Can a Pastor Talk About Politics from the Pulpit?

Pastor Mark is concerned about the upcoming election and whether he can address political issues directly from the pulpit. He’s heard about President Trump’s executive order on religious speech in pulpits but isn't sure how much he can say. So, can Pastor Mark talk about politics from the pulpit?

The answer is yes, Pastor Mark can address political issues from the pulpit—but with some important restrictions.

In 1954, Congress amended the IRS Code under § 501(c)(3), which restricts the speech of nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, including churches. Before this amendment, there were no restrictions on church speech about government matters or elections, except that non-profits could not spend a substantial portion of their funds on lobbying efforts.

After the 1954 amendment, churches had to choose: speak freely about all issues related to Scripture and risk their tax-exempt status, or remain silent on certain topics to protect their tax-exempt status. Unfortunately, many churches allowed the amendment to silence their speech, including from the pulpit. Interestingly, despite the strict interpretation of the amendment for over 60 years, no church has lost its tax-exempt status due to a sermon.

However, the law remains in place, and while President Donald Trump’s executive order relaxed enforcement, it does not repeal the Johnson Amendment. An executive order cannot change legislation; only new legislation or a ruling by the courts can modify or nullify it.

What Can Pastors Say?

Even with relaxed enforcement, the Johnson Amendment still prevents churches from directly or indirectly participating in political campaigns or endorsing candidates for office.

Here are a few guidelines Pastor Mark should follow:

• Do Not Endorse Candidates:
  While the executive order has relaxed enforcement, the law still prohibits pastors from officially endorsing candidates from the pulpit. Pastor Mark can, however, endorse a candidate in his personal capacity as a citizen, outside of his role as a pastor.

• Discuss the Moral or Religious Implications of Issues:
  Pastor Mark is free to discuss the moral or religious implications of any issue that will be on the ballot. He can preach on biblical principles related to issues like immigration, abortion, the death penalty, poverty, gambling, and more. As long as the discussion stays focused on the issue itself and not a specific candidate, Pastor Mark can address these topics freely.

• Distribute Voter Guides and Encourage Civic Participation:
  Pastor Mark can also distribute nonpartisan voter guides, promote voter registration, and encourage congregation members to participate in the voting process. These activities must avoid any endorsement of specific candidates and should remain neutral.

Conclusion

While Pastor Mark can discuss political issues from the pulpit, he must still be careful to avoid endorsing specific candidates or political parties. The Johnson Amendment remains in effect, despite the executive order, and while its enforcement has been relaxed, it’s still the law. By sticking to biblical principles and encouraging civic participation without endorsing candidates, Pastor Mark can navigate these tricky waters and fulfill his pastoral duties without jeopardizing his church’s tax-exempt status.