Should pastors address politics from the pulpit? Or in any format that flows from their platform as spiritual leaders?
The word “pastor” is an old word that means shepherd, from the Greek, poimen. A pastor’s role is to do two things:
- lead the flock, spiritually and directionally, as we communally obey Jesus’ Great Commission and Great Commandment, and
- feed the flock, offering spiritual nourishment and protection from false belief systems.
I’m not a politician. I learned from a great example in Pastor Rick Warren, who said, “If I thought politics could save the world, I wouldn’t have become a pastor.”
One of the biggest reasons I’ve generally stayed out of partisan issues in my pastoral leadership role is because I believe it’s too easy to become a pawn. If I had promoted a candidate, that candidate in their humanness would have said or done something embarrassing, and my credibility would have been diminished.
At the same time, the gospel itself has socio-political implications, and we who guard and carry that gospel must concern ourselves with whether Christians within our culture properly relate the gospel to their surroundings.
Words like capitalism and democracy were in their infancy in biblical times and would take many centuries to develop. The writers of scripture could not have foreseen our current political climate. But they did write about topics like justice, poverty, caring for strangers, paying taxes, etc.
Pastors get to be translators of ancient wisdom and divine truth to our modern context, and that’s not an easy task.
I remember a conversation I had with a church member a couple of decades ago. He was of a completely different political persuasion than I was at the time. We talked about one president’s very public infidelity and another’s hasty rush to war without evidence of weapons of mass destruction.
We disagreed sharply on most points… And then I baptized him and his family members.
We continued to disagree AND attend the same church. We ate meals together, communing around our common faith in Jesus, AND then we voted for opposing candidates in elections.
That’s how it used to be. And in the push-pull, tug-of-war, respectful dialogue, we understood each other a little better and remained friends.
Today, things are different.
According to recent research among pastors by LifeWay Research, “almost a quarter (23%) refused to answer the question of whom they’ll cast their ballot for. Few felt the same hesitancy in 2020 (4%) or 2016 (3%).”
What is the difference between then and now? Why are pastors six or seven times more likely to keep their opinions to themselves now when they might have shared them a decade ago?
I speak from experience and observation when I say that the stakes are much higher now because of the polarization we are experiencing in our culture today.
Do you see the tough spot pastors are in?
Say nothing about political issues, and you’ll be accused of acquiescence and tacit consent if not outright compromise.
Say something about political issues, and you’ll be reminded to stick to “spiritual” or sacred things as if God created a world with such dichotomies.
In our current cultural conundrum, pastors are getting hit from all sides.
We’re a divided people who have an extremely unbiblical view of the relationship between church and state, to begin with. Our theology is often shaped more by our national heritage than by interpreting the Scriptures according to the times in which they were inspired.
Hence we wind up with phrases like “putting God back in our country.” Where did God go, exactly?
It also tells me we’re all afraid. That’s right. We’re afraid. So we’ll offend the “other people” if it means preserving a more solidly “Christian” America, whatever that is.
We’ll overlook severe character flaws for which we held past politicians accountable out of fear that allowing the wrong person to get elected will cost us our power and privilege.
Pastors often feel like Steelers Wheel!
Trying to make some sense of it all,
But I can see that it makes no sense at all,
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor,
‘Cause I don’t think that I can take anymore
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
Pastors have to be careful how they spend their trust equity and how they use their influence.
Cut your spiritual leaders some slack. They’re human. They love you even when they disagree with you. And if they’re like me, they want the left and the right, the reds and blues, the liberals and conservatives ALL to show up on Sunday and come to the realization that they are wholly loved and valued by their Creator.
I often used to say, as a pastor, “we don’t care who you’re voting for, we’re saving a seat for you.” And I meant it! The cross levels the playing field.
But don’t expect pastors who take the gospel seriously to be silent when a politician or political candidate speaks to issues that affect people’s lives or when his or her personal character flaws sharply contradict the Way in which Jesus taught us to live.
Political issues are humanitarian issues. They affect real people, made in the image of God.
Pastors, don’t apologize for having opinions but DO be clear on the difference between your opinion and a timeless, unchanging principle.
And don’t support an unfit candidate because of the fear that another candidate will ruin everything.
Remember these pieces of ancient wisdom…
- Every person you’ll ever meet is inherently worthy of love.
- A leader’s character matters more than their charisma.
- Politicians aren’t saviors. (Neither are pastors, for that matter.)
- Political systems, shaped by humanity, are naturally flawed and imperfect.
- Jesus fought the power of the Roman Empire on the cross.
- The kingdom of God is open to anyone but coerces no one.
- Pastors will give an account to God for their care of his people.
- Pastors are humans, with opinions, like you.
Saving people, judging the nations, and reigning forever are the tasks of only One – King Jesus. Our responsibility is to seek the kingdom first and participate with God in the renewal of all the broken things. And the broken things are all around us.
This post is an expansion of a piece I wrote back in 2016. It was getting dicey for pastors then. It’s chaos now.
Go easy on your pastors and leaders. Show them love. Let them be human.
And even when you disagree with your pastor, be a friend (she or he has enough foes already).