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No Politics From This Pulpit

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What do you think Americans are looking for in their next president?
We're looking for a great leader. We're looking for a person of integrity, a person with experience, a person who has a heart for the people, trust and competence.

Do you see a president among the current candidates?
I think there's more than one. From what I've heard, there are some good people. They have good ideas, experience and fresh vision. Of course, I think there is someone there who will rise up, but my feeling is several of them would make a good president.

Based on your massive appeal, many people liken you to Billy Graham—a man who knows a thing or two about presidents. Your thoughts?
I'm very flattered and humbled to even be mentioned in the same sentence. My other thought is that I don't think anyone is going to be able to replace Billy Graham. I hope myself and other ministers can carry on the legacy that he started by offering hope to the world. I'm really inspired by him. I think the fact that he made a difference in the world leads me to think that our ministry can make a difference.

Then there are your critics who say your preaching is light on scripture, heavy on materialism. How do you respond to that?
I never preach messages of money or anything like that. I feel like my gift is to take part of a scripture, even if it's part of one verse, and make it relevant in our lives today. The fact is, we're all given different gifts. I know pastors that can just go down [a page in] the Bible and explain it, and it's fantastic. I don't think that's my gift. My gift is to say, let me talk to you about forgiveness or having a great attitude, and then I tie the scriptures back in. You know when Jesus was here he taught simply. Believe it or not, he didn't quote the scripture a lot. He quoted sometimes from the Old Testament. He told stories. He told parables. I feel like all my teaching is rooted in the scriptures, but I don't feel like I have to quote so many scriptures to prove myself.

Your latest book "Become a Better You"—what's the overall lesson?
It's don't get stuck in life. Don't get stagnant and think this is as far as you can go in your career or your marriage. I think God wants us to continue to be growing and increasing and be a bigger blessing. No matter where you are, you can improve. God has new victories in store for you. That's the core message.

You often advise worshipers that their best days are ahead of them. Do you think this country's best days are ahead of it?
I definitely do. I think there is great hope in America. There are great things on the horizon. I believe we are going to see a time when we come back together in unity. I do see better days ahead.

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Posted By: kmgibson @ 04/13/2008 7:10:38 PM

I agree with Joe's comments. I find the media -- as well as other church pastors and leaders! -- continually try to ensnare Joel with pointed questions on touchy subjects much like the pharisees did to Jesus. An example would be when the pharisees asked Jesus if people should pay taxes to Cesar (hoping Jesus would say something that would defame him, of course); Jesus wisely responded to give Cesar what is his and God what is his. In the same way, I think Joel has learned to be slow to speak and quick to listen, which is scriptural. And speaking of scripture, if you read your Bible enough you recognize that Joel consistently is quoting scripture even though he does not always give the reference.
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Posted By: gettinbetter @ 04/10/2008 8:37:52 PM

I strongly disagree for a couple of reasons. First, as a First Amendment lawyer, there's a fine line between speaking "from the pulipt" and getting too invovled and run the risk of a particular church or center losing tax-exampt status. Second, in the same vein, it's very important to be certain that our freedom TO PRACTICE our religion can never be construed as crossing the church-and-state line freedom FROM religion -although I know, I know -it's gone WAY too far the other way.....
Second, from a personal level - I don't think it's right for any ministers, priests, rabbis, etc. to push and encourage their members in a political manner. The leaders are role models and some people can be too easily influenced - not that what preachers may say is "bad," per se, bur rather people may unwittingly fail to think for themselves.
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Posted By: sisterB @ 04/08/2008 8:38:52 AM

I strongly agree with Joels' comments. This is one of the many things I like about him. he preaches the word of God. he makes the word so simply. I am not an American but I like American politics. but politics is the same everywhere. Any time pastors favor one political party or politican over another they are 90% likely to compromise the word of God and their integrity. They get favors and when the politicians do anything contrary to the word of God they have compromised themselves so far that they cannot correct them . As christian we need to keep our political veiws to ourselves and pray for those in authotrty as God called us to . keep up the good work brother Joel.