Six Texas Churches Openly Challenge IRS Rules Against Pulpit Politicking
Vince Leibowitz | Sep 30, 2008 | Comments 3
Over the weekend, six Texas churches took part in a nationwide protest staged by the ultra-rightwing Alliance Defense Fund to challenge Internal Revenue Service regulations that prohibit churches from engaging in organized political activity.
The event, billed as “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” featured pastors giving politically-charged sermons in the hopes of sparking complaints to the IRS which the ADF hopes will ultimately lead to a change in current regulations. At least six churches–none in Texas–that participated in the program are already the subject of IRS complaints and could use their coveted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
The six Texas churches participating were Faith Presbyterian Church in Rowlett (pastor Richard Bacon), Fair Park Bible Fellowship in Dallas (pastor Stephen Broden); Chinese Baptist Church in Houston (pastor Andy Cherry); Arena of Life Church in San Angelo (Shannon Nelms, pastor); Grace Bible Church in Georgetown (Dave Roberts, pastor); and Christ Our King Church in Southlake (David Whitingon, pastor).
Faith Presbyterian (formerly First Presbyterian) posts its sermons online, but Sunday’s sermon is noticeably absent from its website. Its pastor’s idea of universal healthcare is to pray for good health and send a check to someone suffering from a disease every month.
The Dallas Morning News has more:
The Rev. Richard Bacon of Faith Presbyterian Church Reformed in Mesquite came out against Democrat Barack Obama, though he didn’t endorse Mr. McCain, according to the Alliance Defense Fund. He couldn’t be reached for comment.
Fair Park Bible Fellowship. No website, but the pastor told the Dallas Morning News he endorsed McCain in his Sunday sermon:
“What I did [Sunday] is consistent with the freedoms that are guaranteed me under the Constitution,” Mr. Broden said. “Second, I’m being consistent with my call as a minister and a prophetic voice in the culture.”
Arena of Life church also posts sermons online, but Sunday’s sermon is absent.
Grace Bible Church in Georgetown also posts online sermons, and follows the pattern of Sunday’s sermon being AWOL. However, the pastor evidently used Deuteronomy 28:1-6 as his sermon text:
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.
2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed.
4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.
5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.
6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
According to its website, Christ Our King Church in Southlake was evidently created following a schism in a local United Methodist congregation in 1979. Its pastor endorsed John McCain, according to the Dallas Morning News.
![[Post to Twitter]](/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
![[Post to Ping.fm]](/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-ping.png){kind=icon}
Filed Under: 2008 Texas Elections • Featured
We disagree on my support for Brimer in Senate District 10, but I wish churches would stay out of secular politics. That being said I think those mega churchs in North East Tarrant County are going to have a field day with Wendy Davis bringing in the past political director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute to be her campaign manager. What was she thinking, I know she supported Joel Burns for her Council seat and from what I hear he is doing a bang up job. But I always heard the first rule of campaigns is don’t have staff or supporters that raise questions. Obama learned it with his pastor, McCain with Hagee and his anti-semetic remarks. Your thoughts ????
ears1foru:
Being the past political director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is a lot different than, say, being an ex-Enron accountant.
I think that’s a non-issue.
Do you work for Brimer’s campaign? You sure seem to know a lot about him and Davis’ staff.
Actually no I do not work for anyones campaign or a political party. My post on this issue was in response to a Southlake Church that is located in District 10 who has a minister who used his pulpit to endorse McCain. You don’t think having a past leader in the gay political effort will not be preached about. Oh I heard about her from friends in DC/Maryland area where she lives.