FaithBlazers

Yes. If you’ve ever wondered that, you’re not alone. For decades, many pastors have been led to believe that mentioning political issues, elections, candidates, or public policy from the pulpit could cost their church its tax-exempt status. This misunderstanding of the Johnson Amendment has led to a lack of leadership from the pulpit & a lack of engagement of American Christians. The IRS has finally clarified the misunderstanding.

In a legal filing on July 7, 2025, the IRS acknowledged that churches and houses of worship may endorse political candidates to their own congregations without violating the Johnson Amendment.

They described these endorsements as “a family discussion concerning candidates.” In other words, when a pastor speaks to his flock during worship or regular church communication, it’s not considered political campaigning; it’s protected internal religious speech.

Not entirely. The Johnson Amendment still technically exists—the IRS has simply clarified that it does not apply to churches communicating with their own congregation through normal religious channels.

You still can’t turn your church into a campaign headquarters or run paid political ads—but you can speak truthfully and directly to your congregation about issues, candidates, and elections from a biblical perspective.

Yes and no.

The IRS had long treated church endorsements to their own members as “low risk” and virtually never enforced the Johnson Amendment against churches. But most pastors didn’t know that, and the law was vague enough to make many feel silenced.

The July 2025 ruling makes the IRS’s unofficial stance official, finally removing the legal gray area and affirming your right to speak clearly to your flock from the pulpit.

Think of it this way:

Protected Communication

• Sermons during worship
• Church newsletters sent to members
• Church emails, texts, or websites directed at your congregation
• Statements made in your normal pastoral voice

Still Restricted

• Paid ads on TV, radio, or online endorsing a candidate
• Public campaign rallies hosted by your church for candidates
• Using church resources to promote specific candidates to the general public

The key is this: pastors are free to disciple people in truth, including how biblical truth may shape their political choices.

Not as long as your endorsement is:

• Directed at your congregation
• Communicated in the course of normal religious ministry
• Framed in a biblical context

That terminology is straight from the IRS’s own filing. Churches now have a green light to speak biblically and boldly about elections and candidates to their own members and congregations.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Pray and seek clarity from God’s Word on issues and candidates.
• Disciple your members year-round—not just during election season—on biblical truth about life, marriage, family, and justice.
• Speak clearly when political candidates are aligned (or not) with biblical values.
• Educate your Church on what this ruling means and remove fear from their minds.
• Partner with trusted organizations like the Alabama Policy Institute in your state to stay informed and equipped.

We do not believe that the pulpit is a political platform, but it is a place where truth must be proclaimed. Don’t let confusion or fear keep you from shepherding your congregation in all areas of their lives. Clarity is not political, it’s pastoral.

The Gatekeepers Association is an initiative of Alabama’s Family Policy Council affiliate, API. We are a group of pastors, faith leaders, and intercessory prayer partners created to help equip, connect, and encourage you as you lead and engage the culture with biblical truth.

They help by:

• Equipping you with biblical clarity on cultural and moral issues, like life, marriage, family, and religious liberty, so you may speak with confidence from a Christ-centered, gospel-driven foundation.
• Providing resources and tools for your church to engage wisely—sermons, small group content, voter guides, Q&A documents, and more—so your congregation is not just voting, but thinking biblically.
• Bridging the gap between Church and State through the Gatekeepers Association, helping you: 
  • Partner faithfully for those in authority
  • Partner with civic leaders on community needs,
  • Speak wisely into public policy with a biblical worldview.
• Being a trusted friend and ally in your calling to be salt and light, not just in your church, but in your city and across the state and nation.