Church Do’s and Don'ts

How to engage faithfully during election season, without losing your mission

Election season always brings noise. Churches do not have the luxury of silence, but we do have the responsibility of clarity. The goal is not to baptize a party. The goal is to form disciples whose public lives match their private worship.

A quick note on the Johnson Amendment and what changed

For decades, the Johnson Amendment has been shorthand for the federal tax code rule that restricted 501(c)(3) organizations, including churches, from intervening in political campaigns for or against candidates. It traces back to a 1954 amendment introduced by Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, and Congress later clarified in 1987 that the ban includes statements opposing candidates.

What is true today is more complicated than the headline. The Johnson Amendment has not been repealed by Congress, and the IRS still describes the statutory prohibition in its public guidance.

At the same time, in 2025, the IRS took a major new position in federal court, arguing that candidate endorsements delivered by houses of worship to their congregations through their customary channels of communication should not trigger loss of tax-exempt status. That position is tied to ongoing litigation, and as of late 2025, reporting indicates the case outcome is still pending.

So practically, the landscape is shifting, but churches should treat it as an evolving legal environment, not a blank check.

The north star

Before tactics, decide who you are.

A church is a spiritual family, not a campaign machine. If political engagement costs you your unity, your credibility, or your witness, it is too expensive.

Do’s

Do preach the whole counsel of God.

Teach biblical truth on human dignity, justice, life, family, stewardship, honesty, work, and the role of government. That is not a political distraction; that is discipleship.

Do equip people to think, not just react.

Give your church tools: how to evaluate candidates, weigh policies, spot propaganda, and disagree without hatred. You are building mature Christians, not dependent voters.

Do encourage civic participation.

It is appropriate to encourage people to vote, pray, and engage locally. Voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts can be done in a nonpartisan way.

Do host forums with integrity.

If you host candidate nights or Q&A events, apply clear, evenhanded rules. Offer equal access. Ask the same questions. Keep it respectful. Make it about issues and leadership, not applause lines.

Do speak to issues and ballot measures with care.

Churches often have more latitude on issue advocacy than on candidate intervention, but wisdom still matters. Keep your tone pastoral, your facts clean, and your intent clear: formation, not frenzy.

Do document your policies and train your team.

Have a simple internal election season policy for staff and volunteers: facility use, signage, announcements, social media, list use, and what happens if a candidate attends a service.

Do consult qualified counsel before anything novel

If you are considering candidate endorsements, campaign adjacent communications, or financial activity that could be interpreted as partisan intervention, get advice specific to your church and your state.

Dont’s

Don't turn the pulpit into a campaign stump.

Even if enforcement is changing, the spiritual risk is the same: you can disciple your people into Christ, or you can disciple them into a tribe. Only one survives the election.

Don't coordinate with campaigns.

No planning with a candidate’s team, no sharing church data, no syncing messaging, no offering church resources as an extension of campaign strategy. That can create serious legal and reputational exposure.

Don't use church resources as partisan assets.

Avoid using the church email list, staff time, facility, or branding to promote a candidate, solicit donations, or run campaign style communications without very careful review. Even under the IRS position described in 2025 litigation, broad public campaign activity and spending are not the same as internal pastoral speech. (AP News)

Don't let candidates fundraise on church platforms

No passing the plate for a candidate. No campaign booths in the lobby. No “text to give” for a campaign. This is where the church can quickly look like a tax subsidized political conduit, and it can fracture trust fast.

Don't create confusion between the church and political entities

If people are involved in PAC work or partisan activism, keep clear separation: separate branding, separate bank accounts, separate governance, and clear communication. Your church should never feel like it is being drafted into someone else’s political operation.

Don't spread unverified claims.

Election season tempts leaders to share headlines that match emotions. Do not. Your credibility is a ministry asset. Protect it with slow, careful truth telling.

A simple way to communicate your posture to the church

“We will address what Scripture addresses.
We will form Christians, not partisans.
We will encourage engagement, not outrage.
We will keep Jesus at the center, and we will keep our unity stronger than our politics.”