“Every Christian Votes” Project

Maximizing Voter Turnout In Your Church

 OVERVIEW:  Every American Christian who is eligible to vote does so:

a)       By one’s absence; Failing to vote and allowing elected officials to be chosen by those who do not share the same values, or

b)       Thoughtlessly; By voting out of ignorance or self-serving motivation, or

c)       By becoming informed; Studying candidates’ positions on key issues, praying and casting a knowledgeable vote for candidates who most closely conform to Biblical principles of character and the vital issues of the day.

 Most pastors would agree that options A and B are poor stewardship and have led to ungodly, unjust and corrupt leaders being chosen, resulting in unrighteous government.  It is still an accepted statistic that less than one out of three churchgoing citizens vote in each election, a fact of which we should be ashamed.

The first step we recommend is for the Pastor to appoint a permanent Citizenship Ministry coordinator for this ministry as described in Christian Citizenship 101 (available by clicking download link at bottom of page), request by emailing info@uspastorcouncil.org or by calling the HAPC office at 832-688-9166).

“Every Christian Votes” Plan -

 Note:  All activities are non-partisan, non-issues specific and fully compliant with all IRS guidelines for churches with 501 (c)(3) non-profit status*.  For any questions regarding those guidelines you can can download "Churches legal rights" or call 832-688-9166.

1. Sunday,  October 7 - Pastor participate in Pulpit Freedom Sunday as described at www.pulpitfreedom.org.
2. Sunday,  October 14 - include announcements from the pulpit, on projection screens, in church bulletins and using posters to begin awareness of upcoming election on November 6.
   
3. Sunday, October 21 - set up a voter awareness table to be staffed by the Citizenship Ministry team to provide voting information, voting locations and voter guides. Announce Early Voting BEGINS on October 22!
   
4. Sunday, October 28 - Continue voter awareness table to be staffed by the Citizenship Ministry team to provide voting information, voting locations and voter guides. Announce Early Voting ENDS on November 2!
5. Sunday, November 4 - Preach an “Election Sermon” as done by preceding generations of pastors, giving Scriptural and Historical basis for choosing godly leaders.  (See sample sermon notes from "Choosing Godly Leaders")
   
6. Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6 - Send a broadcast e-mail and/or text broadcast to church list with a special Get-Out-The-Vote message by the Senior Pastor and links to non-partisan voter education information. (Sample Text-based and HTML format messages available)
7. Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6 - Initiate automated phone calls with a Get-Out-The-Vote script recorded by the Senior Pastor, calling through the entire church list prior to Election Day.  (Sample script and automated calling support available)