We are in an unprecedented time. The coronavirus pandemic is shaking our land, and America’s leaders are scrambling to steer us through the health and economic crisis. Churches and charities are invaluable to communities in these days. Thankfully, many government leaders are showing they understand that.

The pandemic continues to claim more and more victims, and it is rattling the economy. Polling shows health and financial fears escalating quickly, and nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults expect a recession or depression. Already, 33 percent report their households losing income due to the crisis.

View Comments (4)

Last week President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. This unparalleled $2 trillion stimulus bill is intended to prevent economic disaster. You likely have heard about the direct cash refunds coming from the IRS, as well as the major federal boost to state unemployment benefits. But there is much more in the bill, including several portions of interest to the ministries that are so important to our nation.

First, while some may view this as small, I believe it is very significant that Congress approved a “universal charitable deduction.” There is now an allowance for every taxpayer to claim an “above-the-line” adjustment for charitable giving regardless of whether you itemize other deductions on your tax forms. Granted the deduction is a temporary measure only for the 2020 tax year, and its limit is relatively small — $300. Still, the idea of such a deduction has been a nonprofit priority for years.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) has long championed efforts for a robust universal charitable deduction. As he attempted to boost the $300 provision last week, he said, “Now is the time to encourage more charitable giving… There is a role for government in a crisis, and there is an even stronger role for our non-profits, churches, and community organizations who are the boots on the ground helping our friends and neighbors.”

I hope that this new allowance will not only be an immediate benefit for a country in need, but will also reduce resistance to continuing this policy in the future. Perhaps we can prayerfully consider it a test pilot!

Another CARES provision that could greatly benefit ministries and needs your prayer covering is the enhancement of Small Business Administration loans for nonprofit groups. Congress not only expanded eligibility guidelines for disaster loans, but it also created a new $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program. This government-backed loan program is intended to help small organizations, including churches and charities, make payroll for the next couple months. Loans, which notably are granted by private lending institutions, may be up to $10 million dollars and can be fully forgiven if the organization maintains the size of its workforce.

We need intercessory prayer for the fair treatment of ministries. While the authors of the CARES relief bill clearly intended churches and faith-based charities to be included in its scope, there is confusion as some SBA officials have questioned their ability to participate. Whenever there are large pots of government money, we and our representatives must watch them carefully to make sure they are used as intended. We need to be praying for wisdom and transparency among both those who provide and those who receive these resources.

It is also worthy of note that some Christian leaders are wary that such loans could entangle them with the state. Indeed, caution is always wise when the government offers a check. Keeping healthy distance between church and state authority is an important principle of our Republic put in place to protect the faithful. We should pray for pastors and ministry leader as they weigh that concern and seek the Lord’s direction in their own spheres.

However, I would highlight the SBA just released an interim rule that not only reaffirms the ability of all otherwise eligible 501(c)(3) ministries to apply for help, but also declares, “All loans guaranteed by the SBA pursuant to the CARES Act will be made consistent with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory protections for religious liberty.” As authorities, it lists the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and relevant SBA guidelines. (ECFA has more information and considerations related to this new development.)

I would note, too, that Dr. Russell Moore of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission makes a good case for why these loan offerings are not (at least at this point) an entanglement. Moore states that this is not a situation of the government earmarking funds specifically for ministries. He writes, “So far what we can see is not in any way a ‘bailout’ of churches but a safety net for banks, to incentivize banks to continue the flow of money so that people are not unemployed.”

Remember banks and other lenders are the ones making these loans, just as they often do for a church or ministry in other situations like a building campaign. Moore compares the current situation to a fire department responding to a community emergency at a church, or a government reimbursing any institution after taking land by eminent domain. There is no intention to “privilege or penalize any religion in any way different from any other entity.”

I’m thankful for the important work of so many ministries. I’m thankful, too, that government leaders have remembered their value in this crisis. May we faithfully seek the Lord’s guidance, protection, and provision in this time and always.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Aaron Mercer is a Contributing Writer with two decades of experience in Washington, D.C.’s public policy arena and Christian associations. A seasoned strategist, he aids organizations with research, analysis, and writing services, and he reflects on faith, technology, and the public square at FTPolicy.com.