In many churches, risk management can become an after-thought as the tasks and needs of day-to-day operations take center stage. But this can open the door to unnecessary risks—an avoidable accident, allegation, or other misstep […]
Ever curious about what happens to all of the financial statements that you submit when applying for a loan? Or how church lenders view the financial health of your church when you’re looking to borrow? […]
Estate Planning is an often overlooked financial tool when evaluating church funding now and in the future. National surveys tell us that over 65% of our church members don’t have any type of estate plan […]
Despite uncertainties in the financing market, your church may be in a place where you are considering financing for renovations or new building projects. We’ll discuss what many churches overlook about lending readiness and review […]
Churches desiring to employ an audit or other accountability measure with respect to their financial operations may opt for various approaches, depending on their size, scope, and complexity. Audits and other financial accountability activities are […]
Generosity is an action. It is the ongoing activity of giving away what you can’t take with you at the end of your life. To understand it better, Brad will share about what happened in […]
In this webinar, we will discuss what trademark and copyright is, the importance of filing for protection, and the trademark and copyright application process. Brianna Nevels, Associate Attorney with the firm, will also be joining […]
The Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) started out as a lesser-known relief provision contained in the CARES Act passed into law at the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020. Over the last three years, […]
Has your church considered ways you could use your buildings for greater community impact during the week? Join us for a look at how to do this in a financially sustainable way. We’ll discuss how […]
Everyone has a story about personal information fraudulently obtained by a security breach, Phishing email scam, or sold by a vendor gathering personal information in […]
The unknowns of the economic uncertainty we face—including a possible recession and higher interest rates—can create challenges as well as potential opportunities for church leaders as they work to develop an effective budget. Join us […]
Finances are a crucial aspect of our daily lives. We need them to provide for our basic needs, pay our bills, and pursue our dreams. However, it can also be a source of stress and […]
Most church leaders don’t have a will or an estate plan. So it is easy to see why church leaders don’t encourage congregants to get one either. So many say, “I don’t have enough net […]
Year-end letters are vital to the life of your people and church. They can share stories of ministry and remind people of God’s great work during the year.
A number of years ago, my former church […]
We had the pandemic and that raised lots of eyebrows about giving. Now we are in a post-pandemic era. There is angst about economic uncertainty and changes in core giving engagement. What is giving really […]
Have you ever had a church member ask you to testify in court on their behalf? At some time in your ministry, you will likely receive questions from a congregant requesting your attendance and testimony […]
Internal controls are vital in the life of a church’s finances. But, what are they? How can they help staff, give great data and protect against fraud?
Mike Lee is an experienced CPA and oversees auditing […]
Doing ministry in the twenty first century is expensive—and that was before the recent bout of inflation. Finding ways to generate increased returns on the resources the Lord has blessed and entrusted to your ministry […]
The IRS has just informed you of its intent to initiate an inquiry or examination of your church. What happens next? How do you navigate from here? In this webinar, we will walk you through […]
Making sure Sunday, and every day, runs smoothly at church requires a dedicated team. Whether it takes 2 or 52 to staff your church, you need a solid foundation of employment practices to protect your […]
Comparing key data points against known metrics is a tried-and-true method for assessing financial health for any organization. In this webinar, we will discuss how to answer key financial health questions in plain language—using an […]
In today’s challenging environment of rapid change and transformation, church leaders must embrace new skills, ideas, and approaches to succeed. In The Church Financial Field Guide, a new e-book from CapinCrouse, Partners Stan Reiff and […]
Churches, like all organizations, are being impacted by inflation and economic uncertainty. What will the effect be on your ministry’s revenues, expenses, and future opportunities? How can you budget effectively amid this uncertainty and meet […]
As leaders, we are called to seek out and then shine a light on the path for the faithful to follow. One of those paths is stewardship and generosity. But how do we facilitate these […]
Hey Fletch … We don’t have a policy for selling church property. Some staff have given furniture away, sold equipment, or sold things to family members. Do you have a recommendation on the sale or […]
Even though giving is stable now, what variables loom ahead that could disrupt your financial world to diminish your church mission? Explore the […]
An interview with Clynt Reddy, Executive Director of Operations for River Valley Church and Engiven.
Each year River Valley hosts an annual event called Kingdom Builders, where they ask […]
In Part 1, we had so many questions from the live audiences, that we only got half way through the “10 Biggest Mistakes.” Now for the second half!
With decades of experience in publishing annual tax […]
Many leaders are making expensive financial mistakes that limit their impact. Avoid the seven most problematic areas within your financial operations and discover a blueprint to fully resource your ministry and maximize effectiveness. Join us […]
With decades of experience in publishing annual tax guides for ministers and churches, ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) is uniquely qualified to identify and explain the top tax mistakes made by pastors and churches […]
You are thinking of a loan for your new building or you might be looking to refinance a current loan. How much debt can your church prudently carry? You haven’t looked at the covenant for your […]
I’ve spent a lot of time on church websites recently … like dozens of hours on hundreds of websites! Along the way, I noticed some trends about online giving. Having grown by 21% in 2020 […]
Whatever you may think about virtual currencies, one reality is that a significant number of people have invested in […]
There are four basic principles of effective chart of accounts design and they are most prominently applied to reporting elements like travel, supplies, and meals. You can redesign your general ledger accounts to create easy-to-read […]
Pastors and federal tax issues is always a hot topic. We all want to use the most benefits that are available … but are we? This broadcast with Fletch and Michele will discuss the benefits […]
How does a church make a mid-course adjustment to the vision, facility drawings, funding and timeline of a project when costs have increased significantly? Believe it or not, this is a very real scenario that occurs […]
The moment has come where your organization is facing significant Capital Expenditures (CapX), this might be a roof or HVAC replacement. But, you have not established an appropriate capital reserve fund. Your roof won’t survive […]
Most banks have a culture of profit. What if a bank took a biblical world view that included profit with the biblical principles of honesty, integrity, truthfulness and fairness?
The bank created a document on Cass’s […]
We all have ideas about how our church could grow in the next month. There are a number of digital tools and systems that can help you run your church, but what’s actually working well, […]
Almost every pastor I talk to gives to the church. But, the majority seem to give from duty, obligation, almost joylessly. I can almost hear some of their inner thoughts:
The box is checked. I’ve done […]
So … you’re an XP (or equivalent) and you’re in charge of (among other things) the financial health and operations of your church. You have […]
The stewardship journey is not only the work of a faithful follower of Christ but those chosen to lead them. The church has a unique opportunity to provide leadership in encouraging the completion of essential […]
It’s critical to remember that the cycle of requesting and/or receiving a charitable gift is not complete until the expectation and intent of givers have been met.
Creating a realistic expectation of what will be accomplished […]
In today’s world, not even the church is immune to cyberattacks. Our ministries are vulnerable to phishing, data theft, and even extortion. The attorneys will provide examples of damage and recovery from organizations just like […]
Churches are reflecting on the past year and how they adapted to the pandemic, including embracing the “new normal” of supporting operations with remote staff. While remote work can provide many benefits related to flexibility, […]
During the CapinCrouse 2021 National Church Virtual Seminar held on February 24 and 25, 2021, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop in which leaders discussed what the church may look like after COVID-19. […]
Hey Fletch … This week we had a leadership discussion around the Equality Act. Our senior pastor brought this topic up in an elder meeting. It raised some questions worth answering or trying to answer. Our […]
The world has changed dramatically over the past year. In the midst of the global pandemic, ministries are caught in the crosshairs of determining how to protect their religious practices and their flock.
There were several […]
What should you expect in projected giving through the balance of 2021? How will you engage more givers to end the year financially better than you expect? Get answers to these pressing questions.
We’ll dive into […]
Hey Fletch … I would like to bring our staff through some type of sexual harassment training and share our sexual harassment policy. Are you aware of any videos, articles or resources that you would […]
Join Fletch and Chris Lewis, Senior Manager at Thrivent, for a look at the financial implications of emerging from Covid. We will look at ministry strategy, costs, cash reserves, expansion issues and more. Your church […]
In this article, you will learn:
Full of charts and graphs, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has produced a free 24-page report on the state of giving in 2020. Warren Bird Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Equipping, served as project […]
In this article, you will learn:
As the pandemic continues to affect the traditional methods of engagement, it’s more important than ever to adopt digital solutions to streamline ministry management and boost donor giving
The pandemic has affected almost every single industry, […]
The current pandemic and economic circumstances create uncertainty regarding future revenues, expenses, opportunities, and challenges. This brings shifting priorities, strategies and tactics. Let’s see how to tie budgets to strategy, even in uncertain times. We […]
There is still considerable uncertainty about the global COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term effects. What will the effect be on your ministry’s future revenues, expenses, and opportunities? How can you best manage continually shifting priorities, […]
Of all the things you as an XP have to navigate and worry about, what if a downturn in financial resources this fall is added to your list? Let’s talk about how to position yourself […]
Whether to pay interns or not has been a sticky subject for a long time. Do you know about the recent decisions from federal appellate courts that have adopted a more flexible, pro-internship approach? This […]
Fletch and Troy Pollock always have intriguing discussions. This time they will focus on how to hone your online giving. This will be coupled with new features in online giving. Fletch loves technology—automation that enhances […]
The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the “Flex Act”), which became law on June 5, 2020, replaces the 8-week period (referred to in the law as the “Covered Period”) for spending Paycheck Protection Program loan […]
Join a lively discussion that tries to make sense of why evangelical churches and Christ-centered nonprofits are expressing so much optimism about their financial future. Learn who is most optimistic—and also who is most pessimistic.
Our […]
As CapinCrouse previously reported, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will perform a “full audit” of the loan applications of all recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans […]
Cass Commercial Bank has prepared preliminary information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the SBA 7(a) program. Things may change some as the program works itself out on website and lenders. Thanks to […]
It is always a good idea to stay in touch with your insurance carrier in a time of crisis. Brotherhood Mutual is a sponsor of XPastor and has provided a free resource guide for the […]
Churches used to be able to handle a crisis or major event on their own. The current scenario is complicated by publicity on social media, a tangle of laws and regulations and the prevalence of […]
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has a downloadable PDF detailing what to do when fraud is discovered.1 When a church discovers embezzlement within the ministry, the following issues should be considered with the assistance of […]
In Fletch’s book, Predators—The Case of the Church Embezzler, uses a fictional case study of WheatFields Good News Church. Executive Pastor Dan Black created a report card to evaluate how the church is doing in […]
In Fletch’s book, Predators—The Case of the Church Embezzler, he uses a fictional case study of WheatFields Good News Church. Executive Pastor Dan Black created a report card to evaluate how the church is doing […]
This material is from The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. With its mission of Enhancing Trust, ECFA now certifies nearly 2,300 Christ-centered churches and ministries based on its high standards in financial management, governance and […]
We have brought together material from Mike Batts and from Brother Mutual to see the scope of risk management. Mike Batts is the managing partner of Batts Morrison Wales & Lee. He has more than […]
Fraud is just about losing money, right? Fraud does have negative financial implications for churches, but the impact goes far beyond money.
Fraud and misuse of church resources can create sensational news—and not good news. Sadly, […]
Charlie Cutler is the Managing Partner of ChurchWest Insurance Services and works with over 3,000 churches. He offers these thoughts from the perspective of an insurance agent. As ChurchWest says, “A good agent will provide […]
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company has a free, 60-page ebook, Child Protection in a Ministry Environment: Guidelines for Ministry Workers. With sample policies and forms, the major areas of the book are:
These tools are provided by The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. With its mission of Enhancing Trust, ECFA now certifies nearly 2,300 Christ-centered churches and ministries based on its high standards in financial management, governance […]
Effective financial ratios can give your church vital insight into your financial condition and trends. But once you’ve gathered all the data necessary to prepare a ratio analysis and complete your reports, what’s the […]
Eventually most churches encounter a known registered sex offender who is either already in the congregation or desires to attend. Trying to determine whether or how to live with a wolf is dangerous and fraught […]
Sex abuse claims remain the top reason churches go to court each year. Fletch interviews Matthew Branaugh, editor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, about this troubling ongoing trend in the church. What policies and protocols does […]
Join Fletch and leaders from Thrivent for an insider’s look into church loans. Both Chris Lewis and Teresa Loker have extensive experience that can pull back the curtain on these issues. When your church is […]
Michael Martin and Fletch examine a vital topic of how to ensure your church has financial integrity. When you have a problem in this area, your donors get nervous and may stop giving. From his experience […]
Fletch and Troy Pollock began an intriguing discussion at the 2019 XP-Seminar. Back by popular demand, this “state of digital giving” continues that discussion. From his vantage point of working with thousands of churches around the […]
Getting a church loan is an area that most church leaders find murky and complicated. Chris Lewis from Thrivent has expertise from his years of helping churches with their borrowing capacity. The video ranges from determining […]
This article is by a student in XPastor’s Course MS-203, XP Boot Camp. To preserve confidentiality, the author will be listed as anonymous. One of the assignments for those taking the class for certification was: Take […]
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Hey Fletch … Our finances have trended downward and we borrowed $20,000 from the unused balances of restricted funds. This caused some controversy on the church board. What is your counsel?
DRF—I have […]
Hey Fletch … Do you have benchmark data that documents total compensation as a percent of total revenue (restricted and unrestricted), not just of the […]
Church board members are eager to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility and watch over the long-term economic health of the church. However, most are not used to reading nonprofit financial statements. This can make it challenging […]
Hey Fletch … We occasionally receive love offerings for our senior pastor and other staff members. How should we handle these gifts?
DRF—There are so many […]
Hey Fletch … Two years ago we launched a building campaign for our church, but we fell short of our goals. Now the board has […]
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Hey Fletch … Our church provides direct support to several international missionaries. What are the issues we should look at to provide this support with the utmost integrity?
DRF—There are so many questions […]
Hey Fletch … Some of my fellow XPs have a variety of polices regarding mileage reimbursement for staff. I am wondering about best practices regarding this issue. Any help?
DRF—Check the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate for business […]
Monday, March 25, 2019
Fletch is back from his research break, writing Predators in the Church
Hey Fletch … I’ve been tracking with Dan Busby’s comments in the Hey Fletch column. I know gifts to the church […]
Recent nonprofit financial reporting standards updates will result in several changes to external financial statements that church financial leaders should understand.
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-14 is intended to improve […]
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Hey Fletch… We have a widow in our church that is going through serious medical challenges. She has exhausted her financial resources. Several wealthy members of the congregation want to financially support […]
Hey Fletch … It’s been one month after I got your answer to my question. I still don’t have my head wrapped around this issue […]
Hey Fletch … I’m been on staff at our megachurch for many years. Every year, I have to worry about the budget for my area […]
As we originally reported in our June 21, 2018 Special Alert℠, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al., that states can, in some circumstances, require a seller […]
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Hey Fletch! First off, thank you so much for bringing such an informative and fun workshop to Hawaii. It was such a pleasure to see you and we look forward to next […]
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Hey Fletch…our church envelopes and website allow donors to make designations. There are words that say, “The board has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.” Can our […]
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Hey Fletch … What are our obligations in handling donor designations? These come either verbally during a church service, on our website, or by text. They can also be formally given in […]
Churches are in the charity business. They are commanded by God to help the poor, the sick and the wounded. But the church also must abide by tax rules designed to prevent abuse. This article […]
