Saddleback’s Andy Wood: Inauguration Post Was ‘Well-Intended’ But Made ‘With Haste’

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Pastor Andy Wood. Screengrab from YouTube / @saddlebackchurch

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Before his sermon on Sunday, Feb. 2, Andy Wood talked about a recent social media post he described as “well-intended” but made “with haste.” The lead pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California apologized for causing any confusion but said he felt convicted “it is the right thing to leave the post up.”

On Jan. 20, Wood shared a photo of President Trump being sworn in for a second term. In the caption, which has been edited, the pastor wrote:

Today’s inauguration was beautiful! A number of moments where God was honored, and a wonderful prayer @franklin_graham pointing people to the Hope of the Gospel. It’s a moment in history that will mark a different era. There is a divine window of opportunity with this shift in power. Government cannot change the human heart, but the new administration will definitely make more space for our work.

RELATED: Franklin Graham Compares Trump to Moses, Vance to Aaron in Inauguration Prayer

Christians should respond “by pointing all eyes to Jesus,” Wood added, “receiving open doors while refusing to put our hope in a human leader, proclaiming His salvation, loving our neighbor, helping people know the mercy of God, calling for repentance from sin, and teaching people how to understand and obey The Bible.”

After mentioning that “a great season of harvest” is ahead, Wood concluded with a prayer for Trump to “honor God in this critical role at this critical hour.” The pastor prayed for God to help the president “accomplish His intended purpose for your life and your role as our president for such a time as this.”

Because the post led to divisive comments, Wood turned off that feature. “Not because I can’t handle the disagreement but because of the divisive nature of the thread,” he wrote in a P.S. to the caption. “I will still love you even if you don’t see it the same way.”

Pastor Andy Wood Adds Context To Inauguration Post

To begin Sunday’s message, Pastor Andy Wood acknowledged that he doesn’t shy away from tough conversations but was unsure whether to publicly address the post. When he talked to staff members about it, however, their response was so helpful that he decided to bring it up with the congregation.

To add context to his post, Wood said he had been “moved by the peaceful transition of power,” by Pastor Lorenzo Sewell’s inaugural prayer, and by the “beautiful picture of diversity” of Vice President J.D. Vance’s family. Wood wanted to mark on his social media a “very significant moment” in U.S. history, he said.

RELATED: Was What Vance Told Hannity About Immigration Actually a ‘Christian Concept’?

While picking up one of his children from school on Jan. 20, the pastor quickly found a photo of Trump’s swearing in, made a post, and then got busy at home. The next morning, his post had 400 comments, including some that were “getting very hostile.” Some people were asking, “Does this mean Andy’s MAGA?” Wood recalled.

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Stephanie Martin
Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! and pro football.

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