Mal Fletcher considers the need for people's vote to be an informed one.

Our churches will pray with greater impact if people can pray in an informed way. Helping them to do so is the high and holy calling of church leaders.

3. Eschatology should not produce escapism.

As Christians, we are fervent believers in the return of Christ. It is our source of hope for the future and discipline in the present.

In my own studies of the New Testament, I can find no occasion where the Lord describes the end of the age in escapist terms.

Every parable on the second coming essentially deals with the wise management of present resources to bring about future growth, for the Lord's greater glory.

These parables are given not so that we might find convenient reasons to avoid present realities. They're intended to show us the importance of engaging present situations head-on and investing in them our unique gifts, so as to bring a measurable harvest on the final day.

The EU referendum represents an important opportunity for us to teach God's people about engaged stewardship.

It is a Christian responsibility to be informed, knowing that our votes represent acts of custodianship, whichever way we vote. (Of course, modelling is the most effective form of teaching.)

In all of the above, I'm not suggesting that church leaders should direct people in how they should vote. That is an issue of conscience for the individual believer. However, I am suggesting that we should, at the very least, be able to answer folks who come to us for answers on specific questions.

I'm also suggesting that if we're to avoid having our people - and those in our communities - wander aimlessly, casting of restraint, we need to provide a sense of vision (Prov. 29:18). Or at least to model proactive engagement.