[PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was a reporter for the Daily Astorian (in Astoria, Oregon) and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as an Oregon state government manager and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing pubic policy – to what I write. If you are reading this, thanks for doing so and please don’t hesitate to respond so we can engage in a dialogue, not just a monologue.]

That was the theme of a sermon last Sunday from the lead pastor, Steve Fowler, at the church we have attended for more than 30 years in Salem.

His point: On the hand, the time may be right for those who attend church to function as “renters” when they are just visiting or learning about a church they might attend over the longer. But, on the other hand, once someone has found a church home, it is better for that person to function as an “owner.”

That way, they’ll have a sense of responsibility to share in the functioning of a church and to help people find their way toward God.

There are a number of spiritual implications of Mr. Fowler’s point and I know he hoped those who heard him would focus on those implications.

Let me say I did, but after church, my thoughts also went to renters and owners as those terms might apply to the lobbying business where I made my career for about 40 years.

My point: It is better to own an issue you are lobbying than simply to rent it – or borrow it – for a period of time.

If you own an issue as a lobbyist, you will work doubly hard on behalf of your client to achieve the objective, or in the art of politics, to find a workable compromise

If you just rent the issue, you won’t care as deeply about it – or work as hard as you should to achieve the objective.

In summary, what are some of the characteristics of those who own a lobbying issue?

• You would care for the issue like you would the house or car or any other possessions you own.

• You would take responsibility to make it is ready to be viewed by guests.

• When the time is right to sell the issue you own, you would work hard to make it presentable to potential buyers.

So, permit me to emphasize this secular perspective from a spiritual point – as a lobbyist it is better to own an issue than rent it.