Category Archives: Church Finances and Business

Thom Rainer: Surprising Insights Regarding Church Budgets and Salaries

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Longtime readers know I am a fan of Thom Rainer’s work on church leadership. He recently posted an article “Six Surprising Insights Regarding Church Budgets and Salaries.” Here’s his summary: Growing churches pay their pastors and staff slightly less than declining … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Finances and Business, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Who Should See the Church’s Contribution Records?

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Jay F Guin

All churches have to make a decision about the confidentiality of contributions. The IRS requires churches to track who gives how much so they can issue a receipt, but otherwise the law is pretty much silent on the question. So … Continue reading →

Thom Rainer on Letting the Church Know the Preacher’s Salary

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Thom Rainer has provided a preview of some of the salary information gathered by the Leadership Network from a survey of 1,251 churches with 500 or more members. A fuller report will come out shortly. Rainer only deals with a few of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Finances and Business, Uncategorized | 21 Comments

CT on Clerical Hours and Wages

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Jay F Guin

The chart to the left is from 2001. (I have no idea why there is such a difference between Christian and Jewish clergy.) Much more recently, Christianity Today has summarized survey results from 2013, published earlier this year. These sorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Finances and Business, Uncategorized | 20 Comments

Leadership: CT Surveys Church Governing Boards

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Christianity Today recently survey 500 governing boards of US churches. The results are fascinating. These governing boards would, in the Churches of Christ, be the elders or the elders together with the preacher. The survey says that the most effective boards … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Finances and Business, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Housing Allowance Held Unconstitutional

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Jay F Guin

As most ministers are aware, the Internal Revenue Code grants a “housing allowance” that excludes ministerial income from federal income taxation (not the self-employment tax) to the extent used to pay certain housing costs. This benefit has been a huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxes, Uncategorized | 49 Comments

The Affordable Care Act, Churches, and Ministers

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Jay F Guin

I’m sure that many readers have concerns about the application of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) to their church and to themselves as a minister or other church employee. I’m going to try to provide some answers here, but obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxes, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Reader’s Question re Book Funds

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Jay F Guin

I get emails — Our church, despite being 500-600 people doesn’t have a clear policy on a minister’s book fund. Do they get one? How much? Are the books theirs or the church’s? Do you have any thoughts/advice on this? … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxes, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Law: So You Want to Start a Church? Part 2

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Jay F Guin

What do incorporation and filing for a 501(c)(3) ruling involve? To incorporate and obtain an IRS ruling of 501(c)(3) status is a substantial piece of work. Here are the steps: 1. Prepare articles of incorporation under the best available authorizing … Continue reading →

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Law: So You Want to Start a Church? Part 1

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Jay F Guin

I get this question quite a lot, and so I thought I’d answer in a post, as there are probably a lot of people who could benefit from the answer. I’m planning to start a new church. How do I … Continue reading →