Hamilton Strategy
The Rev. Adam Hamilton speaks March 28 at the Perkins Theological School for the Laity, at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, in Dallas. His topic: “The Future of a Divided Church.” (Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS.)
Special to United Methodist Insight | March 9, 2026
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, has announced that he is discerning if he should be an independent candidate for the United States Senate from Kansas. I would discourage him from entering politics as a conflict of interest and maintain his appointment as a senior pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in America.
I believe in general that pastors, who are ordained elders in The United Methodist Church, need to address political issues from a Biblical, moral and ethical perspective rather than engage in partisan politics, especially if they wish to maintain their appointment as a pastor in the church. Even as an “independent,” members of Congress are part of partisan politics. While pastors have a duty to address relevant social issues, they need to maintain a role as a prophet not as a legislator. To maintain a role as a pastor of a church and at the same time serve as a U.S. Senator could be seen by many as a clear violation of our country’s separation of church and state. Being an independent senator does not void the possibility that an independent still must support partisan viewpoints when it comes to voting on legislation.
Elders in The United Methodist Church are called to a ministry of Word, Sacrament and Order, taking vows to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments and provide pastoral leadership. During ordination, elders promise to lead, counsel and guide their appointed congregation or appointment beyond the local church and in most cases are discouraged from any other employment beyond their appointment.
Rev. Hamilton has provided incredible leadership in fulfilling the role of senior pastor of what has become the largest and probably the most influential congregation in The United Methodist Church. If he decides to pursue candidacy for the U.S. Senate and is duly elected, I believe he would need to surrender his ordination credentials as an elder in The United Methodist Church to his bishop or request a leave of absence lest there be a conflict of interest involving the separation of church and state.
At the same time, I commend his willingness to serve as a United States Senator. However, I would not want him to negate his role as a prophetic voice when such a voice is needed, especially at this time in our country’s history. I also believe he would have a more influential voice in the actions of Congress by being a prophetic voice as a highly influential pastor in support of legislators and causes that reflect the teachings of the church through its Social Principles and of Jesus, the Christ, founder of the Church Universal.
The decision is his alone in consultation with his congregation, his bishop and his supporters. However, maintaining his role as senior pastor and also serving as a member of Congress would be in comflict with his role as an elder in The United Methodist Church. Being both, he would be bound by two oaths of loyalty, which from time to time might be in conflict with each other. In Scripture, we are warned that we cannot serve two masters. If elected as a Senator, Rev. Hamilton, as well as his bishop, need to discern what is best for the ministry of the church. In The United Methodist Church, decisions of ministry are not done alone but in consultation and under the guidance and decision of bishops.
Daniel R. Gangler
The Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Gangler is a retired elder of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.