posted
We are establishing a new House Church. How do we establish a 501(c)(3)non-profit for a house church? When we give a tithe to the house church we would like to receive a tax deduction for our gifts.
There are many issues to consider, and many have been discussed elsewhere on this forum. Be sure and poke around for input from accountants, former pastors and others with varying perspectives.
Entanglement with the federal government is a serious thing, indeed. Tax breaks are very small in comparison with the limitations. At a meeting of our network last week, two individuals stated that the amount of time, money and hassle required to be in compliance simply wasn't worth it for the tiny break. We have decided to commit our finances to God and to "give hilariously" to needs that WE consider legitimate, rather than giving to government approved spending. A "regular" church has to give, not according to biblical mandates but according to government standards - all of which drive people toward dependency and humiliation rather than inter-dependence and dignity. We believe God will make up the difference more generously than Uncle Sam.
From a church multiplication perspective, you must consider the long term impact of having a specific membership and "officers" and annual business meetings, rather than rapidly multiplying all over your community.
The goal of the movement it to "have a church within walking distance of every person". House churches implode when they don't explode into more house churches. The less we try to control one another, the more effectively we can "love one another". And if we are a government approved entity, we have to exert control.
Also, the primary reason for the tax break is for buildings. Since we, as believers in simple church, don't want to own buildings, there is little need for such a centralized account. Scripture challenges us to give in accordance with God's leading, and to have a central account means every family (which is God's Kingdom Unit) must compromise with every other family about how much to give, where the money should go, and so on.
We discussed, as a group, that it would be better to simply make needs known and allow each family to respond as God leads.
Just my amateur thoughts. May God bless you as you follow Him!
Laurie Ann
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
Email this page to someone.
