IRS and Church Politics

Apparently, the IRS cares little what you say in the pulpit. That’s a good thing because we don’t need government telling us what to preach. But as I outlined in a recent post about the IRS and churches, the law remains on the books which prohibits a church, which uses the non -profit status, from endorsing or opposing specific political candidates by name.

The Associated Press  reports that the IRS has suspended audits over political speech.

The IRS monitors religious and other nonprofits on everything from salaries to spending, and that oversight continues. However, Russell Renwicks, a manager in the IRS Mid-Atlantic region, recently said the agency had suspended audits of churches suspected of breaching federal restrictions on political activity. A 2009 federal court ruling required the IRS to clarify which high-ranking official could authorize audits over the tax code’s political rules. The IRS has yet to do so.

A spokesman quickly backed away and claimed Renwicks “misspoke.” But from we actually see happening he is probably right.

Nevertheless, the law stands and Christians have an obligation to obey the law (Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1-7). Churches and ministers ought think long about willingly disobeying a law which they can opt out of by renouncing their tax exempt status. I don’t know about you, but when I stand in the pulpit I preach Jesus and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), I don’t have time for Obamacare or Romnesia!

Remember, Jesus is on the throne!

 

Bryant Evans may be reached at bryant at bryantevans.com. You can follow Bryant on Twitter  @jbevans.

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