Issue 33 of Administration Matters

Clergy Tax Guide now available
Clergy have unique tax considerations. Pass along the “Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide,” offered compliments of Portico Benefit Services, to help pastors prepare their 2013 tax returns. >more

Don’t miss out on health plan discount
Remind those with ELCA-Primary health benefits to take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. If 65 percent of the eligible plan members and spouses in your synod participate, your organization will save 2 percent on ELCA-Primary health contributions all year long. >more

IRS requirement for churches
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a new regulation, effective Jan. 1, 2014, requiring any church organization with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to notify the IRS of certain changes. >more

MIF KIDZ accounts
The MIF4KIDZ account is designed as a savings tool for youth from birth to age 16. Additional deposits can be made up to maturity, and the investments mature on the youth’s 18th birthday. >more

Establishing a secure process for collecting offerings
Congregations should work to ensure the safety and security of all offerings and collections.

• Risk Reporter for Religious Institutions
• Guidelines for Congregations: Internal Control Best Practices
• Congregational Treasurers’ and Bookkeepers’ Financial and Accounting Guide

Endowment Fund Pooled Trust historic milestone
The ELCA Endowment Fund Pooled Trust, Fund A, reached a new milestone on Oct. 31, 2013, with $500 million in total market value. These assets represent 41 synods, 566 congregations and 144 related ministries. Fund A is a commingled fund made available through the ELCA Foundation to eligible ELCA entities interested in professional investment management for their mission endowment funds. >more​

Issue 32 of Administration Matters

New Year’s benefit reminder
On the heels of Portico Benefit Services’ Open Enrollment in November, make sure your benefits are being delivered accurately. Confirm that your employee withholding is correct for 2014 and that Portico has accurate salary and payroll frequency on file.  >more

Victim of embezzlement? Do you know how to proceed?
It is important to consider all your options and get proper legal and accounting advice as you deal with the monetary loss and the devastating impact this situation may create. >more

ELCA endorsed property and liability insurance
Did you know that the ELCA offers an endorsed insurance program for its synods and congregations? Forty-eight synods and over 3,900 congregations already participate.  >more ​

Tips for employers who outsource payroll duties
​Payroll service providers can help employers streamline their business operations. Here are some steps employers can take to protect themselves when using the services of third party payers.  >more

Stay connected with stewardNet!
Subscribe to stewardNet for ideas, articles and resources to grow stewardship ministry in your congregation, delivered to your inbox four to six times per year. Sign-up here.

IRS Mileage Allowance Announced
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 56 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

For more information, read news release.

Issue 31 of Administration Matters

Meet new presiding bishop and secretary
Welcome Presiding Bishop Eaton and Secretary Boerger!  ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and ELCA Secretary Wm Chris Boerger officially took office in their respective positions Nov. 1. They were elected during the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh. Learn more about their leadership experiences in this church by accessing their biographies. >more

​Don’t miss Portico’s one-time-only life insurance opportunity
Remind your rostered leaders and lay employees with ELCA benefits that Nov. 22 is their deadline to complete Portico’s 2014 Open Enrollment. Sponsored plan members have important health benefit choices to make and — this year only — can purchase supplemental and dependent life insurance without having to prove good health. >more

Ignite your congregation’s stewardship ministry
Rooted in a holistic, biblically based approach to stewardship, “Stewards of God’s Love” challenges all Christians to reimagine the ways in which they steward God’s resources – time, talents and treasures – in response to God’s commandment to love God and our neighbors. >more

Good Gifts catalog
Why not give something unexpected this Christmas? Shop with the ELCA Good Gifts catalog where you can find 50 different gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives. The catalog is now available at http://community.elca.org/goodgifts .

Church marketing by the book
Whether you are new to church marketing or wish to brush up your skills, you’ll find these suggestions useful. >more

Importance of information security
Awareness of information security is paramount to our success and it’s everyone’s responsibility. Information sensitive or confidential in nature must be secured. Congregations, synods and ELCA staff must understand that they represent one of the most important parts of their security program. >more.