Should A Pastor Comment Publicly On Politics?

Let me start with a caveat, we often confuse the political and spiritual. Pastors preaching against racism aren’t being political, they are being spiritual leaders. The same could be true on issues of life, gender, and sexuality. These issues are thoroughly spiritual and demand a spiritual response.

I have always hesitated to comment on politics, particular pieces of legislation, and individual candidates for three reasons:

1. I don’t want to indicate the answer to our problems are political. Certainly some issues are political and we need our politicians to solve those problems. As a pastor, I believe that most of our issues are spiritual. Pointing people to Jesus is the most important thing I can do with my time and platform.

2. I never want to indicate the answer is a particular political leader. We set politicians up as as our savior all the time. If only __________ wins this November then everything will be better. They fail to meet our expectations, because they can’t, and anger sets in. Rinse and repeat over 40 years and you see why our culture is so angry. We have turned to the wrong Savior.

3. I never want to unnecessarily offend my audience. I have people from every political point of view in my church. I love each of them in Christ. I refuse to offend my audience over political matters. I would rather offend them over the cross, the spiritual, and the Biblical. When that offense happens, people are motivated to wrestle in ways that are truly helpful.