IRS Confirms Churches and Pastors May Speak on Biblical Issues in the Political Arena

The Family Foundation Shares New Resource to Equip Churches & Pastors on IRS Ruling

LEXINGTON, KY – In a significant legal turn with major implications for pastors and churches across the nation, the Internal Revenue Service has formally clarified that pastors and churches are free to address political issues and to endorse candidates from the pulpit to their own congregations without violating their tax-exempt status.

On July 7, 2025, the IRS settled a lawsuit brought by two Texas churches and the National Religious Broadcasters. As part of the settlement, the IRS entered into a consent decree protecting the right of pastors to speak to their congregations about political issues—even making endorsements if a pastor sees appropriate. Such discussions are internal communications between a broader church family, and the government has no business interfering with that relationship.

The Family Foundation, in partnership with its allied family policy councils, has released a new resource and Q&A for Pastors and Churches on what the IRS ruling on church endorsements really means. You can download the resource here.

“We are incredibly thankful that the IRS has confirmed what we have always known—that churches have the freedom to discuss political issues and candidates from a Christian perspective,” said David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation. “For far too long many pastors believed a lie and were deceived into thinking the Johnson Amendment prevented them from speaking about political issues and candidates. But in reality, the IRS has long treated that rule as unenforceable against internal church communication as the First Amendment has always protected the right of pastors to preach the whole counsel of God.

“Scripture calls on all Christians to be present and active in the public square, and this new development should inspire pastors around the country to take up that calling. We look forward to working with Kentucky pastors to ensure the Bible’s clear teachings on the issues of life, marriage, religious freedom, and much more are championed across the Commonwealth,” Walls concluded.

Since its founding by Kent Ostrander, The Family Foundation has been committed to equipping pastors and other church leaders with the tools to address political topics from a Biblical worldview, while working to encourage all Christians to be the salt and light that Scripture calls them to be. We encourage pastors and churches to use the new resource and reach out if they have questions about how they can best address these issues. As the 2026 election cycle nears, Christians must be properly equipped with the tools to honor the Lord at the ballot box.