The Volunteer Protection Act popped up in some research I was doing today. I must admit that I’ve never heard of it and think it is a great topic for discussion. Imagine some unfortunate accident at your church. What would you think if you heard someone say:...
If you’re a pastor who occasionally speaks at a conference, teaches a seminar, performs weddings, or receives honorariums outside your church — congratulations! That’s influence. That’s impact. It’s also taxable income. And if you don’t track it properly, it can...
I can remember hating church annual meetings when I was a kid. Kids’ church did not exist. My sister and I sat in the pews contemplating how to escape. My mom kept telling me to sit still while grownups argued for hours over church finances and whether...
Threatening Letters! Many churches love supporting missions, pastors, and relief efforts around the world — and that’s a great thing. But when those efforts involve sending money to certain countries, especially places like Cuba, there are some important legal...
One of the most uncomfortable church situations I’ve experienced involved a deacon that insisted on counting the offerings each Sunday. He proclaimed this was his way of serving the pastor and church. Offerings suddenly seemed down, and the pastor became...
