We provide ministers and church leaders with information regarding church finances and benefits, including:
- How to structure financial support for ministers and church employees
- Unique tax issues faced by ministers and churches
- Maximizing the use of products and services available through GuideStone Financial Resources
These documents are not intended to be sufficient for dealing with every specific legal and tax situation, and the reader should not rely upon these documents as a substitute for competent tax or legal professional advice.
Financial Resources
Each link below opens a PDF file or web page that addresses that issue.
Basic Concepts for Ministers
- What Does the Bible Say About Financial Support for Ministers?
- 5 Observations on Pastor’s Salaries (Thom Rainer)
- Is the Minister an Employee or Self-Employed?
- Special Tax Provisions Apply to Ministers
- Should a Minister Opt Out of Social Security?
Financial Support for Ministers & Church Employees
- How Churches Structure Financial Support for Ministers
- Sample Church Policy Regarding Financial Support of Staff
- Structuring a Ministers Financial Support in 4 Steps
- SBC Compensation Study
- Ministers Financial Support Worksheet
- Housing Allowance for Ministers
- Ministers Housing Allowance Estimate Form
- Ministers Housing Allowance Notification Form
- Retirement Contributions as an Employer Benefit
- Insurance as an Employer Benefit
- Social Security for Ministers
- Ministry Related Expenses
- Sample Ministry Expense Policy
- Ministry Expense Form
- Checklist to Evaluate FSP
- Two Illustrations of Financial Support Plan
- Voluntary Tax Withholding by Ministers
- Educational Assistance for Church Employees
- Severance Pay
- Ministerial Tax Questions – GuideStone Brochure
IRS Reporting Issues
Medical Insurance Issues
Other Church Financial Issues
- Handling Money in Church – Internal Controls
- The Church Treasurer
- Church Financial Policy Model
- Record Retention Guidelines
- Workers Compensation
- UBIT – Unrelated Business Income by Churches
Forms
- Ministers Financial Support Worksheet
- Ministers Housing Allowance Estimate Form
- Ministers Housing Allowance Notification Form
- Ministry Expense Form
Other Resources
- SBC Compensation Study
- GuideStone Financial Resources, SBC (Main Page)
- GuideStone’s Ministerial Resource Center (for numerous additional resources)
- Tax Guide for Ministers & Churches
- IRS Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations
- Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
- Church Law & Tax
- Employee Benefit Corporation (for FSAs & HRAs)
- GuideStone’s Property & Casualty Insurance (through Brotherhood Mutual)
Training Videos
- Handling Money in the Church
41 minutes – Basic principles and best practices for handling church money including Charitable Contribution issues. It includes 20 basic internal controls churches should apply. - How to Structure Financial Support for Ministers and Church Employees
52 Minutes – A guide for Church Leaders. Includes full details on all the elements that go into a Financial Support package with a sample package to illustrate. - How Churches Should Handle Ministry Related Expenses
11 Minutes – Rules and best practices a church should follow in handling the expenses a pastor and other church employees incur in doing their job. - Social Security for Ministers
11 Minutes – A guide to the unique Social Security rules that apply to ministers and guidance for how a church should handle Social Security for ministers. - Housing for Ministers
12 Minutes – A review of the basic rules, procedures and reporting requirements for Housing provided for ministers. - Charitable Contribution Issues for Churches
20 minutes – Rules and best practices for churches in dealing with Charitable Contributions