SOME CHRISTIANS in Canada have tried to influence politicians with petitions and protests. Others take a more positive approach, offering encouragement – and prayer.

This is Tim Schindel’s approach. He left his Kelowna pastorate for Victoria, to launch a new career – by inviting MLAs to a Prayer Breakfast May 1 at the Union Club.

The event drew cabinet ministers Kevin Krueger (Kamloops–North Thompson), Stan Hagen (Comox Valley),  John van Dongen (Abbotsford) and Shirley Bond (Prince George); and MLAs Adrian Dix (Vancouver-Kingsway), Randy Hawes (Maple Ridge–Mission) and Leonard Krog (Nanaimo).

What prompted Schindel to start this new adventure?

“For six years I was involved with the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, and became its president,” he says. “As such I spent a lot of time with MLAs and other civic leaders, and I began to see them as a mission field. We often assume that they are not open to Christ’s message, but they are. Their warm response helped me take the plunge.”

Schindel was inspired by Old Testament saints like Joseph, Esther, Nehemiah  and Daniel, who influenced the hearts of kings – the top political personages of their day.

A year ago he set up an organization, independent of denominations or political parties, called Leading Influence Ministries. Its aim is not to lobby for causes, but to help MLAs in their Christian commitment – or to bring them to that point, and pray for them.

A breakthrough occurred in February. At the invitation of his Kamloops MLA, Schindel had come to Victoria to watch the opening of the legislative session. The clergyman scheduled to offer the opening prayer was prevented from coming; Schindel’s friend asked him to officiate. He did – and invited MLAs to his prayer breakfast.

The keynote speaker was David Wells, district superintendent of the B.C./Yukon District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. He said Christian MLAs are called to servant leadership, “service that is about sacrifice, working long hours, often a long way from home. The Bible tells us to pray for you, because you live with great responsibility and great pressure. We want to encourage you to be courageous. You need God’s strength to help you.”

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BCCN  talked to two of the cabinet ministers present at the event.

Kevin Krueger, Minister of Mining, affirmed that he has a strong faith commitment. “Everything I do, I do as a Christian,” he said.

But he added that some of the people who had disappointed him most in his political career had been Christians.

“They take many un-Christian attitudes towards politicians,” he said. “If we are Christ-like, we don’t go around judging other people.” He appreciated the contrasting spirit of encouragement and supportive prayer which characterized the Prayer Breakfast.

John van Dongen, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, described himself as “a spiritual person and active church-goer.”

He was impressed by  the prayer breakfast. “People gathering for prayer for the government, and supporting us that way – that’s important, admirable and necessary.”

Asked what he felt ought to characterize a Christian politician above all else, he replied: “Leading by example and demonstrating virtue. When I first decided to run for office, a lawyer friend said: ‘You may have to think about it, for honest people have trouble surviving in politics.’ But I believe I have remained honest and survived, and I will continue to do that.”

Where will Leading Influence Ministries go from here?

Though Schindel has, as yet, no official appointment, he intends to operate as chaplain to the Provincial Legislature. Through networking, he wants to become a source of encouragement and Christian influence to MLAs.

His website features a prayer calendar, highlighting one MLA each day. His hope is that his initiative, a first in Canada, will spread to the other provincial legislatures – and eventually Ottawa as well.

leadinginfluence.com          – Jack Krayenhoff

June 2007