In the span of a week, Louie Giglio has accepted and declined (apparently with White House encouragement) an invitation to pray at the President’s Inauguration. Several excellent pieces have been written about the social ramifications of this de-invitation (see Gabe Lyons or Ed Stetzer or Al Mohler).

While this week has revealed much about culture, it also reveals much about the state of the church and particularly its influence in American society.

Why would a 900 person petition and a few bloggers have more influence than 60,000 students at the Passion conference (which raised $3.5 million to end modern day slavery) and millions of evangelicals who would applaud Louie Giglio praying for our President?

Imagine if every day on your way to work you passed two people on the side of the road holding signs directed at you.

The first person was mostly encouraging. Every day his sign said “have a great day” or “good luck.” On occasion he might say “be careful” or “slow down,” but no matter the situation he was trying to make your day better.

The second person was always degrading. Every day he said, “You are ugly” or “I hate you” or “You are stupid.” No matter what the circumstance, the second person was against you.

If, while driving to work this morning, you passed the second guy and his sign said, “Stop, you’ve made a big mistake,” what would be your response? You would keep on going, because no matter what you did, the second guy is against you. This sign would be nothing different.

If, while driving to work this morning, you passed the first guy and his sign said, “Stop, you’ve made a big mistake,” what would you do? You would slam on your brakes and ask what you have done wrong.

Two people, holding the same sign, but one you ignore and the other you hear. What’s the difference? One has proven himself for you and the other has proven himself against you. You only listen to those you trust are for you.

Which person has the church been to President Obama?

The church is currently holding up a sign to the President saying “Stop, you’ve made a big mistake” regarding a violation of religious freedom in the healthcare law and, now, with the censoring of an evangelical pastor because of his traditional view of marriage and sex. We are warning the President of his dangerous decisions, but he is not listening because we haven’t proven ourselves for him over the past 4 years.

We haven’t admired his love for his wife and children. We haven’t encouraged his faith. We haven’t applauded the things we agree with. Having failed to stand with him when he has been right, we have no voice to persuade him when he is wrong.

If we do not applaud when someone does right, we have no right to boo them when they do wrong.

Far too many Christians have spent the last four years booing, so that when we boo now, it is not even noticed.

If I were the President, I would only take advice from those who have proven themselves to be for me. I wouldn’t listen to those who always flatter me and I wouldn’t listen to those who always curse me. I would find a true friend who is always wiling to tell me the truth and always willing to tell that truth within the context of love.

Sadly the church has not been that type of friend to the President and, therefore, we have lost our voice.

Have you lost influence with a spouse, a friend, a child, etc? Ask yourself, have I proven myself to be for them? Focus first on building credibility before ever worrying about correcting conduct.