10.23.24 | Advocacy and Action, Legislative Advocacy
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
–Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
As United Methodists, we understand that our personal piety is not separated from our social commitments. It is lived out and has been lived out for 250 years of Methodism in a way that connects faith and life, church and society, and justice and peace
Local church leaders need to be aware of the principles surrounding the separation of church and state. In a non-partisan manner, they can speak out for and support on issues that are important to them and the communities. As religious organizations, churches are tax-exempt and, because of the Johnson Amendment of 1954, cannot endorse candidates in the electoral process without losing their tax-exempt status. However, they can support positions that bring about justice, peace, equity and other Gospel values.
This fall, United Methodist bishops called on pastors and lay people to exercise their freedom and right to vote, and to protect free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power. In a recent statement, they said, “No one person or political party should ever hold complete power. As people of the Wesleyan tradition, we know that God alone holds power and dominion over all of creation. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we depend on Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience to ground our social conscience and compel us to seek justice and global relationships as followers of Jesus Christ. … Let’s join conversations in our pulpits, pews, and the public square that advance justice and build up our communities in love.”
The new United Methodist Social Principles affirm that both church and state have vital and distinct roles to play in relation to the larger society.
They state, “We urge those elected or appointed to public posts or holding other positions in government to act as responsible leaders and stewards of the authority and resources entrusted to them. We call on all government officials to aspire to the highest standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity. Furthermore, we urge all governments to adopt policies and practices that guarantee accountability and transparency in fostering and maintaining the trust of the public.”
The Social Principles also declare, “While we do not believe churches should affiliate with particular political parties, we do encourage churches to speak out boldly on social issues from a Gospel perspective. We further believe churches have a right and a responsibility to educate and equip their members to be effective advocates for justice in the wider world.”
Church leaders serve as models for both prophetic witness and pastoral care and safety. As such, there must always be a balance of demands for justice and non-violent engagement.
Learn more:
- The Political Community: United Methodist Social Principles – from the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline
- Is The United Methodist Church Involved in Politics? – An article explores this question
- United Methodist Social Creed – Accompanied by a litany to be used in worship or small group settings
- Creating Change Together – A toolkit for civic engagement from the Board of Church and Society
