Colorado Springs leaders weigh in as pastors’ political speech could expand

By Debbie Kelley | The Gazette

A recent proposed settlement in a federal court case out of Texas that would change how churches intersect with politics has become what supporters call restoring free speech rights and opponents call breaching the separation of church and state.

If the filing by the Internal Revenue Service stands in a 2024 lawsuit that several religious groups brought against the IRS, churches and other houses of worship would be allowed to endorse political candidates from the pulpit during religious services without danger of losing their tax-exempt status.

Reactions from pastors and politicians are mixed.

The Rev. Steve Holt, founder and senior pastor of The Road Church, a large nondenominational congregation in Colorado Springs, supports the idea and said he’s happy it’s making progress.

He doesn’t think he’ll invoke the practice, though.

“I never openly endorse candidates anyway,” Holt said, “but I always encourage people to vote and vote their biblical Christian values — and that’s not going to change.”

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