Category: Church Paperwork
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Why is the IRS Hung Up on Buildings?
part 2 in a 4-part series about Church Tax Exemption We know that the church is the people. It was about people from the beginning and wasn’t intended to be about real estate. So when a church applies for 501c3 nonprofit status, why is the IRS hung up on buildings? In 2010, I helped a […]
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Are Missional Communities 501c3? How the IRS Feels About It
part 1 in a 4-part series about Church Tax Exemption I have written before about how the IRS considers churches automatically 501c3 tax exempt. It’s how separation of church and state works in the Church’s favor. I’m sometimes asked, “Are missional communities 501c3?” What’s Missional Community Planting? The conversation about planting churches through a missional […]
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How Obamacare Changes Affect Small Churches
2018 update below “Small” churches (fewer than 50 employees) across America are making a big difference. And as with other nonprofits, they do a lot with a little. One thing that many churches have done to make being a pastor a little less taxing is about to become illegal. Up to this point it’s been […]
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Leasing a Church Plant Facility
There is at least one fixed deadline during the year for leasing a church plant facility. Miss that, and you may find yourself in the ‘wait zone’ or scrambling to find a facility. I have seen both crazy antics and providential timing in planters’ efforts in leasing a church plant facility. One planter signed a […]
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How to Review a Church Plant Budget
4 Keys to Decoding Financial Plans & Projections You’ve been there – someone has handed you a departmental or church budget and your eyes glaze over. Reading financial charts and spreadsheets is not why you got in to ministry. But now you’re overseeing a church plant and you need help with how to review a […]
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How to Create a Church Plant Budget – part 2
Last week we looked at first things to consider when you create a church plant budget. Here’s a few more: Startup vs. Recurring Expenses For a lot of expense categories, it makes sense to think of the budget on an regular monthly basis: if your worship department budget is $2,400 for the year, you have $200/month […]
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How to Create a Church Plant Budget – part 1
One of the most important things you will do as you plant your church is create a church plant budget. Here are some things to keep in mind as you do: It’s About Vision Your budget document is less about money than it is about vision. When you create a church plant budget, you are forced […]
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Church Copyright Licenses
Artists and composers put food on their table by creating music. Violating copyrights is stealing from your brothers & sisters in Christ; pretty much not cool. Unless you’re going to get written permission for each piece of music you reproduce or perform*, you should use these licensing agencies that provide blanket church copyright licenses for […]
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Where to File Your Church Address Change
As a church planter, you’re likely to have at least one church address change in the first few years of your church. When you change the church’s address, there are a whole heap of people that need to know. Church Address Change Notifications Send notifications or file address change forms with: The IRS (don’t want […]