The past few years have brought numerous challenges to churches, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic altered weekly attendance and in-person events.

Those alterations affected giving levels, creating stress on some church budgets. And now, even with signs the pandemic is slowing heading into 2023, inflation has jumped, creating only more turbulence.

These conditions have left many congregations reassessing their directions and priorities as they look for ways to move forward.

In this episode, Erika is joined by Mike Poirier, senior vice president of ministry lending for Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU). Together, the two identify key pressures and ask key questions along with sharing ideas on the ways churches must respond in the “new normal.” Mike also shares some helpful benchmarks—such as cash flow and debt reserves—that can shed light on a church’s financial health and vitality, plus tips for working with lenders when struggles arise. 

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The Church Attorney's Guide to Church Mergers, by Erika E. Cole  

Church Finance: The Church Leader’s Guide to Financial Operations, by Michael E. Batts

“How Churches May Benefit from COVID-19 Relief’s Employee Retention Credit,” by Kaylyn Varnum, Michele Wales, and Michael E. Batts

“5 Cash Flow Ratios and Measures Your Church Must Monitor,” by Vonna Laue

“Six Debt Ratios and Measurements Your Church Should Monitor,” by Vonna Laue

“Q&A: Should We Start Digging into Our Reserves?” by Michael E. Batts

“Loan Modifications in a Crisis,” by Vonna Laue

“Evangelical Giving Goes Up, Despite Economic Woes,” by Hannah McClellan

“A Peek Inside How Churches Spend Their Money,” by Matthew Branaugh

mycccu.com

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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Church mergers appeared to reach an all-time high in 2019, but as more congregations struggle to find their way in the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend likely will only grow. Some churches have experienced financial declines. Others face uncertain futures as pastors resign or retire. And still others find themselves with expensive properties to maintain even as attendance dwindles.

In this episode, Erika examines three principal ways a merger can be done. Using examples from her work as an attorney advising congregations going through mergers, she highlights key considerations and challenges for leaders to note. And as a bonus, Erika touches on several best practices that churches should follow, whether leaders think a merger is in their future—or not.   

Church Mergers: When, Why, and How, from Church Law & Tax

 

The Church Attorney’s Guide to Church Mergers, by Erika E. Cole

 

On-Demand Webinar: Should My Church Consider a Merger Right Now? with Erika E. Cole

 

Merger and Consolidation, by Richard R. Hammar

 

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Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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Volunteers represent the lifeblood of most any church and finding enough of them is always a challenge. Yet volunteers, by their very nature, act as representatives of a church—and any missteps with their screening, selection, supervision, and training can unfortunately open the door to unwanted legal troubles.

In this episode, Erika delves further into the legal theories behind these potential vulnerabilities for churches, then offers quick tips that can help minimize them across key ministry areas where volunteers most often serve, including children’s and youth ministries, worship services, and transportation. 

Show Notes:

HR Matters for Churches, Episode 12 of the Church Law podcast 

Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior), by Richard R. Hammar

Keeping Children Safe in Your Church, Episode 15 of the Church Law podcast

Minimizing the Risks of Child Molestation in Churches, by Richard R. Hammar

Directors and Officers Insurance, by Richard R. Hammar

Risks Associated with Cell Phones, by Richard R. Hammar

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Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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In this episode, Erika addresses this question by drawing from her nearly 25 years of experience exclusively serving churches and nonprofits. There are state and federal laws, court rulings, and regulations, of course. But what about local governments? Or the laws and rules for international activities? And what about online services, be it online streaming or even the vast and emerging metaverse?

Erika touches on each of these topics and offers high-level takeaways.

Show Notes:

ErikaCole.com

 IRS Publication 1828 Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations

2022 Church & Clergy Tax Guide by Richard R. Hammar

 Recent US Supreme Court Cases and the Church

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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Stories of moral failures committed by pastors and ministry leaders have become all too common, eroding congregational trust, and creating legal liability. Not long ago, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) set out to learn more about what triggers these events—and how churches and ministries might get better at preventing them through written accountability plans and healthier cultures designed to support leaders and encourage transparency. In this episode, ECFA President Michael Martin tells Erika what his organization learned.

 

Show Notes:

“The Dangers of a Quiet Governance Change,” by Erika E. Cole, attorney and senior editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability’s resource library

The 15th Annual Church Compliance Conference

 

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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The Church Law podcast’s audience continues to grow—and with this 16th episode, it’s time to give the listeners a turn. In this episode, Erika and guest Matthew Branaugh, attorney and content editor at Church Law & Tax, review several listener-submitted questions. Whatever topic they’re tackling, listeners are sure to find several questions they relate to—and the information they need to move forward in their ministries.

Show Notes:

 

·        “What Does it Mean for a Church to be in Compliance?”—a free webinar with attorney Erika Cole

·     Church Bylaws—a free download from attorney Erika Cole

·     “When Is It Wise to Pay for Legal Counsel?” by attorney Matthew Branaugh

·     “How to Hire an Attorney for Your Church” by attorney Richard R. Hammar

·     “Immigration of Alien Ministers, Religious Vocations, and Religious Occupations” by attorneys Richard R. Hammar, Lina Yen Hughes, and Gerald Cipolla

·     “Keeping Children Safe in Your Church,” Episode 15 of the Church Law podcast

·     “Protect the Children in Your Church’s Small Groups” by attorney H. Robert Showers

·     Reducing the Risk: A Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Program

·     “Immunity Statutes” by attorney Richard R. Hammar

·     “Q&A: Reducing Legal Liability for Church Board Members” by attorney David Middlebrook

·     “Cash, Check, Cryptocurrency, and More—Why Churches Need More Giving Options,” Episode 10 of the Church Law podcast

·     “Seven Points to Consider Before Selecting a Mobile Giving App” by attorney Matthew Branaugh

·     “What’s the Best Giving App for Your Church?” by attorney Matthew Branaugh

·     Church Compensation, Second Edition by CPA Elaine Sommerville

·     ChurchSalary.com

  

 

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Year after year, child sexual abuse is the top reason churches find themselves in court. Unfortunately, no church is immune. So, how do church leaders handle allegations of abuse and the reporting of suspected abuse, and also work to create a risk management program? In this podcast, Erika and guest Matthew Branaugh, attorney and content editor at Church Law & Tax, tackle such questions as they identify keyways to reduce opportunities for abuse to occur in your congregation.

Show Notes:

·        Recommended Reading: Protecting Children and Youth

·        50-State Child Abuse Reporting Laws Survey for Clergy and Church Leaders

·        Attorney Richard Hammar’s Legal Developments on this issue.

·        Church Board Guide to a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy

·        Reducing the Risk child sexual awareness program

 

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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With millions of downloads and a top 3 ranking at one point on Apple podcast, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill had many of us captivated. From a legal standpoint, the decline and ultimate demise of Mars Hill Church offers a cautionary tale with respect to governance and alterations to decision-making structures.

Founded in 1996 as a home Bible study, Mars Hill Church grew to more than 12,000 people at 15 locations in weekly attendance. After a series of internal conflicts and troublesome behaviors of its lead pastor, Mark Driscoll, the church experienced a dramatic collapse in 2014.

In this episode of the Church Law podcast, Erika talks with Mike Cosper, creator and host of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, about the trouble that can arise when a change in church governance limits who can participate in the decision-making process.

Show notes:

·        The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast

·        Erika Cole’s article, “The Dangers of a Quiet Governance Change”

·        Church Governance: What Leaders Must Know to Conduct Legally Sound Church Business

 

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

 

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Many churches have a presence on social media today. However, church leaders may not have considered myriad legal and ministry considerations they must work through when using various platforms.

In this episode, Erika talks with Heather Thompson Day, host of the Viral Jesus podcast, about how churches can effectively use social media and avoid the negative unintended consequences that always seem to be lurking.

Show notes:

·        Listen to the Viral Jesus podcast on Christianity Today’s podcast network.

·        A downloadable checklist from Church Law & Tax, “Are We Using Social Media Safely?”

·        “How Your Church Can Avoid Social Media Conflict,” by attorney Gisele Kalonzo-Douglas, a Church Law & Tax senior editorial advisor.

Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.

See all episodes of Church Law.

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

 

Headshot of Erika by Eagle Lens Media | Podcast Editing by Brian A. Brown

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Whether you’re a church with one employee or a hundred, you need to be prepared for employment issues. That’s because these issues frequently lead to legal concerns for churches. Questions abound about whether to hire a certain candidate, conduct background screening on employees and volunteers, fire someone, or offer severance, among other things. Then there are myriad issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what work looks like with the virus now part of daily reality.

 

In short, every church needs to be prepared for HR matters.

 

In this episode, Erika is joined by Tiffany Releford, a partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, who focuses her practice on labor and employment law representing large and small organizations, including nonprofits.

 

 

Show Notes

 “Four Key Employee Issues Unique to Churches—and How to Navigate Them,” by attorney Frank Sommerville

 

“Church Employment Issues that Lead to Litigation,” by attorney and senior editor Richard R. Hammar

 

ChurchLawAndTax.com’s Legal Library section on Employment (also found in Chapter 8 of attorney and senior editor Richard R. Hammar’s Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition)

 

Tiffany Releford

 

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Questions? We welcome them! Please email Erika Cole at [email protected]

 

See all episodes of Church Law.

 

The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.

 

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who practices exclusively in the area of church law. She currently serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.

 

Headshot of Erika by Eagle Lens Media | Podcast Editing by Brian A. Brown

 

 

 

 

 

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