I used to get very sad when I remember in history how the Christian lands were taken over by Muslims in North Africa (earlier the Near East), and then finally how Constantinople, the stronghold of Eastern Orthodox Christianity itself, fell into Muslim hands. I feel very sad for the church losing its prestige during the enlightenment and the Communist revolutions. 

      I used to think that the church was at its glorious when the Popes were in charge, when the kings of the world bowed down to the pope. I viewed with concern the idea of the church's subservience to the state (Caseropapism) in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. 

     A question them came to my mind, "Is it OK for the church to become the servant of the state?" I have to conclude that its ok. Christians are to be servant to all, to seek the peace of prosperity of whatever place he is put, even if those in charge may be ungodly. It is ok for the church to help the city in distributing food to the hungry. It is ok for the church to help educate its youth. Partnering with the state is fine, even a duty, as far as conscience allows.

     This leads me to an issue that Christians would have to make a decision about. Traditionally, church pastors serve the state by ratifying marriages, which is necessary for public order. However, with the US government on the verge of redefining whose marriages are legitimate, to the point of violating divine law (at least for many Christians), the church should consider stopping this service to the state. The church should consider getting out of the business of legitimizing marriage. The marriage ceremony in the church need to cease to function as a civil ceremony, alongside being a religious covenant.    

      Additionally, although we must serve the state, let us always be vigilant against attempts by the state to control conscience.