Politics In The Church
Something dangers happened in Waynesville, North Carolina on May 3rd, and it should be a lesson to all pastors in every type of church. On May 3rd, nine members of East Waynesville Baptist Church walked out of a meeting due to the pastor's teaching on voting. As soon as they left, the rest of the congregation decided to vote them out because of their descention. This caused the national media to surround this little church, and it ultimately led to the resignation (this was not widely reported in the media) of the pastor and the reinstatement of those that left.
For over a year, Pastor Chan Chandler made it clear from the pulpit that he believed that voting for John Kerry was a sin. He taught this leading up to the election, and he wouldn't stop teaching it 6 months after the election. In my opinion, Pastor Chandler overstepped his role as a spiritual leader. He jeopardized his personal ministry, and he jeopardized his church's tax exempt status. His behavior was foolish and dangerous. His behavior did nothing but harm to the church, and to the cause he preached about.
Anyone who knows me knows my political views. I am a very conservative person. I am very far to the right theologically, socially, and financially. My over all voting record reflects my views, and my Biblical interpretation reinforces my beliefs. That being said, I would never and I have never mentioned a candidate from the pulpit. I do everything I can not to even mention candidates in the halls of my church. However, sometimes this is unavoidable.
Pastors need to be very careful not to violate church and state protocol. We live in a nation with a lot of freedom. The last thing a pastor should want to do is abuse the freedom given to him. If a church outwardly supports a candidate, that church is then seen as a political organization and is subject to different tax codes and laws. This would be a deathblow to many congregations.
So what can a pastor and a church do? As a pastor I have a right and a duty to preach about moral issues. It is my hope that the people of my congregation will apply these teachings to every aspect of their lives. It is my hope that they will put the teachings of the Bible over their family history, their political parties, and their job situation.
Also, as a pastor, I have the right to generally educate my congregation about political parties. The church has every right to post on bulletin boards and in other places the political platform for each party. The congregation should not be ignorant of these platforms, and this will hopefully help them make wise decisions.
The pulpit is a sacred desk, and should be used for the teaching of the Bible. The word of emphasis here is the Bible. Over the last few years, I have pain stakingly studied through the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings. Not once in my study did I run across the name George Bush or John Kerry. Thus it would have been a derelict of my duties to mention either one of them. For my duty is to preach the word. I can and should be as political as I want to be outside of my church, but in my church I am to present the word of God.
(A side note)
A pastor has a right to put a bumper sticker on his vehicle or a sign in front of the house as long as they belong to him. However, if he is living in a church owned parsonage or driving a church owned vehicle, he should refrain from this activity.
For over a year, Pastor Chan Chandler made it clear from the pulpit that he believed that voting for John Kerry was a sin. He taught this leading up to the election, and he wouldn't stop teaching it 6 months after the election. In my opinion, Pastor Chandler overstepped his role as a spiritual leader. He jeopardized his personal ministry, and he jeopardized his church's tax exempt status. His behavior was foolish and dangerous. His behavior did nothing but harm to the church, and to the cause he preached about.
Anyone who knows me knows my political views. I am a very conservative person. I am very far to the right theologically, socially, and financially. My over all voting record reflects my views, and my Biblical interpretation reinforces my beliefs. That being said, I would never and I have never mentioned a candidate from the pulpit. I do everything I can not to even mention candidates in the halls of my church. However, sometimes this is unavoidable.
Pastors need to be very careful not to violate church and state protocol. We live in a nation with a lot of freedom. The last thing a pastor should want to do is abuse the freedom given to him. If a church outwardly supports a candidate, that church is then seen as a political organization and is subject to different tax codes and laws. This would be a deathblow to many congregations.
So what can a pastor and a church do? As a pastor I have a right and a duty to preach about moral issues. It is my hope that the people of my congregation will apply these teachings to every aspect of their lives. It is my hope that they will put the teachings of the Bible over their family history, their political parties, and their job situation.
Also, as a pastor, I have the right to generally educate my congregation about political parties. The church has every right to post on bulletin boards and in other places the political platform for each party. The congregation should not be ignorant of these platforms, and this will hopefully help them make wise decisions.
The pulpit is a sacred desk, and should be used for the teaching of the Bible. The word of emphasis here is the Bible. Over the last few years, I have pain stakingly studied through the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings. Not once in my study did I run across the name George Bush or John Kerry. Thus it would have been a derelict of my duties to mention either one of them. For my duty is to preach the word. I can and should be as political as I want to be outside of my church, but in my church I am to present the word of God.
(A side note)
A pastor has a right to put a bumper sticker on his vehicle or a sign in front of the house as long as they belong to him. However, if he is living in a church owned parsonage or driving a church owned vehicle, he should refrain from this activity.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 5:20 AM
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