ELECTION CENTER: Churches

Play by the rules, but definitely play!

Some pastors and ministers mistakenly believe that political involvement is wrong. But what does the Bible say?

In the New Testament, Jesus said the two greatest commandments were "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind," and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37, 39). Where shall I not love God? Not in the government? Where shall I not love my neighbor? Not when the government harms my neighbor?

How can houses of worship look the other way when our government sexually indoctrinates the minds of six million California schoolchildren?

How can people of faith block their ears to the cries of children when California taxpayers are forced to pay for more than 100,000 abortions every year?

How can compassionate clergy be silent when our government abuses religious freedom?

Jesus told his followers, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matt 5:14). He also said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men" (Matt 5:13).

How can we have good government if people who know what is good aren't helping to shape our government? If houses of worship understood their calling to hold government accountable, things would change for the better. Getting involved is simply another way to worship God and love people.

Many pastors and churches want to be involved, but are overly afraid of the IRS. This is wrong. The IRS is very clear about the broad involvement that tax-exempt religious organizations can have. There is so much freedom! Houses of worship, most of which are organized as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, should become informed and involved. Rather than being afraid of the IRS, shouldn't churches instead fear the prospect of not loving God or loving people?

Churches can definitely be involved with elections and legislation as long as they play by the rules. It's like driving your car according to the traffic laws. Don't stop driving and don't avoid political involvement.

The main challenges for churches are to:
 
1) understand their freedoms
2) overcome fear or complacency
3) learn how to use their resources effectively to influence community, state and nation.

IRS letter to churches (2004) (PDF, 83 KB, 3 pages, requires Adobe® Reader®)
Department Of TheTreasury, Internal Revenue Service

Do's and Don'ts for Churches
Christian Coalition

Pautas políticas y legislativas para iglesias y pastores
Enfoque a la Familia

What May Pastors and Churches Do?

Political Guidelines for Clergy
Liberty Counsel

Do Christians Have an Obligation to Vote?

Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
An Essay from South Africa