Pastors Split Over America 250 Church Celebrations
July 4th weekend is in full swing and new poll finds about half of U.S. Protestant pastors believe their churches should participate in America 250th anniversary celebrations during the holiday. The study by Lifeway Research found fifty percent of pastors plan to hold special events, with 16 percent strongly agreeing, 47 percent disagreeing and 3 percent unsure.
“Is it the church’s place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday? Half of pastors say so,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “Only 5 percent more pastors believe the 250th birthday of America deserves a special celebration at church compared to those prioritizing the addition of elements to celebrate America in any July Fourth week’s worship service.”
Meanwhile, 45 percent believe patriotic elements should be included in Sunday, July 5 worship services, with another 16 percent strongly agreeing, 53 percent disagreeing and 2 percent who are unsure. These results represent a decline from a 2021 Lifeway study, which found that 56 percent of pastors believed those elements were important, while a 2016 Lifeway Research study found that 61 percent of pastors agreed.
“Scripture teaches that Christ’s followers should give honor and respect to governing authorities and fulfill unpleasant duties such as paying taxes and tolls (Romans 13),” McConnell said. “But pastors are split on whether such honor has a place in a church service that is normally reserved for worshiping God alone.”
Along denominational lines, Pentecostals (64 percent), Baptists (53 percent), Methodists (49 percent), holiness pastors (48 percent) and nondenominational congregations (47 percent) are more likely than Lutheran (32 percent) or Presbyterian/Reformed (29 percent) churches to include patriotic elements in their service.
The survey also found that 30 percent of pastors expressed concern over the possibility of idolatry because of their congregation’s love for America, including 8 percent who strongly agree, 69 percent who disagree and 1 percent who are not sure.
–Alan Goforth
