Area religious leaders generally applaud President Bush's proposal to give more federal money to faith-based service groups, but most want to be sure that social services remain separate from sermons.

Religious organizations already housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, training the unemployed or treating the ill would love to get more money.

"If it's done carefully, it's a wonderful idea because churches have been on the forefront of social service without any help," said the Rev. Clarke Prescott, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Riverside. The church is temporarily hosting a homeless shelter. Its members have been active in social projects for decades.

To Prescott, "carefully" means that the money be reserved for programs that serve the poor, like soup kitchens and homeless shelters, not charter schools or groups that take a position on abortion. The entire community must benefit, not just a particular church, he said.

Capt. Guy Hawk, who runs the Salvation Army's men's shelter and social programs in Riverside, said he wants to see the specifics of Bush's proposals. Less paperwork would be great but unlikely, he said.

And he doesn't think that churches will start new programs just because money is available.

"There are a lot of things that come with accepting these extra dollars," he said. "Just applying for the money is as much work as getting the soup made or the shelter ready. Then there are the audits."

Most nonprofit groups get federal money indirectly through Community Development Block Grants. The funds start out in Washington, D.C., go through Sacramento and then to Riverside or San Bernardino counties before being doled out by city councils.

The Inland-area branch of Lutheran Social Services provides a place to stay for people, mainly women with children, who are homeless while they get training, mental-health counseling or whatever they need so they can live on their own, said Area Director Michael Bishop.

It has applied unsuccessfully for federal grants but receives block grant money through Moreno Valley. More money would be welcome, but Bishop said he hopes area efforts can be coordinated so money won't be wasted through duplication.

Potential clients often ask if they have to be Lutheran to get help, Bishop said. Once they learn the program is open to all, the problem is solved.

Rabbi David Barnett, head of Congregation B'nai Chaim in Murrieta, said monitoring would be necessary to ensure that taxpayers' money is used appropriately.

"I do share a concern that government money given to religious- and faith-based organizations should be channeled toward social services rather than any instances of proselytizing," he said.

Southern California's growing Muslim community hopes to qualify for federal funding and expand its fledgling charitable operations, like the nonprofit medical clinic in Muscoy in San Bernardino County, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Southern California branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations based in Anaheim. The national group issued a statement supporting Bush's actions Monday.

Muslims want fair and equal access to federal funds and the opportunity to share their expertise with the community at large, Ayloush said.

Representatives of Catholic charity services declined to comment.

The North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church publishes a magazine devoted to the separation of church and state. The church has opposed school vouchers, school-sponsored prayers and similar measures that mix tax money with religion.

Although Southern Baptists have been avid supporters of the Bush administration, their leaders have warned about accepting federal money in the past. A top attorney for the denomination said federal funds lead to "government control and oversight of religion," according to Religion Today.

Sybel Alger can be reached by telephone at (909) 487-5257 or on the Internet at salger@pe.com.