In recent years, election seasons have increasingly lengthened, to the point that it seems we are never in a time that is not “campaign season.” With 100,000 unique governments making up the United States, and those governments being filled by over 500,000 elected officials, it is no surprise that someone, somewhere, is campaigning at any given moment.
With nearly all of these elections, from the local schoolboard to governor, and yes even to the race for the White House, candidates will attempt to gather endorsements. Inevitably, as people of incredible influence in the lives of their parishioners and the communities they serve, pastors will be called on to endorse candidates.
Campaigns know that pastors work hard to earn credibility in the eyes of their congregants and influence among their neighbors. Pastors hold the kind of public trust their candidates desperately need. The easiest way for the candidate to gain this kind of credibility is to ask for some of yours. You can lend it in the form of an endorsement, and they do not mind asking you to do so.
This “ask” may come in the form of an invitation to join their “faith team” or “coalition”. It may also be a direct request for endorsement. (It should be pointed out that some campaigns will allow you to join their faith initiatives without endorsing, and some coalitions are not directly linked to a particular candidate.) However, many of these opportunities come with a requirement of endorsing the candidate. So, what should a pastor do? Should they endorse? Is it even legal? Is it best practice?
What about spending your hard-earned influence on an endorsement only to discover the individual you endorsed has serious moral failings,
and you just told the world that they are worthy of following?
It is well within the rights of any pastor to endorse a candidate. As long as they do not do so on behalf of their church or other non-profit, it is quite legal. However, there are other considerations. Outside of those clergy members that are also politicians, have a deep personal relationship with the candidate, or are engaged in other work that requires them to do so, endorsing a candidate is almost always a bad idea for those who are in ministry. If you are a pastor, please consider the following before endorsing a candidate.
First, people change. No big secret there. Think about the people in whom you have placed great trust who turned out to have serious character issues that you never expected. You knew them, and you were still surprised. You probably do not know this candidate that well at all. Oh sure, you liked their speech, read their book, or admired some of their decision making, but are you willing to stake your reputation on them not changing their views when it becomes politically expedient? What about spending your hard-earned influence on an endorsement only to discover the individual you endorsed has serious moral failings, and you just told the world that they are worthy of following?
God gave you favor to represent Him, not to peddle the wares of some aspiring individual.
Second, influence is capital that is not to be spent foolishly. You have worked diligently to develop relationships. You have spent years being a person who keeps their word and exhibits character. God has given you favor with the people to whom you have been called. Do you really want to risk that in the name of endorsing a candidate, only to have it turn out in some of the ways that have already been mentioned? God gave you favor to represent Him, not to peddle the wares of some aspiring individual.
Third, it is unnecessary. You may believe that endorsement of a candidate is the only way to properly support the kind of candidates that fit your worldview. However, the people you wish to lead would be much better served if, instead of pointing out politicians, you exalted biblical principles through your life and intentional teaching on the topics of the hour. People may change, but your principles do not have to. I think C.S. Lewis may have had this in mind when he wrote, “Loyalty is too valuable a commodity to be spent on personalities.”
Endorsement is not the beginning of relationship and influence; it is often the end.
Fourth, it actually limits your influence. The moment you pick a candidate, your voice is limited with the supporters of other candidates, some of whom may actually be very close in ideology to your chosen endorsee. In addition, once you have endorsed them, the candidate no longer needs to listen to you; they have your endorsement. Furthermore, other candidates may not want to waste time hearing from you, since you have already made your public choice. Do not let yourself be a checked box. Even if the candidate has the best intentions, their staff has to keep moving toward the next target. Endorsement is not the beginning of relationship and influence; it is often the end.
So, is there a better option? Absolutely. Instead of endorsing a politician, take time to point out where you find them in agreement with a biblical worldview. If you wish to speak publicly, point out the issues where they are strong, maybe mention things you would like to see them clarify, and call for people to pray for them. If they are brothers or sisters in Christ, point that out. If you have a chance to meet them, no matter the party or their personal positions, by all means do so. Establish yourself as a supporter of biblical worldview and call for candidates to align with the Church, instead of the Church aligning with them. Use your voice to reinforce WHAT is right over WHO is right.
If you teach your people the biblical worldview of government, policies, and the issues of the hour, they will not need your endorsement to know how to vote. They will vote according to the faith in which you are called to instruct them. After all, it is your job to teach God’s position, not a party’s, and certainly not a politician’s.
After all, it is your job to teach God’s position, not a party’s, and certainly not a politician’s.
By all means, meet with candidates. Pray with candidates. Reach out to them. Talk to them. Pastor them. Love them. Win them to Christ.
All of those things are exactly what a Pastor is called to do.
And they can all be done without an endorsement.
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