Summary of Project 2025 Policy on Centralized Power
Summary
Centralized Executive Authority: The President’s agenda is prioritized, with federal agencies and personnel compelled to act under direct presidential guidance.
Agency Oversight and Accountability: Greater executive control over hiring, funding allocations, and policy execution, minimizing autonomy among federal departments.
Elimination of Bureaucratic Independence: Positions traditionally held by career civil servants are targeted for replacement with politically aligned appointees.
Pros and Cons of Centralized Power
PRO: Efficiency: Decision-making and policy implementation become quicker and more unified.
CON: Erosion of Checks and Balances: Concentration of authority undermines the balance of power among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
PRO: Clarity in Governance: A streamlined approach reduces conflicts among federal agencies.
Exclusion of Marginalized Voices: Centralized governance risks sidelining diverse perspectives and the needs of vulnerable communities.
PRO: Direct Accountability: Consolidated power makes it easier to hold leaders accountable for successes or failures.
CON: Potential for Authoritarianism: Consolidated power increases the likelihood of unchecked abuses of authority.
Implications
Who Benefits: The political elite, wealthy individuals, and aligned corporations that can directly influence centralized decision-making.
Who Is Harmed: Marginalized groups, local governments, and the general public, whose needs may be deprioritized in favor of top-down control.
Resources
Project 2025 Would Destroy the U.S. System of Checks and Balances and Create an Imperial Presidency: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-would-destroy-the-u-s-system-of-checks-and-balances-and-create-an-imperial-presidency/
Views of Government and the Nation, Pew Center for Research : https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/12/17/views-of-government-and-the-nation/
The Church’s Call to Action
The Church’s Call to Action: A Partridge in the Pear Tree in the Face of Centralized Power
The image of the partridge in a pear tree, representing Christ, is a powerful symbol of Jesus’ mission, ministry, and teachings. Like the partridge, known for its willingness to protect its young even at great personal risk, Jesus came to shield and nurture humanity with His radical love and sacrificial leadership. The pear tree, offering sustenance and life, reflects the enduring power of His teachings to nourish the soul and transform society.
In His ministry, Jesus stood against systems of oppression, empire, and religious hypocrisy. He declared the arrival of God’s Kingdom, where the last would be first, the oppressed would be freed, and justice would roll down like waters. His teachings were a call to action—not just for personal righteousness, but for building communities rooted in love, equity, and care for the vulnerable.
Today, as Project 2025 seeks to consolidate power in the hands of a centralized federal government, the Church must grapple with its role in this critical moment. The proposed policies, which emphasize efficiency and control at the expense of local autonomy and diverse representation, threaten the very communities Jesus championed: the poor, the marginalized, and the overlooked.
The Church’s Call to Action
In light of Jesus’ mission, the Church must rise to embody the partridge in the pear tree—sacrificial, protective, and deeply rooted in the Gospel. The Church and individual Christians have a unique responsibility to:
Proclaim Truth in the Face of Power
Jesus was unafraid to challenge the powers of His time, calling out injustice and hypocrisy. The Church must take a prophetic stance, speaking out against policies that harm the vulnerable, undermine democracy, or suppress diversity.
Action: Educate congregations about the implications of centralized power and its potential to erode rights and protections. Preach sermons that connect biblical justice with contemporary issues.
Stand with the Vulnerable
Just as Jesus welcomed the outcasts, healed the sick, and defended the oppressed, the Church must advocate for those who will be disproportionately harmed by these policies. Centralized power often prioritizes efficiency over equity, leaving the marginalized further behind.
Action: Partner with advocacy groups, support local initiatives that protect vulnerable populations, and create programs that address systemic needs like housing, healthcare, and food insecurity.
Resist Tyranny with Courage and Love
Jesus’ resistance was rooted in love, not violence. He called His followers to overcome evil with good, to be salt and light in a world darkened by injustice. The Church is called to model this resistance by building communities of hope and action.
Action: Mobilize congregations to write letters, join protests, and advocate for policies that reflect God’s justice. Equip individuals to live out their faith in public spaces, using their voices to challenge harmful legislation.
Nurture a Kingdom Vision
The pear tree symbolizes sustenance and growth. The Church must plant seeds of the Kingdom of God by cultivating disciples who understand that faith is inseparable from justice.
Action: Offer classes, small groups, or discussions that connect faith with social action. Empower Christians to see their roles as agents of God’s Kingdom in every sphere of life—family, work, community, and government.
The Role of Individual Christians
Jesus’ teachings call every believer to live as a disciple who embodies His love and justice. This means:
Staying Informed: Understanding policies like Project 2025 and their potential impacts on society.
Taking Action: Advocating for justice in ways that align with individual gifts and callings—whether through writing, volunteering, organizing, or praying.
Living Boldly: Reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love in daily interactions and decisions, even when it’s inconvenient or costly.