As the pastor of En-Joy Ministries, I recently faced a tough decision: should I remove the Political Commentary and Market Pulse sections from our website? The temptation to retreat from these divisive topics was real. It feels safer to stick to spiritual matters and avoid ruffling feathers. But after wrestling in prayer, I’ve decided to keep both sections. Why? Because refusing to engage with the political and economic realities of our world isn’t just a theological error—it’s a cultural betrayal that abandons our neighbors to pick up the broken pieces of a fractured society.

You’ve likely heard some pastors say, “I don’t get political.” It sounds noble, even virtuous. It’s a one-sentence defuser, a way to keep the focus on Jesus and sidestep tense conversations. But let’s be honest: it doesn’t resolve the tension; it buries it. And beneath the surface, the rot festers. When we disengage from politics and economics, we forsake our biblical mandate to be salt and light in every sphere of life (Matthew 5:13-16). From Joseph’s governance in Egypt (Genesis 41) to Daniel’s influence in Babylon (Daniel 2), God’s people have always been called to engage the systems of their time, not hide from them.

The Johnson Amendment: A Muzzle on the Church

One of the greatest obstacles to Christian political engagement is the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 tax code provision that restricts churches from endorsing candidates or engaging in certain political activities. I am a fierce advocate for repealing this amendment, which has silenced the prophetic voice of the church and hindered pastors from boldly defending Christian values and American freedoms. The Bible commands us to “speak truth to power” (Ephesians 4:15) and “defend the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17). When the church is gagged, we surrender the public square to those who oppose our biblical worldview, allowing policies and ideologies to flourish that undermine the very liberties we hold dear.

I’ve written extensively on this issue in a blog post titled “Repeal the Johnson Amendment Now: Unleashing the Church to Defend Christian Values and American Freedom” on the En-Joy Ministries website. I’ve also launched a petition to urge Congress to act swiftly: Sign the Petition to Repeal the Johnson Amendment. Yet, to my deep disappointment, not one of my pastor connections, family members, or friends has read the blog post or signed the petition. This is utterly disheartening. We have Donald Trump in the White House and a Republican majority in Congress—conditions ripe for bold action—yet no one seems willing to lift a finger for this urgent cause. Why are we silent when we could be calling our elected representatives to repeal this muzzle on the church? The early church faced threats for preaching truth, yet Peter and John declared, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Their courage changed the world. Where is ours?

Rejecting the Poverty Mindset and Engaging in Economics

Beyond politics, I’ve chosen to keep the “Market Pulse” section on our website to address another critical area: economics. Let me be clear—I reject the prosperity gospel peddled by figures like Joel Osteen, which twists Scripture to equate wealth with spiritual success. The Bible warns against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). But it also rejects the poverty mindset that traps so many Christians in cycles of dependence and despair.

Scripture is not silent on wealth and stewardship. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus praises the servants who invested their master’s money wisely and rebukes the one who buried it out of fear. Proverbs 13:22 declares, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” These passages call us to be diligent, forward-thinking, and engaged in the economic realities of our world. As Christians, we should understand the stock market, investing, and geopolitical trends—not to chase riches, but to steward God’s resources wisely and break free from dependence on failing systems.

Bob Woodson, founder of the Woodson Center, nails the danger of misguided help: “They disabled with a helping hand. There’s something called ‘toxic help.’ That’s what the poverty program was: toxic help.” Government programs, often well-intentioned, can foster dependence that robs people of dignity and agency. As Christians, we’re called to empower others, not enable cycles of poverty. This starts with rejecting the poverty mindset and embracing a biblical view of work, stewardship, and economic engagement.

A Christian’s Duty to Stay Informed and Lead

Politics and economics are deeply intertwined, shaping the world we live in. As Christians, we have a duty to stay informed, vote according to biblical values, and lead others toward freedom and flourishing. Nehemiah didn’t just rebuild Jerusalem’s walls; he confronted economic exploitation (Nehemiah 5:1-13). Esther didn’t just pray; she risked her life to influence a king and save her people (Esther 4:16). These biblical figures show us that faith demands action in the public square.

Refusing to engage politically or economically isn’t neutrality—it’s surrender. It leaves our neighbors to navigate a broken world without the transformative hope of the gospel. At En-Joy Ministries, we will continue to speak into these areas, not to divide, but to disciple. But I’m calling you to do more than read this post. Go to our blog, read about the Johnson Amendment, and sign the petition. Call your representatives. Don’t let this moment—with a pro-freedom administration and Congress—slip away because of apathy. My heart aches that those closest to me haven’t acted. Don’t let that be your story.

Let’s not bury the tension. Let’s bring it into the light, where God’s truth can heal and restore (John 10:10).