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Note #6264 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Titel:  Survey: mainline pastors support Washington lobbyists
10-November-2000
00405

Survey: mainline pastors support Washington lobbyists

Pastors say churches' Washington offices help counter the religious right

by Religion News Service

WASHINGTON -- Research released from a Princeton University study of
mainline Protestants shows overwhelming support for denominational lobbying
in Washington, even though most pastors have little or no contact with their
church's capital offices.

	The survey, released earlier this year, is a sweeping look at all aspects
of mainline churches. Laura Olson, a researcher at Clemson University,
profiled the political role of Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and
American Baptist churches, among others.

	According to Olson's study, 84 percent of mainline pastors support their
denominations' Washington offices, while a small percentage — 8 percent --
feared losing their voice in Washington.

	"The fact is that these offices do fulfill a vital role for their
denominations," Olson said. "They undertake the national political work that
many clergy cannot or will not do."

	Olson surveyed five Washington church officers, as well as 62 pastors
around the country. Olson said many pastors feel their Washington lobbyists
are an important alternative voice to the hefty, well-funded influence of
conservative evangelical activists in the religious right.

	Despite a lower profile than the religious right, Olson said mainline
lobbyists are a much-needed voice on social justice issues such as poverty,
human rights and the environment.

	"There is much work to be done in the local public arena, and clergy find
plenty of opportunity and incentive to do it," Olson said. "But there is
also a need for a national political voice since many political issues have
strong national and international components."

	Religious activism, however, is not without its critics. 

	Conservative and evangelical factions -- particularly within the United
Methodist Church -- have accused the Washington offices of promoting
progressive, liberal causes. Conservative Methodists repeatedly point to the
church's General Board of Church and Society in Washington, which earlier
this year got into trouble when it sought to raise money to fund
lawyers for Elian Gonzalez's father.

	Tom Hart, the director of the Episcopal Church's Washington office, said
his staff seeks to give a voice in a practical way to positions taken by the
church at its triennial General Convention meetings.

	"Our work in Washington brings actual work behind the positions and words
that the church has taken," Hart said. "Otherwise the statements would
remain words on a page."

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