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Candidate Confidence Toolkit
A Practical Guide for Pastors & Ministry Leaders Exploring Public Service
This private resource equips pastors and ministry leaders with biblical, strategic guidance to engage the public square with integrity and conviction. Whether you're considering a run for office or raising up leaders who are, this toolbox is your starting point.
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SO YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE
A Faith Leader’s Guide to Taking the First Step
With insights from Pastor Cameron McGill, County Commissioner
1. A Call to Civic Courage
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…” – Proverbs 29:2
America was built on the courage of ordinary believers who stepped up when the moment required it. Today, that moment is calling again — and God may be prompting *you* to step into the public square.
Running for office as a pastor or ministry leader isn’t about becoming a politician. It’s about applying the Gospel to every corner of society — including your local city council, school board, or state legislature.
Pastor Cameron McGill felt that tug. “I could either keep complaining about what was going wrong in our community… or I could do something about it.”
This guide is for ministry leaders like you — leaders sensing a pull from the Lord to engage more directly in civic life. You may not feel fully ready. That’s okay. God doesn’t call the qualified — He qualifies the called.
2. The Tug: Recognizing the Nudge from God
Many pastors feel a growing burden about the direction of their community — morally, culturally, spiritually. That burden may be more than frustration. It may be *a call*.
“I didn’t set out to be a politician. I just knew I loved my community, and I wanted to be a voice for righteousness in a place that had lost its moral compass.” – Pastor McGill
If you feel stirred to serve, consider these questions:
* Have I sensed the Lord urging me to lead beyond the pulpit?
* Are people asking me if I’ve considered running?
* Am I burdened by brokenness I see in my local government?
* Can I offer servant-hearted leadership with a biblical foundation?
If yes — you're not alone. And you're not crazy. God may be calling you into public service.
3. It’s Okay to Feel Unqualified
“I didn’t know the first thing about filing for office. I had no background in politics. I just stepped out in obedience.” – Pastor McGill
Most pastors feel unqualified when they start. Moses did. Jeremiah did. Gideon did. But obedience is not about feeling ready — it’s about trusting God enough to take the next right step.
You don’t have to be a polished speaker. You don’t need a degree in government. You just need:
* A servant’s heart
* A clear calling
* A willingness to learn
God can take it from there.
4. First Practical Steps
If you're considering a run for office, here's where to begin:
**Pray seriously.** Ask the Lord for clarity, peace, and confirmation.
**Talk to someone who’s done it.** Pastors like Cameron can help you avoid rookie mistakes.
**Identify which office fits your calling.** School board? County commission? City council?
**Contact your county election office.** Ask about filing deadlines, requirements, and costs.
**Tell your inner circle.** Let your spouse, elders, and trusted friends speak into this.
5. Keep It Simple. Keep It Sincere.
> “I had no big donor list. I made yard signs, mailed postcards, and talked to people face-to-face. It wasn’t fancy — but it was real.” – Pastor McGill
You don’t need a slick operation. In fact, voters are hungry for authenticity.
Start small. Focus on:
* A clean message rooted in values
* One or two clear issues that matter to your community
* A handful of committed volunteers
Let your sincerity do the talking.
6. What Will My Congregation Say?
“At first, some were skeptical. But when they saw I wasn’t abandoning the Gospel, and I wasn’t trying to build a name for myself — they got behind it.” – Pastor McGill
Some people may not understand your decision. That’s okay.
Clarify your motives:
* You're not leaving ministry — you're extending it.
* You’re not running to gain power — but to serve with righteousness.
* You're stepping up *because* of your calling, not in spite of it.
Your church may surprise you — they might become your greatest supporters.
7. Final Encouragement
If God is nudging your heart to run for office, don’t dismiss it. You are part of a growing movement of faith leaders who refuse to sit on the sidelines while America’s moral foundation erodes.
You’re not alone — and you don’t need to walk this road alone.
American Renewal Project is here to equip and support you, every step of the way.
> “If not you… then who?”
> “If not now… then when?”
Insights and encouragement from Pastor Camron McGill, County Commissioner
TOP 10 QUESTIONS FOR PASTORS
Before You File for Office — Ask These First
- Have I prayed with my spouse and church leaders about this decision?
- Do I understand which offices are available and the filing requirements?
- Am I prepared to lead with both grace and conviction in a political setting?
- Have I sought wise counsel from others who’ve run before?
- Am I praying for my potential opponent?
- Have I identified who would serve on my campaign team?
- Do I understand the time commitment this campaign requires?
- Will I need to take time off from my church role or adjust responsibilities?
- Am I familiar with local voter concerns?
- Am I clear about why I’m running and the values I represent?
CAMPAIGN MECHANICS
THE RACE:
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Decide what race you will enter
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Setup your Campaign Calendar
TIME MANGAGEMENT:
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Plan a campaign in daily, weekly, and monthly allotments, to determine how many hours are available to you
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What do you need to accomplish during those periods of time?
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Manage each hour as efficiently as possible
THE KEY: Knocking on Doors
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How and when do you knock on doors in your community?
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Know the location of the doors of low turnout, and undecided voters, and knock on them
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Know the message you want to deliver at the door
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Don’t get distracted. ASK for their vote
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
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Make a budget
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Have a system for filing your reports to the proper election authorities
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Account for each dollar donated by the strictest standards and report everything
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Manage campaign money like you would handle the money at your church
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Ask for it, but do not touch it! Delegate that responsibility to someone else
KNOW YOUR “WHY”
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To experience winning a race, you must experience running a race
There are NO substitutes
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Develop your message, “Why do you want to run, and why does someone need to vote for you.”
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Believe you are the one best suited to lead
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Daily ask yourself, “What am I missing?”
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Make adjustments
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Simplify your strategy
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Start small and grow slowly
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Know and understand your data
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Know the people you are targeting
ENTER THE PUBLC SQUARE:
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Understand your cause and make your case
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Be yourself and stay within yourself
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Use Social Media to deliver your message, not to divide your community
FAMILY AND CHURCH:
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IMPORTANT: Bring in family and friends and walk them through everything
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To get buy in, and build a team, explain, explain, explain,
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Call out your opponent’s bad behavior
EXAMPLE: When a candidate attacks your wife and kids, don’t react, but respond immediately
VOLUNTEERS:
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Manage well the time volunteers give you
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Don’t waste it and say, “THANK YOU”
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Treat every volunteer with value
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Give everyone a job that matches his or her talents
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Give them weekly/monthly assignments
PLAN FOR SUCCESS:
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Implement a 30/60/90 day plan of action
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Know your strengths and how they match up against your opponent’s
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Know what you bring to the table and BRING IT!
DR. GARY MILLER
Director, American Renewal Project
817-975-5054
The Role of an Ambassador
You May Not Run, But You’re Called to Raise Up Leaders
The Issue:
The ekklesia is God’s instrument to express His authority in the public square.
The Gates of Hell will never prevail against God’s objectives, plans and purposes.
This is extremely important because the Lord’s Church is the key to effective influence in every state, city, and town in America.
As Neal Jackson, Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church and member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, expressed it: “When we don’t have a Biblical-values representative in the room where critical public square decisions are being made, then Biblical-values solutions simply cannot arise as part of the solution.”
The Premise:
Although it may be true that most pastors and ministry leaders are not called to run as candidates for local office in their communities, the Biblical fact remains that they are all called to be the GATEKEEPERS of the next generation of Christian citizens who will run for office.
GATEKEEPERS support and equip trusted members who will run for office.
The Solution:
David Lane and the American Renewal Project have enlisted an experienced faculty of professional campaign managers to lead this complimentary, Scripturally relevant training school designed especially for pastors, ministry leaders and mature congregants interested in serving their community as elected officials. As such, they bring Biblical principles into their local communities.
In the words of Cameron McGill Pastor Lake Church, White Lake, NC and Bladen County Commissioner: “We attended candidate training in 2021 and it helped us prepare to enter the public arena and to truly begin making a difference in our local public square! We highly recommend it to anyone trying to make an informed decision.”
How to Prepare:
† PrePRAYER yourself for Spiritual warfare.
† Pray for Wisdom to discern between the call to be a public servant and the call to be in office.
† Preach the Word to create a clear Biblical worldview in the minds of your congregants.
† Pray for all those in authority and let them know you are praying for them by name.
† Address key public issues from God’s perspective, not from your own personal point of view.
† Appoint a highly trusted congregant to create a Salt & Light team to:
• Keep congregants appraised of local political issues that affect them and their Church.
• Pray for local leaders and issues affecting the community.
• Register people to vote.
• Remind people of key dates.
• Get out the vote.
The American Renewal Project is mobilizing pastors and faith leaders to engage in civic life, defend Biblical values, and restore America’s Judeo-Christian heritage. Whether you're called to run for office, pray for our nation, or support leaders who do — there’s a place for you. Get involved today and be a catalyst for spiritual and cultural renewal.
