After two weeks of controversy, the Mayor of Houston has withdrawn subpoenas of church sermons from local pastors.

The mayor’s office initially subpoenaed all pastoral communications, sermons, and similar documents related to homosexuality, the city’s mayor, and the city’s controversial “nondiscrimination” ordinance. After receiving push-back, the city said it no longer wanted pastors’ sermons; instead it would settle for their “speeches.” Needless to say, that did very little to end the controversy.

Yesterday, Mayor Parker released a statement announcing she is directing her legal team to withdraw its subpoenas against the pastors.

When the subpoenas first came to light, leaders and ministers from across the country had different ideas on ways pastors in Houston could peacefully protest the city’s actions. John Piper suggested pastors invite the mayor to church for a sermon on biblical sexuality. Mike Huckabee, Glenn Beck, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Eric Metaxas all gained attention, however, for suggesting Christians politely send the mayor’s office a copy of the Bible and pastors send a copy of a sermon. Local news outlets are reporting the mayor’s office received between 500 and 1,000 Bibles from Americans concerned by the city’s actions.

We are glad the City of Houston is withdrawing its subpoenas of the sermons and pastoral communications, but it’s troubling the withdrawal took so long and came only after members of the public rallied and the city’s rather meaningless attempts to change the wording of the subpoenas failed.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Houston for any similar developments in the future.