1. When we endorse a particular candidate we fail to acknowledge the diversity of views among congregants we serve. I know a pastor who once proclaimed boldly (so he thought), "I am a registered Republican because of the issue of abortion." It seemed like a good idea at the time, until the pastor (OK it was me) later came to understand that some of his members were registered Democrats. Some were trade union members, some were farmers and others voted this way for reasons of their own. How dare everyone not fall into lockstep with my preconceptions? I was temporarily aghast. Oddly, when I got to know these folks better they were fine, godly people.
2. Endorsing a particular candidate gives the impression that a political party has superior commitments to Christian truth. In these days, there is so little actual willingness by politicians to protect the unborn or to take a stand for meaningful Biblical positions that to suggest that one party will do it better than the other is probably just wrong. And see above. You are just going to alienate people with your rhetoric.
3. If you emphasize a particular candidate you are running a risk of further alienating the most unreached demographic in your field of ministry. My tribe is the SBC which is making unprecedented strides to overcome a less than stellar record in regard to ministry among minorities and ethnic groups. Add to that the fact that millennials are depopulating our churches in record numbers and you can see why it might be important to think carefully about whether coming out guns blazing to propagate culture wars is the wisest strategy. I'd say not.
4. By emphasizing politics you are quite possibly speaking into people's fears more than their faith. That's an easy, popular (and lazy) posture for pastors to take, but it is unbiblical. Every time messengers of God showed up in Scripture their message was, "Don't be afraid!" If we are not careful, we can do just the opposite. "Be afraid! Be very afraid! In fact, let fear, paranoia and unbelief be the message you shout from the rooftops!"
5. When ministry leaders promote particular candidates we perpetuate the unbiblical myth that political power holds the answer for cultural transformation. Hello! It will never work! Has never worked! The message of Scripture is that transformation is personal! (2 Corinthians 5:17). I didn't care about the church's view of morality at all until I came to know the Christ of Scripture. People aren't going to fall into line with your view of God because you elect some politician. Where did we get that ludicrous idea?
6. When we presume to hold up a particular politician we are discouraging dialogue and critical thinking. One of the great failures of this age is our tendency to scream platitudes at each other from a distance rather than engaging in up close, meaningful conversation with people we disagree with. We have lost an important component of polite society: civil discourse. Plus, as a pastor I don't want a bunch of people who got somewhere without thinking about it. I don't want them just circling a board and getting home because I told them to. A part of pastoral ministry is teaching people to think biblically and trusting God the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts by actually speaking directly to them.
7. When we decide for people who they should vote for we add to the polarization that characterizes our society. One of the obvious flaws in our politics is that there are no consensus builders any longer. There's only my way or no way. I am certainly not suggesting that Christians ought to give up important principles. Contend earnestly for truth. But do so in a way that "seeks first to understand then to be understood." When possible practice third way thinking. At the very least treat each other with dignity and respect. That goes a long way.
8. When we politicize the church we create an "us vs. them" attitude among congregants. The only way any of us get into God's family is because He is incredibly generous in His great love for us. This was displayed in the fact that He poured out His wrath on Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8). God makes outsiders insiders. He does this in spite of the fact that we are all abject moral failures. It would be amazing if our hearts shifted to weeping for the broken people in this world and loving them instead of seeing them as political enemies. I struggle with the passion and vitriol I see aimed at people who see the world differently than us. I watched a video recently of a professed Christian confronting a Muslim at a public meeting, I had the volume down and all I could see was the Christian's body language. It didn't say, "Jesus loves us this I know."
9. When we politicize the church we are creating an unnecessary hindrance to the Gospel. I'm not suggesting that the political process is unimportant or that you shouldn't participate. I'm just saying that if your CHURCH or DENOMINATION or PASTOR get identified with a political candidate or ideology it will automatically shut down people to your message. Is it worth that?
10. When we bring politics into church in the wrong way we are creating an unhealthy precedent for religious freedom. Historically Baptists have had this position: "I may disagree with you, but I respect and will fight for your right to hold that position." I cannot, until recent days, remember pastors thinking that it was appropriate to publicly identify with a specific candidate.While pastors may certainly hold personal political views, and those views may be expressed publicly, it is illegal for them to participate in electioneering within their congregation, not to mention that for all the reasons mentioned above it is unwise!
11. When a leader endorses a candidate he runs the risk of demonstrating a lack of faith in Christ and Scripture. It is enough to exposit the text of Scripture. Unpack it and apply it and trust God to drive home Biblical realities in people's hearts. Allow the Holy Spirit to create aha! moments. When I became a follower of Jesus there was a lot of moral baggage I was carrying. I did not attend a legalistic church, but I did attend a Biblically faithful one. And as I read the Bible and heard it preached, God was faithful to direct me to areas of my life that required repentance. He is still doing that.
12. When we are inordinately passionate for any political candidate we are setting ourselves up for yuuuuuuge disappointment. If the expectation is that a political candidate is the answer, when they invariably turn out NOT to be, we are identified with that disappointing legacy, when in reality we ought to have just remained with the One who will always measure up.
*I am an ordained Southern Baptist minister and the four men mentioned and referenced here are either directly or indirectly part of my tribe.
https://jamesmacdonald.com/blog/jerry-falwell-jr-donald-trump-and-the-crisis-at-liberty-university/
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/06/22/course-evangelicals-can-vote-for-trump.html
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/03/04/exclusive-robert-jeffress-no-christian-has-the-right-to-impose-his-preference-as-a-litmus-test-for-someone-elses-christianity/
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/heres-the-deal/57933-900-christian-leaders-will-listen-to-donald-trump-s-sermon-today
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