Election-Year Tips for Pastors: How Your Church Can Replace Political Division with Unity

Conversations about candidates and political issues can get heated during an election year. But civic engagement can — and should — remain civil. This is especially true when God’s people gather to worship, study and discuss Bible-based living.

Church leadership and Christian congregants will likely have differing views. Political disagreements might even arise. So, during an election cycle, you’ll need to pastor with extra wisdom and grace.

Read on for insights about navigating political matters at church without compromising your credibility or beliefs.

Eight Important Election-Year Tips for Pastors

1. Know your role.

Pastors are called to serve their communities as spiritual leaders and moral guides. That role can extend into discussions about values and societal issues that intersect with politics. Although faith leaders help the flock live out faith — including during an election season — your main responsibility is preaching the gospel.

When discussing potentially divisive political issues, focus on relevant biblical principles. But don’t endorse specific candidates or political parties. Preaching politics from the pulpit can get a local church into hot water legally and financially. It’s more productive and less divisive to discuss topics such as poverty, justice and the sanctity of life in terms of Scripture, not political platforms.

2. Educate and edify.

It can be tempting to endorse a political candidate or party, especially during a presidential election year. Doing so may seem like a natural extension of advocating for a biblical worldview and values. But endorsements distract from the church’s primary mission and can alienate some worshipers.

Instead of backing a particular candidate or ballot measure, educate your congregation on the importance of making informed choices. This includes discussing the biblical perspective on key issues. Also encourage congregants to research and pray about their decisions. With thoughtful engagement, pastors help congregations analyze the political landscape without appearing partisan.

3. Build a culture of respect and unity.

Political discussions can quickly escalate, especially in a diverse congregation. As ambassadors of Jesus Christ, pastors and Christians must look to their spiritual identity, not their party affiliations. When church leadership encourages open dialogue and listens to different perspectives, congregants feel safe to express views without fear of judgment or exclusion. Harness the power of prayer as well, regularly lifting up the nation, leaders, candidates and citizens of all ages.

A respectful, united environment strengthens a church community. Plus, it reflects the biblical mandate to love one another, even amid disagreement. All people are children of God, whether they’re Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal.

Consider using 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a for a sermon about overcoming dissension. The text is about quarreling over spiritual gifts, but its lessons also apply to 21^st-century disagreements. Despite any social or political differences, congregants can get along and pursue the “higher gift” of love.

4. Handle controversy with care.

When preaching or teaching on sensitive issues that have political implications, be open-minded and humble. Acknowledge that a range of opinions may exist within the congregation. Instead of focusing on an issue’s divisive aspects, point out how God’s Word applies to modern-day living.

Regarding immigration, for example, you might focus on hospitality rather than specific policy and political activity. Church members might want to talk about Christian nationalism, but you’ll need to monitor discussions carefully. If comments get off track or offensive, the pastor or leader should steer people back to Scripture.

5. Celebrate religious freedom.

Don’t shy away from addressing important, timely social teachings. Worshipers expect their pastor to share biblical truth and to relate it to issues affecting their communities. But freedom comes with the responsibility to be faithful to Scripture and respectful of your diverse church members.

As Election Day nears, listen to current-event sermons by pastors you respect. Note how they educate and inspire listeners. What angles do they take to prayerfully engage people in the political process without diving into ideologies?

6. Encourage civic engagement.

Christians have dual citizenship, living in the world, yet having a higher calling. Jesus commands us to obey earthly rulers, follow laws and pay taxes willingly. So, it’s fair game for pastors to remind churchgoers to vote and participate in the political process.

Encourage congregants to prioritize political engagement and to view voting as a right and responsibility. By promoting participation in the democratic process, pastors help congregants act as salt and light in the secular sphere.

Although the upcoming presidential election is significant, other items are on the November ballot, too. Tell church members to make their voices heard on local and state races, state constitutional amendments, county bond and ballot measures, school board elections, and more.

Tip: Your church might serve as a polling place during local and national elections. Electioneering on the premises is off limits, but you can capitalize on the influx of traffic past and through your facility. For example, an outreach committee might display posters inviting neighbors to worship services, concerts, meals and other events.

7. Practice what you preach.

Church leaders set the tone for political and civic discourse. So, model the kind of respectful, thoughtful engagement you wish to see within the church body. This means being well-informed about the issues, listening to different perspectives, and admitting when you don’t have all the answers.

Your approach to tough topics sets an example for Christ-centered interactions. That applies to online interactions as well. Use caution on social media, noting that even the items a pastor “likes” can create division at church.

8. Prepare to mediate.

When tension accompanies an upcoming election, pastors should be ready to tone down the rhetoric. Realize you may have to defuse disagreements about American politics and soothe hurt feelings. But don’t shut down open dialogue, because small-group discussions and Q&A sessions offer opportunities to connect.

Let people explore their concerns, clarify positions and strengthen beliefs. Regularly remind congregants that the church’s mission transcends political affiliations. Ultimately, God calls followers to seek his kingdom and to share his love with others.

Discussing politics from the pulpit will always be a balancing act. Pastors must address key earthly issues while maintaining spiritual unity. By concentrating on the gospel and Great Commission, pastors can move beyond political divides.

Keeping the focus on our shared identity in Christ doesn’t mean avoiding difficult topics. Instead, approach them with a spirit of togetherness, plus lots of planning and prayer. Above all, know that pastors can handle hot-button topics while being faithful to Scripture and respectful of the congregation.

As a faith leader, keep pointing people toward Christ and help them navigate political issues with a scriptural worldview. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, church members can live as godly citizens who honor their heavenly King.