Using the pulpit to make political statements

Wow! I have to confess I was shocked when confronted with the statements Rev. Wright (Barack Obama's Pastor) has been making over his 30 years of leadership in a Southside Church in Chicago. It always amazes me how vastly different pastor's political views, moral views, and social views are. Even pastors in the same denomination carry vast differences of opinion of belief in the spiritual and political arena. As a pastor I tell you that the statements made by Rev. Wright are deplorable at best. Those statements do not represent the greater majority of clergy in this world who are God fearing and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

I am not sure what disgusts me more the statements themselves or the fact that he uses the pulpit to spew these hateful words. How sad it is when a pastor uses their authority to sway someone politically. Many of you have heard my sermons and experienced my teachings and politics is one area and item that I do not touch. It isn't fair to do so. It isn't even helpful. All those conversations do in the church is serve to divide a people. Can you be a Republican and be a Christian? Yes! Can you be a Democrat and be a Christian? Yes! Are both sides of the political fence welcome at Old Fort Church. You bet they are! That is why you will never hear me discuss politics from the pulpit. My heart feels saddened today for all the work and belief that pastors all over the world put into their sermons that lead and transform so many peoples lives, only to have a pastor destroy the very integrity of the pulpit with which they have been trusted.

This blog entry is not a statement for or against Barack Obama but is targeted at people who call themselves pastors and use their authority to serve their own personal agenda and not the agenda of Jesus. As a pastor I have the distinct responsibility to make sure that everything I say and all that I am leads people closer to Christ and not closer to me. For every moment that I have let myself shine before people Lord instead of letting you shine I ask for your forgiveness. I humbly admit that I have not always served you with a pure heart. I admit to you Father that my motives at times have been my own. Please forgive me for the times I have put myself and my agenda first. I have made mistakes before...but you will never catch me making the mistake of leading an unhealthy political commentary from the pulpit, because it is not my pulpit. It is God's! These past few days have been a reminder of how important and how persuasive a pastor can be. I pray that I persuade people to that which honors God and in the process find myself a humble follower of the very person I lead people to. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor