Johnson Amendment
- Scott Phillips
- Jul 17, 2025
- 2 min read
Good morning,
You may have read or seen a news story regarding the IRS’s announcement that they will no longer be enforcing a part of the “Johnson Amendment.” The Johnson Amendment is named after former Texas Senator and President Lyndon B. Johnson. It is the part of the tax code that says that 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations cannot campaign for or against political candidates and keep their nonprofit status. Enacted in 1954, the code was interpreted to include churches along with the other nonprofit organizations.
In theory, that has meant that pastors could not either endorse or oppose any political candidate from the pulpit without jeopardizing the church’s nonprofit tax status. Nor could churches make donations to any political campaigns. Churches have been allowed to be sites for voter registration drives and (in our area, at least) the voting itself, as long as the church doesn’t encourage or require people to register or vote for a specific political party or candidate.
In reality, the Johnson Amendment’s enforcement has been sporadic at best. It was uncontroversial at the time it was enacted and remained so for decades. Churches and pastors have routinely “violated” the amendment by giving endorsements from the pulpit and even having political candidates (from both major parties and probably some of the minor ones) speak on Sunday mornings.
So what has changed? Well, it appears that the ban on churches donating to political campaigns is still in place. Pastors and churches, however, are allowed to endorse political parties or candidates through “regular church communications,” which presumably means from the pulpit and in church newsletters/email blasts/etc…
What will change at Andrews Bridge? Absolutely nothing. Our cause is Christ! Our calling is to proclaim the Good News through teaching and service so that people will come to know Him as Lord and Savior. Although I definitely have some thoughts about how we are governed, you won’t be hearing them from the pulpit, and I certainly won’t be endorsing anyone. I’ll continue to encourage you to vote and to take your vote before the Lord.
Here's what’s happening:
1. Saturday Morning – The missions team heads for North Carolina. They will be leaving the church parking lot around 7 am. All are invited to see them off!
2. Sunday - We’ll have a coffee fellowship time from 9:30 until 10 am.
3. Solanco Neighborhood Ministries is holding its summer fundraiser next Wednesday (7/23) at Britain Hill Vineyard and Venue. I believe tickets are free and multiple ways to give will be provided. The event is from 5 -8:30 pm. Food trucks, silent auction, etc… You can register here:
4. Solid Rock Youth Ministries is hosting a 5K/Fun Run fundraiser on Saturday, August 2nd at the Enola Rail Trail trailhead just east of Quarryville. There is a cost to register. More information and registration here: solidrockquarryville.com/run.
A lot of people prefer to do things "by-the-book." There's a feeling of safety and security in following step-by-step instructions. But so much of life doesn't go "by-the-book!" There's no manual or instructions to follow! What should a believer do then? On Sunday we’ll look at the life of Philip, the most "by-the-book" disciple.
Scott