Should a pastor be involved in politics?
or…another question…
Could a pastor be involved in politics?
I’ve often wondered this question…help me think through it today.
Let me explain a little of where this discussion is coming from today.
I’ve been involved in the political process all my life. When I was in elementary school I started following politics any way I could. I watched presidential speeches, kept up with world, national and local politics, and couldn’t wait to vote. I worked on my first campaign when I was 16 years old and continued through my twenties to volunteer on campaigns. I spent a summer interning in Washington, DC for a congressman.
During my thirties I served as an elected official on our local city council and even served as the vice-mayor of our city. The love of politics has never left me, but my life has changed. I’ve been called into ministry. I mostly remain neutral on issues of politics these days. I still vote, but I’m a silent participant.
While I have no plans to run for anything and doubt that I ever would, the interest in political matters remains in my mind and sometimes I think about what it would be like to be in political office again. Just to be clear, I’m not asking for permission for me to do anything…I’m just seeking opinions and sharing my story as an example to spur discussion.
I seriously want your thoughts. (I previously discussed this subject in a more general way concerning Christians and politics…read that discussion HERE.)
- Would it be wrong for me to run for a political office some day?
- Should pastors stay out of politics?
- Should pastors be in politics more?
- What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?
- Could politics be a part of a Christian’s “calling”?
Help me….I’m seriously curious! Plus I love a good discussion…even a politics or religion discussion!
Add your thoughts now!
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The work of a pastor is to take a good care of people’s life both physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. These people come to a pastor to find a help on different issues, and a pastor become the father of all people in his congregation and even outside his congregation. Looking on the responsibility that a pastor have to the community, I think it is not good for him to take part in the politics of the society. Firstly the politics has the influence of damaging the image of the pastor, and people in the congregation turn not to trust them because they become like those who lie and insult others for their gain. The politics has the power to make a pastor loosing other group of people in his congregation. This in the sense that, in the church there different groups of people who support different political parties, now if the pastor come on the public and show his side in the politics, there is a great possibility for those who do not support with him to live the church and join another church where the pastor is not a political figure. Another important reason why the pastor should not involve in politics is that, the pastoral work is a divine and being a divine it demands the obedience all the time. If the pastor is involved in political office there is that possibility for him to not to have time to listen from God and to do all other pastoral work as he supposed to do. People get busy in politics more than how they get busy with the work of God, now the pastor become a busy person day out day in, and he cannot have a time to prepare for the preaching or some other work in his office.
Pastors by nature are usually good leaders and speakers, so they could make solid politicians. While the seperation of church and state is a very important part of the American political system, that doesn't stop someone who has been a pastor from running.
2 Timothy 4:3 NIV
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Though pastors like anybody else have the same rights and that is to vote and be voted under our constitution, pastors are also capable of leading people, and in terms of advantage of course there are advantages. BUT calling is irrevocable, It was God appointed in the church NOT in the world some to be Pastors! Old testament settings are different in the New Testament and for sure we are living in the New Testament NOW! for the sake of discussion without accepting it is true that there are Old testament man or woman of God who serve God and nation BUT we all know that those bible characters were primarily serving the nation for it was there calling to be in the public office but we see them serving the cause of the kingdom of God! And i would enjoin all politicians to do the same even today BUT we never saw a single bible character who was called by God to serve in the kingdom turned serving the nation? David's ultimate direction is to be king of Israel and he was not a pastor of the church but shepherd of the literal sheep. And yet here we are pastors are turning to be politicians! Give to Ceasar what is to Ceasars and to God what is to God! Even the Lord Jesus Christ himself people wants him to rule but He refused because His kingdom is NOT of this world.
Pastor or not you have a right to run for office. More pastors need to get active.
Thanks Sean. I agree.
who are we do judge? ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE the role of a preacher [pastor]-IS TO DO OVER 50 THINGS which are mentioned separately WITHIN the bible. Moses LEAD the people- A LEADER OF ISRAEL-yet a prophet- DAVID led as a king of ISRAEL yet also the bible calls him a PROPHET. Deborah was a Prophet and a JUDGE of Israel. IN the word of two or three a WORD[principle] is established. YOU CANNOT tell prophets or men who hear from GOD what they must DO and not DO. You are not the Holy SPIRIT; let the Holy Spirit tell them what to do and they will do it- GOD is the JUDGE-THIER LEADER-what he tells them, they must DO, even if it is contrary to your mindset/belief. JESUS was an apostle, prophet, shepherd, teacher, soul winner[saver]- YET he is RULER[King] of all the earth. So shut up, lest you speak ignorance. A SERVANT shall be as HIS MASTER. If he has to teach/preach and rule so be it.
l am of opinio that pastors should not be a politician,becouse light and darkness has no connection,politics is a dirty game, it compromises,politics carries pride, sexual lust,greed, guile just but to mention few.
I agree that the current "politics" is a dirty game and comprise of those stated above…and with this very reason we need a godly leader who will stand in the politics.
Politics is the essence is not dirty, it is those who run the current politics that makes it corrupt. If the politicians are all God-fearing men and women then it will totally revolutionize what we currently know about politics. That day when it happen, we will say politics is a clean game, it carries the word of God, faithfulness, honesty, goodness, kindness, etc just to mention few. Wow, if we will only be of one mind to place godly leaders in the politics just as the men of war mentioned in I Chronicles 12:38, i can only imagine the change in our land ^^ God bless
This is a good question- we have someone in our town who is running for mayor. Not only does this man have a full time job as a coach, he is a pastor of a church. I believe that doing all these things simultaneously is not right and is a conflict of interest.
There is an issue of abiding by the laws of the land that Christ asks us to adhere to ….in order to be blameless. As a church that claims tax exemption from the IRS, based on the stipulations that the IRS provides, an organization claiming non prof. status is not allowed to promote any candidate. The second issue i have is the true motivation of this person. I believe this man wants to funnel the city's resources into his own church …his own kingdom. The church's should not be in competition with each other…but moving towards the same goal…reaching lives for Christ. Feeding the sheep.
We are waiting to see how all this pans out.
Thanks for sharing this.
If your boundaries are expanded into other areas don't be afraid to step into a new venture. The Kingdom needs to be expanded into every sphere of influence in society. You'll bring the Kingdom wherever you go.
Thanks Trevor.
Jesus told Pilate that "my kingdom is not of this world." Many people have their own opinions and thoughts about what that means, but considering the constant admonitions throughout the Scriptures to stay focused on the kingdom of God and to remember whose you are, it becomes clear. We ambassadors of another kingdom, tiny embassies of Christ in the intermediate period before the culmination of the Kingdom in the return of Christ. Our goal and of objective is to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel of Christ; our job is to be a faithful, prophetic witness.
What does this mean? Well, it depends on what God has called us too. I cannot help but think of Martin Luther King Jr and his preaching of the Gospel and his heading of the Civil Rights movement. Billy Graham, however, admitted recently that he would have rather stayed away from the politics he became embroiled in. Christians are called to many tasks, with many people, in many places. It all depends on the what God has called us to do. Some questions we find out there answers to on our own through the teaching of God's wisdom through experience.
Thanks these are good thoughts. I certainly agree our Kingdom (as followers of Christ) is not of this world. We are still in the world though. We are suppose to submit to authorities. We are to pay taxes. And I would even say vote. I think the extreme would to be separated completely from government an that sounds dangerous to me. Certainly balance and wisdom is needed.
It can work for a pastor to be a politician or a political activist simultaneously if he is also a sociopath or if he is burned out on pastoring or really doesn't care about his flock. You cannot serve God and the State. Pastoring is more than a full time job. If a pastor wants to add politician to his job description, then the church he pastors will suffer. Pastoring and politicking are two different callings. If a pastor devotes himself to politics, then he needs to step down from his position as pastor. It isn't wrong to leave pastoring to enter politics, but that is the choice that needs to be made.
Well at least you\’re honest with us! Thanks for adding in. Not sure I agree with you completely about the sociopath thinking but I appreciate your candor. Just wondering. What do you think about men like Mike Huckabee who claim to have received a call to ministry but are now in politics?
I may explore this more later but for me the call to ministry is more of a call to a person than to a position. I certainly though have answered my questions in this post completely.
Thanks
I don't feel bad about Mike Huckabee at all, but he is not still trying to pastor while he is in politics. My point is not that pastors should not go into politics, but that they should not try to do it while they are pastoring. My final sentence was that it is not wrong to leave the ministry to enter politics. Being an elected official is just as much a call from God as being a pastor, but they are two different calls.
The only person whom I have ever heard of this actually working out well for was a man from a different century in Holland. However, I think he was also in the midst of a revival.
I understand that better…that it God could change a person's assignment. I think this issue was more prevalent in the founding of our nation, and it would have been more common for a pastor to become a politician, or be involved in government. In most cases, I agree they would need to do one or the other. Certainly in my case I would. My church is too large. I can think of some pastors I've known, however, who are very part-time vocationally in the ministry. I could see them playing great roles in helping shape good, moral government.
The lines are blurry I know, but I'm just not a proponent of saying something is clear cut, absolutely never to occur unless I can clearly identify it as a Biblical principle. God certainly called people in the Old Testament who were also officials in charge of the governing of people. As with many gray areas I could see both opinions being defended in Scripture. Thanks so much for sharing the link. I like learning!
Well at least you're honest with us! Thanks for adding in. Not sure I agree with you completely about the sociopath thinking but I appreciate your candor. Just wondering. What do you think about men like Mike Huckabee who claim to have received a call to ministry but are now in politics? I may explore this more later but for me the call to ministry is more of a call to a person than to a position. I certainly though have answered my questions in this post completely. Thanks
Here is the Dutch pastor who made politics and pastoring work together: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Kuyper
Thanks!
You could ask this guy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Cleaver
Ha! thanks for the link.
I agree wholeheartedly with Ray's comments. Wherever God leads it's our responsibility to follow, if not we're out of His will. How can we say that we're His, yet unwilling to follow His guidance? He created us all, and chooses whom He will (whoever is willing to follow Him) to serve in government, education, health, community, corporations, etc., and yes, that includes politics! 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.' We either accept His Word; all of it, or none of it at all.
Thanks Rose.
THanks for adding your thoughts.
The office of President of the United States is a few steps down from being a God appointed shepherd and teacher of God's people.
While I believe more Christians should be more involved in the political process, I don't believe a pastor should be heavily involved and certainly should not run for office or serve. If a pastor wants to be that involved in politics he should do what Gov. Mike Huckabee did, leave the pulpit and serve in the political arena.
What should never happen is for God's man to have divided loyalties. And, a pastor is pastor to both Democrats, Republicans, and independents. His comments should be measured and well planned when he addresses politics. He should strongly support what is right and oppose what is wrong but do so lovingly and with God's wisdom.
Good thoughts…Thank you.
Thanks for sharing Royce.
Twitter: raystrauss
says:
“Wherever He leads, I'll go!” Ron, I'm so glad you asked this question! There is no explicit right or wrong answer here. The answer really is, “What does the Lord want you to do?” As we all know, pastors, like all followers of Jesus Christ, must be lead by the Holy Spirit.
Currently I serve as co-founder and Sr. Pastor of a church that began three years ago in the Southwestern US. I also serve as Councilman for one of the fastest growing areas in our nation. While there are many opinions on this topic, I originally leaned toward the opinion that Pastor's should stay out of politics, largely for the same reasons Mason posted. However, the Lord rocked my world when I was asked to serve as Councilman by our Mayor and residents.
Over the next several months the the impression that the Lord wanted me to serve in office become very strong and was only intensified by our prayers to reach the people in our region. I learned the irony of my situation as I'd say, “No.”, while at the same time beg the Lord to save our leaders and use our church to reach the lost in our community. That began the “Moses” conversations. Dialogs like the following were common over the next several months.
Me:“Lord, I don't have the time to do this!”
God: “You know all those developers, community leaders, and people you are trying to meet with? Now they will have to meet with you!”
Fast forward to the election. It was a landslide and I didn't have to do anything probably because pastors “politic” all the time. We go to the people and love them genuinely all the time. Politicians only due it when they want to get elected!
The reasons God called me to serve in this capacity are numerous, but the results have been undeniable.
*The very leaders we pray for (Mayor, Council, Town Manager, etc.) are now friends I get to pray and share the Lord with. And I've learned that at the end of each day, even leaders want a pastor to love and encourage them.
*Our Council's professionalism, mutual respect, and public image has greatly increased.
*Many people that would otherwise not come to church are now interested in meeting the Pastor who moonlights as a Politician. Dozens have ended up meeting Jesus. (btw, what I make covers mileage, so like ministry, it certainly isn't about the money!)
*Our church's compassion for our town has increased a thousand fold as well as our ability to meet needs. We are expanding to our 2nd and hopefully 3rd campuses this year to go where people have limited access to the gospel.
*I see first hand how limited govt is and how powerful the Church can be! And, there is no competition!
All this to say, “Wherever the Lord leads, go!” If you are an overly critical, unloving pastor, don't run for office. You'll only be an overly critical, unloving politician too. But if you really love and pray for your communities, leaders, and desperately want to show them how much the Lord loves them, to that I say, fasten your seat-belts, because you are in for one amazing ride.
That's great feedback. Thank you.
I pray that Christians will be open and not be closed with legalism.
I believe that is the absolute answer…"Wherever the Lord lead you, Go!"
Thank you so much
Ron! Here is mine —
Would it be wrong for pastor to run for a political office some day? Yes. Pastors should not run for a political office.
Should pastors stay out of politics? Yes. Pastors can talk about politics but , should essentially stay out of it
Should pastors be in politics more? No. Pastors should not be in politics
What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? No advantages. There are only disadvantages in pastors entering politics. In fact, pastor is degrading and reducing his worth and value by entering politics. He is stooping down and smashing his self esteem (Remember Billy Graham quote on American presidency)
Could politics be a part of a Christian’s “calling”? Politics can be part of Christian calling for a believer but pastor should either continue to be a pastor or he should become a politician. I say "one at a time". Either be a pastor or be a politician.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I totally agree.
Either he continue to be the church pastor or a pastor ("title") who runs for political office. Thanks
I don't think there are Biblical admonitions against a pastor running for office. I suppose part of it would depend on the office. If it's a part-time gig like a city councilman so that the pastor's pastoral duties would not be interfered with, then I think it's a doable proposition. But, unless the pastor wants to give up being a pastor, I think that a larger full-time political position would be out of the question.
I think, like any other businessman, the pastor needs to excuse himself from any conflict of interest in any legislation or discussion that would occur. But this is no different than any other businessman in politics.
As far as politics in general, I don't think that I'd want my pastor to tell me from the pulpit to vote for X or Y for a certain office. But I'd not have a problem in context of being a good Christian and trying to follow God's directives to have a discussion from the pulpit on how certain policies or beliefs line up with scripture.
Thanks Jon
Twitter: bryankr
says:
Some oe the framers of the Constitution spent their “off time” writing books of sermons; some spent the first hours of each session in Congress reading the Bible and making such notes that they needed a new Bible each year! God has an interesting way of putting the right people in the right places when we need them most, Godly people are needed. In every part of this country, even in office. Why not run? Should they run AND Pastor? That I think would be an intirely different kettle; I’m not sure they would be capable. However, only they can take that before God and ask Him; He is the one that called.
Good thoughts Bryan. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Bryan for your thought, it made it clear. I believe as a Christian that we will share and win everyone for Christ. If the school principal is a God fearing leader, then we can see the result in how to school will be run, resulting Christian influence on students so with a company headed by a christian boss, who will start the day with prayer and will not tolerate corruption in his office for he fears God. How wonderful if the leaders of a nation will be a Christian who fears God more than men, who stands in faith in the Word of God, i can only imagine the blessings in that land. God bless!
Good thoughts Mason. Thanks.
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more… (1 Cor 9:18-19)
“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Luke 20:25
Thanks for dialoguing on this post today.
* Would it be wrong for me to run for a political office some day? NO
* Should pastors stay out of politics? NO
* Should pastors be in politics more? YES
* What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?
— while I am not the most eloquent speaker or thought provoking writer .. I did happen to locate some valuable online resources for consideration ..
1. http://www.christianity.com/11543235/
2. http://hubpages.com/hub/Should-A-Christian-Be-Inv…
3. http://libertybc.ws/documents/Christian_Involved_…
* Could politics be a part of a Christian’s “calling”? MOST CERTAINLY
Thanks for sharing Brad.
My pastor serves as a city councilman in our small town. It provides him with a lot of opportunities to reach out to our community that he might not otherwise have. For him, the mixture of pastoral/political seems to fit his personality and gifts perfectly.
But being involved in politics has an impact on how you will be perceived, both in the community at large and by your own congregation. As an elected official, you have to make decisions that will not always be popular, even if they are the right decision to make. You will not please everyone. The question for the pastor is whether it is worth it to risk alienating groups within your potential mission field for a non-theological issue.
Whether a given politician is corrupt or not, politics overall has a "dirty" reputation. Politicians as a whole can be seen as dishonest and opportunistic. It takes a high degree integrity and good character to overcome that stereotype. As a pastor, you'll also have to make decisions that are not always going to be popular. But the pastor/politician has to withstand the extra scrutiny of those who will wonder whethe their pastor is making decisions that are just… or if he is pastoring in a "political" way.
That's interesting Jenni. Thanks for sharing that personal illustration.
I do believe that the clergy should stay out of the business of running for office, and endorsing political parties or candidates. This confuses the kingdom of God with the kingdom of this world, and worsens our idolatrous tendency (on both sides of the aisle) to assume that once "our people" are in charge everything will be set right and the threat of the evil "others" will be ended.
Now I find politics interesting as well, and it is important to be informed. Politics can of course be the calling of a Christian.
But it seems the role of the people of God is to be a prophetic voice against the injustices in our land, and to speak for those who have no voice. From this the clergy should never back away, and when we conflate clergy with politician we often lose this position of critique.