Although Houston mayor Annise Parker revoked the subpoenas sent to five local pastors, the controversy continues to spark national interest. Conflicts like this raise important questions about the role of politics in the church and the extent of church involvement in government.
Churches are tax exempt organizations, or 501(c) (3) organizations, and cannot support or oppose political candidates in any way. Richard Crom of the IRS Exempt Organizations Customer Education and Outreach office told nonprofitrisk.org that the intent of these organizations is to serve public, rather than private, interests.
But plenty of other ways exist for churches to be politically involved. The question remains, should they be?
FOCUSING ON THE PRIMARY GOAL
Many Christians do not agree on this issue.
Dr. Erik Thoennes, professor of biblical studies and pastor at Grace Evangelical Free of La Mirada, said the church should remember its main purpose and not get too spread out by focusing on politics.
“We need to be Christ exalting and gospel centered,” Thoennes said. “We need to think about the simple, core ways the reformers defined the church as the right administration of the word.”
Senior biblical studies major Brandon Hurlbert agreed with Thoennes that the church should focus on its primary goals rather than fighting a secondary issue in politics.
“I grew up in a very political church. It made politics a dividing issue in the church. I don’t think it’s good witness. Jesus and the gospel is primary,” Hurlbert said. “That might be the only battle you need to fight.”
Hurlbert said his home church set a perfect example of what can happen when the church becomes too focused on secondary battles, emphasizing politics and America rather than Jesus and the gospel, the very reasons why the church exists.
“If your job isn’t political, I don’t think you should use that platform to get into politics,” said Daniel Hollenbeck, junior biblical studies major.
Hollenbeck said while Christians should have an informed political view, churches should stay out of the political realm.
“We are like ambassadors to the world. To let our position be known is important, but we also need to do so with grace and love,” Hollenbeck said.
STANDING FOR THE TRUTH
Senior biblical studies major David Roberts had other thoughts, emphasizing the importance of political involvement.
“Christians should stand up for what’s true and right. It’s frustrating to see the church have no backbone and not stand up for what’s right,” said Roberts. “I applaud those pastors for saying ‘no.’ What they’ve done is right — I would stand with them any day of the week.”
Many agree that no matter how much a church decides to get involved in current issues, politics should not get in the way of fellowship and community in the church.
“If you’ve got serious divisions because of politics, your focus is wrong,” Roberts said.
Thoennes encouraged Christians to remember our freedom to speak and practice what we believe.
“When freedom of religion is squelched, it’s bad for the country, but I’m not convinced that it’s bad for the church. I don’t want to be propped up by a ‘Christian culture,’” said Thoennes. “We will probably face more persecution than we’ve seen before, but there is a depth of character in Christians I have met from other countries where it’s hard to be a Christian. This is a great opportunity for the church to stand for what we believe.”
