I am seeking your help and advise on something. I have always struggled with a pastor’s place when it comes to supporting referendums. Living in a parsonage, I am not directly effected by tax increases since pastor’s do not pay property taxes if they live in a parsonage. So here’s my question (with an explanation first):
Coming up in November the school district I live in (Jackson County Central — JCC) will be asking the community for an increase in school funding. The referendum would increase the current per pupil funding from $50 to $1000. Jackson County Central school district is currently the lowest funded school district around (if not in the state). Last year the referendum failed. A number of teachers were cut along with a couple programs (of course sports were barely touched at all, but don’t get me going on that). Classes sizes are increasing and if this referendum fails again, JCC is in a lot of trouble. I fear for the future.
Schools are extremely important for any community and I definitely support our schools, but (and here’s my question) how do pastor’s speak about something like this when we don’t have to pay for it. On Sunday I was given a button that says, "Vote Yes for Education" and asked if they could count on my vote. I said "Yes" because schools are important but part of me feels…<and I am not sure how to word this…maybe you know>. Should I wear a button like that and visually support this? It sounds like a strange question but it is something I struggle internally with.
Then again, maybe this does effect me. If our school receives less funding then that will mean more teachers will be cut. Classes sizes will then increase. Maybe with all of that that will cause people to leave the community for a better school district and that right there would effect the church. Does that make sense?
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? I am curious what your experiences have been with things like this. This is definitely a fine line that needs to be walked. Thanks for "listening".
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
You’ve hit on an issue about which I’m particularly passionate . . .
This is an example of why I think clergy and congregations need to get out of the tax-exemption business. Because we receive a unique benefit from the government, our ability to participate in social & political conversations is somewhat compromised.
That being said, I do not think that you should interpret your tax-exempt status as a muzzle in this discussion regarding your public school system. The government has seen it fit to provide clergy with a certain tax status, with the only proviso that they do not engage in partisan politics. This referendum is not a partisan issue directly involving candidates. Rather, it is an issue of social policy, something the church surely needs to address.
A good two-kingdoms theology recognizes that God’s work happens both in and through the church, and also in and through the institutions of the government and society. God surely is not limited to the walls of the church! Thus we should gladly and passionately support – with our taxes, our prayers, and our advice/advocacy – the work of public servants who are doing God’s work of ordering society, protecting the weak, restraining evil, and providing a space for people to live out their God-given freedom.
Thus, a good Two Kingdoms theology calls Christians and the church to engage in political and social policy discussions. We must respect public office as creations of God and avenues of God’s work, yet we also need to call on public office holders to dutifully and responsibly fulfill their office.
Thank you Chris for your comments. For me, I am not sure if I was too worried about our tax exempt status, but you do bring up some very good points. The Two Kingdoms theology was (and is) playing around in the back of my mind. Thank you for mentioning that point.
Mostly what I am concerned about is supporting something like this referendum and then people saying to me, “Well, that is easy for you to say, you don’t have to pay for it”. Unfortunately the church does walk a fine line involving political issues, but like you said this is a social issue, not political issue involving candidates.
And you are right, Chris, the church needs to be involved in social issues and definitely involved in the community.
Thanks again.
Don’t we all pay, in the short term or in the long term? With the school choice available, kids can go where they want to. If the school loses students, all the programs are weakened. If the school is weakened, then kids go to other schools. If the schools are weakened, then people don’t want to move to that area. I’m guessing your ares has enough trouble getting people to move there without something like poor schools impacting their decision. This especially impacts the people that might think more about education, ie the higher educated professionals.
You may also have some negative impact in your church’s pocketbook if not in yours directly if your fixed income people have their taxes increased a lot and don’t put as much in the plate.
Our area is also having an upcoming referendum after one failed last year. Our whole area has had a big drop in school age population, resulting in large stresses in running the various school districts and some schools closing. Minnesota needs a top down revision of school funding so that the long range viability of the schools is assured.
We all pay taxes in one form or another, but it isn’t our tax status that gives us the right to support any one position or issue. I think that wearing such a button and even speaking for support of the schools is a good thing to do if you are passionate about how this will affect those in your community.
My personal opinion? Compared to all the ridiculous things that our tax dollars are sqandered on, using money to educate future taxpayers ought to be a no-brainer. Wear that button with pride, brother!
PS — thanks for the thoughts. I have thought about the “negative” impact this could have on the church. My hope and prayer, naive as it may sound, is that people will make adjustments in other places in their lives. Unfortunately that does not always happen.
Art — thank you for the encouragement. I have been wearing the button.
This topic is indeed an interesting one and I am sure things will heat up as Nov. inches closer. Thanks again for the conversation.
I am careful not to support partisan politics, but when our school had a referendum, I had NO PROBLEM putting the yellow ribbon around the tree in our yard. (we do pay taxes — own a home in our community). Chris is right, this is a public policy issue, and not partisan. Certainly people may disagree, but it does affect us. In my congregation, what happens is this: people don’t like the public school. They enroll in a Christian school. Sooner or later their children say they don’t have any friends in our church. they have friends who go to their school. They go to another church.
Public education is a value for me. I believe that all children are created in the image of God and deserve to be educated. Public education is also the backbone of democracy. We need educated people to vote. well, I could go on and on… hey! go talk to my aunt and uncle! I’ll email you their names. They live across from the Missouri Synod church in town.
I believe that schools are not supported enough. It is no wonder that children are struggling. It is not because they don’t study or have enough homework. It is because there are 35 kids or more to a class of one teacher. Academics should be more important as we raise our future leaders. Sports are important to a point, but we need to get our priorities in order. I say, “Where that button and be proud to support your school”. Children grow up fast and we need to make their school life a positive one.
“I believe that all children are created in the image of God and deserve to be educated.” — well put Diane. I think more people here need to hear that message. But what scares me is that if this referendum fails in Jackson again, education will get cut first…AGAIN…and sports will be spared…AGAIN. Eventually there won’t be enough kids to field a football team.
Thank you for the comments. Tonight is the kick off for our Wednesday “Sunday school” and I will be proudly wearing my button.
I have one fast thought…if you own a home or not (apartment,parsonage) you still have a vote in America!
Good point, Michelle. I shouldn’t be ashamed of voting. It just makes it difficult knowing that I won’t be “directly” paying for this. But this vote DOES affect me.
Got to love the tension.
Thanks for stopping by.