The Pulpit and Politics

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Before getting into this controversial topic, I would like to say that I wholeheartedly believe it is healthy to encourage the church to use their freedom to vote during the elections. My family and I also do our very best to be educated in politics, and as citizens of the United States, we cast our votes each time elections are held. I also appreciate the ministries that diligently study the issues, and the candidates, and provide voting and candidate information.

I would also like to encourage you, the pastor, to consider opening up your church to be used as a voting precinct during the elections. This is something I have done faithfully throughout the years, when pastoring churches that have the facilities to hold such events. This is such a great way to practically support your city/county, and practically minister to your community. Free coffee, and snacks are not a bad idea as well.  

However, when it comes to pastors using the pulpit to speak out about political issues, I do not believe this is what pastors, or the church has been called to do. The pulpit is a place to teach the Word of God, and to build up, encourage, and inspire others to live their life fully for God. The pulpit is also a place that pastors and teachers are called to clearly and persuasively present the gospel to those who do not yet know Jesus. Therefore, my primary focus as a pastor and teacher is the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of man.

When looking at Scripture, it is clear that the main responsibility of the pastor and leaders of a church is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). This equipping is of course referring to making disciples, and preparing them for the Lord’s service in ministry, which Paul says in his epistle to Timothy, takes precedent over civilian pursuits (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2-4)

With this being said, because the Bible does speak to all issues of life (cf. 2 Peter 1:3), we must never shrink from presenting God’s view on any area of life when teaching through the Bible. When we are teaching through the Word of God and come across certain passages that deal with issues of life that are in the spotlight of politics, we must do our best to use that opportunity to teach God’s people what God’s Word says about each particular subject (i.e. marriage, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, the economy, etc).

This is a very important aspect of the equipping process, developing and shaping the worldviews of God’s people, through the teaching of God’s Word. It is by gaining a deeper understanding of God’s Word that we are able to better understand God’s will for our life, and in turn are able to make the best discernable choices according to His will (Colossians 1:9-10).

By shaping the hearts and minds of God’s people to live life with a God-centered worldview, they will be better equipped to bring every thought, political issue, cultural concern, and question in life, into submission to all that the Bible reveals (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5). In order to do this, it is essential to teach all areas of Scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), as the Scriptures clearly speak to all issues of life (cf. 2 Peter 1:3).

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