Pulpits and Politics: Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant sparks debate after endorsing Stacey Abrams for governor

Dec 9

Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant has always been a vocal activist (Credit: Jamal Bryant Instagram)

By TJ Jones // EEW Magazine Online // Faith + Politics

Jamal Harrison Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has long been applauded for being an active social justice and civil rights advocate who focuses on housing, health, safety and voter registration.

But the 50-year-old leader’s decision to endorse Democratic hopeful Stacey Abrams for Georgia governor in a Wednesday, Dec. 8 Instagram post has garnered mixed reviews and rubbed some the wrong way.

“I want to go on record that Stacey Abrams should and will be the next Governor for the state of Georgia,” Bryant wrote, captioning a photograph of himself wearing a sweatshirt with Abrams’ face on the front.

“She has put it all on the line for voter equality!” added Bryant who asked social media followers to drop an emoji in the comment section to indicate that the popular politician, who lost a tight race in 2018, “can count on your support and prayers.”

One commenter said, “I am praying for Stacy [sic] and I stand in agreement with you,” while another voiced disagreement with Bryant’s public backing of Abrams, currently vying to become the nation’s first Black woman governor.

“How did black churches get so caught up in politics?” asked the upset follower, noting that Jesus was not concerned with politics but instead “came to seek those that are lost.

The respondent who is clearly against mixing preachers’ platforms with politics said the church is “Holy Ghost headquarters” and “not a campaign office.”

Though the positive responses to Bryant were overwhelming, with many promising to support Abrams in the upcoming election, another respondent voiced concerns about the candidate’s abortion stance.

“Stick to Jesus Jamal Bryant. We like you. Stacey Abrams is no hero. Abortions hurt no community like the black community,” they said.

Stacey Abrams is vying to become the first Black woman governor of Georgia (Credit: Getty)

Abrams, 47, who was once pro-life, has been vocal about her change of heart on the issue of abortion. In a video message via NowThis News, she said, “I grew up in a religious family. I grew up believing that the right to an abortion was wrong, and I was wrong.”

Now Abrams, who talks publicly and frequently about her faith, fights against laws banning abortions.

“That’s why I’ve worked hard, once I understood the truth, to fight for the right to access,” continued Abrams. “Not everyone makes the same decision, but every woman should have a choice.”

By publicly supporting Abrams’ candidacy, some of Bryant’s followers assume that the Christian preacher also supports her stance on abortion, an assumption that has led to divisive online conversations.

Bryant’s followers’ mixed reactions underscore why supporting political candidates can be a sticky issue for pastors.

Though clergy employed by churches that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations cannot endorse candidates from the pulpit, on church websites or social media accounts, in church publications, or at church events, the Johnson Amendment says they do have the right to endorse candidates personally if they are speaking only for themselves and not on behalf of the church.

Clergy can make endorsements on personal social media accounts and other media appearances not sponsored by the church, as well as public events not organized or sponsored by the church.

But being well within their rights to engage in politics does not make the practice any less controversial. Further, political campaigning often drives wedges between the politically involved pastors and parishioners with opposite political leanings.

No matter how controversial, however, Bryant has made his position and endorsement clear. He hopes to see Abrams occupy the governor’s office, and he just may get his wish.

With the absence of serious competition in a Democratic primary, the campaign could set up a rematch between Abrams and incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Their 2018 contest was one of the most narrowly decided races for governor that year and was dominated by allegations of voter suppression, which Kemp denied.

As for whether preachers should endorse candidates, well, that will long remain a hot topic of debate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.