The reason why the Iglesia ni Cristo is not a business

Is the Iglesia ni Cristo a business? Does the church makes profit? What is the definition of business? If the INC is a business who benefits? What do we mean if a church is more likely a business than a religious organization?


ANSWER:

We may see in the internet that nonmembers say that the Iglesia ni Cristo is a business, which owned by the Manalo family and makes profit. Though it is not surprising if they spread those lies, we will examine if the INC is really a business.


What is "BUSINESS"?

"An economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth. Every business requires some form of investment and a sufficient number of customers to whom its output can be sold at profit on a consistent basis." source: dictionary.com

Is the INC a business only because it is registered as corporation sole?

No. Churches are NORMALLY registered in the government if they want to for some reasons. Click here to know more about corporation sole.


Is INC a "business" of the Manalo family?

No. Because churches are not businesses, they become more likely a business IF they sells goods and offer services with payments. Unfortunately, the INC does not sells anything and does not offer services like weddings, baptismal, worship services and so on with payment. All church services are FREE. Offerings collected in the church during worship services especially during "Thanksgiving" or "Pasalamat"are different from payment, those are wholehearted contribution of members of the church because we believe it is our obligation, that is the reason why we call it "offerings" and not "donations" where excess money from members of other churches are collected.

If someone says "how about your Pasugo magazines? You should not deny that your church sells it!" Yes. The church sells the Pasugo magazines for only P10 while its original price is estimated to be P80-100. The church does not sell it to make PROFIT because if that will be the case then its price should be like P150.

There are no other things that the church sells except for Pasugo Magazines, while all services, yes, ALL SERVICES are free, without payment and without an exchange of donations.


Does the offerings collected goes only to the Manalo family and its ministers?

No. All monies collected by the church are spent by the church administration on building houses of worship, just one of the many examples, and goes to the church's bank accounts and not to Manalo's accounts. Ministers does not have salaries but given some "tulong", they are discouraged to have businesses to avoid accusing the church by nonmembers that ministers are having luxurious life. Click here for more info where does our offerings goes.


How about institutions made by the church, are they businesses of the Manalo's?

No. Hospitals, and schools are constructed by the church because the church administration is concern about education and health services for nonmembers and members. Those are not purposed to make profit, though services have payments for its maintenance and employees' salaries.

If the INC is not a business, what churches are more likely a business than a religious organization?

I will cite one of the many examples, the Roman Catholic Church, just think about their PROFIT worldwide for these things:

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Schools
Hospitals
Other institutions
Investments
Tourism revenues
Fees from services and ceremonies

Click here for more info about those churches who makes profit.


Nonmembers may accuse the INC as a business for invalid reasons while reasons for their churches to be brand as "business" are obvious and clear. They may include the projects for the centennial celebration like the Philippine Arena, EVM convention center and EGM Medical center on the alleged "INC businesses" but these are not planned to make profit, all of these are for the glory of the Almighty God--the Father.


Not for profit

INC's Philippine Arena is not for PROFIT:

"The Philippine Arena owners have given the contractors to wind up the project by 2014, in time for the centennial celebration in July of the Iglesia ni Cristo, which commands tremendous followers not only here but also with members from around the world.

“The Arena,” stressed my source, “is being built not to make a profit. In fact, it is not even commercialized nor aimed at making money.”
source: inquirer.net

New Era University is not for PROFIT:

"On June 1977, NEEI was formally incorporated under Republic Act 1459 as a private non-stock, non- sectarian, non-profit educational institution aiming to develop academic excellence, professional responsibility, and social awareness founded on genuine Christian principles."
source: wikipedia

Philippine Arena is not constructed to make profit though it will accept payment for those who wanted to rent it for its maintenance. Same with the New Era University, i can testify that it is not commercialized or promoted, i remember when i was a graduating student in high school, many universities, and colleges visited our school to promote and inform us about what they offer, from famous universities to technical colleges, all are present except New Era University, and i was surprised that a brethren said to me that the school is not really commercialized. Same with the New Era General Hospital and the two edifices being constructed, the EVM Convention Center and the EGM Medical Center--not aimed to make profit.