The IRS made headlines this week with a quiet but significant policy shift: Churches can now formally endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. At first glance, this looks like a monumental change in the balance between religion and politics.

IRS repeal of church political restrictions energizes GOP strategies but alienates the faithful who value spiritual over political guidance.

"Ours is not a blue or red diocese, but a purple one, and above all, a Christian one." 2 News Oklahoma's Braden Bates shares what led to the 70-year-old rule change.

In a court filing submitted on Monday, July 7, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it was changing a rule affecting churches — who, going forward, will be able to make political endorsements in the public without endangering their tax-exempt status.

The IRS veered away from banning political endorsements in houses of worship, spurring differing views from Houston's religious leaders.

For religious organizations, loss of the rebates jeopardizes financing options for clean energy projects and is expected to result in millions of dollars less in energy cost savings that could otherwise be reinvested in other church ministries and programs.

The Internal Revenue Service promulgated a set of new rules on Monday that allow churches to endorse and donate to political candidates, The New York Times reported on Monday. The new rules were created at a time when religion had slowly become a staple in American politics.

We have a duty to lead our congregations, but also to serve the broader community. That means leaving the land, water and air better than we found it.