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Christianity Today, September (Web-only), 2008 |

Endorsing from the Pulpit

Pastors launch challenge of IRS rules on endorsements.

Adelle M. Banks | posted 9/25/2008 10:09AM

Pastor Gus Booth remembers when he used to simply encourage his congregation of 150 in Warroad, Minn., to vote each Election Day. Now, he thinks it's important to tell them which candidate should get ...

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Richard

Posted: September 30, 2008 6:26 PM

This is nothing more than a power grad. Pure and simple. How is God's name (pun intended) can a pastor know the heart and soul of a person enough to endorse them from the pulpit. They can't. These pastors have decided that the Republican party is their party to power and want to turn our Democracy into a Theocracy. I can read about the candidates and I am 100% able to pray on my own for guidance. That's the great thing about a personal relationship with God. I don't need a pastor for salvation or voting advice. The problem we have is that too many Pastors have a God complex. They believe that only they can tell you what God wants you to do. Remember, false prophets come in many shapes and sizes. Matthew 24:5 "because many will come in my name and say, 'I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many people." Mark 13:22 "because false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens to deceive, if possible, the elect."

Bob Druumond

Posted: September 28, 2008 2:55 PM

From where I sit in a major industrial area with many churches of colour I have find it ironic that the IRS rules only seem to apply to one race. Those white folk out there. Meanwhile our African-American churches regualrly supply pulpit time and effort to the cantidate(s) that they support as if the IRS "rules" didn't exist. I think we should let "all" churches that choose to do the same regardless of colour. Be it for President or Mayor or any other office.

aveteran

Posted: September 28, 2008 8:49 AM


Gus, who gave you any right to dictate what anyone does in the bedroom, much less who to vote for? Telling the congregation who to vote for doesn't further the mission of the church to spread Christianity, it turns the church into a prostitute for the Republican party. If you want to play politics, drop your tax exemption PRIVILEGE and pay to play like everyone else.

JohnV

Posted: September 28, 2008 7:11 AM


Most pastors like the current regulations because it gives them an excuse not to preach about political candidates. Endorsing a candidate will drive away members who prefer the other candidate. With the regulation removed, most every pastors will face pressure and calls for endorsements and have to reach into themselves rather than the IRS regulations to resist them.

David in Albuquerque

Posted: September 27, 2008 6:28 PM

When are Christians going to stop endorsing candidates who are pro-war, pro-rich (didn't Jesus throw the merchants out of the temple?), anti-poor, pro-gun, etc. Pro-life is an important issue but it is not the only issue of Christian morality. McCain and the Republicans are warmakers and they are criminals. The profess a belief system based on greed, not Christian charity. I don't understand how Christians can support people like that.

John Pearson

Posted: September 27, 2008 3:53 PM

Not to worry! I’ve enjoyed and endured weekly pastoral admonitions for 60 years. Trust me—the “pulpit initiative” by the ADF will not make a dent. Our nation’s pew warmers have fine-tuned the art of smiling and pseudo-listening to their Sunday clergy—but by Monday it’s business as usual. The Bible says you should tithe. Few do. Avoid pre-marital sex. Not! Marriage is a life-long commitment. Oops. So when and if our bolder preachers wave the flag from the pulpit for McCain or Obama—it won’t make any difference. The people in the pew have perfected their own pick-and-choose gospel. Religious leaders delude themselves when they believe that sermonizing changes behavior. People of faith change their behavior when they hear from God—and God, thankfully, is not a registered Republican or Democrat. I appreciate good preaching and thoughtful counsel from my pastors. I also appreciate the ADF. But pastors who patronize their people with political advice minimize the pulpit's impact.

Anonymous

Posted: September 27, 2008 4:04 AM


Pop quiz: While on earth, Jesus Christ endorsed: a) The Sadducees b) The Pharisees c) The Caesar d) None of the above

Powhatan Pres

Posted: September 26, 2008 8:47 PM

Maybe it's time for the church to quit depending on government and taxpayers' support by giving up its "tax-exempt" status. Then the church can say and do anything Jesus leads it to do without looking over its collective shoulder to see if that say this or do that. Except maybe fight the same sex marriage folks (a la "Pastor for God - who knew God needed a pastor?) or fight the liberals or fight the church that is different from ours. Fighting is a right poor way to love our enemies. Maybe Jesus might say that the more we disagree with someone, the more we should love them with Holy Spirit inspired love. That'll straighten them (or us) out.

Pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM

Posted: September 26, 2008 2:41 PM

Here's a new twist, and maybe worth looking at: You know, the Sabbatarian Churches of God when they were established in Rhode Island from 1663 onward didn't believe in having anything to do with governments and this included voting and holding public office. They believed they represented the government of Jesus Christ, and were ambassadors for the coming government of Jesus Christ (which the Bible clearly states will be established at the 2nd coming). As such, being ambassadors for Jesus Christ and the government of God, do ambassadors vote in the guest nations and countries they're assigned to? No. Many of the Sabbatarian Churches of God still practice this belief. But they do something that is also remarkable. They earnestly pray for the candidate they believe will be best for the nation they live in, following principle found in Daniel 3:17, and they are praying that God's will be done in the elections. Prayer is personal. Keeps political controversy out of the church.

wesh	Posted: September 26, 2008 12:54 PM


mixing politics and organized religion get you a devil behind a pulpit. Does anyone remember Reed and Abramoff? Christians are well intended, but can be played like a fiddle. Whenever someone declares "God Will's It", watch your back! But what do I know, I'm just a local elected's chief of staff.

AP	Posted: September 26, 2008 11:51 AM


The most disturbing quote ever: "If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth," Uh, no... GOD can tell us what to do in the bedroom, but no one should EVER allow a pastor or anyone else pretending to be God tell you what to do.

malaine

Posted: September 26, 2008 11:40 AM

I believe the church is to blame for the direction the culture is going. This is because the pastors have avoided speaking about God's design for our lives. In this country we are the government, we as christians have not step up and voted into office people who follow God's principles. This is because the pulpit has refused to and tried to protect their own pocketbooks instead speaking the truth. The pastors want large congregations so that they can become famous. Large congregation do not come by speaking against the selfish interests of man. Give us men like Isaiah who stood up and spoke the word of God.

k	Posted: September 26, 2008 11:37 AM


This is not about free speech. It is about tax breaks. Churches should pay taxes, period! Otherwise that is a small view of God , right? Do churches need tax breaks to exist?

sparksfire

Posted: September 26, 2008 11:31 AM


The Irs made that rule in 1954 because of LBJ. He got mad because Pastors were against him because of his lifestyle. All non-profit should have the same rights. This rule is just against Religious organizations.

Apostle Samuel

Posted: September 26, 2008 10:21 AM

I am surprised that Our spiritual leaders, want to soil their consecration on the altar of our national politics. ( Luke 10: 1 - 12; John 17: 8 - 23 : Acts. 1:6 - 8; 4:1- 21.) If any one can read all these areas in the scriptures, there is no verse in the bible where our master, lord and Savior got himself or encouraged his disciples then or for the future to get involved in the politics of the day. The two presidential contenders are not real born again Christians, and they are not even constant attendees of whatever church they claimed to belong. Therefore Pastors should desists from the temptations from the wolfs amongst us who are not called by God for the ministry. Finally, Pastors should resist the temptation not for the so called 501(c)3.but for the sake of the kingdom that called and employed them.Daniel 9:12 - 14: 11:32 - 33.

Dale Fincher

Posted: September 26, 2008 9:39 AM

I understand the IRS rules... They can be abused by politicians as well as churches. Yet I do think the church ought to be allowed to talk politics and candidates without a shadow hanging over them. I think 'endorsing' is overrated and don't find it helpful anyway (like joining the good-old-boys-club). But I do think it is important for pulpiteers to talk about issues facing people today, regardless of whether it's politics, economy, gangs in the neighborhood, or theology. That the government has found a clever way to silence religious organizations with money is very interesting. I've been in church where they are so fearful of talking about anything politically relevant that real cultural talking points aren't heard. And we're supposed to be 'engaging' culture?

Dave	Posted: September 26, 2008 9:06 AM


Personally I think the whoile Tax Exempt thing is a bunch of bull, it's leverage for the government to tell churches what to do and for churches to have political power (equally as dangerouse) I say dump the whole thing and pay Taxes. Give unto Ceaser what is Ceasers and give unto God what is God's.

Mark	Posted: September 26, 2008 9:00 AM


Pastors are already free to endorse whomever they please from the pulpit or anywhere else. All that would happen would be they would lose their church's tax benefits. If you don't want the government telling you what or what not to say, then don't take their money.

Mike	Posted: September 26, 2008 7:15 AM

You are incorrect Wizard, there is no speech in the Constitution or Bill of Rights that says anything about the supposed "seperation of church and state". I believe pastors should be able to say anything they want just as the leaders of the left do. If they step over the line, they will lose their congregation. But even if this doesn't work, pastors can still speak about politics, they can discuss the issues and say where each party stands, they just can't endorse one side or the other. If a pastor feels led to speak about politics, he should present the issues and let the people make up their own minds. There are people on both sides that will try to manipulate and brainwash, if you restrict one side, you should restrict the other.

Sean Baines

Posted: September 26, 2008 7:10 AM

They must be joking. Ministers should not be playing Politics. What do they know what is best for the country. See the mess we are in after all the years ministers endorsed Politicians. Jesus never endorsed anybody whrn he was on earth and when he was walking the earth the politics at the time was Roman occupation. I know what it is "These minsters are religious but not necessary Christians " Pleas Stay out endorsing somebody. Watch how all the candidates act on the "Campaign"Trail. All the lies and badmouthing each other is Christian. ? Give me a break. Let God deal with it and he will, believe me. Sean Baines

Pastor for God

Posted: September 26, 2008 5:15 AM


Stop complainting about who should vote for who and form a group to fight same sex marriage and leave the politic along,because in the end you don't care who win anyway.

Byron

Posted: September 26, 2008 12:16 AM


And pastor JHubers just got a political statement in against Republicans, hmmm. What do you really believe?

kwonbbl

Posted: September 25, 2008 10:52 PM

For the pulpit, there is a sensible way. Just tell the congregation about the issues, explain what is at stake. People can decide which to vote. One important issue is sanctity for life: Anyone who tells a baby just to be born can be torn up is a murderer. It's not even abortion. Or perverting moral tradition of marriage. Economy: a major issue only for people serving mammon. It will go up and down. What we have to realize is that it is the Satan's evil trio - greed, speculation, manipulation - which makes our capitalism dysfunctional. It is the root cause of all the recent economic problems and crises as Satan artfully controls the world, using this trick. A bigger government with pork barrel and hand-out winks at Satan. It seems which one: what country should do for you (Democrats)? Don't ask what it should do for you (Publicans)? Should the president be the kind who likes to call on hot line to Russia-EU-Iran to get O.K. for how he has to act when a big bang come?

lewsta

Posted: September 25, 2008 9:55 PM

If you tax organisations like churches that do not produce a profit, you tax the citizens supporting them twice: when they pay their own tax bill, and again when the church they support pays again. The church-paid tax is a higher rate, as it has already been reduced by thei member's taxes. and as to whether ministers should speak plainly from the pulpit, read about this issue during the days of our War of Independance from England. No one questioned that ministers were to address politics from the pulpit. Then, read the founding documents of this nation once England was put out. The Founding Fathers worked very hard to ensure the government could not restrict the speech of anyone, particularly ministers. And if killing unborn babies is not a spiritual issue, why prosecute the murder of any other person? Is this not a spiritual issue? And if so, why is it not to be addressed from our pulpits? Who to speak up for righteousness than our ministers? Someone have something to hide?

RKMuzzarelli

Posted: September 25, 2008 9:00 PM

I am a minister. I do not and do not intend to endorse a political candidate from the pulpit. I do encourage people to vote. I believe Christians have a duty to participate in the political process. To date, I do not think I have ever voted in an election that has not been a "split" ticket. I consider the candidate, not the party. However, I do not think my freedom of speech should exclude the pulpit, the street or anywhere else in the United States of America. The pulpit does not change my political opinion or give it more or less impact. When Government limits the freedom of speech, only politically correct speech becomes acceptable; politically correct speech is absolutely subject to whom is in political power. That is a serious danger to any free society. I respect the right of others to disagree with me; others should also respect my right to disagree with them. True freedom demands that each of us have the right to discuss the differences of opinion that exist.

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