WorldHope Corps

A total of 539 pastors preached prophetically and politically across America on Pulpit Freedom Sunday, October 2.  This represents a 539% growth over 2010, growing from 33 (2008) to 84 (2009) to 100 (2010) to 539 (2011) pastors. These 539 pastors / churches represented: Forty-seven of the 50 states – along with Puerto Rico. Approximately 50 denominations and associations plus non-denominational and independent churches. Sermons in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino, and other languages. From small congregations to those of approximately 20,000. Personally, I gave a lecture for Drew University at Glide United Methodist Church on "The Politics of Shalom" for Pulpit Freedom Day (which I'll share in a future blog post). According to Dr. Jim Garlow, organizer of Pulpit Freedom, the demonstration exceeded expectations:   "Pastors were prepared for some parishioners to be upset.  But we were not prepared for what happened.  Across America, congregations e...

Glenn Beck interviews two Drew alumni GBTV about Pulpit Freedom Day--Oct 2. For most mainline Protestant churches, today is World Communion Sunday.   For many Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, the first Sunday in October is for blessing animals in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi whose anniversary and Feast Day is this week.   For at least 500 mostly conservative evangelical churches and pastors, today is Pulpit Freedom Sunday   In light of what’s at stake in congregational legislation and upcoming elections, should pastors and other ministerial leaders be free to support or oppose specific political issues related to social policy, ethics and morality, or endorse political candidates who share their biblical-informed, Christian-based, principles and religious views.  Or should the government and its legal tax codes enacted by Congress limit freedom of speech when it comes to faith and politics expressed from the pulpit or in the name of a chur...