Issue 58 of Administration Matters
2018 ELCA Youth Gathering
Next month we will be gathering with more than 30,000 of our Lutheran friends! The 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering is on its way, and we can’t wait to engage in our theme, This Changes Everything, guided by Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” For those of you who won’t be able to join us in Houston, we invite you to connect with us via livestream on our website. We’ll be sharing our Mass Gatherings (starting June 27 at 7:30 p.m.), as well as daily Bible studies with some of our main stage speakers (starting at 3:30 p.m.), and worship services for MYLE (June 26 at 6:45 p.m.) and The tAble (June 27 at 10 a.m.). We also would like to invite you to follow us on all social media platforms using #ELCAYG2018. Join the story and share with others! > More
Pastor’s discretionary fund tips
Without a clear policy in place, the pastor’s discretionary fund can result in mistrust, accusations and even income tax issues for a congregation and its leadership. > More
How to handle money and protect contributions
Theft or embezzlement at worship centers happens at facilities of all sizes, within all denominations and at locations across the country. The sad truth is many religious organizations are easy targets for three main reasons: financial control is often given to one person; there is little oversight because the person is trusted within the organization; and a large amount of cash is handled. > More
Amending or ending gift restrictions
From time to time, restricted gift purposes cannot be fulfilled as expected. However, charitable organizations should be very careful and take all proper steps to repurpose or amend restricted gifts. > More
Prepare trees to endure high winds
The destructive force of wind can cause enormous damage to trees. Everyone has seen photographs of areas hit by a hurricane or tornado. Large areas are littered with uprooted trees and broken branches. However, it does not take a storm of great magnitude to cause tree damage. > More
Handling church property losses
It’s bad enough having a property loss caused by fire, smoke or vandalism, but not having the proper records to substantiate your claim with the insurer can cause even more headaches. It is essential to know that in the event of a loss, it is the claimant’s responsibility to prove the amount and extent of the loss. Proper record-keeping can save the day. > More
