Wow! What a long political campaign season we just went through.  There was the infamous presidential campaign, which was one of the longest to date and the most expensive ever. For the first time ever in U.S. history, the presidential candidates raised more than a combined $1 billion dollars to support their campaigns!

Then there were all the federal, state and local candidates and issues. You could hardly answer the phone and not hear a recorded message of some sort. This year, there were an unprecedented number of non-stop political phone calls and answering machine messages during this election time. And, we even have a new term for these political phone calls; “robo-calls.”

Voters were made promise after promise as hopeful candidates traveled from one place to the next. They promised things that they know they can never deliver. As has been said, they promise the world but in the end they fail to deliver.

There was the usual long term strategic planning.  Polished and emotional speeches.  Back patting. Baby kissing. Last minute surprises.  Cover-ups. Political pay-backs. Mud slinging.  Manipulation and conniving.  Fear tactics.

Each guy trying to out do the other guy (or gal in this case).

You name it, we saw it!

Sadly, we have come to almost expect such political behavior.

 Well, surprise, surprise. All the politicians are not in Washington DC. The Institutionalized church world is full of them too. In fact, there is nothing more disturbing than carnally motivated Preacher Politics!

Among loosely tied non-denominational churches, this is particularly true. It shows itself the most when a Pastorate or some other high ranking position becomes vacant. The pastor wannabes and ladder climbers come out of the cracks and at times they can act just as bad as the social politicians. In fact, many churches have been split because of preacher politics that have been exhibited during these times of pastoral transition and beyond.

Rather than declarations of political party allegiance, we have known people to publically declare their devoted and often blinded allegiance for certain pastoral candidates and condemn others who fail to join their cause. “I vote for Paul.” “I vote for Cephas.” “A vote for Paul is a vote for Jesus!” It seems the carnal campaigning knows no boundaries.

Baby kissing, hand shaking, isle greetings, sermonettes, sick calls and hospital visits. You name it: preacher politics come in various forms. Almost anything to get the saints’ vote. It was reported that one pastor wannabe went so far as to threaten the saints with eternal hell-fire for not supporting him and his pastoral aspirations. Another used the expression “Pulpit pirating” because he didn’t get the Pastor position that he had been lobbying hard for.  And, what a disaster when the wrong man gets voted in!

It would seem that some are more concerned with playing preacher politics than with “thus sayeth the Lord”. The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed “the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” While written many years ago, it still applies yet today.

Carnal minded men will always strive to reach the top. They will endeavor to out stump the other with flowery messages and empty promises of heavenly hope and earthly prosperity.  

Thankfully, the political world has given us a break from their campaigning for the time being.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the religious world would follow suit? Permanently!  If Christ were truly the Head of all who claimed Him as their Head, all campaigning, preacher politics and political maneuvering would come to a screeching halt.

Stated bluntly, preacher politics are deplorable and an insult to God!

God's church is not operated by "may the best man win" politics. Rather, it is divinely built and divinely governed. When God is in full control and His Spirit is allowed to freely operate, there will be no preacher politics. Rather, all members will love God supremely, love each other as themselves and prefer one another over themselves.

What a vast difference between God’s way and man’s way!