Hold onto your hats! This is not hype but a headline that sets millions free from a fraudulent rule that muzzled ministers for 70 years. No church or pastor was ever fined or forfeited their tax-exempt status, yet the Johnson Amendment represented a “paper tiger” that curtailed Christians from hearing the truth about candidates and campaigns impacting their lives. Historically, there were no restrictions on what churches could do in elections — we’re witnessing a divinely orchestrated reset.
The National Religious Broadcasters, two Texas pastors and Intercessors for America are the plaintiffs in this incredible case. The IRS agreed that if a church endorsed a candidate to its congregation, it would view it as a private matter like “a family discussion.”
When even the New York Times publishes a huge headline announcing this long-awaited breakthrough, you know this belongs up there with the reversal of Roe v. Wade and Trump’s inauguration declaration “There are only two genders — male and female.” The Times stated: “IRS Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit.”
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What might have happened in our nation if this un-American, unconstitutional rule had not been made? How different would the moral state of our country be without this insidious and intimidating legislation? The IRS has had a hammerlock on free speech and free exercise of religion. It’s time to celebrate a new day dawning for the church!
Pastors Took the Bait
Pastors who refused to wade into controversial waters now find themselves with their flocks similar to Ricky Ricardo telling Lucy she had “some splainin’ to do.”
Should they have caved to cultural pressure in compromising their shepherding role to guard the flock and equip them to discern and dodge deception? Do they need to give an account for playing it safe, remaining silent on critical issues that destroy lives? Again, since no one was ever penalized, why weren’t more pastors standing up and speaking truth courageously like in prior “awakenings” when “the pulpits were aflame” and churches traditionally held “Election Sundays” to educate people from a biblical perspective on issues and individuals seeking office?
Prior to one of the most consequential elections in America’s history—the 2024 presidential election (featuring a far-left Marxist with word-salad responses and an avoidance of interviews), I talked with two local megachurch pastors. I inquired what their senior leader was doing and one said “Oh, we don’t talk about politics”; the other said, “We do tell people to vote but don’t get into politics.”
Painful Parable
Almost 20 years ago, we relocated to Nashville at the invitation of a megachurch leader. He assured financial stability, a leadership role and involvement in a network of churches. I was assigned a leader’s class, prayer, marriage and evangelism ministry.
An upcoming election resulted in an unexpected jolt. I was reprimanded for putting out biblical voter guides; warned not to talk about a candidate’s abortion stance; told not to do a biblical video on homosexuality and gay “marriage” because “we don’t want to go there…it can bring death threats …this would be a dealbreaker!”
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A few weeks later I was called on the carpet and his assistant told me, “It’s time for you to go.” When I later asked the main leader, “How, after seven years invested here, do I explain this to people I’ll run into at Costco?” He replied, “Just go and don’t come back.”
With the recent tragic revelations of Michael Tait, Newsboys, lawsuits and nationwide scandal on hidden homosexuality, I only wonder what disaster might have been averted (he was part of that church), if he had received biblical teaching and pastoral accountability.
Here’s the deal: To God be the glory for the reset we are seeing unfold in our nation!
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author of 10 books, cultural commentator of 50 years, Intercessors for America board member and a public policy adviser with Liberty Counsel. Go to larrytomczak.com to watch 30 amazing, free, brief, on-demand videos by America’s top leaders so you can confidently address today’s tough issues.
