Background note: Rev. Kevin A. Johnson and Mike Shear are BUMC members who moved to Palm Springs, California, in July 2002, to begin Bloom in the Desert Ministries, which is an interdenominational, inclusive Christian ministry including the Methodist (Broadway style) tradition. “Kevin’s Korner” is a monthly column reporting on their progress so Broadway and Bloom stay well connected in ministry together. (www.bloominthedesert.org)
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From time to time, we share Rev. Kev’s columns recently submitted for publication. Here is the most recent:
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“Words of Faith” for April 14, 2011 The Desert Sun
The dynamic tension that church-state separation creates is energy that can be used for good when faithfully engaged. In the church-state relationship, separation is not elimination. It is mutual understanding of place and mission. No favoritism. No bullying. Yes, co-existence.
All religions are treated equally when church-state separation functions well.
Separation does not mean tax exemption. Churches pay various taxes according to state laws. They pay sales and real estate taxes in various cases. Employer and Social Security taxes are paid by congregations, independent contractors and employees. Income tax exemption for “churches” and certain small foundations is written into the federal income tax code. It applies to temples, mosques and synagogues, too.
As the time arrives to file income tax forms, grumbles are heard each year. Why not feel good about doing our bits? The investment we make in ourselves to run our country pays off in the common good.
We are reminded this week – if not every time we see our paychecks – that American enterprise is a joint venture. When labor and management, industrialists and entrepreneurs, pensioners and new hires, people of faith and no faith, able and disabled citizens are mutual participants; our country functions well. It functions poorly and people are harmed when mutuality is ignored.
Mutuality does not mean everyone is the same or gets the same stuff. Mutuality means everyone gets the same respect. With respect comes mutual understanding that another’s ideas are worth considering. If one does not accept those ideas, there’s no need to undermine character or block all progress. Do something else. Vote another way.
In the dynamic tension of church-state aims, faith steadies the hand on the tiller of the ship of state. Faithful congregations teach good values and monitor the morality of those trusted with our national, regional and local common good. There’s hope high principles motivate leaders; that officials to do right by the people and the wealth of the nation’s resources.
Faithful people are entrusted with mutual values and dynamic energy meant to be harnessed for the good of all. That’s why the value of religious institutions is recognized historically as having good potential in society. That’s why they are taxed differently than businesses and (individuals).
Each year, when the time comes to fund our national enterprise, I suggest we recommit to energizing faithful, mutual values in the venture.
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Let’s keep in touch. Please go to Bloom’s Web site and sign up for our weekly electronic newsletter, “BloomNotes.” And do keep all of us in your prayers. We do you.
Peace be with you,
Rev. Kev and Mike Shear