Americans split on pastors publicly choosing sides
LifeWay Research reports 43% of Americans say it is appropriate for pastors to personally endorse candidates for public office, but only outside of their church role. A similar share—39%—disagree, while 19% are undecided. Pastors, meanwhile, were more likely to publicly endorse a candidate outside of the pulpit in 2020 than in 2016. About one-third (32%) say they have personally endorsed political candidates outside of their church role, up from 22% or Protestant pastors in 2016.
>Related: Ahead of Election Day, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission offered this explainer on the Electoral College
Falwell sues Liberty, claims defamation and breach of contract
Jerry Falwell, Jr., sued his former school in October, claiming Liberty University damaged his reputation after he resigned in August amid a series of scandals. The lawsuit also says Liberty has harmed Falwell’s future business and employment opportunities, and that the school’s actions “are antithetical to the teachings of Christ.” Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb said Oct. 29 that the school hadn’t yet been served with the lawsuit.
U.S. megachurches continue to thrive
The median megachurch in American draws about 4,100 attenders to its worship services, up from about 3,700 in 2015, according to a pre-pandemic survey by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The survey also showed the average megachurch budget has increased over the past five years; seven out of 10 have more than one location, and 58% say they have a multiracial congregation. Other trends among megachurches: a focus on small groups and international diversity, and the tendency to stay away from controversy.
Baptists sign onto peacemaking pledge
Some Southern Baptist leaders are among signers of a call to biblical peacemaking, initiated by a network known as the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. “We know that elections, especially a deeply divisive election such as this one, can create pressures to act in ways that dishonor Christ’s teachings and biblical values,” the group said in a letter posted on matthew59.org. “We must reject these pressures and not compromise our faith.” Southern Baptist signers include Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore and Southeastern Seminary professor Karen Swallow Prior.
Sources: LifeWay Research, ERLC, Baptist Press, Matthew59.org