Local religious leaders are reacting to the IRS’ ruling allowing churches to endorse a candidate without risking tax exempt status. But one is skeptical about the ruling.

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.