How do you determine the balance between too much or too little organization? Leaders need to understand their mission and clearly see that the structure and organization assists in accomplishing ministry.
Gift income includes gifts and contributions from individuals, special offerings, estate gifts, funds raised for disaster relief, and ministry shares. Among all these sources one of the most important, though often the least understood, is ministry shares.
We all face tough questions about our charitable giving. In tough financial times, these questions are even harder to answer. That’s one reason why the Christian Reformed Church in North America has a system called ministry shares.
It may be helpful for your church to have some definition of expectations of staff and monitoring to provide clear communication regarding electronic system expectations.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
Let's look at some of the questions your church should review each year related to policies and procedures to eliminate hazards in relation to people, facility, and programs.
The church is committed to effectively communicate our mission, vision, and values in an effort to help people develop in their Christian life as a part of the church community. As church members we want to communicate in an efficient, cohesive, and consistent manner that honors Christ and His church.
Do you have a Personnel Team at your church? It is important for churches to maintain a healthy relationship with the people who serve the church and having this responsibility defined can assist the church in healthy relationships.
There is a growing awareness in the CRC that the relationship between members of the church council and members of the church staff can present challenging dynamics. Why is this, and why is it happening now?
If you don’t have a written policy regarding how expenses are reimbursed, you will have a hard time enforcing accountability for reimbursable expenses.
Seventeen students and three leaders are going on a spring break service trip to Biloxi, Mississippi. What if they were at fault in an accident, or if another crisis developed out of the week?
Gifts that are received with donor restrictions must be applied according to the donors’ wishes. Here are the key steps to manage them.
Today more ministers live in their own houses than ever before. But not all. Local situations vary. But where pastors live in church-owned housing, consistories do well to think about their retirement days.
As you start your role, you are called to first understand the current situation and develop relationships with those involved in areas of ministry where you will be serving.
Today I had an administrator ask me if a record retention schedule was available to help churches. The answer is YES! This record retention schedule will assist you with financial record storage requirements and also with minutes and administrative record retention.
I started using the Zondervan "Church and Nonprofit Tax & Financial Guide" by Dan Busby a few years back. I just ordered the 2011 edition for 2010 tax returns and received it from Amazon. I recommend that every US church own this book as a resource for their church treasurer, administrator, and/or bookkeeper.
It was suggested that more information was needed by the churches as to what is funded with Ministry Shares. A team of gifted communication leaders has just put together a mailing to more effectively communicate Ministry Shares.
Are you looking for information on what annual filings are required by churches? Here's a great resource from the IRS, "Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations."
The IRS is hosting a free webinar for churches and other exempt organizations on July 25 at 2pm. Virginia Richardson, a Senior Tax Law Specialist, will cover topics including:
This tip sheet from the IRS will assist you in determining the tests that the IRS considers regarding determining if workers are independent contractors or employees.
This article demonstrates the effort, time, and cost that many churches in our denomination have undertaken to make their facilities accessible to people with physical impairments.
A registered Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) is an investment account designed primarily for saving toward your retirement years. As a retirement savings vehicle, regulated by the Canadian government, RSPs have special tax benefits.
Since ministers are not allowed to deduct church related business expenses from their local church employment as self-employed workers, often ministers and other church employees pay unnecessary income taxes on legitimate business expenses.
This site includes information about how to submit your congregation's records to Heritage Hall at Calvin College for microfilming.
Faith Alive Christian Resources provides these guidelines to assist those wishing to utilize their published materials and to maintain compliance with US Copyright Law.