The Evangelical Council for Financial Responsibility announced yesterday that its Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations has appointed the members of three panels who will work with it in developing a report to Sen. Charles Grassley on issues growing of a a Senate committee staff report on the financial affairs of six high profile Christian ministries. The Commission will also examine other tax policy issues relating to non-profits. (See prior posting.) The Panel of Religious Sector Representatives is comprised of 25 leaders from various faith groups. The Panel of Nonprofit Sector Representatives is made up of 18 leaders in the non-profit sector. The Panel of Legal Experts includes 23 lawyers with extensive experience in the area of exempt organizations, religious organizations, and/or constitutional law.
Among the issues being considered by the Commission are whether churches should be more accountable to the federal government; possible changes in the clergy housing allowance exclusion; whether there should be a change in the current prohibition against political campaign intervention by churches and other nonprofits; whether the rules on reasonableness of nonprofit executive compensation should be made more stringent; and whether penalties should be expanded for nonprofits and nonprofit leaders who engage in prohibited activities.
