Perhaps churches are fearful of the Charity Commission because they feel you do not understand them. Work with them. Help churches to see that they can trust you and you trust churches. Do not begin from a point of accusation, but instead a mutual commitment to the very purposes that define charities themselves. Listen to those who are experts. Take time to understand the church and Christian organisation.
Christian organisations - the charity commission is not an enemy
The church must avoid the danger of seeing the charity commission as the enemy. We must recognise the worth and value and benefit of working with the commission, not against it. This trust must be mutual, not exclusive. Show the charity commission that they can trust you.
- Let your stewardship display itself in professionalism
- Let your accountability show itself in humility
- Let your witness show your purpose
- Let your integrity be seen in your transparency
- Let your submission be seen in your legality.
These things will form a strong bond between the charity commission and the church.
Conclusions
Let me finish with just four points.
- British society needs the Church to be the Church and the Charity Commission should not hinder us from being so.
- Legal frameworks should enhance effectiveness, not diminish it.
- The Church may be governed by God, but we should be setting the standard in the charity sector, not lagging behind.
We need:
- Mutual understanding
- Mutual respect
- Mutual trust
May God grant us the wisdom and the strength to be His church unapologetically. To have people on our hearts in all that we do. To seek to uphold good practice in all that we are.
Then we will truly be good news to a needy world.
BY Malcolm Duncan
The Head of Mission for the Evangelical Alliance
[Source: Leaders-Digest.com]
Leaders-digest.com is a bi-monthly online resource designed primarily for Evangelical Alliance UK member churches.
**Opinions represented in this article may not reflect the opinions of ChristianToday
