disciple the politicians of today and tomorrow? Build leaders from your own church and maybe someday someone who’s aligned with your moral values and believes in the same things you do but has the necessary skills and experience can become President.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
amen to that Caro.
parang ang laban na lang dito eh “my god is better than your god” >__<
You’re perfectly right Carlo these guys should focus on their own churches. If God indeed called them to run for president especially for bro. eddie our fellow bulakenyo, he should hav won in the last presidential election. I hav read in an article in a news paper prior to the last presdential elaction that he was tagged as “False Prophet” by his fellow rivals. If you prophesy then surely it will come pass, isn’t it. Then maybe the writer of that article proved indeed he was.
Great post, bro! Very insightful
Thanks for the comments guys. FYI on the latest posts. FYI both Bro Mike and Eddie V. recently officially announced their bids for 2010. See my latest posts.
“Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
It is a misconception that being in the ministry is just about preaching and counseling. My friends, I tell you, that preaching and counseling is just a part of it. A small part, if I may say.
Ministry is all about impartation of one’s life. You enter into a covenant to form the character of Christ in people. Not by your our strength nor by your own might, but by the very Spirit of God.
IT IS HARD WORK. It is a continuous fight for the life of each person.
1 Samuel 17
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”
—-
I know I can trust Bro Eddie with my life/future (as a President). Why? Because he has been faithful with the people God has entrusted him with in the ministry.
Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
When Bro Eddie becomes president, he is not leaving his flock, he is just accommodating more. Because he has been faithful with the few, God is ready to give him more.
I would like to be part of that flock.