Are religious ministries non-profit organizations? How and do they make any money, legally?

Question

Do religious ministries in this country make money and are they considered non-profit organizations?

Answer 1

Yes, most religious ministries are non-profit organizations. Money does come in, but it does not go into the pockets of those on top. In contrast, the owner of a business for profit gets to keep all of the profits from the business (or the stockholders, however the business is set-up). Regardless of popular rumor, most of these mega-churches are led my Godly men who do not pocket the excess. They are paid salaries that correspond with their massive responsibilities, though most also tithe their salaries, give over and beyond to charity and will share their financial information with you if you ask. (I did that before joining the "mega-church" that I am now not only a member of, but also work for.) There are people who abuse their responsibilities and I would always encourage anyone to check out a church or any organization before giving money to it. But to answer the question, yes they are non-profit (they don't pay tax) and the money they make is to maintain the building, pay the salaries (of all the workers)(who, by the way, are paid market-value) and the rest is donated to various charities.

Answer 2

Tithes and offerings. You can bet they make money. The bigger the celebrity, popularity, or charisma of the preacher and organization, the more money. It sickens me that many churches are only used once or twice a week while carrying huge mortgages that the preacher has to lay guilt and begging to pay for it all as well as his salary. Don't get me wrong I have met many that are ministering with their own,money, time, and donated money and they are actually doing some good (Katrina volunteers impressed me). One must have discernment when forking out the bucks to these organisations. The true church is the people not the popular preacher, adgenda based programs, and the fancy meeting places (elaborate churches). They enjoy non-profit benefits because you can assemble a board of directors who set salaries etc and justify it through religion. What if some of these god like preachers gave up their fancy cars, jets, TV and radio space,etc and actually housed and fed a person who is down on their luck from divorce, abuse, mental illness, job loss due to downsising or outsourcing, and so on. I have met many who would get it together if they could only sleep in the pews, take a shower and use the church phone as a job contact. Non profit is a big business for those at the top. And they get the tax breaks. God bless the poor in spirit and humble in heart. Also consider the big bucks in church related products. Are we worshipping men's talents or God? The majority of non-profit has high overhead and very little goes for the show of helping other, religious and secular alike.

Answer 3

Of course they make money and they are exempt from paying taxes under the laws of this great deluded nation. Non profit does not mean does not make money. They make billions. Look at HUGE mega church the Haggard had for the evangelicals or the massive cathedrals the catholics have or the prime real estate all those Baptist Churches and synagogues are on or the millions the catholic church was able to pay out for those sexual abuse cases. All that money comes from donations. But wait, there's more! How about the tv and radio stations and the christian broadcasting network. They sell things on air and sell air time too (the people they sell it to right it off too as a donation or a business expense). That is all tax exempt.

Answer 4

Religious ministries are a form of non-profit organizations.
They money from donations and interest on investments, maybe also collection of fees for special services and sales of merchandise.

"Non-profit" just means they have to spend all the money on religious purposes - maintaining the buildings, promoting themselves, charities, etc. Which does not prevent some priests from buying luxury cars and houses with church money.

Answer 5

Yes, they do, and yes, they are. They accept donations, and they don't offer a product or service, so that makes them non-profit, especially as the money they take in is (supposedly) put back into the functioning of the organization - ESPECIALLY those nice hefty salaries for their preachers... ;-)

Answer 6

They are non-profit, and the pastors receive a salary based on a budget that comes out of the donations. Many pastors and their wives have to maintain other jobs to supplement their income. What you see on t.v. is not your neighborhood church.

Answer 7

The only real capitalist Christians are baptist. Look at their churches! WOW!!! Pretty nice places....