501(c)(3) Church

The American church is lost inside of 501(c)(3)s, and that’s got to change. 

A 501(c)(3) is a type of nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as existing for public benefit, not private profit. It’s an organization that operates for purposes such as religious, educational, charitable, scientific, or literary, among others. They’re usually nonprofit corporations, governed by a board of directors and operated by officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.). A nonprofit doesn’t pay federal income tax on mission-related income, can receive tax-deductible donations, can apply for grants and foundations funding, and has more credibility with donors, churches, and partners. Allegedly, it can’t exist to benefit private individuals, support political candidates, or distribute profits to owners. Yes, you can be paid as an employee — just not enriched as an owner.

The American church has submitted herself under the IRS by becoming 501(c)(3)s, and her pastors speak the language of incorporation as if it were covenant. Every Sunday, pastors across the nation welcome believers into tax-exempt institutions while simultaneously identifying it with the biblical living body, saying, “Welcome to our nonprofit church family!” Or a variation thereof, where “nonprofit church” is the name on the building as registered with the IRS.

The American church hasn’t loosened her chains — she’s traded them for paperwork.

She isn’t free. She’s registered. Having traded iron for ink, she has accepted 501(c)(3) status, placing herself under government classification, even though heaven never authorized her a tax code. 501(c)(3) isn’t the church and the church isn’t 501(c)(3).