http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0306-04.htm


Pastor Steve Riggle of the megachurch Grace Community Church in South Houston/ Clear Lake

gave a written endorsement to a congressional candidate (Shelly Sekula-Gibbs) on her letter head-his endorsement was never mentioned in church but his position was mentioned twice in the letter and the letter was sent out not to members; but to likely Republican primary voters

violation? yeah or nay


related story: we recently used his church facilities for our Houston area local republican convention-this was an emergency facility use-because or normal spot was taken by practices for March madness

violation? yeah or nay

JohnQ wrote:

First, let me state that I am not a fan of the 1954 Johnson tax legislation.....however, currently it is still law.

That said, my vote is yeah it is a violation.

It should not have been on his letterhead.

It was on the candidate's letterhead-not his

JohnQ wrote:

Here is a link to the letter I read. 
http://www.au.org/site/DocServer/Grace_ … docID=2481

While the bottom of the page says: "Paid by and authorized by the Shelley Sekula Gibbs for Congress Campaign Committee."  The top of the page certainly looks like the Pastor's own letterhead.

You are right- i misread.

JohnQ wrote:

Dave, what are your thoughts on your two questions...and, the tax regulations around this issue?

My thought is that very few members of District 22 are also members of Grace Church.

that this was sent out to likely voters not members of the church; if the same letter was sent to church members it would have been a violation-but as general voting letter -his title did no more than provide his bona fides and therefore is legally permissible-close to the line; but not across it

davelaw40 wrote:

http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0306-04.htm

Pastor Steve Riggle of the megachurch Grace Community Church in South Houston/ Clear Lake

gave a written endorsement to a congressional candidate (Shelly Sekula-Gibbs) on her letter head-his endorsement was never mentioned in church but his position was mentioned twice in the letter and the letter was sent out not to members; but to likely Republican primary voters

violation? yeah or nay

As a dues paying member of AU, in this case it is my belief they are wrong. IMO, Pastor Riggle did not violate section 501(c)(3). Check page 7, Example 1 at the following IRS link:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf

davelaw40 wrote:

related story: we recently used his church facilities for our Houston area local republican convention-this was an emergency facility use-because or normal spot was taken by practices for March madness

violation? yeah or nay

If under the same conditions other political parties could also use those facilities in the same way, I see no violation.