Should Churches Accept Government Handouts?

The church is not a "business" intended to receive government support.

Gary Oyer of Hesston, Kansas, had a letter published in the Mennonite World Review in May that questioned congregations and conferences applying for benefits like those provided in the current Paycheck Protection Program. Technically, the PPP offers a loan through the government's Small Business Administration, but one that is to be forgiven if a business or organization retains its employees over a required period of time.

I understand the temptation to have some extra funds on hand for people on a church's payroll, but like Oyer, my first thought was that this is not free money, but something we are adding to the already staggering national debt that our children and grandchildren will be burdened with forever.  Oyer also makes the point that "The government will soon complain about the enormous government deficit and use that as an excuse to cut education, health and social budgets."

Even more important, the more we come to depend on government benefits the more our prophetic voice is in danger of becoming muted out of a fear we may jeopardize our privileged position. Already we have the benefit of having to pay no local property or other taxes on billions of dollars of prime real estate held by congregations. And pastors enjoy enormous tax benefits by being able to claim up to 40% of their incomes as a housing allowance, which can cover things like mortgage interest (even though already counted as a deductible item!), utilities, home repair and improvements, and even cleaning supplies.

How does any of this square with our conviction, as Anabaptists, that the church should be free of state control and support?

Oyer's letter closes with a quote from the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, "In times of suffering the church depends on the Spirit's presence and power, rather than on the power or benevolence of government, for its preservation and mission."

Maybe at the very least our churches should commit to paying back what we have borrowed as soon as we are able. Also, congregations could make a hefty contribution to local governments for the fire and other protections they enjoy, and pastors could contribute every bit of their personal tax savings to charity.