Turning Pulpits into Podiums

Last night, the IRS indicated in a court filing that pastors who endorse political candidates from the pulpit shouldn't have to risk their churches losing their tax-exempt status.

This has to do with what is known as the Johnson Amendment that prohibits pastors and congregations from endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. The IRS has been fairly lax in enforcing the Johnson Amendment, and this most recent statements suggests that they simply will not be pursing such cases, regardless of what the law currently states.

This is in response to how in recent years, a growing number of pastors and religious leaders have stepped into the political arena—not to hold it accountable, as the prophets of old once did, but to endorse specific candidates and parties. Some have gone so far as to tell their members if they belong to one party or the other, if they don’t support certain candidates, they are somehow no longer Christian. Some have even opened their pulpits up to political candidates to come in and speak to their congregations.

This is not just a shift in tone; it is a dangerous shift in theological identity, institutional integrity, and democratic accountability.

To be clear: speaking about justice, naming oppression, and calling out the sins of the state is a pastoral duty rooted in the prophetic tradition. It’s literally part of the ELCA ordination vows that we will witness to God’s call for justice in all areas of life, show solidarity with the poor and oppressed, care for creation, and proclaim God’s love for the world. This may sometimes sound like political partisanship when it runs up against a particular party’s agenda or policies, but the intent is not to side with one political party over another but to simply point people back to what scripture tells us about caring for the poor, the immigrant, the stranger, and even our enemies.

The Hebrew prophets—Amos, Isaiah, Micah—spoke truth to power, but they did not become mouthpieces for monarchs. They critiqued kings. They exposed corruption. They called people back to the covenantal demands of justice, mercy, and humility. Their allegiance was to God—not to empire. Not to politicians. Not to political parties. Not to governments. Not even to nations.

When pastors begin endorsing candidates from the pulpit, that allegiance gets muddied. Rather than serving as a mirror to the state, reflecting its failures back with holy clarity, the pulpit becomes a podium—an extension of campaign machinery. The church risks losing its moral authority and becoming a tool of political propaganda.

A Theological Betrayal

Jesus himself refused to be co-opted by political movements. He rejected the sword of empire and the religious leaders who courted Caesar’s favor. When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus did not seize worldly power but walked the long, painful path of suffering love. He subverted the very systems that demanded allegiance through fear, money, and violence. Now, those acts ultimately are what resulted in his execution, as he was seen as a threat and danger to the political powers of his day. So again, there absolutely are political elements to the gospel—but to reduce the gospel to a political endorsement is to betray its radical message.

Faith rooted in the cross does not seek proximity to power—it challenges it. True gospel preaching may inevitably have political consequences, but that is vastly different than becoming partisan agents.

The Financial and Legal Cost

As already stated, under the Johnson Amendment, nonprofits—including churches—are prohibited from endorsing political candidates while maintaining their tax-exempt status. Violating this law can result in the loss of 501(c)(3) status, potential taxation, and penalties. While recent guidance from the IRS has shown reluctance to enforce these rules against churches, the legal precedent still stands. A change in leadership, policy, or public sentiment could bring swift and retroactive consequences.

Moreover, such violations risk alienating congregants and donors who may feel spiritually manipulated or politically marginalized within their own faith communities. Churches thrive when rooted in shared mission, not divided by party lines.

A Gateway for Dark Money

Perhaps even more alarming is the financial loophole this creates. If the Johnson Amendment is repealed all together, as many lawmakers in Congress have suggested they would support this move, churches could begin functioning as political agents while retaining their tax-exempt status. They would become ripe for exploitation as conduits of “dark money.” Wealthy donors and political operatives could funnel campaign funds through religious institutions—receiving tax deductions and bypassing public disclosure laws in the process.

Imagine a megachurch receiving millions in anonymous “donations,” only to turn around and fund a candidate’s campaign under the guise of spiritual support. This isn’t hypothetical; it’s the kind of corruption critics of repealing the Johnson Amendment have warned against. It erodes trust in the church, undermines the fairness of elections, and opens the door to untraceable political influence—subsidized by taxpayers.

The Church's True Power

The prophetic role of the church has never been to get candidates elected. It has always been to proclaim a different kingdom—to declare that the last shall be first, that peacemakers are blessed, that every human being is beloved. The church should be where the powerful are challenged, not celebrated. It should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

When the church loses its prophetic voice in exchange for political access, it also loses its soul. And no candidate—regardless of platform—can redeem that loss.

In this fraught political climate, pastors have a choice: become campaigners for Caesar, or truth-tellers for Christ.

Only one leads to resurrection and the Kingdom of God.