IFAS | Freedom Writer | November 1994 | maynot.html

What churches may not do

• Endorse political candidates.

• Contribute to political candidates or PACs.

• Participate in fundraising projects for political candidates.

• Make an outright donation of a mailing list to a political candidate.

• Sell a political ad at a discount rate if no other advertisers are offered discounts.

• Distribute candidate political statements.

• Pay to attend a caucus for a state or national political convention.

• Make in-kind or independent expenditures in favor or against candidates.

As private citizens, pastors have the same rights as all Americans. A pastor should always make it clear that any candidate-oriented efforts are those of a private citizen and not made on behalf of his church. Personal funds must also be used for such activities. Pastors may express personal opinions about candidates from the pulpit, but should avoid doing so lest the Internal Revenue Service argue that some use of church funds is involved.

• Jump to What churches may do
• Back to Church organization is key to Coalition's success

© 1998 Institute for First Amendment Studies, Inc.