Administrative Assistance

your church administration resource

Staying Legal

Whoever said, "The church is not a business?"  Maybe not - but we must do church business in a business-like manner.  Liability issues are now the church's biggest threat [not the IRS]. We will do well to structure rightly so as to avoid lawsuits and allegations of impropriety. Minutes and Church Policies are our best defense.

Matching Products

This handbook addresses many of the legal and IRS issues that church leaders face in the handling of every day church business. And to avoid personal financial liability, MUST be aware of these things.
You have a corporation – but do you know "How To" do the church business? Contains more than 100 sample Minutes and Church Policies, enabling you to easily develop your church policies, and legally "catch-up" your incomplete Corporate Minute Book.
80% of the non-profits we’ve worked with, never had an organizational meeting, and in a lawsuit that is the first thing a judge would look for. This Manual, provides sample Minutes showing how to legally ratify this very important "Organizational" or "First meeting," of the church Board of Directors.

Matching Online Articles

IRS Inquiries and Audit Restrictions

There is a fear of the IRS, and in may cases, rightfully so.  But the IRS cannot just arbitrarily “Come in” and investigate a church, unless they have a very good reason to do so.  EG – if the church withholds payroll taxes and then does not report and send those monies in  - this WILL get the IRS in bed with the church, and they then have their reason to look at everything else

Can The Pastor Do As He Likes?

The answer will be found within the church By-Laws.  Some churches have a ‘Democratic’ form of government, where the congregation [Membership] has all authority, while other churches are under virtual dictatorship by the pastor.  Church by-laws provide for Boards of Directors or Trustees; but what ‘rights’ the pastor has, is always defined in the By-Laws:

Social Security - Should The Minister Exempt?

Can [should] the minister file IRS Form 4361 and exempt from Social Security [SECA]?  Much counsel has been offered on this subject, but we offer an additional perspective on how to view, and make a decision on this important issue

Ultimate Church Policy

Regarding Marriage, Employment or Volunteers - If it is the Churches Policy that church membership is a requirement to be involved in ANY church activity, this is the ultimate in having a "Fire wall" of protection from the homosexual activists, and aggressive sexual predators. And it's legally defenseable.

Ministers Credentials and the IRS

The church has every theological right to ordain whom they will, and has historically done so.  But will the IRS allow him all the tax privileges?  Ministry who live and minister in the US are subject to US tax laws.