Expert: Michael Troy - 3/7/2010

Question
can a church rent or lease thier property with tax payers money

Answer
Hi Rob,

Generally speaking, Courts have found that Churches and government may do business with each other as long as the arrangement has nothing to do with the government trying to aid a specific religion (or aid religion generally) and is also not targeting religion for harm.  

If, for example, a government entity needed to lease property, found something that met its needs at a reasonable price, and that property happened to be owned by a Church, such a lease agreement would likely survive any court challenge.  Similarly, Churches may lease government land as long as they government offers those same terms to any other private entity.

I hope this helps!
- Mike