We are in times in America where Churches in their efforts to spread the Gospel are sometimes speaking on political matters. When this happens some churches put themselves in a tricky situation. Because churches that signed on with the government as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization knowingly or unknowingly agreed to rules that bind what they can and cannot say in the pulpit. Many who have agreed to 501(c)(3) rules don’t realize all the restrictions they have agreed to. While much talk today is about when churches address political issues or candidates, many don’t know the rules require churches to do things like encourage members to pay their taxes. Christians are instructed by Christ to pay their taxes, but knowing that government influences churches’ words when they agree to this tax exempt status is really unsettling. Churches don’t have to sign on as a 501(c)(3), but most do.

The American Center for Law and Justice addressed the issue of what can and what should not be said under 501(c)(3) rules in their latest edition of their TV show ACLJ This Week. You can watch the entire show with this link.

Everyone should check that out, because what if the government tries to crack down on your pastor’s speech? As the video shows, all it takes is someone to file a complaint and you might have IRS agents crawling around your church. The video shows a case where a Conservative Ohio minister was reported to the IRS by other ministers. Nothing like your brothers and sisters in the Lord turning you over to Caesar.

What was interesting is that the pastors who reported him claimed their efforts were noble and they had no political bias. But unless it was not mentioned in the video, it seems these complaining ministers never tried to speak directly with the pastor they took issue with. It did not seem that they tried to come close to the standard for conflict resolution established by Christ.

The complaining ministers in the video spoke of how they looked things up and did their research, but they never spoke of trying to speak with the Conservative minister directly. So if they never tried to speak with him it would show their motives were far from noble in nature.

They deny it, but I think they are really a bunch of Liberals playing political games by complaining about another minister’s politics. I’m used to these kinds of complaints when someone outside of the church files the complaint, but seeing ministers go at another minister by way of the IRS is just mean spirited. Preachers using the tax collector to go after another preacher… You who read your Bibles know that situation speaks for its self!

I think churches need to be careful what they agree to, especially when seeking recognition or some special status from government.

update 7/18/2006 12:08PM: And in today’s news:

I’ve always been of the view that only ministers should be allowed in the pulpit, but that’s a belief I have as a Christian. Not something I think government should enforce. I don’t see the church as just “any old charity” and don’t mind the rules charities (that are not a church) are held to. But the church that agrees to government rules has bound themselves.