Opinion: Can Evangelicalism Survive With Politics in the Pulpit?

 

By Grace Thomas

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 17: A resident sits in the pews while waiting for a Town Hall meeting to begin at the Garden of Gethsemane Baptist Church on May 17, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Dr.... More Brandon Bell/Getty Images

In the tapestry of American politics, few threads are as thoroughly intertwined as the influence of evangelical churches. With the presidential election on the horizon, the pulpit continues to play a pivotal role in shaping voter opinions and mobilizing congregations. Many churches have evolved beyond places of worship, emerging as powerful political hubs that can even sway election outcomes. But this intertwining of faith and politics brings important consequences, both for religious communities and for broader democratic discourse.

Having grown up in the church, I have witnessed first hand how evangelical pastors use their sermons to address political and social issues through a religious lens. According to Religion and Politics, pastors across America mention a political topic once out of every three sermons, and over 70 percent of pastors mention politics at some point.

I have sat in the pews as the lead pastor of a megachurch just 10 minutes from my home in Dallas states that "abortion is murder," and even that "murderers" sit among his congregation. A few hours south, a Houston megachurch pastor known for his firebrand conservative rhetoric declared this year that individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border are "garbage" and "undesirable," aligning himself with far-right immigration stances.

Such statements resonate strongly with some evangelical voters, reinforcing deeply held conservative views and aligning political allegiances with religious identity. For these churchgoers, the pulpit becomes a source of moral authority not only on spiritual matters, but on political ones as well. This effect can be seen clearly in the way many evangelical churches organize voter registration drives, political advocacy groups, and community outreach initiatives aimed at influencing elections. Many evangelical pastors and church leaders have successfully transformed their congregations into political forces capable of driving voter turnout and swaying election results.

However, this approach is not without its consequences. Political messages emanating from the pulpit may solidify the views of some congregants, but they risk alienating others. When pastors frame political stances—such as support for Christian Zionism or school prayer—as inherent to Christian morality, they create a false binary. For congregants who hold more progressive or moderate political views, it can be profoundly alienating.

Many Christians, especially younger ones like myself, are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the fusion of faith and politics. We seek a community that fosters spiritual growth without dictating political affiliations. As a result, many have distanced themselves from churches altogether, creating a widening rift within evangelical communities. This trend is not insignificant—evangelicalism is losing ground among younger Americans, with many citing the over-politicization of churches as a reason for their departure.

The defense offered by faith leaders who continue politicizing their sermons is that they cannot shy away from preaching on the truths written in the Bible, even if those truths are uncomfortable. They argue that moral clarity on key issues is necessary to guide congregants in living according to the principles of their faith. However, these leaders often fail to acknowledge that there are multiple possible interpretations of scriptural texts, each informed by different theological traditions, historical contexts, and personal experiences. By presenting their views as the sole true interpretation, they shut down the possibility of open discussion and exclude those who may hold different, yet still deeply Christian, perspectives.

While churches have long been places for moral and ethical guidance, their role as political actors raises questions about the future of both evangelicalism and American democracy. The political power of evangelical churches cannot be denied, but as they push political agendas from the pulpit, they must grapple with the unintended consequences. Alienating portions of their flock could lead to long-term damage—both to their own spiritual mission and to their standing in American society.

Grace Thomas is a strategy consultant and freelance journalist.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

Newsweek USA