Editorials

Long ago, in order to maintain the “wall of separation” between church and state, the two entities struck a deal. In effect it said government would not use its taxing power to restrict the church in its worthwhile work and churches would not use their non-profit status to enrich individuals.

For the most part, this arrangement has worked.

Churches — especially those that belong to organized denominations — have been careful to document what is raised and spent and usually they supply the Internal Revenue Service with information the law requires.

However, churches without denominational oversight, “community churches” as they frequently define themselves, often lack these internal audits and controls. Occasionally, problems arise.

Here the wall of separation gets narrow at the top. How much should a church or religious organization be forced to reveal about its expenses — who gives, what they give, and what it is spent on — and how much should remain private?

The problem has become more apparent in recent years as television ministries have grown and prospered. But television is a two-edged sword.

On one hand, it allows churches to reach a wide audience with their message and with appeals for money to support the ministry. However, television often reveals a lavish lifestyle that suggests some ministers are lining their pockets in the service of the Lord.

Last week, it was learned that a committee of the U. S. Senate had sent letters to the leaders of six well-known and widely watched evangelical TV “mega-ministries.” The letters requested information about how the ministers are compensated, what perks they receive and what oversights are in place to make sure laws are followed.

The fact that all of these ministries share a basic Pentecostal theology and preach a “prosperity gospel” of material rewards on earth for those who believe has caused some concern among those who share these beliefs.

However, other Christian groups support the inquiry to which, by the way, the ministers are not legally required to respond.

From our perspective, we believe the inquiry is worthwhile because it will offer these groups and others an opportunity to comment on the laws and regulations that govern them. It also will give the government an opportunity to examine these laws and make changes, if needed, that will enable church and state to better avoid potential abuses.

The wall of separation between church and state has to be inspected frequently and patched if cracks appear. This is one of those inspections.