Webinars

Upcoming Webinars

June 1, 2023
Tax & Legal Update

With Frank Sommerville, JD, CPA

 

This session will discuss the common techniques that employees use to steal from churches, along with ways to reduce the risk that they can be used at your church.

 

 

The National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA), doing business as The Church Network (TCN), is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

NACBA has been approved by the NASBA to provide CPE credit for "Group Live" and "Group Internet Based" programs, so certain workshops offered at our national conference and certain of our Webinars are eligible for CPE credit. Our NASBA sponsor ID is 115907. 

NACBA is registered with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as a CPE sponsor. This registration does not constitute an endorsement by the board as to the quality of our CPE program. Our Texas sponsor ID is 010089.

In order to receive CPE credit, you must be registered for the webinar; you may not be an unregistered person participating in a group setting.

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August 10, 2023
Biblical Counseling: Legal Considerations to Help Your Ministry Thrive Under Emerging Anti-Christian Legal Threats

With Mark Francis Juba

 

Biblical counseling programs serve a vital role in serving the community.  However, there exist many pitfalls that could create unintended risk. This webinar provides you with the basic tools to strengthen your counseling program and seeks to give you the confidence to continue doing God’s work. 

First, this webinar walks through ways to mitigate risk related to the key claims normally asserted against a church’s counseling program.  These key areas include: 
(1) clergy malpractice or negligent counseling; 
(2) breach of confidentiality; 
(3) sexual misconduct; and 
(4) child abuse.

 Second, the webinar emphasizes the importance of proper insurance and explains professional liability insurance for such counseling programs.  

Third, this webinar highlights the crucial state law distinctions between: 
(1) licensed professional counseling; and 
(2) Christian, pastoral, and biblical counseling programs.  
Certain measures must be actively taken and prohibited to avoid triggering mandatory compliance with a state’s licensed professional counseling laws.  

Fourth, this webinar explores emerging legal trends (often anti-Christian) impacting Christian, pastoral, and biblical counseling programs and how to navigate them.  Plus, every The Church Network webinar attendee and My Church Law Firm Annual Membership Plan (AMP) client shall receive free sample draft counseling and related documents.  Come join us for the hour in support of your counseling ministry!

 

Register

 

Mark Francis Juba

After over twenty (20) years practicing law, Mark Francis Juba continues to effectively, reliably, and prayerfully serve churches, ministries, private Christian schools, and other nonprofits in any and every corporate matter.  Mr. Juba essentially provides every client with an external general counsel to personally guide them through every corporate and every transactional matter.
 
As a corporate, transaction, general counsel-type attorney, Mr. Juba’s well-known and well-respected legal counsel includes, but is not limited to, the following: formation; governance; operations; federal and state law exemptions; real property exemptions and transactions; board of directors; fiduciary duties; contracts; internal and external investigations; audits; conflict of interest; whistleblower; general corporate; corporate transactions; compliance; employment; human resources; training (numerous); mandatory reporting;  healthcare; privacy; governmental inquiries; IRS matters; unrelated business income (UBIT); mergers and acquisitions; administrative law; litigation support; and related nonprofit matters.
Relying on this breadth and depth of nonprofit experience, Mr. Juba routinely advises clients across the United States to resolve federal, state, local, and administrative agency investigations.  Clients regularly seek Mr. Juba’s official guidance on federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, conflicting internal and external governing documents, inquiries, investigations, and related formal concerns.
 
Prior to joining Gaines, Goodspeed & Juba P.C., Mr. Juba served as primary counsel for numerous nonprofit, publicly-owned, and privately-held national healthcare entities. Mr. Juba also served as chief legal officer and chief compliance officer for a national insurance holding company specializing in healthcare, workers’ compensation, third-party administration services, and a segregated portfolio cell reinsurance business. Mr. Juba also served as the director of compliance for the physician-owned network segment on behalf of one of the largest nonprofit healthcare organizations in the nation.  Earlier, Mr. Juba served as a corporate and litigation associate in a large mid-Western law firm.

Previously Presented Webinars

Many of these Webinars and more are available in TCN's e-Learning Lab 

Social Media as Ministry, Not Marketing

with Christen Kinard

Your church's social media channels are for more than streaming your virtual service and making announcements. They can help you foster engagement and community—even in the digital space. Learn how to utilize social media as the locus for ministry, not just marketing. In this session, we will review:

• The function and demographics behind all popular platforms (and which ones your church should use)
• Best practices and how to make the algorithm work for you, not against you
• Creative ways to use social media for community-building

 Speaker Bio

Christen Kinard has spent a decade as a professional in communications and marketing. She has helped businesses and organizations as diverse as high-end retail stores and independent schools develop and implement efficient and impactful communications strategies.
Digital Congregations sits at the intersection of her desire to do meaningful work, her belief in the importance of faith communities, and her talents and experience.
She has an MA in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Norwich University and a BA in International Relations and French Literature from the University of South Carolina.

Reports that Matter and Will be Read

with Vonna Laue CPA
Decision makers need information they understand and that focuses on critical information. Are you prepared to provide that to your board and leaders? Join us as we discuss how to prepare dashboard reports that may significantly impact your reporting model.

Learning objectives:
1 - Learn the types of information that decision makers need
2 - Consider the best way to present key information
3 - Understand how to report financial and non-financial data to focus discussions on key issues

2019 Update: Affordable Care Act Compliance for Churches

with Frank Sommerville

Health Care cost has become a major challenge to congregations in providing benefit for staff. The Act originally signed in March 2010 has been the subject of congressional debate. In June 2019 the IRS announced it was initiating exams of hundreds of churches for compliance with the ACA. Some changes have result although many of the original mandates remain in place. This seminar will seek to clarify the current requirement for your church and answer your question about the impact of the law on your benefits planning. Be ready if the IRS chooses you.

• Review of the current state of the act

• Guideline for congregational compliance

• Learn from Q&A answers from specific situations

Five Ways to Make Your Church Board More Effective and Confident

with Mike Batts 

Do you think something’s amiss when volunteer parking attendants for church services get more training for their work than the volunteer board members who govern the church?  Does your board receive the information it needs in a format that facilitates understanding and decision-making?  Join us for a session in which we discuss five ways to help your church board be more effective and confident.  The outcomes could have a lasting and positive impact on the accomplishment of your church’s mission.

Challenges Facing Church Security in the 21st Century

The 21st century has presented several challenges in many different areas including the reality and the need of church security. Many houses of worship and leaders have experienced a multitude of issues starting and maintaining a professional and efficient security and safety team. This training course will highlight some of these issues and offer simple, applicable solutions to them for maximum effectiveness concerning security issues. Here are some of the topics that will be covered.
• The danger of Denial
• Lack of support from the house of worship leadership
• Lack of Resources (Human and Financial)
• Selecting the right people for your security team ministry
• Balancing the spiritual and the tactical factor of security in houses of worship
• The necessity of training and education
• The importance of partnerships
Participants will gain important information on how to avoid and/or navigate through these challenges. We look forward to sharing with you.

Nuts & Bolts of the Payroll Process

Sexual Misconduct and the Role of Congregations

Over the last 30 years, churches have learned that there are individuals in the congregations who will abuse and engage in sexual misconduct. These individuals may be members, guests, or staff employees. Every church has a responsibility to take seriously the role of prevention, responsible response to reported incidents and support of victims should prevention fail. 
This seminar will look at:

• Prevention guideline and policies
• Reporting responsibilities
• Responsibility to victim

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What Does Your Team Need RIGHT NOW?

In this presentation, Executive and Team Coach Tom Donaldson will guide participants in how to achieve clarity in the church and ministry organizations they lead, and explore key practices for team effectiveness, whether it be a ministerial staff, a church leadership board or team, or denominational service group.

Key learnings include:

• Six Critical Questions for Organizational Health
• Using one of these questions to develop a mission/vision statement for internal use or external marketing
• A fun technique for moving from mission/vision statement to action plans
• Five practices that undermine team effectiveness and what you can do about them, including:
     The missing ingredient at the foundation of team culture
     The surprising value of productive conflict
     Why accountability is missing in your team, and who is responsible

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GAAP Changes in Contribution Tracking

 

 • Learn what changes to GAAP Reporting are coming and how they affect churches.

• Find out the risk and consequences of inaction.

• Learn the steps you can take to minimize the burden of these regulatory changes.

Tax and Legal Update: Clergy Housing Allowance

In this status update, Attorney and CPA Frank Sommerville will review current information surrounding the latest court proceedings potentionally affecting the Clergy housing allowance.
We will cover:
     • History and advantages of the allowance
     • Background of challenges
     • The current court proceeding, timing, and status
     • Potential impact your congregation may face
     • Preparations to consider depending on outcome

Establishing a Records Retention Policy

• What records should your church retain and for how long?
• Should any records be considered “permanent”?
• What records are you required to maintain in your church office?
• Can someone requests copies of certain records?
• What are the legal requirements for third party requests for church records?
• How do you respond to such records requests?

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Getting Serious about Church Risk Management

with Mike Batts, CPA

Risk is an ever-present danger for congregations as they minister both in their community and through the world.
Participants of the Getting Serious about Church Risk Management webinar should expect to enhance their understanding of:
     • Challenges associated with risk management
     • The role of the board vs. the role of the staff in risk management
     • Examples of key areas of risk for consideration
     • How risks are assessed to determine where to start
     • Recommendations for successful implementation of a comprehensive risk management strategy

Stealing God’s Money

• According to LifeWay Research, roughly one in ten churches have had funds stolen.
 • In conversation with a local CPA, he reports that “I have had more investigations/inquiries this year (2018) already than I have had in the past     three years.”
• According to the 2018 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Report to the Nations: Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse: The median loss due to fraud for "religious, charitable or social services" organizations was $90,000.’

Join Frank Sommerville and TCN for this helpful look at the issue of dirty money and how to prevent your church from becoming a part of these growing statics. No church is exempt. Action now could safeguard your congregation.
Whether you are just starting the conversation or have worked diligently to mitigate risk this seminar will be helpful to evaluate next actions and ongoing preventions

Religious giving is down... what’s a ministry to do? 

The percentage of giving to religion in 2017 is at an all-time low.
One reason may be that churches are the last sector to adapt their fundraising methods. That goes for annual giving as well as capital campaigns or project fundraising.
What does that mean for your church if you need to conduct a campaign soon?
There are 4 elements critical to campaign fundraising success:
A strong, well articulated case for support
A sound, written strategy for success
Volunteer and staff leadership committed to and trained  for success
Effective execution of the plan and strategies

Dr. Linda Wise McNay will lead us in a discussion of best practices for church fundraising with a specific emphasis on planning and preparing for a capital campaign.

Tax and Legal Update - Websites: Privacy Rules and Terms of Use

with Frank Sommerville

•     Privacy Rules explained

•     Legal issues regarding your website

•     Information on the new European privacy rules

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"See Something/Say Something" Better Defined for Volunteers

 
 We're all familiar with the phrase, "If you see something, say something", yet few really know what it is they are supposed to be looking for in order to report it.  This presentation will offer some basic guidelines and advice to better define (for volunteers) such behavioral anomalies for reporting.
• What are behaviors volunteers should look for on youth trips?
• What are behaviors volunteer ushers should look for in standard services?
• What are behaviors volunteer staff should look for in Monday-Friday onsite safety?
It is rarely if ever about *appearances*, noting these can be deceiving as we've all heard for years.  We have to focus more on those *behaviors* which can red-flag situations and/or people that might prove harmful or might have a hidden agenda.  This will be the focus of this presentation.

Provide Accurate Financial Statements

with Becky DaVee

Churches come in all shapes and sizes. Some with denominational connections and some without. The roles and responsibilities for your Church treasurer boils down to a few key tasks:
1. Timely and accurate financial statements
2. Annual budget
3. Audit, review and compilation services with 3rd party CPA
 
Understanding how to provide accurate financial statements will be the emphasis of our webinar.
 
Learning objectives include:
1. Review/approve all account (bank, investment, AP) reconciliations
2. Verify all payroll withholdings are remitted on a timely basis
3. Verify employee reimbursements and credit card purchases are properly substantiated with 3rd party invoices/receipts
4. Monitor compliance with debt covenants
5. Review activity for donor restricted funds
6. Obtain and review significant P&L variances with budget
7. Prepare cash projections
8. Prepare liquidity analysis

Sexual Harassment

with Frank Sommerville
 
#churchtoo - Sexual Harassment in congregations is a subject most wish we did not have to discuss. Like all risk management and HR compliance issues, advanced planning, training and a clear understanding of reporting requirements are critical to appropriate administration.
 
Join this seminar:
• to hear information on identifying sexual harassment,
• learn steps to prevent the occurrence, and
• ask questions about your unique work environment. 

The Intersection of ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation Leave

New Tax Law

How to Plan Successful Church Events that Don’t Drain Your Team (or your budget)

Marriage retreats, community outreaches, ladies’ brunches, and more - your church hosts several special events throughout the year.  Whether you expect 50 people or 5,000, planning an event requires a different approach than planning Sunday services.  Too often, church staff and volunteers deal with last-minute changes, unproductive meetings, unclear expectations, and late nights the week before the event.  Based on my experience helping churches and as a professional project manager, I’ve developed a process to make planning church events easier and more effective.
 
We’ll cover the following:
•      Where to start in the planning process
•      How to create a plan
•      Who should be on the team
•      What’s involved in executing the plan
•      How to keep senior leadership informed
•      What should happen the day of the event
•      What to do once the event is over
 
This process saves your team time (no more unproductive meetings) and money (planning ahead prevents last-minute requests to vendors) all while creating events that truly impact your church and community.

Things You Must Address before December 31: Contribution and Housing Allowance

The 7 Most Misunderstood and Misrepresented Provisions of Federal Tax Law for Churches

with Mike Batts

Do you ever have second thoughts about that friendly advice you got about unrelated business activity and sales tax?  Were you aware that selling debt-financed property can generate a big tax bill in some situations?  Have you been intimidated into avoiding making grants to foreign churches or ministries because you think tax compliance is too complex?  Has someone told you that allowing a local piano teacher to offer lessons in your church without paying rent for the space is private inurement?  Do you wonder if love offerings taken up for a visiting speaker are taxable income to the speaker?  If any of these questions apply to you, join us as we address the 7 Most Misunderstood and Misrepresented Provisions of Federal Tax Law for Churches.  We will be myth-busting with respect to issues related to:

• unrelated business income,
• debt-financed property,
• foreign grant-making,
• love offerings,
• private inurement,
• private benefit, and,
• who qualifies as a minister for tax purposes.

 

The Accounting of Disaster Relief and Emergency Benevolence:

Stepping up your benevolence plan in the face of disaster

In this seminar, Elaine Sommerville will review accounting issues around relief ministries. Consider the following questions:

• Do you have a disaster plan to provide the foundation for response when disaster strikes?
• Do you know how the church, as the employer, can help its own employees?
• How do you plan for and encourage community funding and involvement in your disaster relief efforts and reach beyond the typical membership funding sources?
• Are you up to date on IRS’s announcements 2017-11 or 2017-39? 

     

Tax and Legal Update - Planning for a Disaster

with Frank Sommerville With Hurricane Harvey on the heart and minds of the nation, the need to Plan for a Disaster has never been more apparent. But disasters in communities can take on many forms. Some can be forecast, giving time to respond, but others occur with little warning. That is why planning and preparation are so important. What are the issues? Do you know how to help and stay within the law? How do you respond when the Red Cross or FEMA knock on your door? This webinar will discuss options available to the church when a disaster strikes their community. •We will be addressing how to give tax-free disaster relief to employees adversely affected by Harvey.
•We will address giving benevolence assistance to individuals, members, and employees.
•We will also discuss requirements and guidelines for allowing outside disaster relief organizations to use church facilities.
•We will focus on planning for the day when disaster strikes your church.

Effective Financial Oversight by Boards and Finance Committees

with Mike Batts

This TeleWeb will address financial oversight by boards and finance committees, including liquidity, cash flow, financial position, compliance, and internal controls.  Participants will discuss simple and efficient ways to assess critical financial information.
1. Determine the most significant areas of financial oversight that a board or finance committee should ensure are covered;
2. Discuss an effective approach for ensuring that the board and/or finance committee gets the information it needs in a timely and useful format;
3. Evaluate overall risk management in ministry settings.

Fundraising for Churches: 12 Keys to Success Every Church leader Should Know

with Linda McNay

Think of this webinar as everything you ever needed to know about church fundraising-but had no idea what to even ask!

Churches of all sizes are struggling today with their finances, and clergy and staff must become more savvy about how to raise funds in biblical, graceful, and effective ways. Dr. McNay is uniquely qualified to provide, in an accessible and compelling way, the information and expertise churches desperately need so they can fulfill their missions.

Churches cannot be supported by what comes in the collection plate alone. Therefore, church leaders need to devote significant time and attention to fundraising. A church leader must be able to present the case for support and lead the board and staff in a team effort for funds, all while following a coordinated plan of action.

If your church would benefit from additional funds, and what church wouldn't? This is the webinar for you!

• Learn the secrets to fundraising success
• Prepare your church for a capital campaign
• Raise funds for your church with step-by-step instruction

Remember that stewardship is a spiritual matter, not a financial one
http://ourfundraisingsearch.com/resources/books/
 
 

Tax and Legal Update: Rules for Designated Gifts

with Frank Sommerville

Considerable confusion still exists in the church world regarding designated gifts.  Some take a very restrictive view, claiming that the church may not accept any gift that is designated for a specific purpose or person.  Others take a very expansive view, claiming that the church should assist donors in accomplishing the donor's charitable and religious goals.  The truth is somewhere between these two extremes.

This seminar will review the laws and requirements related to receiving, housing, and expensing designated funds.

•Confirm the rules associated with designated accounts.
•Contribution guidelines for charitable contribution credit
•Teach how to close accounts that have been inactive or left over after the project.

•Learn the frame work for establishing policies related to restricted gifts.

Starting a Nonprofit At Your Church

with Joy Skjegstad, consultant, author and trainer
Many congregations form separate 501(c)(3) nonprofits to draw new funding, new people and new partners into ministry work.  Incorporating your day care, school, or youth center (for example)  as a separate nonprofit may be a model to consider as you look at ways to move your ministry vision forward.  Get tips from Joy Skjegstad, author of Starting A Nonprofit At Your Church (Alban Institute) and a veteran leader of church-based nonprofits.

You will learn:
•How to assess the advantages and risks of establishing church-based nonprofits
•Review ways the church can retain control or offer autonomy to the nonprofit
•Gain an understanding of church-based nonprofit board-governance models
•Briefly review the legal process for establishing a 501(c)(3)

Church, Without a Thread You're Overspending

with Mark MacDonald, Church Brand Strategist

There’s no better way to keep your congregation informed, happy, and attracting your community than with a communication thread. It’s such an easy concept that creates pure ministry peace (from senior leadership to each member). I guarantee that once a proper thread is in place, it’ll lay the foundation for growth. Why doesn’t every church have one?!

Join this upbeat webinar and we’ll discuss:

•What exactly is a Thread?
•How it’ll save your church. Literally.
•Ways it saves $$$ with websites, social media and print materials
•How it destroys Ministry Silos and creates unity
•Why your church will grow with the right one
•Examples of Threads



 

Privacy Policy: Why Your Church Needs One

with Frank Sommerville

Churches possess private data about its members, including addresses, email addresses, cell phone numbers and credit card information.  Members expect that this information will only be used to conduct appropriate church business.

But those expectations may differ from reality.

For example,

Can a church member receive every member's email address to mount a campaign against the pastor?

Can the church sell its email addresses to a church member who operates a business?
•Can an unofficial group distribute church leaders personal information in an effort to influence the leaders?
•You will review a sample church privacy policy and address some of the common legal issues that arise over the church's use of private information.  You will learn to protect your church from lawsuits by adopting and following a prudent privacy policy.

Facing the Inevitable - Life Cycle Planning

with Tim Cool

There are 3 irrefutable facts that every church must face if you own a facility:
1.All buildings deteriorate at a rate of 1-4% per year  
2.As such, nearly every physical component of your facility will be replaced or have a major overhaul  
3.All of the above will require dollars

So the big questions are…how much money will be needed? Join us for an informative and fun session to explore
•What are Capital Reserves?  
•How does Life Cycle factor into Capital Reserve Planning?  
•How much money needs to be allocated?  
•What are some practical ways to get started?

Understanding Compensation and Fringe Benefits

with Elaine Sommerville

A new year often brings opportunity to review compensation issues and update payroll records. Accurate documentation is key to smooth and accurate reporting at year end and, if necessary, verification by regulatory agencies.  
You will learn:

What documentation steps should be taken now to establish compensation packages?
•What is a taxable vs non-taxable fringe benefit and how do you properly account and report it?  
•What are the tracking requirements for non-exempt staff?  
•What are some things to watch for as we enter a new year with a new President?  
•Take this opportunity to audit your procedure and be sure you are in complacence with new and every changing requirements

Take this opportunity to audit your procedure and be sure you are in complacence with new and every changing requirements.

Employment Law is More Than FLSA

with Frank Sommerville
  
While everyone has been focusing on the new overtime rules, many churches still lack a basic understanding of the other employment laws that apply to them. End-of-year is a great time to focus your attention on compliance for all employees.

Start the new year with an updated awareness and move confidently through the legal maze of the ever growing body of church employment law.

This seminar will cover:
•Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  
•Age Discrimination  
•The Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA)  
•Pregnancy Discrimination  
•Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Requirements  
•The family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA), and  
•Your Questions

This seminar will re-introduce these laws and highlight the churches compliance issues.

The Biggest Change in Nonprofit Financial Reporting in More Than 20 Years is Here

with Mike Batts and Mike Lee

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently released a new accounting standards update that represents the most significant change to nonprofit financial statements in more than 20 years.
According to the FASB, the new standard aims to improve presentation of financial information, ultimately making nonprofit financial reporting statements more informative, transparent, and useful to readers.

Key provisions of the new standard include the following:
•Revises net asset classifications to just two...net assets with and without donor restrictions.  
•Enhances disclosures for self-imposed limits on the use of resources without donor-imposed restrictions and the composition of net assets with donor restrictions.  
•Requires the presentation of expenses by nature as well as function, including an analysis of expenses showing the relationship between functional and natural classification for all expenses.  
•Requires qualitative disclosures on how a not-for-profit manages its available liquid resources.  
•Requires quantitative disclosures that communicate the availability of financial assets to meet cash needs for general expenditures within one year of the balance sheet date.  
•Allows for a choice between the direct and indirect method of reporting operating cash flows; presentation of the indirect reconciliation is no longer required if using the direct method.

The new standard is effective for annual financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted.


  

Thriving in the Second Chair

with Mike Bonem

Second chair leaders play vital roles in churches and ministries, but many are not thriving. This TeleWeb, based on Mike Bonem’s new book, is for executive pastors, business administrators, and anyone else in the second chair who wants to do more than just survive. You will learn:
•The difference between surviving and thriving  
•Ten practices for robust ministry when you’re not in charge  
•Steps you can take to grow toward a partnership  
•How to “organize selectively” for maximum impact


 

Compensation – It’s More Than A Paycheck

with Elaine Sommerville

While most employers and employees tend to focus on a paycheck, compensation is more than just the paycheck.  Compensation requires thoughtful planning in order to provide the greatest benefit to the employee at the least cost to the employer.  Additionally, churches must consider additional rules regarding reasonable compensation and documentation that are not as crucial in the normal business environment.  Failure to work within federal law can result in penalties to the employee as well as a threat to the church’s tax exempt status.  
•Embracing the realm of compensation planning requires:  
•An understanding of what is compensation  
•Knowledge of the special rules applicable to compensation plans for key staff members  
•Embracing the realm of fringe benefits and the various applicable tax rules  
•Assisting staff members in looking beyond their working years

Tax and Legal Update - The HR Hour

with Frank Sommerville

Human Resource law for congregations continues to become more difficult and requires professional staff to learn and apply new understanding to their personnel policies.
This HR Hour will focus on and take legal questions that are at the front and heart of compliance. Topics to include:

•Setting reasonable compensation  
•Taxation of staff perks - Scholarships, Tuition Discounts, Appreciation and Love Gifts  
•Ministers’ housing problems - loans and other things that go bump in the night  
•Answers to your questions submitted in advance

Good Board Function without Bored Function

with Vonna Laue

Board governance in the church carries with it certain responsibilities. Church leadership is realizing more the need for engaged and educated board members that have not only a ministry mind but also various skill sets to be able to help the church grow and meet the ever changing responsibilities we have in society as an organization and an employer. In this webinar, we will discuss the following topics:
•What are the overall responsibilities of our governing board?  
•What committees are needed or useful to help us accomplish our goals?  
•What are the functions of the individual committees?  
•What types of board members should we seek?  
•What training or education should we provide our board members?  
•What resources are available for the church and individual board members?

Building a Healthy Staff Team Culture

with Susan Beaumont

The culture of a staff team is the shared set of assumptions, values and practices which govern how people behave as members of the team. Is the culture of your staff team contributing to or detracting from the team’s effectiveness?

In this webinar we will use a staff team culture assessment tool to help you diagnose and improve the operating culture of your team. Participants will:
•Receive a self-assessment tool that benchmarks thirty-five characteristics of staff team health  
•Understand six major components of healthy staff team culture  
•Plan to lead your staff team through an assessment of its own health  
•Learn specific ways to move towards a healthier staff team dynamic
 

 

Accounting: Improving the Closing Process

with Vonna Laue

There are many daily tasks required to keep up with the accounting demands of a church. However, some of the responsibilities are necessary on a less frequent basis.
We will learn how to create an effective closing process that will
 
•Assist with internal controls  
•Identify needed reconciliations  
•Help detect errors  
•Provide more accurate and timely financial reporting


  

Security Checkup - How Are We Doing?

with Rod Fulenwider

Did you know that there is actually a Scriptural basis for church protection?  This dialogue will take a look at why we need to discuss the issue of church protection.  By taking the correct steps, you are in fact living out your faith and not doubting your faith.  Many churches make the mistake thinking that bad things will not happen to them. Therefore, they do not take action to be good stewards. Regardless of congregation size the following 7 Critical Elements need to be addressed:
•Decision Making for a Crisis or Situation  
•Local Partners  
•Parking Lot Safety and Financial Protection  
•Child Protection  
•Situational Awareness  
•Dealing with disruptive behavior --- De-escalation techniques
o   Divorce/child situations
o   People under the influence
o   Violent Person, Active Shooter, Aggressive Attacker
o   Mental illness issues
o   Homeless issues  
•Flexible/Reactive Response Plans

Tax and Legal Update - Payroll Tax Audits: Domestic and International Issues

with Frank Sommerville

Although the likelihood of a full payroll audit is low, it does happen. A better response than fear of being caught, out of compliance, is for congregations to use the possibilities as a guide to ensure best legal practices when it comes to payroll management.
This seminar reviews the possibilities, the process for best practices and procedures to be ready if that day ever comes. Knowing it most likely will not, you will find the review and preparation, just in case, the best tool to have sound, legal and transparent employee management.
•What might trigger an audit and how do I minimize the risk?  
•How could worker misclassification affect an audit?  
•What are the statuses of limitation on payroll tax audit?  
•What role might expense substantiation play in an audit?  
•What documentation should we maintain and for how long?  
•Is a payroll audit the same as a Fair Labor Standard violation?  
•Why should congregations be concerned they might be audited?


  

Church KPIs: What are they and how can you track them?

with Tammy Bunting

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a business metric used to evaluate factors that are crucial to the success of an organization.
Drawing from experience at Preston Trail and other churches Tammy Bunting will explore critical data resources and elaborate the important role they can play in successful congregations. .

This seminar will outline the common metrics that successful and high-growth churches are measuring, describe and contrast the systems where they tend to live, explore various report structures like dashboard report, pastors summary, or weekly summary data sheets, and explore various ways of combining those elements, whether that be manually in Excel or using a more modern accounting and/or church management system with integrations or data exports.



Stay tuned for more.