I recently received an email with this question: Several years ago our church was having budget issues and cut salaries, including the organist. Apparently a member started giving the organist a monthly 'gift' to make up for the loss of pay. The … [Continue reading]
What Should Churches Opposed to Gay Marriages Do?
Posted on December 9, 2014 Written by
This post addresses only the church's legal concerns that have arisen related to same-sex marriage. Recently, many courts in the US have ruled that marriage by the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) are legal. … [Continue reading]
IRS Payroll Audit Checklist
Posted on December 2, 2014 Written by
A friend of mine had an IRS payroll audit (and passed with flying colors). Below is the actual checklist required by the IRS (I changed only the dates; all other information is original). If you fail this, they won’t revoke your tax-exempt status but … [Continue reading]
Ruts & Routines
Posted on November 25, 2014 Written by
What’s the difference? A routine is a pattern of behavior that guides you through the mundane, while a rut is a routine that is completely ingrained. A routine can be as simple as the steps you take to get dressed in the morning or how you get to … [Continue reading]
Background Checks
Posted on November 18, 2014 Written by
Background checks are one of the many things in the past few years which have changed the way we do church. It is a legal necessity and not doing them can put a church in a legal hot spot. The best question to ask is the prudent person rule: What … [Continue reading]
Personnel Files
Posted on November 11, 2014 Written by
Accurate and complete personnel records are not only nice, they are a legal necessity. The Department of Labor has auditors who come to employers without an appointment and demand to see the personnel files. If the employer’s records are incomplete … [Continue reading]
When a Pastor Leaves
Posted on November 4, 2014 Written by
A pastor will typically serve three to eight churches in his or her career. Coming to a new job is usually filled with joy and excitement but often the departure is tinged with disappointment and even legal threats. In our litigious society, and now … [Continue reading]
Church Administrator’s Office
Posted on October 28, 2014 Written by
I rearranged the furniture in my office a few years ago. I had the typical setup: desk in the middle of the office with cabinets and shelves behind me and a couple of chairs on the other side of the desk for guests to sit in. When people visited me, … [Continue reading]