Politics and the Pulpit
Let me be clear: I will not be endorsing or condemning any candidate for public office tomorrow morning as I enter the pulpit. There are other preachers, however, who will be doing just that tomorrow. Code named the "Pulpit Initiative," a small number of preachers who have been recruited and encouraged by a conservative Christian entity, the Alliance Defense Fund, a group that was founded with support from among others James Dobson, will go to their pulpits and defy a 54 year old IRS ban on pulpit electioneering. The point of this effort is simply this, the ADF wants the IRS to go after these preachers and their churches so that they can sue to overturn the ban.
Now, I must confess (as I often must) that I have endorsed a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. I've done this deed on this blog (I don't think it's a secret--if you read the blog). That said, I make a strong distinction between what I do on this blog and what I do in the pulpit. Yes, I address important public issues -- many of which have political implications -- and on the Sunday before the election I will preach a sermon encouraging my congregants to vote their conscience, consciences hopefully informed by their faith. But, I will not endorse nor will I tell them that a vote one person over the other is better or more Christian. I won't forbid anyone from coming to the Table -- as if I have any authority to do so (after all, it's the Lord's Table, not mine). I understand that in my congregation there are Republicans and Democrats, Independents and maybe even a few Third Party enthusiasts. We are, however, in spite of our political differences, one body in Christ.
As for that ADF event, I think it's wrong headed and probably will end up with the ADF lawyers getting in trouble for advising clients to break the law. The pastors and the churches, well some of them may get punished. But ultimately it's really not about the IRS. It's about whether we should use politics to divide the body of Christ. Even as I boldly support Barack Obama, I do not believe that support for him is more Christian than support for John McCain. Ultimately endorsing candidates from the pulpit is a bad idea. Whatever I do here, I do as a private citizen.
Now, I must confess (as I often must) that I have endorsed a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. I've done this deed on this blog (I don't think it's a secret--if you read the blog). That said, I make a strong distinction between what I do on this blog and what I do in the pulpit. Yes, I address important public issues -- many of which have political implications -- and on the Sunday before the election I will preach a sermon encouraging my congregants to vote their conscience, consciences hopefully informed by their faith. But, I will not endorse nor will I tell them that a vote one person over the other is better or more Christian. I won't forbid anyone from coming to the Table -- as if I have any authority to do so (after all, it's the Lord's Table, not mine). I understand that in my congregation there are Republicans and Democrats, Independents and maybe even a few Third Party enthusiasts. We are, however, in spite of our political differences, one body in Christ.
As for that ADF event, I think it's wrong headed and probably will end up with the ADF lawyers getting in trouble for advising clients to break the law. The pastors and the churches, well some of them may get punished. But ultimately it's really not about the IRS. It's about whether we should use politics to divide the body of Christ. Even as I boldly support Barack Obama, I do not believe that support for him is more Christian than support for John McCain. Ultimately endorsing candidates from the pulpit is a bad idea. Whatever I do here, I do as a private citizen.
Comments
I personally do not see this as an issue worth fighting for. I wouldn't endorse from the pulpit even if there wasn't a tax liability. But that's me!