Is the Gospel for the Public Benefit?

Every independent church is a charity - whether or not they are currently required to register with the charity regulator - and charity law requires all charities to operate for the “public benefit”.

So we must ask: is the faithful proclamation of the gospel by a church for the “public benefit”?

We would perhaps quickly respond to that question with an enthusiastic “yes”! But in an ever-changing, post-Christian culture, this is an area in which we know a number of churches are being challenged.

When churches preach a message that is counter-cultural or on a topic on which the gospel sits in stark contrast to the prevailing worldview, they may find themselves under challenge. So how do we respond well to the challenges when they come?

The Charities Act 2006 established 13 charitable purposes in law, including the “advancement of religion”, meaning that a charity can be established to “promote, maintain and practice a religion” in a way that is for the public benefit.

For any charity which has been set up for the “advancement of religion”, the law requires that their activities are for that purpose.

For churches then, the law requires that they promote and practice the Christian faith for the benefit of the public!

Firstly, the activities of the charity must be beneficial, and any harm mustn’t outweigh the benefit.

The benefits must be identifiable, based on evidence rather than personal opinion – and similarly any harms must be evidence-based rather than a personal view.

Unlike a number of the other charitable purposes listed in charity law, the benefit of the “advancement of religion” derives from the activities of the charity – so the benefit derives from the provision of worship services, “spiritual and moral” education, and activities which contribute to a better society or social welfare.

Secondly, the activities must be available to the public in general, or a sufficient section of it. So, whilst a charity cannot operate for the benefit of a closed group, it doesn’t have to be available to every person everywhere!

An outward-looking church, seeking to serve and reach their local community, would meet this “public” criteria.

The Charity Commission expects that charity trustees will “have regard” for their guidance on public benefit, and those who are registered with the Commission are required to report on public benefit in their annual report.

But beyond the Charity Commission’s requirements, churches are finding themselves challenged by those who argue that preaching scripture faithfully is not for the public benefit, or is indeed harmful.

It has never been more important, then, that church leaders are able to explain clearly why the gospel we proclaim is good news in the here and now and for eternity.