Pastors, Politics, Squirrels and Brake Lines
When it comes to the doctrine of elections some pastors wish to steer completely clear of the subject. That is not true, however, of Pastor Chance Nichols. Chance Nichols is one of the pastors of Christ Fellowship Church in Big Spring, Texas who isn’t afraid to talk politics. His church’s motto is, “Seeking to exalt Christ’s Lordship in all of life” and to him, that includes that which many deem to be political.
Last November Pastor Chance Nichols reached out to Mark Lee Dickson from Longview, Texas for assistance in helping him and the members of his church pass an ordinance which would outlaw abortion within the city limits of Big Spring - a city in West Texas with a population of about 30,000 between Midland and Abilene.
Nichols had reached out to Dickson because, at the time, Dickson had gained notoriety for helping six cities in East Texas pass ordinances which immediately outlawed abortion within their city limits. After much work in the city of Big Spring the ordinance passed both readings and the city of Big Spring ended up becoming, by then, the 11th city to outlaw abortion in the nation. Since Pastor Nichols is not a stranger to getting involved in that which is considered political, we caught up with him to get his thoughts on pastors and politics.
CRIT-LARGE: Pastor Chance Nichols, thank you for taking the time to talk to us about the doctrine of elections. What would you say to those out there who say that pastors should not be involved in politics? Specifically, what would you say to pastors who say they do not want to be political?
PASTOR NICHOLS: For faithful pastors who are committed to preaching “the whole counsel of God,” politics are unavoidable. The Bible talks about marriage, sexuality, abortion, education, and justice, so pastors must speak about these issues as well. A pastoral commitment to silence on these issues is a commitment to disobedience.
CRIT-LARGE: So what you are saying is that Pastors have an obligation to weigh in on those things which are viewed as the political issues of our day?
PASTOR NICHOLS: Yes, because God cares about the political issues of our day. God cares about justice. God cares about marriage. God cares about babies in the womb that he has created in his image. We know he cares because he has spoken, and it is the pastor’s duty to say what God has said. The choice a pastor must make on whether or not to publicly address these issues is not merely a choice between speaking up or silence, but between courage or cowardice.
It is imperative that lawmakers know what God has said because the laws they make will either be just and invite the blessing of God, or they will be unjust and invite the judgment of God. Therefore, a pastor who is willing to publicly say what God has said regarding the political issues of our day (when doing so could cost him greatly) is a pastor who truly loves his neighbor.
CRIT-LARGE: So we cannot be neutral when it comes to politics?
PASTOR NICHOLS: Neutrality is a myth. It’s not whether you’ll bring your religion into politics, but which religion.
CRIT-LARGE: What is the difference, in your mind, between the 2016 election and the 2020 election?
PASTOR NICHOLS: One of the main differences between the 2016 election and this election is that the former was a choice between two opposing candidates, and the latter is a choice between two opposing nations. One of the two major political parties thinks it's okay for an eight year old boy to have his genitals cut off if he feels like a girl. I know this should go without saying, but don't vote for that party.
CRIT-LARGE: Do you believe voting for the Democrat party nominee for president is even an option for a Christian?
PASTOR NICHOLS: I've seen several Christians commenting on how Chrtistians should simply "vote for who they believe lines up with their beliefs" and that God is "bigger than a political party," etc. All of that is true, but it also needs to be said that voting for the Biden / Harris ticket IS A SIN. It is not an option for a Christian. It is incompatible with the Christian faith. If you're going to comment on the election, do not downplay it. And don't speak about it in a way that could lead anyone to believe that God might be okay with a Christian voting for Biden. He most certainly is not.
CRIT-LARGE: According to some of the most recent Presidential election polls President Trump and Presidential Candidate Joe Biden appear to be neck and neck in this race. What are your thoughts in regards to this?
PASTOR NICHOLS: Regarding whether or not you should trust the Presidential election polls, consider the fact that the major news outlets NEED the race to be close so that people will tune in.
CRIT-LARGE: Speaking of tuning in, many Americans tuned in last week to the confirmation hearings of Amy Coney Barrett - a woman who is now our newest Supreme Court Justice of the United States of America. What do you think about the way that the Democrats responded to the Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearings?
PASTOR NICHOLS: It is painfully obvious that the Democrats hate the fact that the United States is a Constitutional Republic and would much prefer a simple Democracy. Senator after senator has said that the majority of the American people did not want Barrett to be pushed through before the election. Well, even if that’s true (I doubt it), that’s not how this works. Either it’s constitutional or it isn’t, and it doesn’t matter how “the majority of Americans” feel about it. It’s also painfully obvious that if Biden wins, our Constitutional Republic will be no more. If the country is a car, socialism is a cliff, and the Constitution is the brakes, the Democrats are the squirrels chewing the brake lines.
CRIT-LARGE: Did you just refer to Democrats as squirrels chewing a car’s brake lines?
PASTOR NICHOLS: That I did.
CRIT-LARGE: Pastor Chance Nichols, thank you for your time!
Regardless of whoever wins the 2020 Presidential Election the consequences of this election will, without a doubt, impact all of our lives as well as the lives of our children and our grandchildren.
