Protect Your Congregation and Its Ministry
Every gift implies trust. Faithful stewardship means protecting both the gift and that trust. Clear policies, wise financial practices, and regular review safeguard your congregation, its leaders, and the resources people have faithfully entrusted to its care.
These resources will help you strengthen accountability, reduce risk, and put practices in place that support healthy ministry for years to come.
Review Your Practices
Make Sure Your Systems Are Working
Even good financial systems need regular review. Periodically examining how money is received, recorded, spent, and reported can uncover weaknesses before they become larger problems—and give leaders confidence in the practices already working well.
In-House Audit Guidelines
A financial review doesn’t always require a full external audit. These guidelines can help congregations conduct a thoughtful review of financial records, procedures, and internal controls.
Internal Controls
Strong internal controls protect both the congregation and the people entrusted with its finances. Learn practical ways to divide responsibilities, document transactions, and strengthen accountability.
Understand Your Responsibilities
Stay on Top of Tax & Reporting Requirements
Churches have some unique tax considerations, but tax-exempt status doesn’t mean congregations are exempt from every financial or reporting responsibility. Understanding the basics can help leaders ask the right questions and know when professional guidance is needed.
Tax Considerations
Find practical information about tax issues that commonly affect congregations, including charitable contributions, compensation, reporting requirements, and other financial responsibilities.
Establish Clear Policies & Practices
Put Expectations in Writing
Good policies create clarity before difficult situations arise. They help leaders make consistent decisions, establish accountability, and ensure that everyone understands how your congregation will handle its financial responsibilities.
Wise Practices & Sample Policies
Use these samples as a starting point for strengthening your congregation’s financial policies and procedures.
Assessing Gifts at Risk
How much of the income your congregation depends on today can you reasonably expect to receive three to five years from now? Learn how to identify giving and other income streams that may be vulnerable to change—and use that knowledge to plan more responsibly for the future.
The Importance of a Gifts Policy
Generosity can come in many forms—and not every gift is simple to receive. A clear gifts policy helps your congregation decide how gifts will be accepted, reviewed, recorded, used, and, when necessary, declined or retired. It also provides guidance for restricted gifts, securities, property, in-kind gifts, and other situations that require careful discernment.
Wise Practices Protect More Than Money
Compliance and risk management aren’t simply about following rules. They help protect relationships, reputations, leaders, and the trust people place in the church.
Taking these responsibilities seriously creates a stronger foundation for ministry—and allows your congregation to focus more confidently on the work God has called you to do.
The systems we create, the reports we share, and the decisions we make about money all say something about what we value.
If you’re ready to learn more, check out our Faithful Financial Leadership for Congregations webinar course. It brings pastors, treasurers, and financial leaders together to explore theology, roles and responsibilities, internal controls, financial reporting, compliance, stewardship, and sustainability.