WASHINGTON -- Four out of 10 Protestant pastors in the United States disagree with their denominations on political and theological matters, according to a survey by Ellison Research.
The Phoenix-based research company found that 19 percent of pastors surveyed are more liberal theologically than their denominations. Twenty-three percent are more conservative, and 59 percent say their views are in line with their denomination's teachings, according to the Religion News Service.
"Theologically, about as many pastors feel their denomination is too conservative as feel it is too liberal," said Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research. "With almost an equal proportion coming down on each side of the fence, any shift by denominations could create an imbalance."
On politics, 16 percent of pastors surveyed are more liberal than their denominations, 27 percent are more conservative, and 58 percent hold the same beliefs as their denominations.
"Denominational leaders need to understand when they espouse a position on something political that pastors serving in their denomination may not feel the same way," Sellers said.
The survey included 475 Protestant pastors nationwide and has a 4.4 percent margin of error.
