"Should a pastor work directly for a political party while also leading a church?" -- Mark Tooley, IRD President

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- A prominent Washington, D.C. pastor and board member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is to lead the religious outreach program of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, whose hiring was announced October 20, is senior pastor of the prestigious Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, one of the largest historic black congregations in Washington, DC. In addition to serving on the NAE board, Harkins serves on an advisory board for the pro-abortion rights Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). He also serves on the board of the liberal advocacy group Faith and Public Life, funded by leftist philanthropies like George Soros and the Tides Foundation.

In 2009, Harkins argued that Obamacare is morally imperative. This summer, Harkins endorsed Jim Wallis's "Circle of Protection," which effectively sided with President Obama and against Congressional Republicans during the debt ceiling crisis by opposing spending limits on social welfare or entitlements programs, by implication favoring only tax increases and military cuts to address spiraling federal deficits.

IRD President Mark Tooley responded:

"The DNC selection of Harkins is understandable given his liberal politics and his connections with mostly conservative evangelicals. As a board member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), he has ready access to leaders of at least 40 member denominations.

"Should a pastor work directly for a political party while also leading a church? The Religious Left would complain if an evangelical pastor were similarly hired by the Republican National Committee.

"It remains to be seen if traditional, pro-life, pro-traditional marriage evangelicals listen to Harkins' appeals on behalf of the DNC."