Should Christian Charitable Organizations Exist?

In today’s culture, this sounds like a dumb question. Of course, Christian charitable organizations should exist, right?  Many schools, hospitals, daycares, and other service-based ministries are considered vital parts of our everyday infrastructure. It is very hard to turn a non-residential street corner and not see a building or some advertisement for a Christian ministry. According to recent statistics released by researchers at Indiana University and total numbers provided by the Internal Revenue Service, there are almost 400,000 Christian charitable organizations in the United States, not including churches or houses of worship. Most of these organizations help meet people’s needs and benefit society. So why this question?

To clarify, let’s set some ground rules. I am not making a legal argument. Legally all organizations that do not break national law and fulfill the requirement to create an organization should have the right to exist even if I disagree with the organization. I also do not include churches when I speak of Christian charitable organizations or ministries. Instead, I am arguing the principle of whether Christian ministries should exist. Please bear with me as I walk you through this thought experiment.

The God of this universe has created one institution: the Church. The Church is a community of true believers united by their faith in the one true God. The Church is both universal, comprising all true believers worldwide, and local, manifesting in individual congregations. God has given His Church responsibilities. They are expected to proclaim the Gospel (Matthew 28:16-20), feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty (Romans 12:20), show hospitality (Romans 12:13), care for orphans and widows (James 1:27), give to the needy (Hebrews 13:16); provide clothing (James 2:15-16). If the Church accomplishes each of these commands, what need is there for Christian organizations? Do we need Christian ministries if the Church does what it is called by God to do?

Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes and no.

Let’s start with the positive. Yes, Godly Christian ministries should exist. The emphasis is on Godly because that is what truly makes a Christian ministry “Christian.” Godly organizations run by Christians allow the Church to meet other people’s needs more efficiently and effectively. They fulfill God’s call to the Church in a manner that no congregation on their own could accomplish. Doing everything ultimately to bring glory to God. Sometimes, these organizations are started by churches or church members who desire to make an impact on the world. If done in a manner glorifying God, there is no Biblical argument opposed to the creation of Christian organizations.

I have had a passion for Christian nonprofit ministries my whole life. From a young age, I dreamed of starting an organization that would allow me to serve God by helping others. I’m not the only one; men like George Mueller, Dwight L. Moody, and Hudson Taylor all started Christian charitable ministries that had great success and were a significant blessing to the Church.

Hudson Taylor

On the negative side, some Christian nonprofit ministries should not exist. The obvious organizations that should not exist include those organizations that directly oppose God’s law, supporting sinful acts like homosexuality, abortion, or even denial of God. Other organizations are “Christian” in name only, not directly opposing God, but making no effort to proclaim Him or even show that any part of their organization is Biblically based. These should absolutely not be Christian ministries!

However, there is another reason Christian ministries should not exist. If, at any point, the ministry takes over the role of the Church, then the Christian ministry should not exist. This can be the fault of the Church or the organization, but it is never appropriate for a ministry to displace the Church. 

Sometimes, the local Church is lazy and fails its responsibility, and a Christian organization comes in and takes its place. Sometimes, a Christian organization is successful and, therefore, supersedes its right and supplants the Church’s role. Either way, the Christian charitable organization is in the wrong. God has instituted the Church, not the charitable organization. 

I love Christian ministries and deeply believe in the good and glorifying work they can do. I see them as a great blessing to the Church and the call that God has given it. However, organizations need to be careful that they do not take the place of the Church. Christian charitable organizations exist to help the Church, the institution created by God.

Thank you for joining me on this thought adventure. I hope I made you think!

Sources:

Brad Fulton, Indiana University; Allison Ralph, Cohesion Strategy

IRS.gov, (2023), SOI Tax Stats - Tax-Exempt Organizations and Nonexempt Charitable Trusts - IRS Data Book Table 14