Monday Morning Ministers: Can Lobbyists Be Christians?

Another “regular” people interview from my church who are serving God and ministering to people in their “regular” lives. This week’s interview is with Jeff McAlvey. Jeff and his wife Carole have set the bar high for caring for the pastor and his family. We appreciate them a lot. Jeff has worked in politics in many different capacities. Currently, he works as a lobbyist in Lansing, Michigan. (Note: before we bash lobbyists, we should remember that there are Christians in the profession who serve the Lord with their advocacy and influence.)

1. Where did you grow up?
Benton Harbor, MI

2. Tell us about your family—the family you came from and the family you have now.
I grew up in a traditional (for the 60’s) church-going family of eight. Unfortunately, our church was extremely liberal and never taught the Truth about Jesus Christ. I currently live with my beautiful wife and have four grown children and four grand boys.

3. How did you become a Christian?
As a sophomore at Michigan State, I became very attracted to a young woman (now my wife of 32 years) who had become a Christian the previous year. She refused to date me because I wasn’t a Christian and I argued that I was, but agreed to meet with her pastor, Tom Stark, anyway. Tom patiently met with me over several months, explaining the Gospel and allowing the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to the Truth.

4. Describe your current vocation and why you decided to do what you are doing.
I am a multi-client lobbyist, meaning I am retained by various clients to represent their interest before Michigan’s state government. I can honestly say that I didn’t decide to go into this profession at all. It is clear that the Sovereign Hand of God directed my path through several experiences and jobs that have led to this vocation. Several times I tried to escape from the direction the Lord was sending me because I thought it was a dead end. Now looking back, I see that each step was made in the right place for me at the time and that even the hard experiences have prepared me for this career.

5. What are some of the blessings of your vocation?
I get to be actively involved in public policy, which I have a passion for. I enjoy and feel good about the policy I am able to push for since my partner and I have carefully refused to represent anyone who we believe would lead us to lobby for anything that we would ethically disagree with or that would hurt our witness. Another blessings is that I get to meet and work with lots of different people for all over the state with many different backgrounds.

6. What are some of the challenges?
The same for most jobs, I suspect. Keeping my witness pure by exhibiting humility and demonstrating integrity in all interactions. Lobbying can be a very confrontational occupation, I have learned (and am still learning) that I can be strong in representing my client’s interests, but still be humble and respectful in the way I go about it. The verse that has been my guide in this is Matthew 10:16; “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents, but meek as doves”. Politics can also be very money- or fundraising-driven and it is often a challenge to strive to operate in this world with absolute integrity.

7. How is your commitment to Christ challenged, strengthened, and exercised in your vocation?
My commitment has been challenged and strengthened simply by identifying myself as a Follower of Christ in the world I work in. I know that this means that people are watching me and waiting for me to act in ways contrary to the Gospel (and I have, and have had to apologize for it). Also, since I own a business, my employees depend on me for their livelihood and this has brought about more anxiety than I thought it would. However, I have witnessed over and over again how the Lord has been faithful to me in bringing clients along, out of the blue, just when we need them. My faith has been strengthened immeasurably by having to rely on Him over and over again.

8. How has your life and/or vocation been affected by the downturn in the economy?
Most of my clients are somewhere between concerned and panicked and you can’t help but absorb some of their concern. I seek to continually remind myself that my security is not in accounts, receivables, or revenue projections, but in the God of the Universe. The first verse of Psalm 27 has been a comfort and a reminder to me through this time: “The Lord is my light and my salvation;of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” On the other hand, the uncertain, challenging times have brought more openings to discuss real issues of life with friends, clients, legislators, and co-workers and that leads to more opportunities to share the Gospel. Praise the Lord!

9. What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger?
In Philippians, Paul tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7). I’ve wasted way too much time worry about issues instead of praying about them. I wish I had, early in my Christian life developed a discipline of praying more and worrying/thinking about things less.

10. Any good books you are currently reading or would recommend to others?
I’m reading two and I can recommend both. First, A Testament of Devotion by Thomas L. Kelly. In this 1941 book, Kelly a Quaker writes about achieving a deeper, more intimate walk with Christ. It’s challenged me to do less and wait in silence for God’s presence more. The second book is Stonewall Jackson, by James I. Robertson. I enjoy reading about the Civil War and this book is marvelous. It gives you great insight into Stonewall as a general and an understanding of his deep faith in Christ. He was man of prayer who often stayed up late or got up early to pray and he had a heart for the lost, especially for the spiritual well-being of slaves. Despite all of this, he was willing to defend the South and slavery to the point of seeking to annihilate the northern army. He loved Jesus, but was blind to the terrible sin right in front of him. It makes me wonder what sins I’m blind to.