Should Pastors and Clergy Endorse Political Candidates?

We are in the midst of the election season and candidates running for various political offices desperately rely on surrogates and endorsements to improve their chances of election.   Christians are often a targeted voting bloc based on stances on social issues.  Which draws to light how involved clergy should be at endorsing or persuading their congregations to support certain candidates or a political platform?  Under the US Tax Code nonprofit organizations such as churches can risk losing their tax exempt status if they actively support or oppose one presidential candidate over another.  Despite this there are times when churches and clergy have pushed the boundaries.  Pastors and clergy can personally endorse candidates or lend their names for use as long as the church is separated from the equation. 

The risk to clergy lending endorsements to candidates can be problematic if candidates end up throughout the campaign contracting what Jesus says and does in the Bible. This can damage the credibility of the pastor or even be an obstacle to those both in and outside the Christian Faith.   

In a culture that is moving further from God, it is challenging for true Christians seeking national political office to win a general elections by first being faithful to God and aiming to please him first instead of man.  Politics is a contact sport that often leads to vicious and negative political ads and statements aimed at demonizing opponents and Christians need to discern when political ideology contradicts God’s word   

Jesus told his disciples to render to Caesar what is his and give to Lord what he deserves.  In other words government has rightful authority, but final authority must be to God.   Christians should neither be indifferent or zealots of government or the political process. They should pray for discernment when heading to polls in November.  Pastors and Clergy should encourage laymen to participate and vote, however what is most important is for them teach the Gospel and build strong disciples so they are able to learn how to apply the Word of God to every aspect of their life which includes voting.

Comments

[Min. Covington]

Section 501(c)(3): Declares that churches are TOTALLY prohibited from participating in the political process. Below is the actual wording from the 2002 IRS Guideline for churches & religious
organizations.
All section 501(c)(3) organizations, including churches…are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in
opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.
Other agreements that appear to be required are:
A minister can not express his views on a candidate’s position in any meeting sanctioned by the church.
If a church allows a candidate to speak, it must provide the same opportunity for the opposing candidate to speak.
It appears that even if a conversation occurs at an outside, but church sanctioned meeting (like a small group), and an opinion is given by the small group leader… the law has been violated. Any
religious organization, including a church, must satisfy the statutory requirements to be exempt under IRC 501(c)(3). (3.6.6.1) Thus, the First Amendment does not prevent the government from
requiring compliance with general laws designed to effectuate an important governmental policy or objective even though compliance may be contrary to an individual's sincerely-held religious
beliefs.

If a church is a 501 (C) 3, they jeopardize loosing their status. It is better to trust in god that to put your trust or hope in princes of governments.