Just my opinion

Yesterday I received two invitations to sign onto groups representing a political candidate. "Clergy for so and so." The invitations indicated that any clergy person signing onto these groups would be doing so as an individual and not on behalf of their church. One email suggested that it was time for clergy to really get out and "lead."

Well. I am going to rant for a moment…..really!

Clergy speaking as individuals and not on behalf of their church? The minute you take up the title of Reverend, Pastor or Clergy, you are speaking on behalf of your church. Think about it, your church gives you these titles! Take the clergy designation away and speak as a person, and maybe that is ok. But I fear that the folks will not want to do this because what gives some weight to their statements is that they are clergy!

We were not called into the ministry to endorse political candidates. We were called into ministry to make disciples for Jesus Christ. When I come out and tell you that I am voting for candidate A or B, I am off mission. If you do not agree with me, you will feel pushed out, and the body becomes fractured. No one wants to speak against his or her pastor…. don't give them a reason to. Go to the voting booth and vote your conscience, but do not use your pulpit or your title, both given to you by the people of your church, to support one candidate or another. Are there not people from both persuasions in your church? Do you think that those who disagree with you are less Christian than you are? That is how they will feel if you start signing onto political campaigns. So much for radical hospitality. I am worried when I see someone start to think that somehow their political views are more Christian than others who disagree with them. The Christian faith is a-political. It rises above politics. Both Democrats and Republicans will one day bow the knee to Jesus Christ, both parties will sit down in heaven, and in that eternal home, the partisan politics will finally stop.

And what about the idea that Clergy coming out for a particular candidate is somehow leadership? Yes, this is leading people....leading them into schism and contentiousness. This is leading people away from their mission of making disciples for Jesus. Clergy are given the mantle of ordination and the titles that they hold so that they can invite people to follow God, not a politician. We should not become embroiled in the painful rhetoric and banter that takes place during election season. The church should always remain a place where everyone is welcome and celebrated, where people from all walks of life can come together and join in the cause of Jesus Christ. We cannot afford to lose our focus. True pastoral leadership is leading people toward an active faith in Jesus. Let us not get sidetracked during election season, there is still so much good that needs to be done. People want to be a part of a church that is positive, constructive and inclusive. They are hungry for a place where they can come to get away from the tension of life and rest in Jesus Christ. They are looking for peace and purpose as found in Jesus. Let us offer such a place to them.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.