Should Pastors Ever Address Political Issues from the Pulpit?
A recent IRS ruling states that churches and other houses of worship can now endorse political candidates to the members of their congregations. While some have praised this ruling, including President Trump, others have criticized it. One fear is that political groups and wealthy donors may use churches as a guise to funnel campaign funds through the organization while receiving generous tax deductions.
I don’t know if that will happen, but this ruling brings into focus a broader question. Should pastors ever address political issues from the pulpit? I know you may already have a firm opinion on this one. That is okay. However, I believe there is one right answer to this question. Hopefully by the time I’m done, you will understand why.
The History of Church and Politics
Before I jump in, it would be foolish not to recognize the relationship that politics and the church have shared. Perhaps one of the biggest mixtures of church and politics we have seen in our country happened during the Civil Rights Movement. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used his pulpit to encourage people to fight for desegregation and equal rights. And he was not alone; he also surrounded himself with pastors like Ralph David Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, and others.
The irony is that, simultaneously, there were pastors who were against the Civil Rights Movement and believed in segregation. Men like Bob Jones Sr. and Jerry Falwell Sr. criticized the movement, using their pulpits to promote their agenda. As much as we may not want to think about it, this is one of many examples throughout history where the church and politics have been strange bedfellows.
Should Pastors Ever Address Political Issues from the Pulpit?
Alright, let’s get back to this question. The only correct answer to this question is, it depends. I know that might not initially be satisfying for many of you, but hopefully by the time I’m done, you will understand why it’s right. To understand further, there are three enormous problems pastors face when they try to address political issues from the pulpit.
1. The Problem of Partisanship
Should a pastor decide to address a political issue, the question is what lens are they viewing it from? Your immediate answer might be to say they are viewing it through a biblical lens. However, as we have just seen, interpretations of the Bible can discolor that lens. Remember, leaders in the past have used Scripture to justify slavery and segregation.
From my observations, pastors have approached political issues too often with a partisan perspective first, and then they use Scripture to validate their position. If they were doing this correctly, they would allow Scripture to define their position and hold firm to it even when it goes against the party line. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. For a pastor to address this properly, they must remove their partisanship, which is much easier to say than do.
2. The Problem of Limited Scope
Too often, people addressing an issue don’t consider its full scope. They may speak to the “what” of the issue but miss the “why” of the issue. The “what” looks at the surface, the “why” digs deeper to address the root of the problem.
Politicians rarely do this and I don’t know if pastors do it either. Let me give you an example. Take abortion. This issues has a limited scope in two ways. I have heard many people quote Proverbs 6:17 which says that God hates hands that shed innocent blood. You know what? They are right to say that because it’s true. However, the scope is limited because that same passage also says God hates pride, liars, people who devise wicked schemes, people who are quick to do evil, false witnesses who pour out lies, and a person who creates conflict in a community. You might know a few elected officials who fall into these categories. Yet most Christians remain silent, unless it is someone from a party they don’t support. Then the voices come alive. However, that is just part of the problem with scope.
The second aspect of it is we never address the “why” of the issue. Consider abortion again. Has anyone ever stopped to ask why a woman would conclude abortion is the best and right option for her? If we took time to understand that issue, then maybe we can give women better and more supportive alternatives. I would add that unless pastors are willing to think in this fashion, and go beyond the surface, then they are better off not addressing political issues from the pulpit.
3. Failing to Read the Room
The third reason is a mistake that is common among many Christians today. We assume everyone shares the same viewpoint on every political issue, or at least we believe they should. This mindset prevents us from having open and challenging conversations about the issues of our day.
Right now, in your church, there are people who have different political viewpoints. However, they sit in silence because they fear if they voice their opinion, there will either be retaliation or ostracization (let me remind you, I am talking about Christians here, not the world). So, if a pastor walks into a pulpit without this recognition, then they risk alienating their congregation.
A good friend of mine went to a church where one Sunday the pastor made this mistake and made a political statement from the pulpit he thought everyone would be on board with. Sadly, he was wrong, and he offended my friend and others in the congregation.
How Should a Pastor Address Political Issues from the Pulpit?
I told you the answer to this depends, so if a pastor is going to do this there is only one way to do it. A pastor must always approach political issues with grace, truth, and love.
With Grace
Grace acknowledges that everyone may not feel the same way about an issue. Yes, even that issue that you are so dogmatic about. However, instead of bringing a hammer and making statements like, “How could you be a Christian and believe like that?” Grace recognizes the humanity of the person first, seeks to understand their position, and then when required, brings correction. In reality, this is a fine line to traverse and many struggle with it.
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).
With Truth
The truth is where we bring God’s word into the equation. One big problem the church has faced recently is that we have behaved like fans when we are called to be referees. Referees are impartial and call things straight down the line. Fans don’t. Referees align the play of the game with the rules and call fouls when it is appropriate. Fans don’t.
Fans see the game through the eyes of the team they are cheering for and they cry foul when the other side gets away with something. However, they cheer when their side gets away with the same thing. While that might be okay for an athletic contest, that standard is non-negotiable for people who profess Christ. We must always stand on the side of truth, even if that means going against a political ally.
“’These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,’ declares the Lord” (Zechariah 8:16).
With Love
If you are going to address a political issue from the pulpit, what is your endgame? Is it just to declare that you are right, or to correct and try to win someone who may have gone off target? Listen to the words of Galatians.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
I am not saying someone who has a differing political point of view is in sin. Though it could be possible depending on the issue. However, what you should pay attention to is the way you address the situation: gently, with the goal of restoration. You are trying to win the relationship first before you attempt to win the argument. Reversing that order drives division in the church.
What’s Your Take?
I hope you can see that addressing political issues from the pulpit is not as simple as you may think. However, if you are going to do it, then you must go all in on the truth with the Bible as your guidebook, leaving your partisan hat at the door. If you can’t do that, then it is better not to address political issues from the pulpit.
Just know that even if you address the issue in the right way, you may still offend someone. As long as that is not your intention, then that is okay. After all, we are called to be referees and we must call the game impartially, even when the fans don’t agree. Addressing political issues from the pulpit in this fashion is challenging and that’s why the only correct answer to this question is it depends.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Juan Pablo Rodriguez
Originally published July 18, 2025.
