zimmerBlog

Today a group of pastors challenged the government by supporting a candidate for President. These pastors agreed to this act of defiance despite their differences in theology, politics, and even their candidate of choice.

Even though I preached this morning, I did not offer such a defiance. It’s not because I don’t have an opinion or because I agree with or am afraid of the US government but because I would rather focus on the Gospel than politics.

However, I am challenging the IRS and the Federal Government, but in a different way. I have repeatedly stated my support for John McCain in this blog. I happen to be a pastor. My challenge to the powers that be is whether or not this is illegal. What is the difference between stating my opinion from “the pulpit” and in this blog- either way I am someone supporting a candidate despite the tax-exempt status of my church. Am I not allowed to practice free speech because of my vocation?

Even if I wasn’t protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution- both in its declaration of free speech and the free exercise of religion- I would openly state my support for a presidential candidate. This is because my commitment is to Christ and to proclaim his message and apply it to the world we live in today. I would gladly join my brothers in the past who have stood against their government and stood for the Gospel- even standing with people who might come to different conclusions than I am. Like the saints of past, I will live with the consequences of these actions no matter what penalties come my way.