A recent decision by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allowed religious leaders to endorse political candidates from their pulpits, effectively overturning a decades-old tax law that barred such activity. This shift in policy is expected to have significant implications for churches and pastors in Texas, particularly those with large membership bases.
The IRS’s stance, which applies nationwide but is particularly relevant to Texas due to its high concentration of megachurches, gives pastors more freedom to engage in civic activities, including endorsing candidates. The decision has been welcomed by conservative activists and organizations that support hard-line opposition to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline, a pastor at Mercy Culture Church in Fort Worth, expressed excitement about the ruling, saying it “affirms what we already knew: the government can’t stop the church from getting civically engaged.” Schatzline also emphasized the importance of pastors speaking out on social issues and standing up for their values.
The IRS’s decision has sparked debate among religious leaders and organizations. Some, like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the United Methodist Church, have announced plans to maintain their stances on not endorsing or opposing political candidates. Others, such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have condemned efforts to ignore or weaken the Johnson Amendment.
The shift in policy is expected to have significant implications for churches and pastors in Texas, particularly those with large membership bases. Megachurches like Mercy Culture Church are already well-established organizations with significant influence on social issues in the state.
As the new policy takes shape, it remains to be seen how different religious traditions will respond. However, one thing is clear: the IRS’s decision has given pastors more freedom to engage in civic activities and speak out on social issues, potentially changing the landscape of politics in Texas.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/04/texas-pastors-poised-to-wield-political-power-after-irs-says-churches-can-endorse-candidates