Financial and Other Supports for U.S. Churches

We know that congregations across the United States are facing numerous challenges as they respond to COVID19. There are a plethora of resources being offered by government, legal and financial professionals, and charity support organizations to assist you in this time. 

Here are a few CRCNA programs available to churches:

1. COVID19 Church Engagement Fund: The Financial Shalom Program has launched the COVID-19 Church Engagement Fund to help ensure that all churches—especially smaller, rural or ethnic churches with limited capacity—feel well supported and can continue to minister in their local communities well.

2. Christian Reformed Church in North America: a variety of resources related to worship, children’s ministry, youth ministry, pastor care, and more have been curated at crcna.org/covid19. These resources are updated regularly. 

The United States CARES act can also be a great support to congregations. Here are some helpful resources specifically geared towards churches:

• The CARES Act Resources for Church Leaders
• The CARES Act Resources for Church Members
• The COVID19 CARES Act: Discover how to bring badly needed resources to your church, ministry and staff (webinar recording)

In addition, several great resources have been compiled at the following link:

• Datis COVID 19 Resource Center

Additional Employer Considerations:

• Stay informed with the recommendations and guidance provided by the World Health Organization, and your local Public Health authority.
• Implement social distancing measures, including encouraging employees to work remotely, making use of telephones or videoconferencing, and if that is not possible, avoid close contact if physically present at the workplace. 
• Follow federal and state government directives regarding sheltering in place, wearing masks, and public gatherings.
• Require all employees to disclose any COVID-19 associated symptoms and send them home to self-isolate for 14 days. The same applies if an employee discloses that they or a family member has been in contact with someone who was exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.