Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

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Pastor's Pulse

by Paul Leggett, Pastor

A Committed Minority?

June 2008

“May Reuben live, and not die out, even though his numbers are few.” – Deuteronomy 33:6

Recently municipal elections were held here in Montclair. Every position from the mayor on down was up for election. All present terms had expired. The candidates for mayor, ward leaders and others led a vigorous campaign. Homes were visited street by street. Brochures were passed out everywhere. Telephone messages were left on recording machines all over town. Election Day was a beautiful, balmy spring day. The polls were conveniently placed all over town and open from early morning into the evening.

What was striking about this election was not the results (no incumbents were reelected).  The most notable point was that this election had one of the lowest voter turnouts ever in the township of Montclair.  It was reported that only 28% of registered voters went to the polls.  Granted this was not a national election, not even a state contest.  Yet this election certainly will determine much of what happens in Montclair for the next several years.  One might not expect a large turnout, perhaps not even a majority, but only 28%!?

There are perhaps many and varied reasons why the turnout was so low. One fact nonetheless emerges.  A minority of slightly more than a quarter of the registered voters determined the outcome for the 72% who did not vote (not even counting those who may not even have been registered).  Thinking about this can remind us of the fact that throughout history committed minorities have often changed the outcome of events.  Too often the majority is not just silent, it is apathetic.  The twentieth century offered numerous disturbing examples of this truth.  Committed minorities changed the course of history in Russia, Germany and China with disastrous results. 

Yet the people of God are often in the minority.  We, like the tribe of Reuben, are few in number.  We are currently looking at the Book of Acts in our worship services.  The early church was a minority.  Yet the important difference is that they were a committed minority.  By God’s grace, through their commitment, they changed the course of history.  The impact of committed minorities can be positive or negative.  Christians today, especially in our area, are a minority.  The question is, are we a committed minority, committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his word?  We should never forget that a committed minority can change the world.