Election Engagement Tool Kit (from Episcopal Public Policy Network, 2016) Official Episcopal policy recognizes voting and political participation as acts of Christian stewardship. As Christians, we are called as individuals and as part of congregations and dioceses to engage in conversation on public policy issues, to develop voter registration and issue education campaigns, and to protect voting rights. A faithful commitment to political participation aligns with our Baptismal Covenant's promise to "strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being." This toolkit from the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) will provide guidance as you and your congregation engage in the electoral process faithfully, responsibly, and legally. More Church Particpation in the Political Process: Blog by Lacy Broemel, Episcopal Church Office of Government Affairs Engagement in the Electoral Process (from Lisa Meeder Turnbulll): In my work with clergy and lay leaders I have discovered a wide range of beliefs and practices around the church’s role in the electoral process. I have encountered and even wider range of misconceptions and misunderstandings around what the church is and is not permitted to do in relation to electoral politics.  I personally believe that the responsibility associated with the right to vote is a stewardship issue. I do not check my baptism at the threshold of the polling station, nor do I suspend my voting privilege as I pass through the narthex on Sunday. With this in mind, I commend to you the following sites, which clearly spell out the “cans” and “cannots” of church-sponsored dialogue during this political season. Each site carries the disclaimer that it is not intended to constitute legal advice and should be taken as guidance only. The same applies to my posting them here. They are offered as a starting point toward clarification and appropriate participation. Internal Revenue Service: This very readable IRS publication offers not only the official tax code guidelines, but sample scenaria illustrating allowable and inappropriate activities. Political Guidelines for Churches and Pastors This booklet, published by Concerned Woman for America, puts religious influence on American politics into historical perspective while offering a clear and user-friendly summary of the IRS codes and guidelines. Freedom from Religion Foundation: As the sponsor’s name implies, this site focuses on the “cannots” of church participation in the political process. I include it, however, because it is the only site I found that explicitly addresses “Ballot Initiatives or Referendum.” With important questions anticipated on the November ballot in the State of Maine, this information is particularly important to Maine congregations. Letting Our Voices Be Heard (from the Episcopal Public Policy Network):  Being an advocate does not always involve drastic measures. Every day, we have the chance to stand up and speak when we see the need. Advocates have the opportunity to speak to their elected representatives, friends, family, and congregations about important issues.  The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations cannot advocate for important issues alone. It needs individuals and congregations to write to their representatives, ask for support on social justice issues, and make their voices heard. Working together, we can send a strong message to Congress.  Episcopal Church's Public Policy Network  Planning Nonpartisan Voter Engagement NonProfit Votes has helpful resources to assist churches and other nonprofit organizations in planning nonpartisan voter engagement opportunities.  Congregational Discussion Group Resource: Domestic poverty was cited by the Episcopal Church's General Convention as a priority issue. Two videos addressing domestic poverty are available for congregations interested in discussing this issue. Commissioned by Circle of Protection, an ecumenical alliance of Christian leaders, each video features one of the presidential candidates sharing how he would seek to overcome poverty in the USA. The Episcopal Church, a member of the National Council of Churches and the Circle of Protection, encourages the use of these videos in congregational discussion groups and adult forums as a way to talk about poverty and how it is woven into the discussions of the upcoming national election. The Christian leaders who initiated the "Circle of Protection" wish to make clear that this effort in no way offers or implies an endorsement of either candidate or the proposals in their statements.  " /> Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices - Tools - Churches, Public Policy, and Elections

Churches, Public Policy, and Elections

Editor's note: This page has been updated with resources related to the current election period (August 2016) 

Confused about limitations on church-sponsored dialogue during this political season? Check out these resources for guidelines related to church engagement in the electoral process and public policy.  For basic information as well as a curriculum about how our government works, visit iCivics.org.

Presiding Bishop Curry's Election Engagement Message
 

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Election Engagement Tool Kit (from Episcopal Public Policy Network, 2016)


Official Episcopal policy recognizes voting and political participation as acts of Christian stewardship. As Christians, we are called as individuals and as part of congregations and dioceses to engage in conversation on public policy issues, to develop voter registration and issue education campaigns, and to protect voting rights. A faithful commitment to political participation aligns with our Baptismal Covenant's promise to "strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being." This toolkit from the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) will provide guidance as you and your congregation engage in the electoral process faithfully, responsibly, and legally.

More


Church Particpation in the Political Process: Blog by Lacy Broemel, Episcopal Church Office of Government Affairs


Engagement in the Electoral Process (from Lisa Meeder Turnbulll):

In my work with clergy and lay leaders I have discovered a wide range of beliefs and practices around the church’s role in the electoral process. I have encountered and even wider range of misconceptions and misunderstandings around what the church is and is not permitted to do in relation to electoral politics. 

I personally believe that the responsibility associated with the right to vote is a stewardship issue. I do not check my baptism at the threshold of the polling station, nor do I suspend my voting privilege as I pass through the narthex on Sunday.

With this in mind, I commend to you the following sites, which clearly spell out the “cans” and “cannots” of church-sponsored dialogue during this political season. Each site carries the disclaimer that it is not intended to constitute legal advice and should be taken as guidance only. The same applies to my posting them here. They are offered as a starting point toward clarification and appropriate participation.

  • Internal Revenue Service: This very readable IRS publication offers not only the official tax code guidelines, but sample scenaria illustrating allowable and inappropriate activities.
  • Political Guidelines for Churches and Pastors This booklet, published by Concerned Woman for America, puts religious influence on American politics into historical perspective while offering a clear and user-friendly summary of the IRS codes and guidelines.
  • Freedom from Religion Foundation: As the sponsor’s name implies, this site focuses on the “cannots” of church participation in the political process. I include it, however, because it is the only site I found that explicitly addresses “Ballot Initiatives or Referendum.” With important questions anticipated on the November ballot in the State of Maine, this information is particularly important to Maine congregations.
Letting Our Voices Be Heard (from the Episcopal Public Policy Network)

Being an advocate does not always involve drastic measures. Every day, we have the chance to stand up and speak when we see the need. Advocates have the opportunity to speak to their elected representatives, friends, family, and congregations about important issues. 

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations cannot advocate for important issues alone. It needs individuals and congregations to write to their representatives, ask for support on social justice issues, and make their voices heard. Working together, we can send a strong message to Congress. 


Episcopal Church's Public Policy Network 


Planning Nonpartisan Voter Engagement


NonProfit Votes has helpful resources to assist churches and other nonprofit organizations in planning nonpartisan voter engagement opportunities. 


Congregational Discussion Group Resource:


Domestic poverty was cited by the Episcopal Church's General Convention as a priority issue.

Two videos addressing domestic poverty are available for congregations interested in discussing this issue. Commissioned by Circle of Protection, an ecumenical alliance of Christian leaders, each video features one of the presidential candidates sharing how he would seek to overcome poverty in the USA.


The Episcopal Church, a member of the National Council of Churches and the Circle of Protection, encourages the use of these videos in congregational discussion groups and adult forums as a way to talk about poverty and how it is woven into the discussions of the upcoming national election.


The Christian leaders who initiated the "Circle of Protection" wish to make clear that this effort in no way offers or implies an endorsement of either candidate or the proposals in their statements.