“I intend to vote for that missile,” the U.S. congressman said to thunderous applause. He had been talking about the “MX Missile.” For those who may need a refresher or history lesson, the MX Missile (officially the LGM-118 Peacekeeper) was an intercontinental ballistic missile produced and deployed by the United States starting in 1985 and continuing through 2005.
I was a high school student listening to this congressman talk about this missile which was supported by President Ronald Reagan as a means to strengthen the United States’ position in the Cold War.
Oh, by the way, I was in church.
Yes, this speech was given by a U.S. congressman … in church!
He came to Bethlehem Baptist Church as part of his campaign for Governor. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives who decided to run for Governor. He was unsuccessful in those aspirations.
It was fairly customary for politicians to come to Bethlehem Baptist in those days. Our church was very patriotic and fairly political. Again, I wasn’t the pastor. I was just a high school kid. At the time, it seemed natural to me. I continued in the church off-and-on through my 20s. Got married in the church, and then shortly after, my wife and I started going to Reston Bible Church in (well) Reston. (It’s not in Reston now. They moved). Reston Bible Church was almost the exact opposite.
Virtually nothing political. With one exception, that is (which I’ll get to in a follow-up article 🙂 ).
With Reston Bible Church (at least in the 1990s and early 2000s), there was nothing political. (I think they did voter guides at some point before I got there. I heard about it, but not while I was there). And virtually nothing patriotic. I remember being upset one year when the 4th of July fell on a Sunday and there wasn’t any acknowledgment. Not even a prayer for the country!
As I got older, I realized this was a divide within Christian circles — how “political” and even how “patriotic” should a church or a pastor get? The debate continues to this day, and it’s a lively one.
Quite intense, in fact.
And it’s one I want to address in this article — since it’s an Election Year (in case you haven’t noticed). And some of you, no doubt, have different opinions on how “political” we as a church should be — or not be. So, to make sure we’re all on the same page… this is the first of two articles that delves into this topic.
First, the basics…
The Bible is explicitly clear that Christians are to pray for our civic leaders, honor our country and its leaders, give to our country what it is due, and submit to the laws of the nation in which we find ourselves (provided those laws don’t prevent us from obeying God). (For a more comprehensive look at what the Bible says on this topic, see I Timothy 2:1-4, Matthew 22:21, I Peter 2:13-17, and Romans 13:1-7).
Hopefully, all Christians reading this agree with the above. So, with this article, I’m going to focus on the question: Should pastors be political?
That is a keyword search term popular on Google and a topic on social media these days. It’s also on the minds of a lot of believers. So, let’s tackle it, shall we?
The first thing that will help all of us get a proper handle on this disagreement is to be clear in what we mean. When people ask if pastors should be “political,” we need to clarify what is meant by that term.
Are we talking about addressing issues or endorsing candidates or parties?
That is an EXTREMELY important distinction!
As the Senior Pastor of Olney Baptist Church, I will not have a politician step into the pulpit to give a stump speech as part of his or her campaign for office. Nor will I stand in the pulpit and endorse a candidate or party.
So, if that’s what’s in your mind when you hear (or ask) the question: Should pastors be political? Then, the answer is an emphatic NO!
I also don’t believe churches should become centers of political activity when it comes to most issues. What’s more, I don’t believe people should come to church expecting political commentary from the pulpit. It’s not my job to preach politics. It’s my calling to “preach the word” (see II Timothy 4:2).
Looking back to my teen years, as much as I appreciate the heart and ministry of the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church at the time that congressman spoke, I believe he was wrong. Why is a politician standing in the pulpit of a church talking about a nuclear missile program!?
However…
Yes, there is a “but” here.
If pastors avoid discussing every issue that has political implications, we might as well avoid preaching most of the Bible.
For example, standing up for the poor, defending the oppressed, and speaking out against injustice are all thoroughly biblical concerns. “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” (Psalm 82:3).
We don’t have to go that far back in American history to see examples of some pastors standing up for the “afflicted and needy” and other pastors (sadly and shamefully) defending those doing the afflicting. Just look at the history of the church in America during the abolitionist debates and then during the civil rights movements. (I say movements plural, because there’s been more than one civil rights movement in U.S. history – and churches sadly weren’t always on the right side).
If a pastor stands in the pulpit and condemns slavery, segregation, or bigotry, does that mean the pastor is being “political”? Some would say “yes.” In fact, some did say “yes” in the 1800s and 1900s. But…
Is that a fair criticism?
I would say NO. A pastor who denounces racism, bigotry, slavery, segregation, oppression, cruelty, exploitation, and so forth is a pastor who is being obedient to God. Doubt me? Then read these Bible passages…
- “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
- “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)
- “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
- “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18)
- “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
- “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)
- “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)
- “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” (Proverbs 14:31)
- “The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” (Psalm 103:6)
Need I go on?
Here’s what I often find is the case. And please read this next part very slowly and carefully.
When preachers or pastors address topics in a way that churchgoing Christians agree with, they say the pastor is preaching the right way. When a pastor hits a subject that makes someone uncomfortable, he’s being “political” and should “stick to the Bible.”
In other words, people in the pew judge whether a pastor is being “political” on whether or not they agree with the pastor!
Here’s my position…
Pastors should preach the Bible.
Their sermons should be Spirit-driven and Bible-based.
And…
That means that, periodically, a pastor will hit on a subject that has political ramifications or implications. When this happens, what matters is not whether or not you are in agreement with or comfortable with what is said. What matters is whether what the pastor preaches is consistent with the Bible.
The way I see it…
If it’s in the Bible, I get to talk about it!
Provided, of course, God wants me to talk about that particular issue or topic.
Pastors should not, in my strong opinion, lead the congregations they serve into becoming political action committees or groups, nor should pastors shift their focus from the Great Commission to some kind of effort to create a Great Christian Nation. The United States is not (and never was) a theocracy.
Pastors should not endorse politicians or parties — or get so fixated on the temporal nation-state that they forget or neglect the Kingdom of God. But pastors should speak biblical truth to the churches they serve and the communities in which they minister.
In that spirit, I have, on occasion, as part of my sermons, addressed (among other topics) racism, bigotry, polarization, the sanctity of life, and LGBTQIA+ issues. I’ve also addressed some of these issues (and more) on this blog. Case in point: I recently blogged on the topic of abortion (since the issue is on the ballot this November in Maryland). I encourage you to check it out by clicking here.
I also believe it’s appropriate for pastors to speak out on matters related to religious freedom. If you read the Book of Acts, and see how Paul appealed to his civil rights as a Roman citizen in order to protect his ability to spread the gospel, I believe you’ll agree with me. In that spirit, I think more pastors today in America need to stand up boldly for the First Amendment’s protections on speech and the free exercise of religion.
Whether we’re talking about my sermons or this blog, when I do feel led to address an issue that has political ramifications, I’ve always tried to do so in love and in accordance with what the Bible teaches.
And that brings us to the conclusion. The question shouldn’t be “Should Pastors Be Political?” That’s the question often asked, but the question should be…
Should Pastors Be Biblical?
And the answer to that is a resounding YES.
Sometimes, that means the pastor will hit on a subject that has political ramifications. When that happens, accept it. Be okay with it, provided the pastor is keeping his sermon (or blog post) rooted and grounded in the Scriptures. That is what matters.
For more, Part 2 of our look at politics is now available. We broaden this out a bit and look at whether it’s appropriate for churches to ever host political or semi-political events or programs.
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I think you nailed it. Preaching should be Biblical, not political. Many Biblical teachings can become political issues when there are widely different views of them. It is therefore very important that the preacher deal with them from a Biblical standpoint. He or she should never suggest how people should vote or suggest from the pulpit a preference for a political party.
I have seen candidates for office visit a church with the hope of a chance to speak or at least be recognized. That effort should not be rewarded.
It is fine to preach about current political issues if they are also Biblical issues. Discrimination, bearing false witness, inhumane treatment of immigrants, homosexuality, failure to help those in need, disrespect of government, abortion, etc. are perfectly acceptable pulpit topics if approached properly.