Pulpit Freedom Sunday was Kind of Dumb

Last updated on: October 9, 2012 at 7:50 am by Brad Williams

Pulpit Freedom Sunday was Kind of Dumb 2012-10-09T07:50:25-06:00 Brad Williams

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Did you know that last Sunday was “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”?

I heard stirrings a couple of weeks ago about a protest from evangelical leaders over the “Johnson Amendment”. Today, I read this little article by David Sessions in “The Daily Beast” that I pretty much completely agreed with. In short, the Johnson Amendment is what keeps non-profit organizations from officially endorsing candidates without endangering their tax-free status. It’s been on the books since 1954, and I would be surprised if the IRS has used the law to prosecute more than a dozen churches.

Honestly, this amendment isn’t anywhere on my radar. I have been a pastor for almost ten years, and I have never once felt compelled to endorse anyone from the pulpit. It isn’t my job. I know about the gospel. I know about justification. I know about sanctification. I know about Greek and Hebrew. I know about pastoral care and counseling. It’s a pretty broad profession, really. I even know a little bit about politics, because if you don’t, you haven’t been a pastor for very long. Every organization has to have some sort of structure and a way to place leaders. So as far as the church is concerned, I know about church affairs.

Politics, however, are difficult. They require an expertise that most pastors do not have and likely do not have the time to acquire those skills. It’s no shame to be out of your field. I admit that I am and I am contented at that. This doesn’t mean that I do not practice my due diligence as a citizen to cast an informed vote, it means that I confess that I about as informed as the average citizen who tries to study up on the issues.

But here’s the real point of the matter. Only adults are allowed to vote, and I treat them like adults. I don’t tell them to watch their fatty foods like I am a doctor, though I will tell them gluttony is a sin. I do not tell them how many hours a week to put in at the office, but I do tell them to love and care for their families as the greater priority. My friends, my brothers and sisters, they have to work out all kinds of complicated things on their own from the general principles of Scripture. They don’t need me to hold their hand in the voting booth by endorsing a candidate.

Of the Moment

Previous Post

October 9, 2012

The Kiddy Pool: We Are... God's Handiwork(ers)

Next Post

October 9, 2012 The Feedback Loop: Derek Webb's Struggle For "Ctrl"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz