Last Sunday morning, my father and I attended church virtually. The pastor delivered a powerful message that pointed to Christ. After that, another church service started. That pastor presented a powerful message, too, but powerful in a different way. I listened for a while, but I could hardly believe what I heard coming from the pulpit. It sounded more like a political rally than a church service.
I think we should carefully consider whether or not we, as the local church, will take a political stand. The United States is very divided right now along political lines.
The political preacher I referenced above really got under my skin because his beliefs were the opposite of mine. I know of another case where a Sunday School teacher took a political stance, but not everyone in this adult class was in agreement. This caused conflict between class members.
The temperature of political talk in the U.S. right now is hot! Seriously, you can easily get into an argument, even with people in your own party! Emotions are high and people are opinionated and outspoken.
So the question arises: Is the local church the place for political discussion and persuasion?
The U.S. is pretty much divided 50/50 politically. The way I figure it, a politically opinionated church will turn off all visitors of the opposite side. Do we really want to do that? Is our purpose political persuasion or sharing Christ? Does political persuasion turn people of differing opinions away? You bet it does!
I would further suggest that preaching politics only encourages people who agree, and does nothing to change anyone’s mind.
I believe the local church should be open for all people of all political persuasion. The church should lead people to Christ, disciple them, and teach the Word of God. What people believe about politics is their business.
The point is this: If a church takes a political position, then it has shut the door to about half of the people who might potentially attend and be led to accept Christ and follow Him. To do so would slam the door in the face of many lost souls.
We must ask ourselves: What is the purpose of the local church? We must answer that question and seek to fulfill it.
Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus preach politics, nor does He command His disciples to do so. He is our example. His purpose was to save the lost, not to change the government. The Roman government of Jesus’ day was brutal and cruel, yet Jesus did not set out to change it. He was changing hearts.
We are commanded to love: Love our neighbor, love the Body of Christ, and even love our enemies. Our assignment is clear.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 NIV
The only hope for our nation is Jesus Christ. And not Jesus Christ dictated from Congress or the White House, but Jesus alive in us and our neighbors. And the only way for that to happen is for you and me to focus on making disciples by loving and reaching to people of all walks of life and background, regardless of their lifestyle, choices or political opinions. And, in order to do that, we have to tone down our politics and turn up our Jesus.”
daryl fulp, Missionary
Let us strive to obey the commands that Jesus has given us, and put our trust in Him alone.
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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Sorry, forgot to finish .
No politics should never be in the Church .
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Thanks for stopping by. God bless you C!
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Those that have commenting here I hope believe in one God and one bible. I am not a pastor but I do believe in God and I have read plenty of scriptures on government. I believe that the holy spirit has put it on pastors hearts to relay parts of the scripture to politics today. Politics play a great part in the church today. No they should not pick sides even though everyone has the opportunity to vote in our country. It is a privilege to vote. There is great division happening today caused by many evil things. Pastors should be preaching on the hate and division within the church. They should be preaching on respecting our government as well as lining up who we are electing in with the bible. Yes I defiantly believe the holy spirit is touching church leaders hearts to preach about social media and hate in our world today. They should not allow members to bring their hateful tongues inside God’s house for either party! We are letting social media and news sway us away from what God is trying to do in us. Yes and yes pastors should be preaching about the evil coming from today’s politics but no no they should not reveal their party of choice! Do not have a blind eye to the laws that go against the word just because you may have ill feelings towards a government member does not mean they are evil themselves. Match up the word to the laws set by our administrations. I know that it is a scary site when I have seen churches shut down in states yet bars and strip clubs open. We as Christians should know by now taking God out of things is a terrible sign! I know that allowing abortion up to birth is not biblical. Yes pastors should be preaching big time today including politics!!!!!!!
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Thank you for sharing your viewpoint. I agree with you that we must follow the Word of God. And pastors need to really seek God about what to preach in their church. They need to be led by the Holy Spirit. Clearly, abortion is not Biblical. And the law allowing abortion up to birth is both heartbreaking and shocking. Blessings Friend!
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Thank you! Blessings sent your way sister of faith!
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I continue to pray for all of our leaders. I pray for a change of heart in those that make laws that do not follow the word of God. Yes you pray for your enemies as well as your neighbors!
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Yes! Sometimes we forget that, don’t we? But you are absolutely right. We must pray for all our leaders even when we don’t like what they stand for. Blessings Virtuious!
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You make an excellent point, Cindy. Jesus’ primary mission was to transform hearts as you stated, “The Roman government of Jesus’ day was brutal and cruel, yet Jesus did not set out to change it [the government]. He was changing hearts.”
As a believer, I would shy away from a message that is a “political rally,” but Jesus was frequently blunt and harsh with his remarks to those who considered themselves righteous in deeds but whose hearts were far from aligning with Him. For example, in Matthew 23 Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites, six times, as he speaks to the crowds. In addition to calling them, “whitewashed tombs” and “snakes and a brood of vipers!” Jesus had many words that if spoken today would be labeled as hate speech because He was aiming at the heart where their problem of sin was rooted.
If the second sermon, you referenced, was harsh on sin within the church one could argue the preacher was following Jesus life model. But if it was finger-pointing divisiveness oft-seen at political rallies, I agree a sermon for the family of God is not the place.
I’m making no assumptions one way or another as I don’t know what was preached. Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking post. I pray you have a blessed day.
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Thanks Manette. It’s good to meet you! The second sermon I referenced definitely took a political side. I won’t say which one. It was what one might call “preaching to the choir”. Blessings Friend!
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I think Mark 12:17 makes it pretty clear that the church is no place for politics. There is a clear distinction even in the Bible that government and the church should be separate. Let the politicians preach their own message.
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Thank you for commenting. Blessings!
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Thank you!
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From someone who isn’t religious, I personally believe that churches or any other places of religion should “preach” politics, as there’s bound to be many people with different political views. But I think they could allow for reasonable discussions, and maybe about how it relates to their beliefs, but I am aware that politics can rather quickly escalate into an argument.
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Hi Victoria! Thanks for commenting. That’s the problem, isn”t it? Discussions quickly escalate into an argument! Blessings Victoria!
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Why not?
Partisanship is a religion anyway.
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When I say “the church” I am referring to followers of Jesus Christ and no one else. I am not referring to religion in general. So my question is, “Should Christian churches get involved in politics?” Thanks for reading. Blessings!
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