Issue 41 of Administration Matters

2015 ELCA Youth Gathering live stream
The 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering is happening in Detroit right now, July 15-19. You can be part of this witness to God’s redeeming cycle of life-death-life a​gain (Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.) by following the live stream at http://www.ELCA.org/gathering. You can also participate with the young people by using their daily devotions called First 15 and Final 15. They can be found on the same website or you can download the Gathering app.

ELCA receives federal charter to open credit union
On July 7, 2015, an ELCA Federal Credit Union was chartered! Created to provide low-cost financial services to members and ministries of the ELCA, the credit union will open in the first quarter of 2016. >More

Preparing for disaster – a guide for Lutheran congregations
This Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to create a comprehensive plan in case of a disaster and help equip your congregation to respond after a disaster strikes. Created by Lutheran Disaster Response, the intent of this resource is to help your congregation take basic and important steps to serve your communities. (This 101-page document may take a little while to download. Please be patient.)​ ​>More

Be a good steward – pay your Portico bill online
By using Portico’s online bill pay, you’re helping to lower the cost of bill processing. It’s simple, it improves accuracy, your payment is applied to your account faster, you can schedule a payment up to 60 days in advance, your retirement account contributions are deposited and invested faster, and it saves postage and paper. By paying online, we all help to make the most of church resources. >More

Insurance recordkeeping
The wise congregation invests valuable stewardship dollars in insurance coverage. The wiser congregation protects that investment by keeping thorough records of that coverage. >More

ELCA Mission Builders
Is your congregation planning a new building or adding to an existing building? If so, then you might want to consider the option of using ELCA Mission Builders to provide management and skilled labor for your project. Over the past 25 years, Mission Builders have completed 157 church building projects across the ELCA.

Normally, Mission Builders can rough-in the building, raise joists, walls and roof trusses, frame and install windows and doors and side the building. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC installation is handled by subcontractors. Mission Builders also share in the spiritual life of the congregation during their time of service. The congregation agrees to serve as general contractor, provide volunteers, and pay Mission Builders a modest fee for their services. Since most Mission Builders live in their own RVs, the congregation is also expected to provide a place where they can park on the building site.

Through the efforts of Mission Builders, congregations get new facilities with cost savings and a unique sense of ownership. Those involved in Mission Builders receive a host of new friendships and the reward of helping others and serving God. >More

Issue 40 of Administration Matters

ELCA Youth Gathering
Registration for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering closes today, May 15. 30,000 youth and adult volunteers will “Rise Up Together” with the people of Detroit to create something new in Jesus’ name. You can support the work of ELCA youth in Detroit by contributing toward the purchase of supplies for the service projects. Go to www.elca.org/gathering for giving opportunities. This is also the site for the live stream from the Youth Gathering starting Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19. >more

Portico to attend 2015 ELCA synod assemblies
Portico Benefit Services will attend most of this year’s synod assemblies, talking about the ways congregations, leaders and Portico share the work of strengthening resilient leaders who shape healthy faith communities. Stop by their table with comments or questions about your ELCA benefits.

Make your mark
Road markers are a practical, inexpensive way to tell people about your congregation and direct visitors to worship. Working with a contracted vendor (NPN360), special pricing is available. >more

Solar panels
With energy costs on the rise, many congregations are looking for ways to reduce their ongoing bills. >more

Guidelines and screening help keep volunteers safe
Congregations count on volunteers, but can volunteers count on congregations to help keep them safe? >more

Inform and inspire with effective emails
An email marketing service helps you build stronger relationships with your congregation members by keeping them informed. ELCA Advantage program partner Constant Contact offers discounts (20 percent for six-month prepay, 30 percent for 12-month prepay) to ELCA congregations and agencies. You can benefit from reliable email delivery and beautiful, ready-to-use templates by signing up for a free trial today. >more

​Five things to remember about clergy housing allowance
Clergy housing allowance has been in the news and guidance for proper handling of the allowance is unique. Here are five items to help congregations and clergy administer the allowance in compliance with IRS regulations. >more

2015 Clergy Tax Guide and Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches
Filing taxes can be complicated, especially for clergy. Consider the Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide offered by Portico Benefit Services. Download the guide for free on myPortico. Also consider the Federal reporting Requirements for Churches resource to help your congregation comply with federal tax reporting requirements. You can find this resource on EmployerLink. >more

Parochial reports 
There are good reasons to complete your congregation’s Annual Report, but here’s one. The Office of the Presiding Bishop is working with ELCA seminaries to implement ways in reducing debt pastors accumulate in seminary. This work has been supported by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, in part because this church could show trends in congregational membership and giving that can impact a pastor’s salary. How did we obtain this data? From the dedicated people who complete their annual reports. Thank you! Please complete congregational reports by Feb. 15, 2015.

Discounted software for religious organizations
TechSoup offers discounted computer software and services to non-profits by brokering donations from vendors. Religious organizations are not eligible for some of the offers, but a subset of the TechSoup catalog is available to faith-based organizations. For example, Intuit has extended their eligibility requirements for their QuickBooks software to include religious groups (e.g., congregations and synods).> more

Winter checklist
While you can’t change the weather, you can minimize some of winter’s biggest threats to your facilities by taking several basic steps now to prevent damage. >more

IRS mileage allowance
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2015 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. >more

Issue 37 of Administration Matters

Congregations rethink the tradition of gift-giving with ELCA Good Gifts
The average American spends over $700 on Christmas gifts each year. But when we think about the best gifts we have given or received, it is often not the gift itself but the meaning behind the gift that makes it significant. ELCA Good Gifts are a unique way to put the meaning back in Christmas shopping. With more than 50 different gift-giving options at your fingertips, changing the world has never been easier. >more

Why should congregations prepare Narrative Budgets?
Each congregation has a story to tell about how it responds in thanksgiving to the call to serve God’s people. A narrative budget integrates dollars, people and ministry to tell the story of a congregation’s mission and ministry. >more

Candle fires
Candles and fire prevention – keep your church safe during the Christmas and Advent seasons. >more

Reviewing your ministry’s finances is easier than ever at MIF Online
Does your congregation or ministry have investments with the Mission Investment Fund? MIF has introduced a number of convenient features for those investors who use MIF Online services. Sign up for alerts, request balance transfers, download your account transaction history to Excel spreadsheets or QuickBooks and much more. If you are not yet an online user, call MIF customer service representatives toll free at 877-886-3522 to set up online access.  >more

Model constitution – what do you know about it?
Did you know that the model constitution for congregations requires establishing an Audit Committee? Or that the Congregation Council is responsible for the financial and property matters of the congregation? Take a look at the model constitution and see how it compares to your congregation’s. >more

Issue 36 of Administration Matters

Health and disability contribution rates increase to meet community needs
Portico annually evaluates contribution rates for the ELCA’s self-insured health and disability plans. Due to higher than expected claims and projected increases in future costs, rates will increase for 2015. Sponsoring organizations can estimate their contributions online during open enrollment. >more

Youth Gathering registration to open Oct. 15
Is your youth group attending the July 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit? Registration for this event incorporating service, worship, study and fun begins Oct. 15! In preparation, Primary Adult Leaders may begin entering group information in the ELCA’s database on Sept. 15. Also this fall, congregations are invited to support the ministry of the 2015 Gathering by visiting the Giving Opportunities page at elca.org/gathering.

New Stories of Faith in Action
Stories of Faith in Action features images and stories of people whose lives have been touched by ministries of the ELCA. This resource shows how your regular congregational offering, shared with your synod and the churchwide organization, is changing lives. Order today | Find resources

How to communicate financial information to your church
This article from Christian Computing Magazine offers some points to consider when deciding why, how and when to communicate financial information to members of your congregation. The author offers suggestions for providing information on congregational giving, the congregation budgeting process, designated giving, biblical teaching on generous giving and family finance resources. > more

Keep boiler, furnace rooms clean and well maintained
Using the extra space in your boiler or furnace room for storage can quickly become a major fire hazard. Keep these rooms free of clutter and learn to identify signs of trouble. > more

Mission Investment Fund is the ELCA provider for loans for building projects
The Mission Investment Fund (MIF), the lending ministry of the ELCA, specializes in financing church building projects and land purchases for ELCA congregations and ELCA-related ministries. MIF understands ministry needs and works with congregations and ministries to help create mission-focused financing plans, and their lending staff is adept at guiding borrowers through the loan application process. Because MIF’s mission is to assist congregations and ministries in building and growing, it offers consistently competitive rates and a variety of loan terms. > more