The Church and Politics

Permit me to think aloud (or at least silently while typing my thoughts for all to see) today. This morning I read of a Pastor in North Carolina who is leaving his congregation due to a bitter political battle in the church. Chan Chandler resigned as pastor of East Waynesville Baptist Church after his congregation was "split" over his recent comments from the pulpit. Allegedly, Chandler challenged his congregants from the pulpit stating, "If you plan to vote Democrat you should either repent or resign your membership." Bold, eh? Though many of those who were put off by these remarks stated that they agreed with the pastor's position on abortion and other so-called "hot-button religious topics," they draw the line at the application of these beliefs and principles to any candidate. Here are some quotes from the above-mentioned article:

"If we wanted politics, we would stay home and watch it 24 hours a day on TV," said Charles Gaddy, 70. "I like Chan. He can preach a good sermon. I just wish he would keep some things out of the church." Frank Lowe, 73, a leader of the members who left the church in opposition to Chandler's leadership, said, "I think his duty was to preach God's word and let the people sort out what they want to do." Chandler supporter Rhonda Trantham, 27, saw no problem with Chandler's approach. "If it's in the Bible, I believe it should be preached," she said.

As I read these quotes, I have to think that both sides of this schism are showing naivety...though they approach their naivety from different points of view. The division here seems to be extant at many different levels. There's the age/generation division, The political Republican/Democrat division, the New Believer/Old Believer division, The Activist/Pacifist division (I think you get my point). I believe these divisions, more than likely, exist in every church to some degree. On one hand, as is the case here, there are those who hold to the philisophical and Biblical truths, but yet are, for some reason, afraid to allow these truths to guide them in their every day lives, specifically, in this instance, in applying them to how they would vote. In the minds of these people, anyone would be wrong to stand up and tell someone how to vote, or to point out where candidates stand on the so-called "religious hot-button issues." In other words, they might say, "It's okay for you to believe that way, just don't force your belief on me." On the other hand, we see the young, new believers making statements such as Rhonda Trantham above, "If it's in the Bible, I believe it should be preached." One might wonder where in the Bible it tells you to vote either Democrat or Republican (would that life was so easy). It is likely that these new believers that make statements such as this are idealistic activists that only wink at the potential consequences (See the IRS) of making statements like this from the pulpit. In 1954 the IRS laws to which we are bound today were put into place. At this point, I must point out the obvious double-standard that exists pertaining to churches and politics. Many churches have the actual candidates come and speak at their church. More than a mere endorsement from the pulpit and the pastor, the actual candidate comes and gets to speak and campaign. Is this courtesy extended to all politicians? Possibly, but it seems to be more prevalent that the Democratic candidates make the rounds in churches with little or no challenge from the likes of the ACLU or anyone else and little or no "fallout" for the church. One wonders what would happen if my own church were to have had George W. Bush speak and campaign from our pulpit.....my question, where are all the usual suspects? Where are all the "Separation of Church and State-ers" when it comes to Democrats and the Church? This double-standard has always been quite perplexing to me. While I believe the aforementioned problems in the church can be attributed to many things, I will concentrate on two areas in my forthcoming thoughts. First, I cannot help but lament the fact that so many Christians today separate their beliefs from their practices. While this is somewhat of a natural outcome from societal pressures of our era, (see Restoration) it is bothersome that there can be so many undiscerning believers. If I were to form a creed concerning this type of believer, it would go something like this: "A Faith worth having is a Faith worth living out; A Faith worth believing is a Faith worth practicing." I've been around people like this in every church of which I've ever been a part. They attend services with acute asceticism and consider themselves pillars and protectors of the church, and yet suffer from cognitive dissonance when it comes to "the rubber meeting the road," so to speak. "A Faith worth having is a Faith worth living out; A Faith worth believing is a Faith worth practicing." Second, lest the laity think I'm just picking on them, I must decry the lack of discernment on the part of some of our church leaders. While in spirit I agree with this dear brother; Our scruples, principles, faith, or beliefs should certainly dictate and be lived out in our actions and, consequently, in our vote, there still needs to be an air of patience and tact on the part of church leaders. I'm not certain that this was the case at Waynesville, but why is there always a rush to put the newest church members in the frontline of the fight? Yes, perhaps there has been some excitement in your congregation...you have a young new pastor who has a flamboyant personality....people are naturally attracted to him and now to your church. There has been a wonderful infusion of youth into your church. "Now, finally, we can begin to plan for the future!" some would say. The problem I see that is so widespread, is that some pastors in this circumstance will now create a division that they themselves would never want to have! They feel they have enough "support" from this new infusion of youth to institute "changes" in the church. There is an immediate dissension in the fellowship once this stance is taken. Could this be what the Bible refers to when speaking of sowing discord among the brethren? Yes, part of our duty and calling as preachers of the Gospel is to equip believers both young and old. But can we not allow the Lord to build the church? Why must we put new believers or new members immediately into a war or, for that matter, immediately into leadership positions? What kind of impact will such division have not only on the local congregation, but the community? In this case, it made the USA Today! Is God's kingdom furthered by such nonsense? Is God honored and glorified by ridiculous infighting over something that wasn't in the Bible to begin with? Is God honored when we put His local congregation in jeopardy with the law? Shame on us! "A Faith worth having is a Faith worth living out; A Faith worth believing is a Faith worth practicing."