Attorney Richard Hammar is one of the nation's foremost experts in legal and tax issues facing churches and clergy. With Christian Ministry Resources executive director James Cobble he edits Church Law and Tax Report, which summarizes legal developments affecting churches nationwide. They recently launched a subscription-based website (www.ChurchLawToday.com) that provides online seminars, newsletters, ...

Topics:	Bylaws, Church staff, Firing, Insurance, Legal issues, Liability, Management, Policies, Screening, Volunteers, Zoning
Filters:	Business administrator, Children's ministry, Children's pastor, Church board, Nursery, Pastor, Sunday school, Youth ministry
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Romans 13:1-8
Date Added:	July 11, 2007

To avoid litigation, church leaders must be aware of the laws that govern hiring and firing. A good dose of planning and common sense remains the best protection.

Under the Law So what laws apply to churches as employers? In most cases, the same ones that apply to any business. However, there are a couple of major exemptions for churches when it comes to hiring and firing. Churches, unlike businesses, ...

Topics:	Church staff, Compensation, Hiring, Interviews, Job descriptions, Management, Recruiting, Screening, Search committees
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Elder, Outreach, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Romans 13:1-3
Date Added:	August 01, 2007

Incorporation offers churches several benefits, including a liability shield for board members (except in the case of gross negligence), the ability to receive federal and faith-based grants, discount rates from vendors, and the opportunity to clarify the church's purposes and procedures. While the incorporation process is different in every state, it essentially involves four steps: drafting articles ...

Topics:	Administration, Character, Church safety, Insurance, Leadership, Legal issues, Liability, Management
Filters:	Children's ministry, Children's pastor, Church board, Elder, Nursery, Pastor, Youth ministry
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Romans 13:1-7
Date Added:	August 01, 2007

If your church needs new furniture and equipment, begin with a clear understanding of exactly what you will purchase and how much it will cost. Can you afford to pay cash? If not, consider the following:

Conventional Lending Develop a financial plan that tells you how much you can afford to borrow. It should include church financial statements and budgets for the past three to five years (with special ...

Topics:	Budget, Debt, Expenses, Finances, Fundraising, Giving, Loans, Management, Purchasing, Stewardship, Tithing
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Romans 13:8
Date Added:	August 01, 2007