A Pew Research Center article from November 15, 2019 reveals that 2/3 of those surveyed want churches to stay out of politics, while 1/3 want churches to express their view on day-to-day social and political questions. (Pew Research Center Article: Americans Have Positive Views about Religion's Role in Society but Want it Out of Politics)
I have seen or heard of churches (this is beyond just a preacher, but also charities supported, issues addressed, topics promoted or resisted in a church) doing following:
- actively endorse a candidate even handing out mock voting documents to guide people in how to vote for the endorsed candidate
- critique members of their congregation for voting opposite to the expressed view of the preacher
- remain silent on all things political (apolitical)
- actively endorse, or passively support, a specific political worldview
- lose and gain members for being silent or speaking out on political issues
Churches, through their culture, issues they focus on or avoid, posters, displays or promotions in their lobby, newsletter or social media profile, address politics all the time. Even those churches that choose to be apolitical are involved in politics, even unintentionally. I served as a volunteer in a church that chose to be apolitical during the Apartheid years in South Africa. It suffered a terrorist attack for being silent where 11 people were killed and dozens injured. The church was seen as a "soft-white" target, and supportive of Apartheid for failing to speak out about it.
In the midst of this challenge is also the call of the church to be prophetic in the culture it exists. Does this mean in politics too?
This makes me wonder what you think. Should a church engage in addressing political concepts and events? Should a church speak about this or not?
What do you think?
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