What Can a Pastor Say about Political Candidates?

The campaigns for the governor's race in Louisiana have begun to intensify. When Gov. Kathleen Blanco decided not to run for re-election, several individuals took hard looks at the possibility of making a run for the governor's mansion. One candidate who had announced early has since changed political affiliations in order to carry a different party banner than the front-runner.

I have a candidate that I will support. I will not name the candidate here because that might be construed as an official endorsement. My support of this candidate is based upon the candidate's past because the best indicator of someone's future positions are the decisions and stands that person has taken in the past.

Many are confused as to what role and to what limit a pastor or church may participate in political races. I'd like to shed light on this confusing area in hopes that churches and pastors might come to a clearer understanding. It's also important to note that from the beginning years of our nation, Christians -- and in particular, Baptists -- have had a great deal of influence in the shaping of policy. Baptists in Virginia were instrumental in the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, becoming adopted.

Here is a list of actions pastors in which they can participate:

• Preach sermons and teach on moral and social issues, including biblical teaching on abortion, same-sex marriage.
• Encourage civic participation.
• Conduct candidate or issues forums where each duly qualified candidate invited and provided an equal opportunity to address the congregation.
• Educate on how the political processes work.
• Distribute candidate surveys and incumbent voting records.
• Offer support or opposition of judicial, department, or cabinet appointments.
• Offer the use of its building to political candidates, as long as other candidates are invited.
• Engage in voter registration activities that avoid promoting any one candidate or particular political party.

But there are limitations. Pastors cannot:

• Endorse any candidate for political office on behalf of the church. (However, as an individual citizen and not in his official capacity as pastor, he can support candidates running for office.)
• Use church funds or services (such as mailing lists or office equipment) to contribute directly to candidates or political committees.
• Set up a political committee that would contribute funds directly to political candidates.
• Allow candidates to solicit funds while speaking in a church.

So we will continue to teach on moral and social issues in order to help people understand what the Bible says about these issues. I will continue to participate in the campaigns of individuals running for political office as an individual. We will encourage voter registration and voter participation without endorsing any candidate as a church.

In a couple of months, voters in Louisiana will be casting the ballots in the governor's race and other local races. But I can only imagine that our participation in this election will seem small when we compare it to the candidating that will accompany an intensified election season when it's the 2008 Presidential Election. Won't that be something?