Take the Church Out of Politics

Take the Church Out of Politics

By Craig Goodwin-Ortiz de León

The church has both the right and the responsibility to interpret the moral and ethical implications of public issues through the lens of Scripture. When matters such as poverty, racism, environmental degradation, or immigration become politicized, the church must not shy away from its prophetic calling. It is through this calling that the church proclaims the justice and mercy of God in the face of human brokenness. Faithful witness demands that the church remain engaged with the world and not retreat into silence when the vulnerable cry out.

However, the line between faithful witness and political partisanship must remain clear. While churches are called to interpret the signs of the times, they are not meant to serve as campaign platforms. Explicitly endorsing political candidates is inappropriate for any church community. Doing so risks alienating members of the body of Christ, especially in congregations where people hold diverse political views. More dangerously, it confuses the church’s mission with the pursuit of earthly power, shifting the focus from the Gospel of Christ to the advancement of a party agenda.

When churches endorse candidates, they are not simply exercising free speech—they are reshaping the very identity of the congregation. The pulpit becomes a political soapbox, and the message of grace is diluted by partisan loyalty. In the long run, this leads not to the transformation of the world, but to the fragmentation of the church. The unity that Christ prays for in John 17 is sacrificed for the illusion of influence. Instead of bringing healing, the church becomes another battleground in the culture wars.

It is time to take the church out of politics. This does not mean withdrawing from public life, but rather reclaiming the church’s unique voice. The church speaks to the world through evangelism, discipleship, and service—not through endorsements and elections. Its power lies in the witness of transformed lives, not in legislative victories. By refusing to bow to partisan idols, the church can remain rooted in the Gospel and resilient in hope, even in the face of political turmoil.

We must remember that Jesus was political in the sense that he challenged unjust systems and uplifted the poor, but he was never partisan. He never called on his followers to put their trust in Caesar or in political office. Instead, he called them to pick up their cross, follow him, and embody a kingdom not of this world. That is the church’s calling still.