10/21/2026
The investigative journalism site Oklahoma Watch featured Mayflower and Rev. Dr. Lori Walke in their story, “Pulpit Politics: Johnson Amendment Rarely Enforced.” The story explores how the IRS rarely enforces the law that bars tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates, and how churches across Oklahoma approach that line differently. Rev. Dr. Walke explains that Mayflower will never endorse a party or candidate from the pulpit. She describes this as a theological imperative. Mayflower does speak about policy and the common good, including economic justice and women’s bodily autonomy, because Scripture and Jesus’ teachings address these concerns directly. Political, yes. Partisan, no. Read the full story at
Oklahoma religious leaders are navigating a murky legal landscape around the Johnson Amendment, which bars tax-exempt churches from endorsing candidates but is rarely enforced. With a recent Texas lawsuit failing and Congress considering changes, some pastors endorse candidates without consequences....
