Politics and the Church

With the Presidential Political Season heating up, and our nation starting into the home stretch of this Campaign, I am hearing more and more political questions, statements and opinions in and around Oasis Church. I feel it is important to go on the record at this time, of where we stand as a church.

I know there is one thing you should never go close to if you're a pastor or church...and that is Politics!  Yet, Pastors like anyone else are citizens and are entitled to their own opinions and political views. But in reality the church and pastors should be very careful when they discuss politics. I have strong political opinions but I have never from the pulpit, told anyone who to vote for or who I was voting for. I never will. While the IRS and Federal Laws do give the church some legitimate reasons to be involved in politics, I have made it off limits. (NOW IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO, AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN I AM PERSONALLY VOTING FOR, GO TO THIS POST)

If you attend Oasis Church, you need to understand that our Mission is Spiritual and we believe that the only real life change happens when Jesus Christ comes into a person's life and changes them radically. No politician, or party will ever do that!!! Our Mission...preach Jesus!!!

In our church if anyone takes advantage of their Community Group, or any other venue to push their candidate or political persuasion, they will be called on it. I would hope anyone in our church would know better, and not be divisive by talking politics whether in a service or in a Community Group.

For those who want to know what official stand our church takes on political involvement, I share with you this paragraph, from our Church's Constitution.

"ARTICLE X TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS SECTION 2 – POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT: No substantial part of the activities of the Church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office."

If you favor a candidate or party, please respect our Mission and our Constitution and not discuss it in a church setting, or in any church ministry setting. I believe God will honor this. We have an incredibly unified church, yet so diverse. We have every political persuasion, from every extreme. Let's stay focused on Jesus. For those who might wonder what our stand is on Politics and also what the Government allows and doesn't allow you can click on the FAQ's that are given by the Baptist Press in order to try to clarify what churches and pastors can and can't do.

HMMMM!!!!! Isn't this illegal?????????? See if this picture could get this church in trouble???????? Read the lawyer's views of churches getting involved with a candidate!!!!

ANALYSIS: Churches & Politics: A primer for following the law

Posted on Jul 26, 2004 | by Grange, King & Kao

McLEAN, Va. (BP)--For churches and other tax-exempt organizations, every four years the doctrine of election takes on a special meaning -- as the IRS warns of the dangers of involvement in elections.

Since the inception of the federal income tax in 1913, Congress has granted churches an exemption from paying this tax. However, in 1954, Congress enacted an additional condition for maintaining Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) exempt status: a prohibition from engaging in "any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." This politicking prohibition was put forward by then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson to spank a Texas nonprofit that dared to oppose his political candidacy.

As we round the sharp turns leading to another presidential election this fall, and as churches seek to fulfill their biblical calling to engage our culture morally and socially, their understanding of the actual contours of this legal guardrail becomes increasingly important. Examining the permitted exits in the guardrails is vital as a growing number of evangelical leaders engage in renewed efforts to increase voter turnout. This article addresses in FAQ format questions commonly raised by churches concerning this issue.

Q: How much political campaign activity is permissible for a tax-exempt church? FAQ's On the Church and Politics   

Comments

[Jen]

I agree. So, we'll find out who you're voting for tomorrow? Interesting.

[Jimmy]

hahaha I'm going to start using that: "For churches and other tax-exempt organizations, every four years the doctrine of election takes on a special meaning"

that is hilarious