For the past several months my heart has been heavy as I have observed the political landscape of America. I am deeply concerned that there are politicians who are hijacking the Bible to promote their own political ambitions. I have given much thought and prayer about sharing my concerns through this blog. Recently, I came across a blog written by Dr. Barry Howard, Pastor of First Baptist Church Pensacola, Florida that expresses the thoughts that have dwelled in my mind and heart for sometime.
Dr. Howard points out that we are all aware that the United States Presidential election is on the minds of millions of Americans. He goes on to add that through the years he has developed a strategy to deal with this matter of political issues and the pulpit. He observes that his strategy is based on four objectives. I affirm these objectives:
1. WE MUST MAINTAIN A NON PARTISAN PULPIT.
2. WE MUST PROTECT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
3. WE MUST RESPECT THE DIVERSE POLITICAL CONVICTIONS WITHIN THE CONGREGATION.
4 . WE MUST BE QUICK TO HIGHLIGHT THE BIBLICAL TEXTS CONCERNING RESPECT
FOR OUR GOVERNMENT AND FOR OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS.
As a Pastor, I have never, nor will I ever, endorse a political candidate from the Pulpit. I have also been very careful not to allow political candidates to use the pulpit for political means. The Pulpit is the place from which the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes place. It must be protected from political ambitions at all costs. In the words of Dr. Howard, "When the church and state become intertwined the church always loses." The facts of history prove that statement to be true.
There are some very practical steps that I join Dr. Howard in promoting:
1. First of all, I encourage church members to vote. This is one of the great freedoms we have
in America. For me, this is a private matter. I study each candidate and seek the wisdom of
God in the decision I make.
2. Let us pray for all of our government officials already serving and those running for office and
their families. Let us pray for their health and their protection.
3. Let us give serious prayer that sanity will return to the political landscape and that hatred,
bitterness, and division will be replaced by respect for others. God help us learn how to
disagree without being so disagreeable.
4. Let us remember that the Bible clearly teaches us "to render unto Caesar the things that are
Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
As the calendar moves toward November and the Presidential election, let us spend each day praying for those running for the highest office of the land, and for the blessing God has given each of us to live in the greatest country on earth.
Dr. Howard points out that we are all aware that the United States Presidential election is on the minds of millions of Americans. He goes on to add that through the years he has developed a strategy to deal with this matter of political issues and the pulpit. He observes that his strategy is based on four objectives. I affirm these objectives:
1. WE MUST MAINTAIN A NON PARTISAN PULPIT.
2. WE MUST PROTECT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
3. WE MUST RESPECT THE DIVERSE POLITICAL CONVICTIONS WITHIN THE CONGREGATION.
4 . WE MUST BE QUICK TO HIGHLIGHT THE BIBLICAL TEXTS CONCERNING RESPECT
FOR OUR GOVERNMENT AND FOR OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS.
As a Pastor, I have never, nor will I ever, endorse a political candidate from the Pulpit. I have also been very careful not to allow political candidates to use the pulpit for political means. The Pulpit is the place from which the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes place. It must be protected from political ambitions at all costs. In the words of Dr. Howard, "When the church and state become intertwined the church always loses." The facts of history prove that statement to be true.
There are some very practical steps that I join Dr. Howard in promoting:
1. First of all, I encourage church members to vote. This is one of the great freedoms we have
in America. For me, this is a private matter. I study each candidate and seek the wisdom of
God in the decision I make.
2. Let us pray for all of our government officials already serving and those running for office and
their families. Let us pray for their health and their protection.
3. Let us give serious prayer that sanity will return to the political landscape and that hatred,
bitterness, and division will be replaced by respect for others. God help us learn how to
disagree without being so disagreeable.
4. Let us remember that the Bible clearly teaches us "to render unto Caesar the things that are
Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
As the calendar moves toward November and the Presidential election, let us spend each day praying for those running for the highest office of the land, and for the blessing God has given each of us to live in the greatest country on earth.
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