Evangelical body supports politicking in the pulpit
Bucking popular opinion and a decades-old IRS policy, a group of conservative evangelicals is urging that pastors be allowed to endorse political candidates in church without risking their congregations’ tax-exempt status.
A report prepared by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability—a watchdog body that advises evangelical churches and ministries on good business practices—was given to Sen. Charles Grassley (R., Iowa).
Grassley had previously sought ECFA guidance in examining the finances of six televangelists. Instances of their lavish spending, favoritism to insiders and lack of financial transparency were not unexpected, but the senator’s probe in 2011 drew praise for its spotlight on some ministries unwilling to make full disclosures.
