Expert: Phillip Senn - 5/14/2006

Question
a couple a years ago i went to a church where the pastor was saying to the congergation ,at the time it was for the president of the usa. i rather have a Bush then a Gore in the white house. now my question is it right for the pastor to tell the congegation who to vote for?does it say anything in the bible about this?what are your views on a pastor doing this? i felt it was wrong of him to try and convince his vote to the people of the church.

Answer
Vaughn,

While it is morally right for a Pastor to share Biblical values and to promote those values from the pulpit, there is a legal ramification to promoting a specific candidate for public office. The tax exempt status of a religious institution can be in jeopardy for promoting a specific candidate by name.

Furthermore, if a specific moral issue is being addressed in a referendum, less than a "significant amount of resources" (generally limited to 10-15%) can be used in promoting that issue. That would include time spent in the pulpit, as well as financial support.

From a Biblical standpoint, I would agree that Bush was a better choice than Gore, based upon each of their testimonies concerning their governance under the leadership of God. I do not find Scriptural approval of promoting a candidate for public office from the pulpit, which should be used to "preach the Word". I do find it to be acceptable practice for that Pastor to express his views outside the pulpit, as long as it is in a personal setting, and not as the PASTOR of that church.

I hope this has answered your question. If I may be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to post a follow-up question or ask another question at the allexperts.com website.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn