Growing up, one of my evangelical superheroes was always the Reverend Billy Graham. I came to faith in Christ as a teenager watching one of his many televised crusades, where thousands of people would respond to his presentation of the Gospel, and the anointing and power of his preaching was always inspiring to me. Graham was well known in our culture and had unique access to political power throughout his several decades-long ministry. Is it any wonder then that I was drawn to reading a book years ago, “The Preacher and the Presidents,” about Billy Graham’s relationships with every U.S. president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama?
The book was a fascinating read, with each chapter focusing on Graham’s unique access and relationship with each president, talking about the different spiritual pastoral counsel the minister would give. What was surreal was that he had a bridge with Republican and Democratic presidents alike, something that is hard to fathom in today’s politically polarizing world. Yet what stuck out the most to me was Billy Graham’s regrets toward the end of his life and ministry career, which the book and subsequent interviews revealed, concerning the evangelist’s relationship with politics.
“If I had to do it over again, I would have avoided any semblance of involvement in partisan politics. An Evangelist is called to do one thing and one thing only: Proclaim the Gospel,” Graham said in an interview in his later years. The irony is, of course, that with a recent federal filing, the IRS has announced changes in its interpretation of the Johnson Amendment that will make it a lot easier for pastors, Christian leaders and churches to do the very thing that Billy Graham warned against.
Pastors are now permitted to make political endorsements from the pulpit without fear of their respective churches losing their tax-exempt status. Supporters of these changes argue that some churches and clergy have long been doing this anyway, while others have been subtly going in this direction in recent years. Some even frame this change as a win for religious freedom, as though preachers have been muzzled from being able to address issues like abortion and sexuality from the pulpit. But is that true? I know I’ve never shied away from addressing tough topics through a biblical lens, and we should always do that. But is it a good and wise thing for clergy to blatantly endorse political candidates?
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, I always found it fascinating that the Devil, of all things, showed Jesus earthly power in a bid to distract him from his mission on Earth, and then it dawned on me that the allure of political power has, sadly and tragically, seldom been a temptation the church has resisted throughout its history. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and marrying Christianity with political power never ends well for what matters most. The resolve that the Son of God demonstrated in the face of this temptation was a reminder that I believe we need to be reminded of: “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10).
As an evangelical pastor, I believe the church in America is now at a watershed moment where we must decide who we will worship and what message we believe we are called to proclaim. The Scriptures are clear: We are called to preach the Word of God, not partisan political talking points, we are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not to endorse political candidates, and even if it’s currently legal to become blatantly political in the pulpit, it’s spiritually dangerous and would be detrimental to our mission, to our witness and to our focus. The Great Commission given to us by Jesus Christ is to win hearts and minds with the good news of the Gospel, not win elections or attain political power. If there is one thing the Devil would love more than anything else, it’s for us to be more passionate about talking about politics than talking about Jesus.
A couple of weeks ago, we drove our kids to a well-known Civil War battlefield and talked to them about how more Americans died fighting each other than in any other war we’ve fought in. Sadly, we live in polarizing times in 2025, with our society rapidly losing the concept that one can agree to disagree on big issues in a civil way. The church is one of the last bastions left in our country where people’s politics should be set aside to come together in loving unity and community, all the while learning more about what it means to know and follow Jesus Christ. However, if the church becomes tainted with blatant partisan politics, the church will look like the world with polarizing division. The church is supposed to be a refuge from the world, not an imitation of it. Jesus said the world would know we are Christians by our love and unity. What will become of that if the litmus test for fellowship is no longer what you believe but who you vote for?
The Bible says there is only one name that can save, one name that truly brings us hope and one name that will outlast the pyramids, and that name is Jesus. If we become partisan from the pulpit and the church is used as merely another campaign stop for politicians, our focus will no longer be on advancing the spiritual kingdom we are called to represent and expand in a world that so desperately needs the salvation and hope Jesus offers. My plea to my fellow pastors is this: Let’s stick to the word of God and leave partisan politics for the pundits. In a world where everything seems to be becoming politicized, let’s refuse to allow our Lord and Savior to become politicized. Jesus is no one’s political mascot.
Pastor Stephen Mitchell is the senior pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Maryland. He is also the host of the podcast “Real Christian Talk with Pastor Steve.”