Rep. Barr’s Swipe Fee Bill Would Hurt Religious Organizations

It’s no secret that many in our state are deeply rooted in faith, family, and community. Kentucky’s religious institutions have long been a cornerstone of our culture and connectivity. This is particularly evident in the Lexington and Louisville areas, which hosts more than 50 denominations and religious groups, with over 230 churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples in the city and its suburbs. The generosity of Kentuckians, who contribute what they can regardless of their means, enables these denominations to continue offering essential services, including the ministry of charitable support that allows us to remain a place where people unite through shared values and community spirit. Unfortunately, a bill proposed in Congress this year by Lexington’s Rep. Andy Barr — who was re-elected in November and is reportedly vying to chair the powerful House Financial Services Committee — would reduce how much of those donations churches and other religious institutions can actually put toward their good works on behalf of our community. At the Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center, where I serve as senior pastor, we understand that offerings and donations are vital for the financial wellbeing of the church. So, like many other churches in Kentucky, we aim to make...