Brethren Church denied Charitable status

Posted by Simon Cross  ·  9 visitor comments

A Brethren church has been denied charitable status, in a move which some claim could lead other Christian groups into difficulties.

MPs have given their backing to an appeal by Brethren churches against a Charity Commission ruling

Preston Down Trust, which runs Brethren meeting houses in Torquay, Paignton, and Newton Abbott has appealed to the charity tribunal after the decision by the Charity Commission in July. Their appeal has been backed by Horsforth Gospel Hall, in Leeds,

This is the first time that charitable status has been refused to a religious group, since changes were made, requiring applicants to demonstrate the ‘public benefit’ of their work.

The introduction of the Charities Act 2006, means that the advancement of religion alone is not enough to make an organisation eligible for charitable status.

Because of the relatively closed and exclusive nature of the Brethren churches, it may be difficult to demonstrate this.

A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: "Our consideration of the public benefit requirement took into account the nature of Christian religion embraced by the Trust and the means through which this was promoted, including the public access to its services and the potential for its beneficial impact on the wider community.

“The central issue in the appeal will be whether the public benefit requirement is satisfied in relation the Exclusive Brethren organisations under the law as it now is.

"It is for the organisation to satisfy the Commission that it is a charity, not for the Commission to demonstrate it is not."

But some are concerned that the Preston Down case will have a knock on affect to other Christian groups. Tabling an early day motion in the house of commons, the Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon called for support for the Brethren Churches.

His Early Day Motion read: “That this House notes the decision of the Charity Commission to revoke the charitable status of a trust that is part of the Brethren Christian Church, which does a lot of good work for charity and community groups; believes that this is an extremely important test case because it has widespread implications for all Christian charitable trusts; and therefore calls on the Government and all parliamentarians to express their belief to the Charities Commission that Christian groups who are serving the community have the right to charitable status and should not be subject to politically correct bias.”

Preston Downs is not alone in the struggle, it’s appeal has been lodged alongside one by the trustees of the Horsforth Gospel Hall Trust, a Leeds-based Brethren group that was granted charitable status in 1988.

The Commission spokeswoman explained: “[Horsforth Gospel Hall Trust], along with a small number of Exclusive Brethren organisations, was registered  prior to the implementation of the Charities Act 2006 on the basis of the law as it was then understood.

“The 2006 Act removed the presumption of public benefit from certain classes of charity including religious charities.

“As a result, the Horsforth Gospel Hall Trust may be affected by the decision of the Tribunal in this case and that is why they have joined in the appeal against the Commission decision not to register the Preston Down Trust.”

The Charity Commission said the tribunal is an "opportunity for the law to be clarified in this area as it affects the Exclusive Brethren".

Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, has written to the Charity Tribunal backing the two trusts’ appeal, arguing that the Plymouth Brethren has a recognised 'commitment to the public good'.

He wrote: “The Brethren Gospel Hall trusts have been recognised as charitable institutions by the Charity Commission and HMRC for over 50 years.

“I cannot therefore understand why they are now being stripped of charitable status and do not imagine that it was the intention of the previous government that the changes made by the Charities Act 2006 would impact on a well-known religious organisation in this way.

“The Brethren not only hold sessions of worship, which are open to the public, but also conduct hundreds of street preachings every week, as part of their commitment to the public good.”

The Commission clarified that, "The Commission has not revoked charitable status from the Preston Down Trust, a Brethren meeting hall. The organisation applied to be entered onto the register of charities and the application was refused on the basis that we were unable to conclude that the organisation is established for the advancement of religion for public benefit."

4th September

September 4th, 2012 - Posted & Written by Simon Cross

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SUSAN EALEY

SUSAN EALEY

Posts: 1

it is yet another sign of the slow disintegration of our christian society. we will soon find ourselves oppressed and imprisoned for our faith as other Christians in non christian societies. Those who profess to be christian need to stand up and join in fighting against the continued marginalisation of christianity in our society.

Wednesday, 5th September 2012 at 11:13AM

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John Dingle

John Dingle

Posts: 2

The Charity Commission representative's comment that this will provide an opportunity for "the law to be clarified in this area as it affects the Exclusive Brethren" implies that the exclusivity of this assemblies practices were a significant issue in proving "Public Benefit". The Open Brethren therefore should have nothing to fear.

Thursday, 6th September 2012 at 2:05PM

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Penny Culliford

Penny Culliford

Posts: 8

That's right, the need to demonstrate "public benefit" is an across the board requirement, not just applied to Christian churches. It focuses the need to be outward looking, not just benefitting existing members.

Tuesday, 11th September 2012 at 10:06PM

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Helen Lloyd

Helen Lloyd

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Since the Church is supposed be in existence for the benefit of those outside it and the gospel is supposed be about bringing the Kingdom to our communities - fighting against injustice, relieving the effects of poverty as well as proclaiming Jesus as Lord then individual churches carrying out this commission have nothing to fear - If you worship behind closed doors, only supporting missions in far off lands and rarely engaging with your community - then you can continue - but without the financial benefits of being registered a charity. Maybe its time some churches examined themselves and their mission. Preaching on street corners - as much as some of us may see it as helping in advancing the gospel - does not class as charitable work. Its time we got our hands dirty and find out where Jesus would be. I do not see this as any sort of persecution - its just we have never had to justify our existence in society before - simply being a Christian Church was enough to get us the charitable status - not any more. Lets look at ourselves first before criticising the charity commission - afterall if we benefit from the tax relief through gift aid we need to show responsiblity and good stewardship.

Friday, 14th September 2012 at 9:18AM

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Sally Carmen

Sally Carmen

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good there is no evidence any church does good, they just want money

Sunday, 4th November 2012 at 2:02PM

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Ian S

Ian S

Posts: 9

I agree with Trev. This ruling refers to a branch of the Exclusive Brethren. They are not a church as would be understood by the vast majority of christians of all persuasions, or by the general public. They are a closed sect that has much in common with the cults. They have an authoritarian approach that is frequently abusive and has even driven people to suicide. I pray that this ruling will cause them to realise the error of their ways.

Wednesday, 14th November 2012 at 12:56PM

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Indar Ramdeen

Indar Ramdeen

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Could someone with INTELLIGENCE in that Commission step forward? Definitely NONE!! If a church is doing charitable work for over FIFTY (50) years

Wednesday, 21st February 2018 at 3:35PM

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Hazel

Hazel

Posts: 1

Watch out it will be the rest of us next, Catholic and Anglican too.

Tuesday, 4th September 2012 at 11:36PM

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Trev

Trev

Posts: 1

As Christians we're all aware of the risk of persecution lurking at the door. Be glad, this isn't one of those situations: The Exclusive Brethren are the church referred to here - not the Open Brethren many of us are familiar with. This seems to have been muddled in some peoples minds. Sadly including some MP's. All the charity commissioners are concerned about is public benefit. The Exclusive Brethren will have a very hard time proving this. They keep themselves exclusively to themselves, they have very little interaction with the public outside their private group. Their church meeting are locked and in gated enclosures. Access is only by a previous vetting meeting. They don't run lunch clubs, they don't run winter shelters, they don't run English language clubs, they don't run charity shops, etc. They won't even have a cup of tea with you unless you belong to their private group. Those of us taking the good news of Jesus into our communities by doing good in those communities currently have nothing to worry over.

Wednesday, 21st February 2018 at 3:35PM

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