ATLANTA - Georgia's governor, Sonny Perdue, shared with The Christian Index his views on the proposed Senate resolution to give the state new legal authority to contract with faith-based organizations in providing services to the poor and needy.

The governor and his wife, Mary, are Georgia Baptists and moved to Atlanta from the Warner Robins area where they were active members of Second Baptist Church. The Perdues now teach a couple's Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Woodstock. Even the most casual observer would conclude that it is the governor's faith that inspires and motivates him as a public servant.

Perdue said, "My faith is part of the fabric of who I am. Anyone who looks at the Bible will see that it is filled with exhortations, encouragements and admonitions to love one another. We are to see people as God sees them, as people of great value. We are also stewards of responsibility to people who are precious in God's sight. That is what compels me to serve and help those in need."

 

Moral law needed to govern

The governor continued, "The civic law of this republic could not sustain itself without the underpinning of the moral and spiritual law that God has given to us to love one another. So, there is a beautiful balance that we have in our nation and government; and I am bound by my spiritual calling to love as Jesus loved and serve as Jesus served. I am constantly reminded that He told us that if we want to succeed in life we must be the servant of all."

The wording of Georgia's constitution prohibits the use of state money "in the aid of any church, sect, cult or religious denomination or of any sectarian institution." The governor is concerned that this presents a higher barrier to faith-based initiatives than the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Referring to the U. S. Constitution's First Amendment, Perdue stated, "I don't think the framers of our Constitution ever intended to protect the state from the church, but to protect the church from the state. In fact, the separation of church and state is not even mentioned in the constitution; and the establishment clause in no way seeks to establish a religion."

Perdue indicated that service and care for the needy could best be provided by those who have a "calling of faith." He admitted, "When I came into this office it didn't take me long to realize that the state can't do all that needs to be done nor should it. If people of faith are living out the gospel of caring for the orphans, the widows, those in prison and others we are commanded to serve, there may never have been the need for the government to do that."

The governor and first lady have four children and three grandchildren. However, since 1998 the Perdues have served as foster parents for eight newborns awaiting adoption. The governor believes the amendment will help meet the needs of children through enhanced foster care programs, adoption help and assistance to families in the area of the care and protection of children.

 

Faithful volunteers involved

The governor spoke of one group of churches that is already providing a safe environment for children who are being visited by their non-custodial parents, perhaps even parents who are under a restraining order. The churches provide mediators and monitors to insure that the visits are healthy and productive.

Another area in which faith-based organizations can partner with the government is in the area of prison inmates' re-entry into society.

The House of Representatives never considered this amendment in 2004, but Perdue is actively urging Georgia's citizens to contact their representatives to the House to ask them to vote for the amendment. If both the Senate and House approve the resolution by the required two-thirds majority, it will appear on the November 2006 ballot and require a majority vote.

When asked how Georgia Baptists could pray for him, Governor Perdue stated, "Many tell me that they are praying for me, and that sustains me. Specifically, pray that I will be obedient. That is where I tend to have problems, but when I am obedient to the guidance God gives me I have wisdom, clarity, and illumination."

 

Editor's note: On Feb. 10 the Senate voted down the Faith and Family Services Amendment by three votes. Due to deadline restrictions, the Index was unable to report on the result of a second vote on the amendment slated for Feb. 14.