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Home > Articles > How Churches Can Mix Religion and Politics
How Churches Can Mix Religion and Politics
Know your rights and restrictions before you engage politics as a church.
Church Central

Topics:Legal issues, Media, Not-for-profit issues, Policies
Filters:Elder, Finances, Financial officer, Management, Pastor, Social justice, Volunteer
Purpose:Ministry
References:None
Date Added:September 30, 2008

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Q. What about lobbying?

A. Lobbying is permitted but limited. Churches whose lobbying efforts constitute between 5 and 15 percent of their total activities during the year will not jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

Q. Are churches permitted to participate in referendums, amendments, and other ballot initiatives?

A. Yes. These are classified as lobbying activities and are only subject to those limitations.

Q. What about the political activities of clergy or other church leaders?

A. The political activities of pastors or leaders acting as individuals are not restricted. Clergy may endorse or oppose candidates and otherwise participate in political campaigns, but they should take steps to insure their actions are not imputed to their churches. For example, undertaking political activities, endorsements, or oppositions to candidates during worship services or other church functions, or in church publications, is not legal. In addition, political activity is also illegal if the leader indicates he or she is acting on behalf of the church or if church funds are used to support political activity.

Q. Is it legal for candidates to appear in pulpits during worship services?

A. It depends. Such appearances may violate the law if the clergy endorses the candidate, takes up a collection for the candidate's benefit, invites only one candidate for an office to address the congregation, or allows other demonstrations of support. The IRS has indicated it is permissible for a church to invite all candidates for an office to address the congregation on successive Sundays and during worship services if each candidate has an equal opportunity to speak and field questions. The same rules apply if the candidate is a member of the clergy.

Q. May churches sponsor candidate forums?

A. Yes, when they are unbiased forums or debates for the purpose of educating voters. To ensure the event is unbiased, a church should not indicate its views on the issues discussed, comment on responses, or ask the candidates to endorse the organization's positions.

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