Non-Endorsement

Conservative evangelical pastor and author Rick Warren has offered some advice for pastors on endorsing politicians--don't do it! He explained recently:

I don't support anybody for president publicly. ... I never endorse. I never campaign.

On another occasion he said:

I don't think it's right for pastors to endorse in the first place. ... I would never endorse a candidate. I would never campaign for a candidate.

Amen! Although he started to wade fairly deep into partisan politics in 2004, he has taken a much more balanced approach this time around. As a result, it is Warren who will host the first campaign forum where both John McCain and Barack Obama will attend. Hopefully, Warren's advice will be taken seriously by pastors. Otherwise, a pastor might drive people away from the church--and even God--because of partisan involvement.