Yesterday, all across the US, churches were filled with dozens, hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of the faithful to pray, worship, and hear the Word of God proclaimed from the pulpit. Like the Sundays after the JFK assassination, 9/11, and many throughout 2020, the congregants were of “one mind” in that they were mostly all thinking about the dramatic events surrounding the attempted assassination of President Trump.
Among these churches were progressive, “LGBT-affirming” mainline churches. Their buildings are old and beautiful, but their primary function is acting as a social club for Democrats and other left-wing activists. Within these churches, the events may have been addressed, but there was likely a heaviness in the air – a somewhat depressed tone as congregants went about their sacraments, saddened that the assassin’s bullet missed its 6’ 3’’ target.
In many other churches, especially in the Bible Belt, special times of prayer were held, statements read in support of Trump and those killed/injured, sermons slightly tweaked, and the evil of the assassin and the forces behind him, soundly condemned. Congregants were reminded of the spiritual war going on around them, and how it plays out in the turmoil we see around us.
However, many churches didn’t fall into either of these categories. Rather, pastors and church leaders chose to refrain from addressing the events altogether.
Reasons for Silence
There are many possible reasons a church might have chosen to avoid such a divisive, ugly topic on a summer, Sunday morning. For some, avoidance was undoubtedly tied directly to the politically mixed-up nature of their congregations. “Seeker-friendly” churches would tend in this direction. The most calculated response to keep offense to the smallest number of congregants affects the church coffers the least. For some, there may have been a brief mention to cut tension or a generalized call to peace and civility and “condemnation of all violence,” but nothing substantive.
For other churches, the decision, whether intentional or not, came from a place of principle. After all, the church is not meant to be political, is it? It is a transcendent institution accomplishing God’s work on earth and should not be diverted by any worldly influences or distractions. If the commitment to expository preaching is firm enough, then the next passage must take the attention during the Sunday service, come what may.
Regardless of the reason, the following exhortation is for those who believe their church is served best by avoiding events, subjects, and topics that could be called “political.”
Pastor, politics can no longer be avoided.
“It’s a church, not a political rally!”
Of course, God’s church is not a mere stage for politicians to court voters, nor should it be. Jesus’ driving of the money changers is precedent enough to restrict such activity. Nor should the church be seen merely as a driving force for political movements, as that isn’t its mandate. But this doesn’t remotely mean that the church is a “politics-free zone,” as this is completely impossible.
At times, the church has been able to “rise above the fray” and take on an almost advisory role to the tumult going on around it, but this is not the norm throughout church history. It’s a fairly specific set of circumstances that have led to the ability to “not be political” in the United States over the last century, thanks chiefly to a societal framework that valued Christian morals and duties.
In 2024, the existence of any true, biblical, Christian body of believers is a political act in and of itself. Just the public expression of support for the lives of unborn babies, marriage, and law and order is enough to be drawn into the crosshairs of the State. Many pastors are adamant that they will “not be found guilty of anything but preaching the gospel,” but it’s not gospel preaching that will (necessarily) be the offense that lands them in federal prison.
Appearance of Cowardice
While the reasons for avoiding political topics and immediate distractions (like the Trump assassination attempt) may be noble, nobility may not be the impression elicited by many congregants. Rather, as we saw so often in 2020, avoiding major, earth-shattering subjects can make a pastor appear cowardly – as if he isn’t sure how to respond to something, and so doesn’t at all.
On a larger scale, we saw this play out in July 2020 when John MacArthur announced the opening of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. Rather than flee, local believers flocked to a church where the pastor had political conviction, communicated it, and then acted on it.
Courage begets courage, weakness begets weakness, but trying to avoid both begets confusion, malaise, and the appearance of incapability.
Shepherding
Recent years have brought no greater test to church shepherds than the Covid era. During this period many pastors found themselves in incredibly divisive situations on multiple fronts within their churches. Some pastors ran full throttle toward embracing extended lockdowns, masks, vaccines, and BLM activism. Others stood squarely against each shade of evil as they descended on their communities. But many pastors chose the “third way,” a murky, gray space where every care and concern from congregants was dismissed as “not the gospel” or “not relevant to the church.”
Much ink could be spilled on why the tendency to avoid controversy is so strong in the American church, and much blame could be spread around. But it would be more prudent to provide a crucial reminder: pastoring is about shepherding. 1 Peter 5:2-3 contains this charge:
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Shepherding a flock requires knowing the sheep. This can’t be done from an ivory tower. It can’t be generally done from a seminary classroom. It requires living in and among the flock. It requires identifying threats, soothing fears, and most importantly providing direction. If every mind in the congregation is on the same subject, including the pastor, it is not incumbent upon the pastor and the parishioners to stuff all emotions, feelings, concerns, or fears. Rather, an opportunity to actively shepherd has been presented – to “be an example to the flock.” The pastor can open God’s word and provide practical, immediate application to the situation at hand.
A Personal Example
Several years ago, my best friend passed away in a hiking accident. He was only 25 years old. A prominent church member, he was at every church event, served in multiple capacities, and was loved and respected by our congregation in a way that typically leads toward eventual deacon and/or leadership.
As the incident that led to his death was on a Thursday night, Sunday morning came quickly. Most everyone in the church was beside themselves with grief. Our pastor could have chosen to march into the next text on our expositional calendar but instead decided to derail the entire service to focus on the hope of the resurrection. I can only remember so many sermons, but I remember that one very well.
The times when we are shaken up, woken up, and forced to reckon with bitter truths are the times when pastoral guidance is most needed. He doesn’t need to be a political expert. He doesn’t need to have the answers to every question.
He does need to know how the Bible speaks to the situation at hand.
Pastor, you can’t avoid politics. But you can shepherd. And that is a task worth doing. Even if it requires addressing the political.
