[Op Ed] BCNN1 | Former SBC President Ronnie Floyd Tells Pastors It’s Okay to Talk to Their Churches About America

This past Sunday morning (Feb. 5), I took the opportunity to talk to my church about America. While I do not do this weekly, I do practice it regularly. I believe it is a stewardship entrusted to me for the church I pastor.

I believe it is necessary for each pastor to talk to his church about America. If we do not choose to do it, then we are neglecting our responsibility and turning our people over to navigating through these issues alone. This is dangerous for any of us.

When it was time for me to speak on Sunday, I transitioned by talking about spending three days in Washington, DC last week. I discussed some meetings I attended, mentioned that Jeana and I attended the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, and concluded by talking about watching President Donald J. Trump’s appointment of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court.

Relating to the National Prayer Breakfast, I mentioned the dynamic and powerful message given by Chaplain Barry Black, the Chaplain of the United States Senate. Then, I mentioned the speech given by President Trump, and re-emphasized his commitment to religious liberty in our nation. Relating to the President’s appointment to the Supreme Court, I reminded our people that while presidents come and go, their appointments influence generations. Finally, I challenged our people to pray for the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court as well as the remaining appointments to serve on the President’s Cabinet. I appealed to our people to pray for our nation at this time.

While my remarks this past Sunday were specific, most of the time my remarks are much more general, leading us to a time of praying for America.

Pastor, it is Not Being Political to Talk About America

Pastor, stop thinking you are being political if you talk about America. There are bloggers who are of the opinion that a pastor should never talk about America. Do not let the opinion of someone you don’t even know cause you to forfeit your stewardship responsibility entrusted to you as a pastor.

Clearly understand that your role is to give biblical light to this time in America. You are not a pundit on a night-time television show or drive time radio, you are a man of God who is helping shepherd your people through the challenges we are facing together in our nation today.

Your role is never to denounce a leader or movement publicly, but to bear light upon the issues themselves from a biblical perspective. You cross over into being political when you ooze with your personal preferences and try to sway your people into voting or thinking about something in the same way you do.

Interestingly, when you deal with the issues biblically and spiritually, you are much more convincing than you would ever be with your own preferences. Our authority is not in what we say, but only in what God says. I am convicted deeply that our people need to hear God’s perspective about the issues in our nation.