TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction I. Annual Budget Development and Year-Round Fiscal Stewardship Focus A. Reasons Pastors Ought To Be Involved in Congregational Fiscal Matters B. Common Fiscal Errors Made by Congregations and Clergy C. Sample Local Church Budget (not currently available) D. Local Church Budgeting Process (not currently available) E. Whole-Life Stewardship Resources II. Accepting Cash Gifts A. Donation Receipting/ IRS Regulations B. ECC Receipt Form C. Restricted and Designated Gifts D. Christmas and Special Gifts to the Pastor E. Memorial Funds F. Stock as a Charitable Gift G. Real Estate as a Charitable Gift H. Tangible Personal Property, Partnerships and Royalties as Charitable Gifts III. Risk Management A. Minimum Insurance Levels for Covenant Congregations B. Managing Risk, Safety, & Insurance in the Congregation C. Sexual Harassment and Abuse IV. Government Regulations and Procedures A. Bulk Mail Permit B. Tax Exempt Status 501C3 C. "When Faith and Politics Clash" - Article on Tax-Exempt Status D. Tax ID /Application for Employee Identification Number E. Incorporating Your Church V. Financial Reporting A. Audit Guidelines for Church Books B. Annual Balance Sheet C. Church Financial Policies and Practices (not currently available) VI. Managing and Investing Church Financial Assets A. Financial Management for Church Funds B. Analyzing Financial Worthiness of a Charitable Organization VII. Pastoral and Staff Compensation and Benefits A. Pastoral Compensation Report and Annual Update B. Covenant Pension/Group Benefit Program of ECC C. Bethany Benefits D. Pastoral Letter of Call VIII. Covenant Estate Planning Services A. Services Available B. Estate Planning Seminars C. Bequests D. Life Income Agreements With Covenant Ministries as a Charitable Beneficiary IX. Resources When Doing a Building Program A. Borrowing to Build: Steps in a Decision-Making Process B. Capital Fund Drives X. Covenant Giving and Reporting A. Annual Information Updates From Local Congregations B. Covenant Budget Explanation XI. Other Covenant Services A. Directory of Departments XII. Church Financial Job Descriptions A. Stewardship Committee B. Financial Secretary C. Treasurer D. Financial Management Committee E. Memorial Committee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
I. Annual Budget Development and Year-Round Fiscal Stewardship Focus
A. Reasons Pastors Ought To Be Involved in Congregational Fiscal Matters B. Common Fiscal Errors Made by Congregations and Clergy C. Sample Local Church Budget (not currently available) D. Local Church Budgeting Process (not currently available) E. Whole-Life Stewardship Resources
II. Accepting Cash Gifts
A. Donation Receipting/ IRS Regulations B. ECC Receipt Form C. Restricted and Designated Gifts D. Christmas and Special Gifts to the Pastor E. Memorial Funds F. Stock as a Charitable Gift G. Real Estate as a Charitable Gift H. Tangible Personal Property, Partnerships and Royalties as Charitable Gifts
III. Risk Management
A. Minimum Insurance Levels for Covenant Congregations B. Managing Risk, Safety, & Insurance in the Congregation C. Sexual Harassment and Abuse
IV. Government Regulations and Procedures
A. Bulk Mail Permit B. Tax Exempt Status 501C3 C. "When Faith and Politics Clash" - Article on Tax-Exempt Status D. Tax ID /Application for Employee Identification Number E. Incorporating Your Church
V. Financial Reporting
A. Audit Guidelines for Church Books B. Annual Balance Sheet C. Church Financial Policies and Practices (not currently available)
VI. Managing and Investing Church Financial Assets
A. Financial Management for Church Funds B. Analyzing Financial Worthiness of a Charitable Organization
VII. Pastoral and Staff Compensation and Benefits
A. Pastoral Compensation Report and Annual Update B. Covenant Pension/Group Benefit Program of ECC C. Bethany Benefits D. Pastoral Letter of Call
VIII. Covenant Estate Planning Services
A. Services Available B. Estate Planning Seminars C. Bequests D. Life Income Agreements With Covenant Ministries as a Charitable Beneficiary
IX. Resources When Doing a Building Program
A. Borrowing to Build: Steps in a Decision-Making Process B. Capital Fund Drives
X. Covenant Giving and Reporting
A. Annual Information Updates From Local Congregations B. Covenant Budget Explanation
XI. Other Covenant Services
A. Directory of Departments
XII. Church Financial Job Descriptions
A. Stewardship Committee B. Financial Secretary C. Treasurer D. Financial Management Committee E. Memorial Committee
