Quote Originally Posted by tkelly1986 View Post
The real question is whether the "minister" or "pastor" is qualified to be an elected official. They may be able to spread the word of God, but what about public policy do they understand? Let alone making good policy? We have too few people with advanced degrees in economics, public policy, public administration and dare I say law degrees
Knowledge and understanding of both theology and public policy don't necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. There is an all-too-common misconception otherwise---much like the perpetual "someone can't be both physically attractive and intelligent at the same time" and "religion and science can't co-exist" myths.

Sen John Danforth [[MO) was both an ordained, practicing Episcopal priest and a sitting Senator. He holds degrees from both seminary and Yale law. The structure of the ECUSA is such that [[unless they are a Rector or Dean) a priest can say Eucharist when their schedule permits, without other substantial responsibilities to the parish as a whole. During his entire service as MO Attorney General, US Senator, and UN Ambassador, Danforth continued to perform his duties as a priest at Christ Church Cathedral in St Louis, and still does.

I have no idea whether any of this applies to Spivey’s particular situation, but it is a cautionary consideration against making sweeping generalizations about how people earn their living outside of the sphere of their public service.