Issue 48 of Administration Matters

Time to update your congregation’s constitution

Now that the 2016 Churchwide Assembly is over, it is a good time to look at updating your congregation’s constitution. The 2016 Churchwide Assembly made several important changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations, including addressing the unification of the three lay rosters, revising the provisions for parishes, and updating the membership rules. In addition, many congregations have not updated their constitutions since the 2013 Churchwide Assembly, which made important changes to the procedures for disciplining members of congregations. The next churchwide assembly will be in 2019, so there will be no changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations in the next three years, making it an excellent time to update yours now.

Updating a congregation’s constitution to reflect changes in the Model Constitution for Congregations is relatively easy and straightforward. The changes to the Model in 2016 can be found (top of the page) here. while the changes from 2013 can be found (middle of the page) here. Mandatory provisions are marked with an asterisk (*). Under *C17.04 of the Model (now renumbered *C16.04), these changes can be adopted by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any legally-called congregational meeting. At least 30 days prior to the meeting, the congregation council needs to give notice to the congregation of the proposed amendments, along with their recommendations as to the amendments. Once the amendments are made, notice is given to the synod, but no synod action is required. >More

Webinar on new overtime rules

The U.S. Department of Labor has adopted new overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which will go into effect on December 1, 2016. Among other changes, these regulations increase the minimum salary for exempt employees from $23,000 to $47,476. Many congregations, synods, and other ministries of the church have questions about how this impacts their employees. Does it apply to churches? What about pastors? Youth workers? Sextons? How about schools? Or camps? The ELCA has provided guidance on these and other issues to bishops and synod attorneys.
On October 18, 2016, at Noon (Central Time), the ELCA will be hosting a free webinar on how the new regulations will affect religious institutions, and try to answer many of these questions.  Presenting at the webinar will be Steve Knowles, an employment lawyer with the law firm of Davis Kuelthau, and Tom Cunniff, ELCA Associate General Counsel.  Information on attending the webinar will be forthcoming.

HR Series – applications for employment

It’s important to have a completed application form for each lay candidate applying for a job. If carefully designed, the application will assist you in determining whether there is a good fit between the position and the potential employee. >More

Two common misunderstandings about workers’ compensation insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance can help protect your business and employees providing benefits for work related injuries or illnesses, including medical care and wages from lost work time. >More

Don’t let hazardous materials go down the drain

It is important to dispose of hazardous waste and electronic equipment in a safe and appropriate manner. The dangers of disposing of these materials incorrectly might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal can pollute the environment and threaten human health. >More

Gutenberg to Google – effective use of technology for congregations

View this webinar offered by Augsburg Fortress Lewis at your convenience! It will explore how the use of media to proclaim the Gospel is the same and has changed from the time of Martin Luther to the beginning of the 21st century. You’ll learn something about history and how our reforming traditions are alive and well today. You will come away with fresh ideas for using your congregation’s website, social media and other new technologies to proclaim the Gospel! > More

Issue 47 of Administration Matters

Livestream the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 8-13

The 14th ELCA Churchwide Assembly will convene on Aug. 8-13, in New Orleans to discuss and make decisions about how to go about God’s work as a church. This year the assembly will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation under the theme “Freed and Renewed in Christ” and the accompanying tagline “500 years of God’s Grace in Action.”

Over the course of the assembly, voting members:

• hear reports and review the work of churchwide organization officers, leaders and units;
• receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies;
• elect a new ELCA vice president, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws;
• establish ELCA policy;
• worship together;
• adopt a budget; and
• conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.

The assembly will be streamed live on the churchwide assembly website. To learn about the assembly, preview the pre-assembly reports or to watch the livestream, click here.

 Join the new ELCA Federal Credit Union!

The ELCA Federal Credit Union is open for business and accepting applications for membership.

To apply, visit the credit union website, elcafcu.org. ELCA members, congregations and ministries—and their employees—are eligible to join. You can become a member by opening a savings account with as little as a $25 initial deposit. Credit union membership is your entrée to access a portfolio of deposit accounts, loans and other services. At the credit union’s website, you can view current rates, apply for a loan, and learn more from an interactive loan payment calculator. You can also search for the closest ATM on the credit union’s worldwide network of free ATMs. Also, watch for a mobile app coming soon.

As the credit union website states: “When you join fellow Lutherans as a member of the ELCA Federal Credit Union, you do more than gain access to a wide array of financial services. You become a part of a financial cooperative that shares your values.”

The ELCA Federal Credit Union looks forward to serving you. >More

12 tips to being safer online

Keep your members’ data safe by protecting your congregation’s. This guide includes things you, your staff and volunteers should keep in mind at the congregation, away from the congregation, when using social media, and when using cloud services. >More

How to care for stained glass

Many church buildings incorporate a variety of stained-glass windows that glorify God, memorialize benefactors, and beautify the worship space. The value of these windows—financially, historically and sentimentally—is significant. Thus, caring for and preserving them is an important aspect of church facilities management. >More

Insuring your ministry: Points to consider

Do you know what insurance to purchase to best protect your ministry?  >More

HR series—creating a good place to work

A positive work environment is not only important for our physical, mental and emotional health, it is important for the results that we produce. The better we feel at work, the more likely we will take pride in our job activities. >More

Issue 46 of Administration Matters

Future Directions for the ELCA
Our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, is inviting us into a conversation about the future identity, direction and priorities of the ELCA. This discernment process, Called Forward Together in Christ, involves listening to God and to one another, and it is spreading across members, congregations, synods, social ministries, educational institutions and the churchwide office. Join the conversation. >More

The new ELCA Federal Credit Union will open soon
The new ELCA Federal Credit Union, with offices in the Lutheran Center Building in Chicago, will soon be open for business. The grand opening celebration will be Monday, June 6. ELCA members, congregations, synods and the churchwide organization—and their employees—are all eligible to join the credit union to take advantage of a portfolio of deposit accounts, loans and other services. This new ELCA-sponsored credit union supports the ELCA’s mission to promote responsible stewardship of members’ and congregations’ financial resources. Because this is a financial cooperative, credit union members will see more competitive rates on deposits and loans, fewer fees and enhanced services. Learn more by visiting the credit union website, elcafcu.org. As a financial institution rooted in your faith community, the ELCA Federal Credit Union looks forward to serving you. >More

Online giving options for congregations and synods
This guide outlines factors to consider when deciding how to offer online giving for your congregation. A companion spreadsheet helps you prioritize which features are important to you and compare pricing for vendors of online giving services. >More

Protecting offerings – who would steal from us?
Your church should be a place of peace and a safe haven for worshiping and experiencing God’s love and grace. But what happens when crime and violence breach the church doors? >More

Questions about buildings and property
Church property is often underutilized and can be a valuable community resource. The ELCA has resources to help answer your questions about opening your space to community groups and organizations, whether on a one-time basis or for regular use. >More

How to take inventory with limited time and resources
Everyone knows that having an inventory of the valuable items in your church is a good idea. Should disaster strike, that video, list, or collection of receipts will speed up the settlement process. >More

Issue 45 of Administration Matters

Crime prevention for your congregation
It’s impossible to predict when and where crime will strike. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared. By starting a crime prevention program now, you are helping protect your worship center and congregation. >More

Security questions you should ask every church management software provider
More church management software solutions are advertising as operating “in the cloud.” This article looks at two aspects of data security – the cloud and datacenter security. It lists questions you can ask as you compare the various software solutions from a data security perspective. >More

Tax guide for pastors
Portico offers the annual Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar at no cost to members enrolled in the ELCA benefit program. The guide gives special attention to several forms and schedules and the sections of each form most relevant to ministers. Use it when you’re preparing your income tax return. >More

Federal reporting requirements for churches
Also, on Portico’s website for sponsoring employers, the annual Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches by Richard R. Hammar is offered at no cost to congregations sponsoring members in the Portico benefit program. This resource can help congregations understand federal tax reporting requirements. >More

1 percent health contribution discount
Portico offers a financial incentive to employers – a 1 percent discount on health contributions (last year’s 2 percent  discount) – as a reward for helping communicate to ELCA-Primary health plan members and spouses the importance of taking the online Mayo Clinic health assessment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. See how much your synod’s employers could save collectively.>More

Switching to energy-efficient bulbs saves money
Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protects the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. See what many congregations and ministries are doing through the Energy Stewards Initiative (ESI). If your congregation is in need of financing for an energy project, there are Mission Investment Fund opportunities for loans that could be obtained for energy reduction and also include the initiation of a plan for a rotating loan fund based on grant and gift funds that would be interest free to congregations and camps. >More

Issue 44 of Administration Matters

Church property loss
Disasters are unforeseen and unpredictable. If your property is damaged or destroyed, you will likely have many questions and be faced with many decisions. Concerns about a temporary location, emergency repairs, and the costs of restoring or rebuilding can be overwhelming. >More

10 tips for better congregation announcements
Congregation announcements are an important part of the Sunday morning experience for most members. They often include information about happenings in the congregation that week, upcoming events for the month, and any reminders that members may need to know. >More

Toward a better congregation council meeting
A few good practices can give a council a joy-filled sense of mission, which, in turn, can lead to renewal in the congregation. This article is from the blog of the Northeastern Iowa Synod. >More

Slips and falls on steps and stairs
Slips, trips and falls account for 15 percent of all accidental deaths, second only to automobile fatalities. The risk of falling, and fall-related problems rise with age and are serious issues in homes and communities. >More

ELCA endorsed insurance program for congregations and synods
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)-Endorsed Property and Liability Insurance Program is committed to providing ELCA congregations and synods with quality insurance protection and enhanced customer service. This commitment is reflected in the selection of Church Mutual as the preferred insurance provider by the ELCA Office of the Secretary in consultation with the Office of the Treasurer. No other company specializing in the protection of ministries offers Church Mutual’s expertise, financial strength and record of outstanding customer service. >More

Submit your parochial report!
2015 parochial reports are due on Feb. 15. These reports are vital to the ELCA’s commitment to improving its efforts of spreading the good news and are used in allocating the ELCA’s resources to synods and congregations. Did you know that the information you submit (or do not submit) in your parochial report goes into your congregation’s trend report, which is publicly available online? Seekers looking for your congregation can see not only the information you submit but also whether the congregation has submitted parochial reports. Please submit the report so that visitors can learn more about you. >More

IRS mileage allowance
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. >More

Issue 43 of Administration Matters

​‘Stories of Faith in Action’ is now available
“Stories of Faith in Action” is a free, annual publication that highlights how God is changing lives through Mission Support, the percentage of your congregational offering that is shared with your synod and the churchwide organization. Free copies of “Stories of Faith in Action” are now available for order—all you have to cover is shipping. You can also download associated resources, including a “How to use” guide and bulletin inserts. >More

Organizing and administering congregational annual meetings
As congregational annual meetings approach, perhaps you are wondering how you can run a great meeting that is engaging for participants, productive for your congregation and a great investment of everyone’s time. >More

New ACA reporting requirement takes effect in 2016
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when individuals file their 2015 income tax return, they must prove for the first time that they’ve maintained minimum essential health coverage throughout the year—or face a financial penalty (unless Medicare is their primary coverage). ELCA-Primary health coverage qualifies as minimum essential coverage, and Portico is managing this reporting requirement on behalf of plan members. Note: Additional ACA reporting requirements will apply to Applicable Large Employers (ALEs), generally organizations that have, on average, at least 50 full-time equivalent employees. >More
CapinCrouse LLP is the internal audit provider for the ELCA churchwide organization. You may want to read their related article: “Reporting Health Plan Coverage to Employees & the IRS.” >More

ELCA Federal Credit Union update
The ELCA Federal Credit Union is on track for opening its doors in 2016. As a financial institution rooted in your faith community, we look forward to serving you. Stay up-to-date on our progress. Visit our early-stage website at www.elcafcu.org and register to be notified as we prepare to open for business in 2016. >More

Weather protection for your ministry
Don’t be caught unprepared! When it comes to weather, are your church building and vehicles ready for whatever the next winter might bring? >More

In-kind donations
An in-kind gift consists of goods or services that are provided by the donor. Congregations can benefit greatly from such donations. >More

Winter checklist
Protecting your church property during the coldest months of the year is important, whether your climate is extreme or mild. Use this checklist to inspect, evaluate and move forward with needed maintenance. >More