Karlene Gordon, Gleaner Writer

Some local church leaders have acknowledged that investment schemes have provided a useful source of financing for their social programmes.

During a Gleaner Editors' Forum, at the company's North Street offices, central Kingston,this week, the religious leaders from several denominations agreed that churches are being required to provide greater social relief in their communities.

Executive Chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica, the Reverend Lenworth Anglin, said tithes and offerings are insufficient to operate the numerous welfare ministries operated by churches.

"I will confess that the Church is getting involved in so many things now - income earning - high-level too,"he said.

Anglin suggested that the Church seek guidance on investment choices.

Supporting the move

The president of the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, Reverend Dr Peter Garth said he supported the move for the Church to earn money through legal investment opportunities.

According to him, a significant number of church members are involved in foreign exchange trading and have reaped significant benefits.

During the forum, the religious leaders also examined the fees charged by some churches to host funerals and weddings.

They said in some cases, the charges ranged from $5,000 to $35,000.

Garth acknowledged that there may be a need to offset expenses incurred in hosting the ceremonies, but said some of the related fees were exorbitant.

"We must stop it," he charged.

Aulous Madden, an elder at the Maranatha Gospel Hall, said his organisation does not charge for weddings and funerals and added that some of the fees being charged were "too high".