Churches and Politics: What 501(c)(3) Rules Allow

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“While few public examples exist of the actual enforcement of these rules over the years by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), churches and church leaders still should understand the prohibitions and limitations, including any potential tax consequences triggered by them.” - C.Leaders

Related:

  • IRS Files Motion to Allow Churches to Endorse Political Candidates - C.Leaders
  • IRS says pastors endorsing political candidates doesn’t violate Johnson Amendment - CPost
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Discussion

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry
Wed, 07/09/25 10:08 am

It strikes me that while an endorsement from the pulpit (or a non-endorsement) does not rise to the level of "prophetic utterance" (at least in our circles), there is a reality that when something is said from a pulpit, or otherwise by a pastor in a teaching or preaching capability, that the matter is of spiritual significance. So from a spiritual point of view, we do not want to trivialize the Gospel or God's Word by carelessly linking it to a candidate or political movement.

Put differently, yes, it does seem unfair, politically speaking, that liberal churches have been hosting liberal candidates to give political speeches for a long time without repercussions (ignoring previous interpretation of 501C3), the right path for conservatives, politically and religiously, is not to do what they're doing, but rather to point out why we don't; because it trivializes the Gospel.

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

Profile picture for user dcbii
dcbii
Wed, 07/09/25 10:59 am

>>Put differently, yes, it does seem unfair, politically speaking, that liberal churches have been hosting liberal candidates to give political speeches for a long time without repercussions (ignoring previous interpretation of 501C3), the right path for conservatives, politically and religiously, is not to do what they’re doing, but rather to point out why we don’t; because it trivializes the Gospel.<<

Agreed. I was thinking the same thing reading about this yesterday. It’s obvious that many churches have gotten away with this blatantly, if they are on the “right side of history” as is the relevant expression these days. There was a clear double standard on this issue, for sure.

However, I’m glad that the churches I’ve been part of don’t do politics from the pulpit, other than occasional statements close before an election that we have the privilege to be able to help select our leaders and that we should exercise this responsibility to try to get leaders that will be in the mold of Romans 13 — rulers who will be a terror to evil, not to good works.

Let’s keep church about the Bible. Occasionally the Bible speaks to government, and we can preach and discuss what it says there. It also speaks to issues, so we can deal with those. Even though government was set up by God, the church is not the place to work in that sphere of authority.

Dave Barnhart