Dear Calvary Parishioners,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Recent rulings by the IRS suggesting that churches may now endorse political candidates without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status have stirred conversation across the Church. I write from a place of pastoral clarity and deep theological conviction, following my colleague, the Reverend Manoj Zacharia, who posted a similar message to his congregation this morning.
Let me be clear: this church will not endorse political candidates. We do not refrain from such endorsements out of fear, but out of faithfulness—to Christ, to the Gospel, and to the sacred trust of being a spiritual home for all who seek God.
At the same time, let me be just as clear: we will continue to preach about political issues—when they intersect with our Gospel call.
The word political comes from the Greek polis, meaning “city” or “community.” In that sense, to be political is to care about the life and well-being of our shared public life. Jesus certainly did. His ministry was deeply concerned with the poor, the outcast, the powerful, and the structures that shaped human life. The Gospel calls us to address racism, poverty, violence, creation care, immigration, healthcare, and more— because they are human realities that matter deeply to God.
But there is a profound difference between being political in a Gospel-centered way and being partisan. Our loyalty is not to any political party or candidate, but to Christ alone. And so, this church will never be used to advance electoral campaigns.
This is also why we must clearly reject the ideology of Christian nationalism, which seeks to merge Christian identity with American identity and political power. Christian nationalism is not only a theological distortion—it is a threat to the integrity of our witness. It suggests that God’s purposes are bound to one nation, one party, or one culture. But the Gospel proclaims a Kingdom not of this world, a Savior who rejected political domination, and a Church called to welcome all people—not just those who vote a certain way. (You are invited to Calvary Community Hour in the Discipleship Center on Sunday, July 20, at 10:00 a.m. where we will offer a primer on exploring Christian nationalism.)
So let it be said of us:
- We will speak to the issues that shape our common life—because the Gospel demands it.
- We will not endorse candidates—because our allegiance is to Christ.
- We will not confuse the flag with the cross, nor the state with the Kingdom.
- We will be a church for all people—across political lines—who seek to walk in the way of Jesus.
Let us recommit ourselves to the work of discipleship, justice, and love—trusting that the Gospel is powerful enough to speak to every age, every issue, and every heart.
Faithfully,
The Reverend Allison English, Rector
Calvary Episcopal Church, Cincinnati