JBaldwin
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
When I first joined the PB, I asked a question about tax exempt status not really knowing what I was asking. Lately, I've been thinking about this again and would like to address my questions further.
The US Federal Government offers tax exempt status (501-c-3) to churches that incorporate. In my earlier thread, I questioned the validity of doing that. Since that time I've come to understand that an incorporated church is viewed as a charitable organization by the government.
Once a church incorporates, in one sense, does it not become a business rather than a church? And if so, does that not put the organized incorporated church at odds with the true church, the body of Christ?
For years, I've watched congregations break up or loose their effectiveness in the community, because they've operated more like a business than a church.
While I see in Scripture a certain organization (deacons caring for the widows, elders leading and teaching the congregation), is it possible that further organization such as organizing as a charitable business stepping outside the boundaries of Scripture?
I realize this a touchy subject, but the questions have loomed in my mind for some time.
The US Federal Government offers tax exempt status (501-c-3) to churches that incorporate. In my earlier thread, I questioned the validity of doing that. Since that time I've come to understand that an incorporated church is viewed as a charitable organization by the government.
Once a church incorporates, in one sense, does it not become a business rather than a church? And if so, does that not put the organized incorporated church at odds with the true church, the body of Christ?
For years, I've watched congregations break up or loose their effectiveness in the community, because they've operated more like a business than a church.
While I see in Scripture a certain organization (deacons caring for the widows, elders leading and teaching the congregation), is it possible that further organization such as organizing as a charitable business stepping outside the boundaries of Scripture?
I realize this a touchy subject, but the questions have loomed in my mind for some time.