Churches in Texas May Soon Speak Up Politically (and Some Already Are).

Big changes could be on the horizon for Texas churches, sparking conversation already.

The IRS recently backed off a long-standing rule that stopped pastors from endorsing political candidates. Technically, it’s not final yet. A judge still needs to approve the change, but that hasn’t stopped some churches from moving forward.

Rep. Nate Schatzline, who’s also a pastor at Mercy Culture Church in Fort Worth, is leading the charge. He’s encouraging other pastors to get involved in politics, saying churches should be just as vocal as politicians when it comes to cultural and social issues. Mercy Culture is already ahead of the curve, running a nonprofit that trains people of faith to run for office and support what they call “Godly candidates.”

Texas is at the center of all this because it has more megachurches than any other state. With large congregations and significant online audiences, these churches have the power to influence far more than just Sunday worship.

Not everyone agrees on how to respond. Some churches plan to keep politics out of the pulpit to avoid dividing their congregations, while others are ready to speak up. Some denominations are sticking to their no-endorsement policies, but many evangelical leaders are excited about the freedom to be more direct.

Whether it leads to more civic engagement or more division, one thing’s clear: Texas churches are about to play a bigger role in politics, and the ripple effects could be felt well beyond Sunday morning.