Report on Evangelicals Was Misleading

To the Editor:

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, in its report “Funding the Culture Wars: Philanthropy, Church, and State,” makes sweeping statements regarding potential fiscal irresponsibility among evangelical charities (“Grants Shaped Evangelical Movement,” February 17), including this one quoted in The Chronicle: “Allowing religious organizations like … a local rescue mission to keep their finances secret is a recipe for financial malfeasance — or in a worst-case scenario, physical or psychological harm to people seeking services from these organizations — in the name of religion.”

While I strongly disagree with the philosophical message, the statement also has no basis in fact. The majority of rescue missions are 501(c)(3)organizations, and subject to the annual filing of IRS Form 990. In addition, financial disclosure to anyone requesting such information is a membership requirement for the 300 ministries in North America that are members of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions.

Finally, rescue missions traditionally do not take an official stance on issues, but are focused on food, clothing, shelter, education, and rehabilitation for homeless and poor people in need.

The Rev. Stephen E. Burger
Executive Director
Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
Kansas City, Mo.

To the Editor:

Your article was poorly researched and demonstrated a tremendous lack of knowledge and understanding of the evangelical movement. Moreover, as one involved in the rescue-mission movement for 15 years, and chief executive officer of two such missions, I take great offense to the notion that the vast majority of us are anything but open in our finances and every other way. We file 990’s and are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

We maintain high standards and invite thousands of volunteers into our buildings yearly.

While we in evangelical circles would be the first to note that no human organization is exempt from the possibility of failure, even “sin,” nevertheless, Christian organizations, especially rescue missions, have long served this country in an exemplary fashion — reaching out to the least, the lost, the homeless, the hungry, and the hurting.

Before you publish such a slanted piece, maybe you should get the facts straight and not just report someone else’s bias.

The Rev. Thomas Laymon
President
Sunday Breakfast Mission
Wilmington, Del.