According to the founder of CURE, what many churches do instead is allow their congregation members to be overtaxed, and then put their tax dollars into the government's hands. Then they "allow Washington to try to come up with some type of social program to try to help these folks," she says.

But Parker believes there is a better way for the federal government to help churches fulfill their spiritual mandate to address others' need. "If we are going to help people, then it has to be very local," she asserts. "So one of the things that the faith-based initiative should be looking at is tax credits and vouchers, as opposed to looking at direct grants."

Potter's House Pastor Wary of Handouts With Strings Attached

Prominent urban church leader Bishop T.D. Jakes also strongly cautions Christians about being quick to take advantage of the faith-based initiative. In an Associated Press interview last year, he remarked that tax-funded religious charities should serve everyone, but they need to retain their right to hire only fellow believers.

Jakes, the pastor of The Potter's House congregation in Dallas, says his church has provided input but refrained from taking funds from President Bush's faith-based initiative. The well-known minister and author does feel it is possible to separate a church's spiritual and secular missions; nevertheless, he advises churches that accept federal money to keep it carefully separated from other church finances in its own account.

Jakes says churches that do opt to take part in the faith-based initiative must take care to remain free and reserve their right to hire only people who share their faith and mission, or else run the risk that they may "cease to be the Church."