Issue 74 of Administration Matters
Grow giving through the ELCA’s Congregational Financial Assessment
Through the Resourceful Servants Congregational Financial Assessment, your congregation can help grow its benefactors’ confidence by proactively engaging in a review of its financial systems relative to best practices and healthy behaviors. Carrying out these activities signals to donors that your congregation is worthy of donations and conveys that accountability, transparency, professionalism and impact are taken seriously. To learn more about this free resource from the ELCA, visit resourcefulservants.org/congregations. You can also watch this video demonstration of the site and its tools.
ELCA Federal Credit Union increases ministry loans to $100K, offers ministry credit cards
The ELCA Federal Credit Union now offers ministry loans of up to $100,000 to congregations — doubling the previous maximum amount. Ministry loans at favorable interest rates can be used for building repairs, vehicle purchases, small projects and supplemental operating income. The credit union also offers a ministry credit card. With unique benefits, the cost-effective card has no annual fee and is an alternative to standard business cards. Ministry loans and credit cards are another way the credit union assists congregations financially, allowing you to focus on your ministry. Find out more about these financial opportunities at https://www.elcafcu.org/personal/ministry-solutions under “Credit Cards and Loans.”
Journi — reveal your path to leadership
When someone feels God is calling them to make a difference in the world, the sheer number of
questions and options can be overwhelming. Coming in early 2021, Journi is a digital tool for everyone who feels called to leadership in this church. Journi will equip future leaders with tools to discover their gifts, practical resources to learn more about opportunities within the church and next steps to move them forward in their leadership journey. Watch this video to learn more about our vision for Journi, which we are hard at work making a reality. Be among the first to learn how it’s going — sign up for updates at Journi.faith.
Stories of Faith in Action new digital platform
We’re delighted to unveil a brand-new digital platform for Stories of Faith in Action, housed at livinglutheran.org. The new website features content from this annual publication in a modern, dynamic format, mixing video and visual elements with stories to take you further into the work of Mission Support. This site is a fantastic tool to include in your next stewardship communication or as part of your annual meeting materials. Visit now to learn how your offering sustains and enhances ministries that support and lift up God’s people.
2020 IRS mileage allowance
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2021 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is:
• 56 cents per mile driven for business use, down 1.5 cents from the rate for 2020,
• 16 cents per mile driven for medical, or moving purposes for qualified active duty members of the Armed Forces, down 1 cent from the rate for 2020, and
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged 2020.
The standard mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs. For more information, visit the IRS website.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter
For most of the country, winter brings plummeting temperatures. As the leaves begin to fall, the countdown to the first snow begins. Freezing and bursting pipes are a common and expensive frustration of the winter, but there are steps you can take to prevent ice blockages and freezing pipes as well as protect your water systems. >More
