In this updated and expanded edition of Church IT, authors Nick Nicholaou and Jonathan Smith provide valuable insights from their decades of experience serving churches and ministries. They give practical guidance on careful, strategic approaches for leveraging IT effectively to advance the church’s mission. The book covers timely, relevant topics, including: Staffing strategies such as outsourcing and volunteers Processes for selecting hardware and software Approaches to WiFi, disaster recovery, monthly maintenance tasks, and security Ways AI can strengthen ministry Whether you lead a church or work as an IT professional in a faith-based organization, Church IT will equip you with knowledge and tools to manage your church’s resources well and maximize the impact of fulfilling its God-given mission.

“It all starts with mission and purpose.” These opening words by author Mike Batts sum up the proper role of financial administration in the church. Financial administration is a critically important and unique calling. Church Finance: The Church Leader’s Guide to Financial Operations provides you with the information and resources to successfully lead your church’s financial operations in keeping with your church’s unique mission and purpose. Whether you’re new to the role or experienced, you’ll appreciate Mike’s come-alongside style blended with proven expertise. Whether you serve as treasurer, accountant, controller, CFO, business administrator, executive pastor, finance committee member, or in any other role responsible for church financial operations, Mike will help you: Evaluate and adapt your budget in keeping with your church’s mission and purpose Reduce and manage expenses wisely Create practical and effective financial reports for decision-makers Use key metrics for financial health that work for almost any church Manage the liquidity and financial position of your church Understand and properly administer nontraditional gifts including restricted, planned, deferred, noncash, and other types of gifts Understand the ins and outs of alternative revenue sources Properly establish compensation for your leaders and staff Use and manage debt, plus negotiate debt terms with a lender Maintain sound internal controls Understand the fundamentals of federal tax law for churches Determine what tools and practices (audits, accreditation, etc.) are available to enhance accountability Employ ministry-wide risk management Understand and evaluate insurance coverage And much more What's new and why you should update to the 2nd edition of Church Finance: Tax information is updated to reflect the major changes arising from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Accounting and financial reporting information is updated to reflect recent changes in generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP) New sample GAAP financial statements and notes All-new chapter on financial policies for churches with multiple sample policies Sample conflicts-of-interest policy Sample giver privacy policy Sample gift acceptance policy Sample budget administration policy Sample record retention guidelines for churches Sample executive compensation-setting policy Sample fraud, dishonesty, and whistle-blower policy And more Updated content on alternative revenue sources All-new chapter on compensation and benefits for churches All-new chapter on tax compliance for churches All-new chapter on risk management for churches

Order your copy of the 35th Annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide! Known as the most comprehensive, accurate yet easy-to-understand tax guide available for church leaders you will find yourself regularly referencing key topics, charts, sample forms, and real-life illustrations for all your tax and legal questions during tax season and throughout the year. Find comprehensive help understanding United States tax laws as they relate to pastors and churches with Richard Hammar's 2024 Church & Clergy Tax Guide. Tax law in general is highly complex and ever changing. Add to that the many unique rules that apply to church and clergy and you're set up for a challenging task that requires an expert's guidance. The guide helps: Prepare 2023 tax returns Understand tax laws Correctly report federal income taxes and social security taxes Distinguish relevant exemptions Reduce tax liability The guide helps church treasurers, board members, bookkeepers, attorneys, CPA's and tax practitioners: Define "income" for the church Handle and report employee business expenses Understand the substantiation rules that apply to charitable contributions and designated contributions Grasp federal tax reporting requirements that apply to churches and church employees Beyond help preparing annual tax returns ministers, churches, and their advisers find the guide indispensable throughout the year with in-depth coverage on: Charitable contributions Clergy retirement plans Social Security taxes Church reporting requirements Housing allowance Business-expense reimbursements

No matter the size of your church, it is important to make sure you are properly compensating your church’s staff. Therefore, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of what makes an effective and government compliant compensation plan. From establishing a sound payroll and benefits system, navigating the 2021 IRS updates and HRA plans, and accounting for new special minister compensation issues, things can get complicated. That said, Elaine Sommerville’s Second Edition of Church Compensation, with 2023 updates, will be your how-to-guide as you plan out every aspect of your church’s employee compensation plan. In this guide you’ll learn how to: Create policies governing compensation Determine FLSA worker classification Develop a tax compliant payroll system Evaluate and determine benefit plans Set-up and compare Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plans Establish a ministerial housing allowance Interpret and apply rules for payroll deposits, reporting, and withholding Address special minister compensation issues including love gifts, sabbaticals, and expense reimbursement plans Comply with government regulations Manage the tax and legal nuances related to church workers

Have you ever done an internet search on church liability, federal reporting requirements, incorporation, employment laws, negligence, counseling, the legal authority of pastors, or any other legal concern your church is facing only to come up with too many results with conflicting advice? If so, Pastor, Church & Law is your definitive answer on every legal issue your church could face. Richard Hammar, attorney and CPA specializing in legal and tax issues for churches and clergy, reviews thousands of legal cases relevant to churches each year and has compiled the conclusions into the most comprehensive and practical legal reference for churches and clergy. ------ Additional Tools: Be sure to explore the Pastor, Church & Law: Supplement - A complimentary add-on reflecting recent developments in this legal space. NOTE: This download will be automatically added to all orders of the Pastor, Church & Law book. (If you didn't receive your supplement, please click here). Download the Free companion Pastor, Church & Law: Study Guide to further your understanding.

You've completed your theological training. You're eager to serve God and His church with your gifts and talents. So why is someone asking if you want to opt-out of Social Security? If you're like most new ministers, you're probably overwhelmed by the legal and tax issues that confront you in the ministry. Who is a minister for federal tax purposes? Should I report my taxes as an employee or as self-employed? What is the housing allowance? What are the tax consequences of living in a church-owned parsonage? What is the clergy-penitent privilege? What legal requirements apply to the performance of marriage ceremonies? Look to church law and tax expert and Richard R. Hammar for the answers you'll need to begin your ministry with legal and financial clarity and integrity. 12 Law & Tax Guidelines for New Ministers features a convenient Q&A format and is written in understandable and concise language. Get the insights you need to make potentially significant legal and financial decisions with confidence.

For decades, American churches and pastors have operated with uncertainty about how much they can legally engage in political activities. Questions like, "What types of political activities and speech are allowed under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code?" especially arise during election years. This downloadable resource helps address questions like this and more. It provides politically related scenarios, then explains the potential impact of each scenario on the church's tax-exempt status based upon guidance from the US Constitution, Internal Revenue Service publications, and court rulings. Pastors and church leaders will learn more about what is--or isn't--permissible under the Internal Revenue Code, including: Contributions to political candidates Public statements supporting or opposing political candidates Sermons preaching about politically sensitive topics Candidate debates hosted by a church Voter registration drives Voter guides Church websites providing campaign information Lobbying efforts supporting or opposing ballot initiatives or legislative bills proposed at the local, state, or federal levels and more Use this resource to help guide plans and ideas considered by your church. Then, for a more detailed discussion about political activities and the church, visit Church Law & Tax's Recommended Reading page, “Churches and Political Activities,” as well as Richard R. Hammar’s annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide.

Did you know pastors and other church staff may be required by law to report child abuse and that laws on this vary state by state? This resource will guide you through finding how each state defines child abuse, who is required to report abuse, and—if a person is required to report—details on requirements on what must be done, according to the law, including: How to report abuse. Find out if your state requires you to call or allows you to fill out a digital form. Where to report abuse. Different states may require reporting to different agencies. How soon you are required to report abuse. Some states require reporting abuse "immediately"—others may allow for more time. If clergy-penitent privilege applies. Learn how the clergy-penitent privilege affects the mandatory reporting requirement in each state. Penalties for not reporting and if there's civil liability for not reporting. Not reporting abuse when you're a mandatory reporter could result in criminal charges and civil lawsuits. If your identity can be revealed after you report abuse. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are covered in this resource. In addition to this information, an article explains 22 facts about child abuse reporting laws to help you understand them.

Church leaders are faced with an overwhelming number of questions related to keeping the church safe, legal, and financially sound. Richard Hammar receives thousands of questions every year and shares his answers to 20 of the most widely asked and relevant tax and finance questions for church leaders.

What Churches Need to Understand about the Legal Limitations of Waivers and Release Forms Introducing Church Issues—an in-depth resource created to help church leaders gain clarity and direction on a specific topic that challenges religious freedoms or exposes a congregation to legal risk. Does your church use waivers and release forms for events and activities, especially ones involving children and youth, thinking it will prevent a lawsuit? Unfortunately, many church leaders get lulled into a false sense of security about these documents which explains why personal injuries remains one of the top reasons churches end up in court each year. It's crucial for church leaders to understand what these documents do—and don't do—based on statutes and court decisions made nationwide. In Church Issues: Waivers and Release Forms and Church Liability attorney Richard Hammar addresses: Purposes of waivers and release forms; Legal requirements for a valid form; Reasons why courts generally disfavor the use of release forms, and Special matters a church should address whenever a release form is used in conjunction with children and youth activities. Included: Valuable 16-point checklist to follow when creating and using waivers and release forms (there are no sample forms included). The step-by-step guidance of this checklist, along with the explanations Hammar provides, offers a tangible framework that leaders can use in tandem with qualified local legal counsel to reduce the legal and risk liabilities that their churches may face. WHO SHOULD READ THIS? Senior and Executive Pastor Board members Children's and Youth Ministry Leaders Missions Board Leaders

21" x 21" square Hand Held Signs are the latest and greatest for personal outreach. They can turn a regular handshake into a more relaxed, light-hearted encounter - it’s a fun way to greet visitors and create community every weekend! Each one-sided Hand Held Sign is printed on a 2mm Bulldog Board with rounded corners. They can be used indoors or outdoors, from your foyer, welcome center, and classrooms to your parking lot and driveway areas. Getting Hand hand-held signs wet can cause damage. Hand-held signs are easy to hold and move - even for children and teens. Plus, they're perfect for selfie photos and sharing on social media!

Teach Preschoolers About The Books of the Bible! Each week preschoolers will learn about a few books of the Bible along with some simple hand motions to help them remember what each book is about. The goal is that by the end of the 12 weeks, little ones will be able to say all 66 books of the Bible from memory and have a general idea of what each book is about. Books of the Bible Lessons Overview: MEMORY VERSE: "God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right." 2 Timothy 3:16 NIrV LESSONS: Take Up Your Sword!Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17Objective: Preschoolers will learn how many books are in the Bible(66), how many are in the Old Testament(39), and how many are in the New Testament(27).The First 5!Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8, God’s covenant with AbrahamObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the first 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.All That History!Scripture: Joshua 24:14-22, Joshua’s charge to the peopleObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 12 books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and EstherGet Smart!Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33, Listen to WisdomObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 5 books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of SolomonKind of a BIG DealScripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah predicts the coming MessiahObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 5 books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.Minor Leaguers Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6Objective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 12 books and be able to say all the books in the Old Testament: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.The Books About Jesus!Scripture: John 3:16-17, Jesus sums up his life’s missionObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 4 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and JohnHistory Again!Scripture: Acts 9:1-19, Saul’s ConversionObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next book: ActsDear PastorScripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Church divisions over leadersObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 7 books: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.Paul’s Pen PalsScripture: Philemon 8-21, Paul’s instructions regarding a runaway slave who is now a ChristianObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the next 6 books: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.Heaven Sounds Awesome!Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7, A New Heaven and EarthObjective: Preschoolers will memorize the last 9 books: Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and RevelationRoute 66Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Having the mind of ChristObjective:Preschoolers will be able to say all 66 Books of the Bible ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM: Perfect for kids ages 1-5 12-weeks Includes both large group and small group resources This curriculum is an instant download EACH LESSON INCLUDES: Make It Stick! Parent Sheet Memory Verse Skit or Puppet Show Sunday School Craft Activity Large Group Lesson Small Group Discussion Special Lesson for 1 and 2 Year Olds

This comprehensive curriculum takes children on a captivating journey through the Bible, covering every book from Genesis to Revelation. Over the course of a year, kids will delve into the stories of God, His people, and His Son, Jesus, through engaging skits, games, and crafts. The Year-Long Bible Journey 52-Week Children's Ministry Curriculum not only teaches children about the nature of God, but also imparts His commandments to guide their lives. Join us on this enlightening and enjoyable adventure! About This Curriculum: Perfect for kids ages 6-12 52-weeks Includes large group and small group resources This curriculum is an instant download Each Lesson Includes: Make It Stick! Parent Sheet Memory Verse Skit or Puppet Show Craft Activity Large Group Lesson Small Group Discussion

This year-long curriculum examines the lives of 12 heroes of the Bible. Their courage shows us how we can be bold for Jesus. Their faith shows us how to live for Jesus. And their failures show us how Jesus can love anyone and use anyone for God's kingdom. About This Curriculum Perfect for kids ages 6-12 52-weeks Includes large group and small group resources This curriculum is an instant download Each Lesson Includes Make It Stick! Parent Sheet Memory Verse Skit or Puppet Show Craft Activity Large Group Lesson Small Group Discussion More!

God desires for us to have a new life in Him. His will is for us to experience life more abundantly, with an abundance of joy and strength. This four-week sermon series will cover topics such as a renewed spirit, purpose, love, and community. The series will explore how when we are renewed, we are transformed. Digital Church Kit Includes 4 Sermons (Renewed Spirit, Renewed Purpose, Renewed Love, Renewed Community) Series Trailer Video Intro Video Sermon Bumper Video Countdown Video 8 Slide templates 25 Social post graphics All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.

What is the Kingdom of Heaven? Where can it be found? Who has access to it? Jesus tells four parables in the gospels that unearth the beauty and possibilities of this new Kingdom that is bursting onto the scenes all around us. In this 4-week series, teach your congregation how to unlock the treasure of God's Kingdom in their own lives. Digital Church Kit Includes 4 Customizable Sermons Sermon template slides 1 Invite Video 1 Trailer Video 1 Bumper Video 1 Countdown Video 25 Social Post Graphics All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.

Do you know anyone who questions God's existence and wonders whether there is only one way to heaven? This six-week sermon series aims to answer the toughest questions about God and Christianity. It will discuss themes such as the reality of God, the validity of the Bible, and many other related topics. It is designed for church members and visitors seeking to deepen their understanding of faith. Digital Church Kit Includes 6 Customizable Sermons Six sermon bumper videos and promo video Web and social media graphics PowerPoint templates and bulletin insert template The Small Group Study Kit with weekly videos and resources Sermon Topics Is God Real? Is the Bible True? Do All Roads Lead to Heaven? How Can a Good God Allow Suffering? Which Is Right: Evolution or Creation? What Will Heaven Be Like? All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.

Use this one-day sermon kit to explore the spiritual discipline of Gratitude with your church. Take your church on an exploration of how our lives can be different if we take time to recognize that the good that is in our lives is a result of a faithful God and not our own achievements. Something happens within us when we take time to say, “Thank You,” that removes the focus from ourselves and places it on others. In the end, it is an act of faith to be grateful, and it makes us more like Jesus. The sermon is based on Luke 17:11-19. Digital Church Kit Includes 1 Customizable Sermon 15 Social & Web Graphics Invite Video Trailer Video Bumper Video Countdown Video Sermon background templates All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.

In the past, Sundays were reserved for church, relaxation, and spending time with family. Yet most people's Sundays have become another busy day of the week, leaving no time for church or quality family time. Just as God rested on the seventh day after creation, He also designed us to require rest, relational connection, and spiritual renewal. Observing Sundays as God intended can result in numerous benefits that positively impact various aspects of one's life. This 5-week series highlights how members and visitors can transform their relationships, work, finances, and health by making Sunday the best day of their week. Digital Church Kit Includes 5 Customizable Sermons Campaign Planning Guide 5 sermon bumper videos, countdown clock & promotional video Web and social media graphics Promotional resources Small Group Study Resources All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.

The I Love My Church digital kit contains everything you need for a special vision-casting Sunday. Members will get excited to invite their friends and will have a renewed passion for your church’s vision and their role in it. Visitors will see that church is not only a place to discover a real relationship with God, it’s also a place to make friends and find others to do life with – and then take that love for God and others to the next step by giving to the community. Digital Church Kit Includes Customizable Sermon Promo or Day-of Video Welcome Video Countdown Video Web graphics Social media graphics Bulletin Insert template PowerPoint Templates Planning Template Social Media Guide Suggested email and promo copy Press release template Suggested order of service All kit contents are licensed for online use and streaming.