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Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by <a href="https://lipperalpha.refinitiv.com/" data-omtr-intcmp="topnav_more_refinitive_info">Refinitiv Lipper</a>. <br>Podcast host Emily Wilson discusses California's free health care for migrants and crime in the state on 'Fox News @ Night.'<br><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/west/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Los Angeles church</a> is struggling to balance politics, causing some of the congregation to leave over differences.<br>Rev. Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out "what’s ‘too political’ for a place of worship — or whether ‘being political’ is the whole point of the Gospel," according to a report by The Washington Post.<br>Hall’s <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Christian Church of North Hollywood</a>, a "politically-blended congregation," struggled with political differences before and after the presidential election, when President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide victory.<br>Hall, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southeast/alabama" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a native of Alabama</a>, led the church north of Los Angeles for two years. He aims to unite the church, but it’s been a challenge.<br><span>First Christian Church of North Hollywood, a "politically-blended congregation," has struggled with political differences before and after the presidential election.</span> <span>(Google Maps)</span><br>"Persuading the Republicans, Democrats and independents in his pews to stay and pray with one another is getting more complicated," the Post reported.<br><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/christians-increasingly-persecuted-worldwide-modern-historical-factors-converge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><u>CHRISTIANS INCREASINGLY PERSECUTED WORLDWIDE AS 'MODERN AND HISTORICAL FACTORS CONVERGE'</u></strong></a><br>The Post reported further, "When he preaches what the Bible says about the mandate to care for migrants, Hall focuses on the story of Mary and Joseph rather than modern-day wanderers. He selected a book of scripture readings that sets out specific text for every Sunday, so no one could question whether his picks were making a political statement."<br>"And when somebody tells him they think a sermon was aimed at a specific politician, he says, ‘That’s one way to look at it!’"<br>Los Angeles has typically been a liberal city for several decades. The city has not <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/house-of-representatives/republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted for a Republican mayor</a> since 1993.<br><a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/trump-los-angeles-california-voters-support/3556950/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Data from the presidential election</a> in November shows that Los Angeles residents voted for Trump more than what many polls had projected. <br><span>According to The Washington Post, Rev. Jonathan Hall has been trying to figure out "what’s ‘too political’ for a place of worship — or whether ‘being political’ is the whole point of the Gospel."</span> <span>(iStock)</span><br>Trump won more votes in L.A. than he did in 2020, receiving approximately 40% of votes compared to 34%. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/election-victory-trumps-gains-went-beyond-battlegrounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Trump improved his vote share</u></a> across the country, starting with conservative areas but extending into deeply Democratic states.<br><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/faith-strong-force-jimmy-carters-life-leaders-heart-servant" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><u>FAITH A STRONG FORCE IN JIMMY CARTER'S LIFE, SAY LEADERS: 'HEART OF A SERVANT'</u></strong></a><br>Several congregants left the church due to their political differences. One of the members cited a film Hall planned to screen about Christian nationalism being "too one-sided" and "anti-Republican."<br>Others left after they discovered their peers were attending Trump’s inauguration. <br>"Someone else walked out of services early on the Sunday after the election, feeling that a leader on the stage was too focused on consoling people who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris," the Post added.<br>"If you’re at a football game, one side wins, and everyone leaves. With a church [and the election], it’s like everyone is still there," Hall said. <br>He went on to say, "The popcorn is still on the ground, the Coke cups, the mess. Fifty percent of people are upset, and we have to pick up the pieces."<br>First Christian is part of the Disciples of Christ denomination and serves over 1,000 members. The denomination’s origin was founded to "unify Christian groups who had broken over theology and worship styles."<br><span>One member of First Christian left the church after they discovered their peers were attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. </span> <span>(Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)</span><br><a href="https://foxnews.onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP</u></strong></a><br>"If I’m a good pastor, I’m both comforting you and confronting you. But I also need to be a prophet, right? You’re supposed to come to church to look for questions that will change your life."<br>"Before Hall, the same pastor had led First Christian for 52 years. Congregants say the late Rev. Robert M. Bock didn’t speak about contemporary political issues in church — even during the Vietnam War, which marked the start of his tenure. Hall is trying to forge a new way," the Post reported.<br><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE</strong></a><br>Joshua Q. Nelson is a reporter for Fox News Digital.<br>Joshua focuses on politics, education policy ranging from the local to the federal level, and the parental uprising in education.<br>Joining Fox News Digital in 2019, he previously graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Political Science and is an alum of the National Journalism Center and the Heritage Foundation's Young Leaders Program. <br>Story tips can be sent to joshua.nelson@fox.com and Joshua can be followed on <a href="https://twitter.com/joshuaqnelson" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaqnelson/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. <br>Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.<br>By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a>, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. 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