Over the past few months we have been overwhelmed with political advertisements, yards filled with signs, avoiding those people who we do not agree with, and hopefully just temporary splits between families or friends. About a year ago as pastor I began to receive direction and reminders about how we can stand as pastors or as a church in this present political arena. As a church we are a 501 C3 not-for-profit religious institution. We have a few defining limits that we must respect if we are to be true to our country, church, and to ourselves.
As a religious organization doing business as a church, we have guidelines that we must follow not only directed to us by our government but also as part of the United Methodist Church. Our country was founded and established as a country “Under God.” Which means there is room for us to worship as we so choose in our country and that there will be no one or specific religious organization as part of the state.
During these past few months, we as a church with members from many different political views have done a respectable job of keeping “politics” out of our church. It has not been easy for us as we each have views and the need to express ourselves to others, remembering that we must respect the views of others and respecting the perspective of others is important to remain friends, family, and associates.
I as your pastor am being held accountable to make sure that no political party or stance has been preached from the pulpit, become a topic of conversation by me in the Fellowship Hall or in our educational classrooms. This has been the direction that we as pastors and the “Shepherd of our flocks” have been directed to refrain from. In fact, if we were to allow a political candidate or a supporter of a specific proposal that might be on the ballot to be a part of our conversation within the “Walls” of our church, we must in order to meet the guidelines of the IRS and being true to our own values, give time to individuals or issues on all sides; all persons must be given equal opportunity to present themselves to us. Which means if we were to give space to a political candidate within our church, we must invite the opposition and give them equal status and time. For us as United Methodists, this could be allowed in the Fellowship Hall or Educational Wing. Because we worship God, it is our (The United Methodist Church) position that political debate cannot happen or be part of a worship experience. There have been, overtime and even recently, churches which have violated this trust. When they do so the IRS sends out a letter of notification of the violation. Should they continue to do such political activities, their nonprofit status could be put in jeopardy.
For me as a pastor, I do have political opinions that I am able to express just as you are. I am only able to do that when I speak clearly not as a pastor but as an individual. I am not allowed to tell you who to vote for or what to vote for, but I can encourage you to vote. Because we live in a country that guarantees religious freedom, encouraging others to vote is an expression of freedom and continues to guarantee that we are a free country, and we will be able to continue to express our opinions openly.
A good example is that over the past few weeks I have been volunteering as a canvasser. When I introduce myself to those I get to talk to after answering the door, I introduce myself as Gary. Should those who answer the door know me as “Pastor” I make it quite clear that my campaigning and promoting the political views I take are my individual opinions and do not represent “Pastor Gary.” Not an easy task but I do take it very seriously and respect the freedom and opinion of others. Should I at any time say or do something that disrespects the privilege I have been given as pastor and violate the rules or guidelines which I am under, would you please call me to task. I will do my best to honor the position that I have been given and respect the liberties and opinions of others in regard to political position.
Election results will soon be available to us. Let us be gracious and loving as we share in the results and respect the beliefs and feelings of others.
May God bless our nation and the determination that the voters have chosen for the future of our country. I am able to say that “If you have not voted please exercise your responsibility and freedom to vote.”
Pastor Gary
Claybanks United Methodist Church 