by Chris Steele

March 23, 2008

Last week, as the Fed-Ex driver handed a package over to me, he asked if it was true that preachers can get into trouble if they preach publicly about the government or politics. This is a common question and one that we need to understand as we muddle through this election year.

It is true that there are certain laws about what tax-exempt organizations can and cannot say or do. Preachers, elders, teachers, or the church as a whole in its public activities, may not directly endorse or oppose a political candidate. We are permitted to preach and teach on moral and social issues (abortion, gay marriage, even economic matters as it relates to such issues, etc.) however, we cannot connect these issues with any one candidate, or their position, during the sermon. Churches may also take official positions on such issues, as long as they don't directly endorse or oppose a candidate in the process. It is for this reason that we do not pass out voter guides. Even though these may be informative for us personally, they are usually published by groups who are very politically motivated toward certain candidates and issues. They usually are not tax exempt organizations.

There may come a time when we will be arrested or go to jail for “naming a name” in a sermon. But at the present time, the consequences for violating these rules, would result in losing our tax-exempt status. Without this, the church would pay taxes on all its purchases. We would no longer be classified as a charitable organization. Therefore contributions made to the church would be taxable.

For now, the IRS permits a preacher (or any other official representative of the church) to personally work for a candidate, contribute financially to his or her campaign, or endorse a candidate. We are allowed to organize voter registrations and drives and encourage people to get out and vote on election day. We do not break the law if we personally endorse a candidate in the parking lot of the church building or at the grocery store. As long as we do not do so from the pulpit, or using church stationary, or putting up posters or signs on church property.