Kimberly Bulgin, pastor of the Denver Park Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, preached the morning sermon on the importance of dreaming big on July 27, 2024. In the message, Kimberly Bulgin used Kamala Harris as an example, stating that Vice President Harris was fulfilling her “God-given destiny” by potentially becoming the first Black and Asian woman to become President of the United States. In the same sermon, Kimberly mentioned how she was one of 40,000 women who campaigned for Kamala Harris and helped raise 1.5 million dollars for her political campaign. [1]
Below is part of the sermon that Kimberly Bulgin shared on Sabbath with her congregation:
“We are living in a time when a black woman, our very own Kamala Harris, vice president Kamala Harris, could be on the cusp of making history. You know I had to talk about it today; uh, you got a woman as your pastor. She’s aiming to be the first woman, the first black woman, and the first person of Asian descent to hold the highest office in the land. Over 40,000 black women, including myself, I was one of the 40,000, amen, that united on that Zoom call. We raised over $1.5 million in just three hours. We didn’t just gather just for a campaign; no, we gathered to go big or go home. They gathered to dream a bigger dream, to pray a bolder prayer, and to declare that nothing is impossible. Now let’s be clear, saints of God. This message today is not about politics; whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat doesn’t matter to me. This message is not about telling you who to vote for. I just want you all to vote when the time comes. This is about the power of stepping into your God-given destiny, just as Kamala Harris is doing. It’s about recognizing that when we dare to dream bold dreams, when we dare to step out in faith, when we dare to go big or go home, God always finds a way to match our faith. Is anybody with me today?” (YouTube Video)
Even though Kimberly Bulgin claims she wasn’t promoting one political party over another, standing in front of a giant picture of the democratic presidential candidate, claiming to have helped raise millions of dollars for her, and telling the church in her sermon that Kamala Harris is on a “God-given density,” it’s difficult not to see this as political pandering on Sabbath morning. Here we see a pastor standing in solidarity with a pro-abortion, pro-transgender rights and education, pro-Drag Queen, pro-feminists, and pro-radical left-wing political candidate during the Sabbath sermon. We are supposed to bring the light of the gospel to the world, not advocate for politicians who promote unbiblical views that contradict God’s word.
A pastor holds significant authority within their congregation and is frequently regarded as a trustworthy spiritual guide and moral leader. When a pastor advocates for political candidates during a Sabbath morning sermon, their endorsement can have a significant impact on the congregation’s political beliefs and voting behaviors. Congregants may feel compelled to agree with the pastor’s viewpoints, associating political endorsement with spiritual correctness. This influence is particularly strong because sermons are typically delivered in a worship setting, making it difficult for congregants to critically evaluate the political messages conveyed. As a result, the pastor’s advocacy in the pulpit can influence political opinions and actions, potentially undermining the sanctity of the Sabbath, worship, and the separation of the religious and political worlds.
Promoting political candidates or parties in church creates division within the congregation, alienates members and even visitors, and transforms a place of worship into a battleground for partisan politics. When pastors endorse political candidates, it can create the public perception that the entire congregation unanimously supports the pastor’s political stance. This perceived political alignment can pressure members to conform publicly to the pastor’s views, even if they privately disagree, for fear of being ostracized. Additionally, it can cause outsiders to associate the Seventh-day Adventist Church with specific political agendas, potentially chasing away those who might seek spiritual refuge without the burden of political entanglements.
“Whatever the opinions you may entertain in regard to casting your vote in political questions, you are not to proclaim it by pen or voice. Our people need to be silent upon questions which have no relation to the third angel’s message. If ever a people needed to draw nigh to God, it is Seventh-day Adventists” (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p, 336)
Sources
[1] https://www.youtube.com/live/Ro3pgbj5qZw?si=goI1KG3wyYeIL_In
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Doesn’t she know Kamala just appeared enthusiastically on a transgender drag show last week? ……this is who we promote now from our PULPITS?
The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the word of God. We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for. We cannot with safety take part in any political scheme. We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty, and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow-men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath. The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced. It is a spurious sabbath, and the members of the Lord’s family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day, and violate the law of God by trampling upon His Sabbath. The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office. {GW 391.2}
Those teachers in the church or in the school who distinguish themselves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not co-operate with them. The tithe should not be used to pay any one for speechifying on political questions. Every teacher, minister, or leader in our ranks who is stirred with a desire to ventilate his opinions on political questions, should be converted by a belief in the truth, or give up his work. His influence must tell as a laborer together with God in winning souls to Christ, or his credentials must be taken from him. If he does not change, he will do harm, and only harm…. {GW 393.1}
There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting politics; for by so doing they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. Those in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians, should have their credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low among His people. {GW 395.1}
Fire all pastors that support political candidates in the pulpit.
“”Púlpito não é lugar de mencionar assunto de política “”, o pastor é a autoridade maior humanamente falando, más não é “” más não tem
fala soberana ao manual da igreja “”!.
Ou seja (“eles não tem a última fala””!).em nosso sistema como igreja existe “um corpo que se denomina de ” comissão ” e depois finaliza com a igreja que é o “”maior corpo “( isso acredito eu ser do conhecimento de todos os membros da igreja adventista do sétimo dia).” Não devemos calar “!!!
Politics don’t belong in our church period. We have issues because politicians have graced the pulpits to preach. I really question how involved we should be in politics. It’s a very different world then want it was 100 years ago.