Managing Churches Well
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.
This is a public forum to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on being a pastor in the CRC.
Here you'll find resources posted by individuals, churches, and ministries. Add comments, give a 'thumbs up', or post your own. Can't find something? Use the chat box to let us know.
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.
“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
It’s Sunday morning. Nobody talked much on the way to church today. Mom and Dad had words. But the kids were quiet. They knew better than to speak up when the air was thick with the tension of an argument.
As stewards, we are in charge of everything God has given to us—our money, our time, our talents, our homes, our families—everything!
If you don’t have a written policy regarding how expenses are reimbursed, you will have a hard time enforcing accountability for reimbursable expenses.
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.
Salesforce, like Google Apps, is available to non-profits for free. I am writing this article to tell you about how I've set up Salesforce for our church to track membership and our offerings.
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.
Salesforce, like Google Apps, is available to non-profits for free, so I truly am not selling anything. I am writing this article to tell you about how I've set up Salesforce for our church to track membership and our offerings.
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."
Many churches rely on paid staff to manage various aspects of ministry, from performing music during worship services to administering outreach programs. Are these paid staff church employees or independent contractors?
The Pastor of Discipleship is accountable to the Senior Pastor for guiding and equipping members to develop and live in relationships of full-orbed discipleship. Full-orbed discipleship includes pastoral care, spiritual growth and outreach. This position will serve as a member of Shepherd Elders and ex officio member of Service Deacons.
The Assistant Treasurer is accountable to the Administration Team for the proper recording of giving by the congregation. The Assistant Treasurer replaces the Treasurer upon retirement and serves as backup Treasurer when the Treasurer is unavailable.
Does your minister have a "Continuing Education" line item as part of their compensation package? Here is one way you could ensure that your minister uses the fund each year for the primary purpose.
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.
The Church Law and Tax Group has a wide variety of resources to provide financial, legal and administrative support for your ministry.
These books will simplify the accounting process and methods involved.
This document explains how to claim a deduction for your charitable contributions. The types of organizations to which you can make deductible charitable contributions are explained in the following link,
You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. IRS Publication 526 discusses the organizations that qualify to receive deductible contributions.
This publication will help you better understand the tax rules that apply to your 403(b) (tax-sheltered annuity) plan. You will understand and identify excessive contributions, basic rules for claiming the retirement savings, and more.
The annual Ministers’ Compensation Survey is intended to obtain information on the compensation practices generally followed by CRC churches in Canada and the United States for pastors serving a congregation full-time.
The wages scale is based on a number of criteria. This excel spreadsheet (which is a sample from a church) will help you distinguish salary grades based on that criteria.
Income tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax are paid on wages and self-employment income. Social security and Medicare taxes are collected under one of two systems...
Do you have questions about your Pastor's earnings regarding SECA or FICA, Income Tax withholdings, or Parsonage Allowance?
The following link redirects you to the IRS Publications.