Jonathan LeMaster-Smith

Posted same day on my Facebook Page

I will speak briefly on the ability for houses of worship/religious leaders to now endorse candidates and move on.

According to the report, when a house of worship “in good faith speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith” it neither participates nor intervenes in a political campaign. (NPR)

As for me, I am not going to be part of a congregation or religious group that expects me to vote based on what the leadership or the pastor insists upon. Nor am I going to be part of a group that expects me as a religious leader to compel folks to vote in one way or the other. But there are other traditions that expect this. According to the same article (NPR) only one church has ever lost its tax exemption even though many churches have outright promoted various candidates or causes (especially during the last 20 years of election cycles).

My tradition teaches churches and members to be intellectually and faithfully involved in the political world. Regarding political involvement, the UMC Social Principles read:

“Our involvement in political systems is rooted in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, and to care for the vulnerable. As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible political action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good. We acknowledge that such political engagement demands humility and mindfulness of our own complicity in perpetuating injustice. It also necessitates compassion, prayer, and a willingness to discern God’s guidance.”

I preach politically, I teach politically, I post politically, but I am never going to coerce folks to vote or act in a certain way. Alongside this, I also preach, teach, and post pastorally, educationally, and in many other forms concurrently. I would think my churches (current and previous) would be very resistant and even hostile to me telling them how they must vote on matters of politics. But I am part of a tradition that promotes education, intellectual independence, and holy conferencing (respectful and faithful discussion). Other traditions are far more about compliance and conformity. These groups have already been preaching and teaching how to vote in many covert and overt ways already.

In the end, this change should actually free most pastors to feel more free to preach prophetically and openly based on their faith and passion without fear of governmental retribution (theoretically, as we are in a rapidly changing political landscape). This however, this does not impact how the local church or denominational governing bodies respond, and as I note earlier, I don’t know that my folks would respond well to me telling them how they should vote. Most pastors are beholden to paychecks and local governing bodies, not fear of government retribution.