From Pulpit To Pundit: When Pastors Enter The Political Fray

Pastor Robert Jeffress has been a lightning rod since becoming pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. He has consistently weighed in on the issues of the day, often promoting Biblically correct, yet politically incorrect positions. The first time I saw Dr. Jeffress on television, he was giving a statement from the pulpit of First Baptist Church in Dallas, addressing negative press he had received from the Dallas Morning News. He was not explaining his comment, nor was he apologizing. He was doubling down, and giving new information to back up his position, concluding his remarks that his position was the result of research, and that he was not "ignorant on this topic."

Initially, I was skeptical of his ministry, but after hearing one of his sermons via KCBI in Dallas, I began to appreciate his ministry a little more. (Ironically, his sermon was on the role of being a culture warrior AND a representative of Christ.)

Typically, when a pastor enters the fray of political discourse, he angers many, and people leave the church. Meanwhile, at First Baptist Church of Dallas, the congregation grows and efforts to build a new campus are currently underway.

While I can't say I endorse everything Dr. Jeffress has said (I haven't researched his positions on every topic on which he has weighed in,) I do appreciate his boldness in speaking out. In the above-posted video, Dr. Jeffress highlights the differences between Christianity and Islam.

Faith is not just something we feel on Sundays. Our faith is what shapes our lives, and drives our decisions. Which means our faith involves every single aspect of our lives, from how we behave at work, to how we vote, to whether or not we truly represent Christ. Indeed, our faith affects how we interpret the news and issues of the day. For that reason, pastors such as Dr. Jeffress weigh in, providing Biblical perspective to the events of our day.

Perhaps I should say that more strongly. Pastors such as Dr. Jeffress tell us what God says about the events of our day.

The goal here is not to deliver votes to the Republican Party, neither is it to force views onto others. It is an attempt to give Spiritual guidance to those who follow Christ, and to influence others into seeing the Christian point of view. Ultimately, we (Christians) all want a nation that pleases God, a nation that He blesses.

For that reason, it is incumbent upon pastors to give Biblical insight into the issues of the day, and a Godly perspective into the news of the day. All too often, pastors avoid this in order to avoid controversy which could impact the church. There are a few, however, that are willing to take on the controversy if it means that the truth gets spoken. And that's why pastors like Dr. Jeffress should be congratulated, even if we don't always agree with them. Pastors like Dr. Jefffress actually have core beliefs and convictions, and act out on them, and that is something that we call can appreciate.

But those are just my thoughts... what are yours? Should pastors use their platform to weigh in on the issues of the day?

We Can All Get Along

Few things can disrupt fellowship between believers faster than disputes over religious practices. One believer doesn't feel comfortable drinking a bottled water in the sanctuary, the other one does. One believer wears a suit and tie to church, the other one doesn't. One believer will only consume Christian media, the other listens to secular music and watches regular TV. One believer votes Republican, the other votes Democratic. These are just a few small, trivial examples of practices that can divide brothers and sisters in Christ.

The one who drinks the bottled water in the sanctuary feels that the one who isn't comfortable doing so is being Pharisaical. The one who wears the suit and tie in church disdains the casual appearance of the other. The one who only consumes Christian media thinks the one who listens to secular music is rotting their brain. The Republican denounces the Democrat for voting for abortion, the Democrat denounces the Republican for voting for greed.

Is it possible that both parties could be right? Perhaps the one drinking the bottled water in the sanctuary knows that the sanctuary is not the Holy of Holies from the Temple, and sees the church building as just a place where the church meets. Conversely, the non-water drinker is abstaining from drinking bottled water in the sanctuary out of respect for God. The suit and tie wearer feels he is being respectful by dressing up for church, yet the casual dresser feels that God accepts him and sees beyond the Polo shirt.

The Bible addresses these divisions in Romans 14:5-9: 

5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

In the early church, some regarded certain holidays, others didn't. Some observed food restrictions, others didn't. However, Paul wrote that all were doing what they were doing for the Lord, and thus they should be left alone to do as they felt the Lord wanted them to do. 

The problem arises, however, when Christians feel the need to get their brothers and sisters in Christ to act just like they do. Paul addressed that attitude in Romans 14:4: 

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 

God is our master, and He is the one who will judge us. Our decisions on the finer points of practice (dress code, water bottles, music choice, etc,) will be addressed by God. If a believer's standards are not up to par, God has a way of getting them up to par (He shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.)

So, conduct yourself the way you believe God wants you to, whether it be by dress, entertainment, food choices, or voting habits. Let everyone else follow God as they feel He is directing them. If Christians will do this, we'll have peace and harmony in the church.

The Great Dividers

He has all the answers, knows just what the church needs to do in order to grow and is certain that the church will follow his lead. They better. They need him. Without him, that church can not thrive.

A new worship program, a new youth program, a church building renovation project to modernize the worship center and a half-dozen new paid staff positions... the plan can not fail.

He can already see the praise band, the people singing, hands lifted up to the Lord. He can already see himself leading a staff meeting, preaching from the new pulpit, utilizing state of the art multi-media displays to accentuate his Sunday morning message.

Oh, but wait! What's this? The church voted down his plan for church revitalization? WHY? What gives? Who do these people think they are? Why they must be a bunch of Pharisees stuck in their traditions... more in love with their traditions than they are with reaching people.

Furiously, he rips into them, decrying their dead works of tradition and telling them that they'll never grow until they get with it. Furiously, he storms out the door. Will he be back? Will they be back? Has God been honored in this situation? Did the preacher even consult the Lord? Did the Lord answer? If so, why did the Lord direct him to cause disorder in the church?

We have a problem in the Lord's churches today. Church growth has become a competitive sport, with some pastors ranking themselves and others based on who is able to lead their church to change and grow. It is a race of who can be the most innovative, who can use the latest techniques, vocabulary, who has the best technology, who has the latest Bible translation, and in some cases, who's worship band has signed a contract with the biggest label.

Indeed, churches have become like NFL franchises, and the pastor is the head coach. Churches have become multi-million dollar corporations, and the pastor is the CEO.

Just two small problems. (1) Many times, these carnal pastors, full of the pride of life, throw well seasoned Christians, men and women who have served the Lord faithfully their entire lives, under the bus, calling them hypocrites, pharisees, and challenging their faith. This is done in the name of "change," "progress," and "reaching the unreached." The other problem, (2) GOD NEVER CALLED ANY MAN TO REMAKE THE CHURCH AFTER HIS OWN IMAGE!

These type of pastors have as much love for seasoned Christians and long-term church members as Rush Limbaugh has for Nancy Pelosi. They see these aging deacons, ladies auxiliary officers and Sunday school teachers as obstacles to overcome in order to obtain church growth. There is a certain amount of animosity from progressives toward these Christians. The fact that animosity is in place is evidence of a spiritual problem on the part of the progressive pastor, not the church member. While this type of pastor may feel that the church member is more in love with the traditions than the Lord, the fact is this type of pastor is more in love with his new ideas than he is the church member.

1 John 2:9 says "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." Don't sit there and criticize, run down, and complain about your church members, your brothers and sisters in Christ, then try to tell me how spiritual you are. You are not, and your attitude and the Bible bear witness to that fact.

Secondly, if you truly want to have a successful ministry, one that God will reward, you need to remember what your role is. Ephesians 4:12 says your work is the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ (the local church). If you want to see true church growth, perfect your saints. That means to equip them for the work of the ministry, which is making disciples (evangelism and teaching).

Furthermore, 2 Timothy 4:5 says "Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Did God truly call you to preach the Gospel? Then why are you not soul-winning? Do you really want to reach the unreached? Why aren't you knocking on their doors.

The work of a pastor is to train the church to do the Great Commission (which is soul-winning, baptizing and teaching, not total change and cosmetic appeal), and to do the Great Commission himself, not to remake the church after his own image.

Why do I bring all this up? Why did I go on this rant? Why?

Because I, for one, and tired of hearing news about a church split where a pastor thought he had to effect a bunch of change to reach new people. I'm tired of hearing how that church was divided and torn apart because the pastor insisted on ramming his agenda through business meeting. I'm tired of hearing about believers being wounded by pastors who degrade them for not "getting with it." I'm tired of it!

I am not anti-Contemporary worship. However, Contemporary worship never won a single soul to the Lord (neither did traditional.) The preaching of the Gospel and the work of evangelists have won multitudes of souls for the Lord. A new worship center can not win souls, but a spirit-filled preacher can. A cool, hip approach to church can not welcome a visitor like a church where there is a sweet spirit.

Brethren, it is time to quit wasting time and churches on this nonsense and get back to basics. Evangelism and teaching. May God bless you where you minister.

Making disciples vs. defending the faith

Johnny has just accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Excited about his newfound faith following the revival, he runs out to Lifeway, finds a Bible that he likes, begins listening to Christian radio and decides that he likes the music, as well as the commentary by Dr. James Dobson, Tony Evans and Charles Stanley. He also discovers Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers. Did I mention that Bible he bought is an NIV?

In the disciple-making process, what is your next step? Do you frantically proclaim to him that the NIV, contemporary Christian radio, Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers are of the devil? Does NIV mean "Non-Inspired Verson?" Or do you teach and preach from the KJV, highlight what Landmarkism and what true New Testament churches are, and give him time to grow.

There are those who feel that if they haven't offended anyone or upset anybody, they haven't preached. It is true that when you preach the Gospel according to the scriptures, some will be offended that their lifestyle (of adultery, anger, theft, blasphemy and covetousness) is called sin and try to justify their actions. Others will feel convicted by the Gospel message and come to Christ. Still, others will miss the point all together.

If your goal in preaching is to root out that last bit of something in a person's life that you don't agree with, then preach against it so they'll be offended, you've missed the point. Our job as ministers is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. (Actually the church is supposed to make disciples, but much of that comes from the preaching and efforts of the pastor these days).

Some feel like they must "defend the faith" against this poor new believer who showed up with an NIV Bible. Keep in mind that "defending the faith" in the scriptures took place against people who actively perverted the Gospel of God's grace... not those who didn't know any better.

So, let's get back on track. Let our preaching and teaching be targeted toward making disciples and perfecting the saints for the ministry of the Gospel, and not targeted toward stirring controversy and strife. Remember, this great work that God has entrusted us with is not about us, but it's about Glorifying Him.