Skyline Pastor Tells Congregation on 'Pulpit Freedom Sunday' He'll Vote Romney

Rancho San Diego's Skyline Church Pastor Jim Garlow told his congregation on "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" that he'll vote for Gov. Mitt Romney, according to a U-T San Diego report.

Garlow told his congregation—though he's voting for Romney—they should vote for who God tells them to vote for, according to the newspaper.

“I did make an endorsement. I endorsed biblical principles," said Garlow in a statement. "My confidence is not and never has been in a political party or a candidate.  My confidence is in the scriptural constructs for our communities and our nation.  Christians should vote for whoever most aligns with biblical truth.

"I shared that I will vote for Mitt Romney, but that was merely a statement, not an endorsement.  I encouraged each person in the church to think through the biblical principles and vote for the personal they sense most aligns with scriptural truth as God directs them.”

Garlow's announcement comes a day—known as "Pulpit Freedom Sunday"—in which churches defy the so-called Johnson Amendment that bars tax-exempt nonprofits from electioneering. According to Garlow, 1,600 pastors participated in the event.