Friday, December 28, 2018
Hey Fletch … Our senior pastor is going to a conference and purchased a ticket for his wife as well. I don’t have any policies regarding spouse expenses. Suggestions?
DRF—The bottom line is that there must be a valid ministry reason for the spouse to accompany the senior pastor on travel or at a conference. Many times spouses gain great ministry experiences in a conference. However, the expense becomes taxable income to the SP if the spouse is “just along for the ride.”
Another thing to consider is expenses that the wife of the SP might incur in ministering to other wives of the staff team. This would be a separate line item in the SP budget, or an entirely different account. These things might include meals for discipleship, materials, special events or conferences for staff spouses.
