Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ Minister Andy Brewster back from Washington D.C. where he served as guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Brewster said he met House Speaker Mike Johnson and spend time with Congressman John Rose. Brewster said the tradition of opening congressional sessions with prayer dates back to the nation’s founding.
“Sessions of Congress have started with a prayer since the Continental Congress all the way back before America was even officially established, and that has been a consistent part of Congress for over 250 years now,” Brewer said. “There was a little bit of a break when the chaplain got a little too political and that sort of thing, but Congress and the leaders of our nation have always seen prayer as an important part of the political process. And I, of course, as a Christian, think that’s encouraging.”
Brewster said the House typically hosts 10 or fewer guest chaplains per year, usually on days when representatives are scheduled to fly out for extended breaks.
“I referenced a couple of different scriptures in Micah chapter six and making sure that we talked about seeking justice and loving kindness and walking humbly with God,” Brewster said. “I tried to hit a middle note where I didn’t go too political on any particular topic but sought wisdom and sought blessings and recognition of the blessings that God has given to us.”
Brewster said he received a tour of the Capitol building the day before the session. Brewster said he also met with the official Chaplain of the House of Representatives.
“It was a neat experience being able to go there and proclaim the name of Jesus on the House floor,” Brewster said. “And it was neat to see kind of behind the scenes that all those people up there are really just normal people that are trying to do important things.”
Brewster said he was selected for the role because Rose is a member of the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ congregation.
Brewster said the House provides strict guidelines for the opening prayer, including a limit of 150 words and a duration of two minutes or less. Brewster said he spent time in prayer and wrote his remarks out ahead of time to ensure he stayed within those requirements.
“I believe that there is a God in heaven above who created all things and we would be foolish to not seek His wisdom anytime we’re making any decision, whether that’s me as an individual or in our family or in our churches or in our city, state, or federal government,” Brewster said. “I believe not only that God created everything but that He still cares and He still acts and He still is involved in the lives of all of His creation.”
While he does not view himself as a political person, Brewster said he still sees the value of reaching across the isle, whether in religion or in politics.
“I think that when we don’t talk to people who have different views than we do, that is when we vilify them,” Brewster said. “But when we talk to people, we usually find that we’ll have more things in common than we have that are against each other.”
