Grand Traverse County commissioners Wednesday approved a proposed invocation policy in a split vote that will allow a short prayer to be given at the start of county meetings.

Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve the new policy proposed by Chair Rob Hentschel, which states commissioners can provide invocations on a rotating basis and/or have designees provide public prayers before meetings. Invocations “must not be used to proselytize or advance any one faith or belief or to disparage any other faith or belief," and commissioners or members of the public cannot be forced to participate in invocations. Invocations can last a maximum of three minutes.

Numerous residents spoke out during public comment against the policy, arguing it imposes religious activity onto government meetings and that commissioners should maintain a separation of church and state. But some commissioners defended the policy, saying it would lend solemnity to county meetings and provide words of inspiration to start their proceedings, and that the policy did not advocate for any one faith or religion over another. Grand Traverse County previously had an invocation policy, but it was removed by a previous commission several years ago due to public backlash.

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that prayer is permitted in an official setting of legislative bodies, such as county commissions, provided invocations do not "denigrate non-believers or religious minorities, threaten damnation, or preach conversion."