The basic political responsibility of the congregation, aside from giving its approval in certain financial matters, is to elect its minister and officers. And gatekeeping requires constant vigilance and steady actions. Now people are free to get information wherever they can get it, but it is the responsibility of the pastor and session to help process and evaluate the sources and the information itself. Most important, when it comes to the great issues that deeply perplex the church, the minister and session must take care that the congregation is not enlisted in an army without their knowledge and for ulterior motives. Information yes, guidance yes, but political indoctrination no.
Issues come and go.
Pastors and sessions come and go. What the congregation needs is not to be propagandized but to be given the quality of fellowship and leadership which allows the Spirit to work amongst the people, building up the body of Christ in that place, empowering it for its mission from its doorstep to the ends of the Earth, helping it to relate responsibly to the higher governing bodies of the church and the programs and mission of the larger church, as well as other mission opportunities. This approach is most important now as we witness how our common life is unraveling at the edges. There is no need that they unravel any further. Theology once held us Presbyterians together.