c. 1996 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Here is a list of the major organizations that have raised money to rebuild burned churches and how the donations are being distributed:

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Cash received: $4.7 million

Amount allocated in grants: $2.3 million

Pledges not yet received: $1.4 million

In-kind contributions: $3.4 million

The National Council of Churches intends to spend 85 percent of its Burned Churches Fund on rebuilding. The remainder will be spent on administrative costs and on programs to address racism. Some donors, including Jewish and Catholic groups, have specified that their donations be used solely for rebuilding. Other donors want their money used solely for programs to fight racism.

Working with the Congress of National Black Churches and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the NCC intends to develop”resource packages”for burned churches that include grants, guaranteed loans and volunteer assistance.

The NCC is addressing the needs of 124 churches, most of which burned in 1995 and 1996.

CHRISTIAN COALITION

Cash received: More than $750,000

Amount allocated in grants: About $350,000

The Christian Coalition began receiving money for its Save the Churches Fund after requesting donations in June from the pastors of almost 100,000 mostly white, evangelical churches nationwide. The coalition has appointed fund trustees to assess the needs of 72 burned churches and determine what congregations will receive the grants. The money is being given directly to pastors, who then decide how to spend it.

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

Cash received: $649,965

Cash distributed: $649,965

Money for the denomination’s Arson Fund was first collected at an offering of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in June in New Orleans. Additional money continues to roll in, often from Southern Baptist churches that did not have representatives at the annual meeting.

Cash distributions are made each month, based on money received the previous month, to regional Southern Baptist agencies in states where fires have occurred. An official at each state convention, in turn, is in charge of distributing the money to the churches.

PROMISE KEEPERS

Cash received: More than $1 million

Cash distributed: More than $250,000

Money for Promise Keepers’ Rebuild the Churches Fund was first collected in June as a portion of an offering at a Promise Keepers conference in Charlotte, N.C. Similar offerings were taken at some subsequent conferences. Along with donations from individuals and the organization’s board of directors, the group reached its goal of raising $1 million.

Promise Keepers has formed a loose-knit coalition of denominations, relief agencies and churches working to help churches in need of assistance. In addition, seven staff members are working on Promise Keepers’ response to the church burnings.

END RNS