CNIR NEWS — October 16, 2026
A Surprising Decision Ahead of the Midterm Elections
As America approaches the 2026 midterm elections, a new Lifeway Research study reveals that 93% of Protestant pastors do not intend to endorse political candidates during church worship services, despite efforts to loosen federal restrictions on political endorsements.
The findings raise an important question: Are pastors avoiding politics because of legal concerns, or because they believe the pulpit should remain focused on spiritual leadership?
What the Survey Reveals
Researchers surveyed 1,003 Protestant pastors between September 2 and September 24, 2025.
Only 5% expressed intentions to endorse political candidates during worship services, while 2% remained undecided.
The findings were released in October 2026, ahead of the November midterm elections.
Religious Freedom and the Johnson Amendment
For decades, the Johnson Amendment has restricted political campaign intervention by tax-exempt organizations, including churches.
In 2025, the Internal Revenue Service supported a proposed settlement permitting certain political endorsements during religious services.
However, a federal judge rejected the agreement in March 2026 on jurisdictional grounds, leaving the legal dispute unresolved.
Do Pastors View the Pulpit Differently?
Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell suggested that pastors’ decisions reflect convictions extending beyond concerns about taxation.
Historically, few Protestant pastors have endorsed candidates during worship services.
The survey also revealed differences among denominations. Pentecostal pastors were more likely to anticipate endorsements than Lutheran or Methodist pastors.
Faith, Politics, and the Church’s Mission
Interestingly, earlier Lifeway research found growing public acceptance of pastors endorsing political candidates during worship services.
Yet most surveyed pastors remain unwilling to take that step.
The findings do not mean pastors avoid political issues entirely. Many continue addressing morality, justice, religious liberty, and public policy through biblical teaching.
For American Christians, the larger question remains: Should pastors use the pulpit to endorse political candidates, or should worship services remain separate from electoral campaigning?
As November approaches, that conversation continues across American churches.
CNIR fact-check and sources:
Lifeway Research, October 13, 2026, via Baptist Press — survey methodology and findings.
The Christian Post, October 16, 2026 — independent reporting on the survey and federal legal proceedings.
Religion Unplugged, October 13, 2026 — additional reporting on the unresolved Johnson Amendment litigation.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any decisions. Source: Christian News & Investigative Reports (CNIR) — cnirbc.com
Reporting the headline. Investigating the facts
