Faith & Politics: A Conversation
On October 29, 2026, an panel discussion will be held at Community Church of Honolulu in our sanctuary. Doors open at 5:30; program from 6:00-8:00.
Church leadership was very thoughtful in discernment about our church’s involvement in this important conversation. The following is information provided for our shared discernment. If you have questions, you may find answers here. As always, feel free to reach out to the church office: Info@cchonolulu.org.
What is Christian Nationalism?
Christian Nationalism or white Christian nationalism is a political and cultural belief system holding that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should remain one, with white Christians and conservative Christian values given primary power and cultural dominance. It's a subject of active public debate. Those who study or criticize the movement point to real effects on minority groups: immigrants, women, the BIPOC community, the LGBTQ community, and others. People who identify with the term themselves often describe it differently, as reclaiming what they see as the nation's Christian heritage. As people of faith, we don't all agree on how to weigh this. That's exactly why we're hosting a conversation about it, rather than a single sermon on the subject.
Why would a church host an event on this topic?
As White Christian nationalism has taken a more visible role in our shared political life, people of faith should be asking if and how our faith, the way of Jesus, is being invoked in the pursuit of political power. Different people of faith answer that question differently, and this event is a chance to hear more than one answer, including from panelists who may not see it the way our own church leadership does. This exhibits itself in unique ways in our islands, which are informed by a colonial history and the vast influence of immigrants. Many of us know personally and viscerally that political rhetoric, on any side, can hurt real communities and, for some of us, our own immediate families. Because faith is so often invoked in these debates, it is incumbent on Christian communities serious about living the way of Jesus to make space for hard conversations that let us be honest about what we believe and how it affects our communities. Remember that the word "politics" literally means "how we order our common life." Our faith informs this.
Faith & Politics: Difficult Conversations on the Rise of Christian Nationalism
When is it?
October 29, 6-8:00 p.m.
What is it?
A multi-perspective panel discussion sponsored by the ACLU of Hawai'i in advance of the midterm elections (November 3, 2026). This event has been organized over several months by a coalition of faith and civil-liberties groups:
ACLU of Hawai'i (Sergio Alcubilla, Director of Community Engagement; Catherine Titzer)
The Interfaith Alliance Hawai'i (Rev. Dr. Cynthia Lynch, President)
Hawai'i Faith Action (Rev. Estela Chao-Reza)
Jon Matsuoka, Mindful Hawai’i
Rev. Melissa Martin, Executive Pastor CCH
Morgan Pōmaika'i Lee, former host of Christianity Today's podcast "Quick to Listen"
Proposed Speakers & Panel:
Rev. Rick Power of CCH, Opening/Framing Remarks. Sets the stage for the evening: how Christian nationalism has shown up nationally, and what it actually is. Pastor Rick's doctoral work in comparative philosophy and his familiarity with a wide range of Christian denominations puts him in a good position to describe the phenomenon clearly and fairly, rather than argue a side, before the panel begins.
Morgan Pōmaika'i Lee, Moderator. A journalist and former host of Christianity Today's podcast "Quick to Listen," Morgan will guide the panel conversation and the written audience Q&A that follows.
Panel, 3-4 local voices representing a range of perspectives on this topic:
Discussion Questions:
These questions will help ground the moderated conversation and the written Q&A.
National conversations about Christian nationalism don't always show up here the way they do on the continent. How have you seen it show up locally, here in Hawai'i?
What effects do you see this having on our wider community?
As a person of faith, how do your own beliefs interact with this issue?
As a person of faith, what do you believe about patriotism and what do you see as a healthy expression of that patriotism?
As a person of faith who is politically engaged, what do you want voters to know about this as they head into the midterms?
OTHER INFORMATION
What does holding this event at CCH say about how we are as a church?
Having this event on our campus tells our community that we're willing to engage honestly with how faith and political power intersect today, even when that means sitting with viewpoints, including among our own panelists, that differ from each other and possibly from our own. We're telling the world that faith belongs in conversations about politics and community. An open forum to hear differing perspectives shines a light on the moment we're living and helps us live more faithfully in the world.
Will this be controversial?
Likely. People don't like to talk about politics in church and mistakenly think that separation of church and state means that conversations about politics should never enter the sanctuary. Actually, our faith should be integral to every part of our lives, and this hard conversation is important.
Will this be dangerous/is there a need for security?
The ACLU of Hawai'i is providing security and parking for the event. Given the topic, some heightened awareness is reasonable, and we'll make sure the right precautions are in place.
Will the media be present?
Depending on how this is advertised and what kind of response it gets, there may be media present. Our statement as a church is: "We think it's important for Christian people to make room for honest conversation about how faith intersects with political power in this moment. We want this to be a space where a range of neighbors, including immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, women, and others who are often left out of these conversations, know that we care about hearing from and about them, as Jesus taught us."
How will we handle ushering, parking, food set up and clean up?
Security and parking are being handled by the ACLU. Food will also be provided by the ACLU or the Interfaith Alliance. CCH can participate if the congregation desires. Ushering could be a CCH role, and honestly a great expression of hospitality if our own congregation takes it on, though that's obviously open for discussion.