TexasCHLforum.com

As a churchman myself, and whose church has been broken into at least twice, I can state that the reason the arson often occurs is to cover up a robbery. Churches are often very negligent in protecting their property, empty 90% of the time, and thus very good targets for thieves. Churches also have high-tech equipment that sells well on the street and in pawn shops.
Close to where we live there have been 2 churches burned. One in Lumberton that happened just before Christmas. The criminal was caught and it was another case of arson to cover up a robbery. The church has decided not to rebuild at that location.
Another took place a couple of years ago in Kountze. They called it arson, but they have never caught the criminal. The church has now been rebuilt and is going strong.