Hello Reader , Last week, we talked about one of the most common questions churches face: Should this person be treated as an employee or an independent contractor? As summer ministry activities begin, Let's continue that conversation with another important question: What about volunteers? Vacation Bible School, youth camps, mission trips, community outreach events, and children's programs often rely heavily on volunteers and for good reason. They are one of the greatest blessings in...
1 day ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader , So, I’m at that stage of motherhood where I’m saying things like, “You don’t smell your armpits?!” Yeah. Teen and pre-teen boys. This is fun. 🙂 Actually, it is fun. But I’m also amazed at how they can be completely nose-blind to what seems very obvious to everyone else. Wildly, this phenomenon can also be true in churches. Sometimes, we can become so familiar with how things operate that we stop noticing the areas of greatest need. The outdated process. The unclear authority...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , May 15th is an important compliance deadline for many tax-exempt organizations. For organizations that operate on a calendar-year accounting period, certain annual IRS filings are generally due on May 15 (or the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of the organization’s accounting year.) Depending on the organization, the required filing may include: Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard Form 990-T, for unrelated business income tax Form...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , Church leaders carry a wide range of responsibilities,some of which are visible and immediate. But many of the most important areas of leadership operate in the background. And because they may not demand attention, they are often overlooked. In my over 25 years of providing legal services to churches, we consistently see a pattern: Most risks are not the result of major mistakes. They develop quietly over time. They often show up as: • Policies that haven’t been reviewed in...
30 days ago • 2 min read
Reader, This is it—final hours. Enrollment for the spring cohort of Faithful Foundations Membership closes tonight, and we won’t reopen again until September. For many church leaders, legal and compliance decisions get pushed down the list… until something urgent forces action. But the churches that are best protected are the ones that prepare before those moments come. If you’ve been thinking about putting the right structures in place…If you want trusted guidance instead of second-guessing...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader, Today is the final day to join the spring cohort of Faithful Foundations Membership. Enrollment closes tonight, and we won’t reopen again until September. If your church needs trusted legal guidance… If you want to move from reactive decisions to proactive leadership… If you’ve been meaning to put the right protections in place— Before you decide, take a moment to watch this short message from The Church Attorney on why preparation—especially around leadership succession—matters more...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader, There are just 24 hours left to join the spring cohort of Faithful Foundations. After tomorrow, enrollment closes—and won’t reopen again until September. If you’ve been thinking about this, I want to encourage you not to put it off any longer. This is about more than legal protection. It’s about leading your church with wisdom, clarity, and confidence. It’s about putting the right foundations in place now—so you’re not forced to react later. And when you join, you’ll also receive:...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader, Earlier today, we spent time with our Faithful Foundations members during a live Q&A session. These conversations are always meaningful—real questions from church leaders, real situations, and practical guidance to help them move forward with clarity. I wanted to share a short clip from today’s session so you can see what this looks like inside the membership: This is the kind of access and support our members receive on an ongoing basis. It’s not just information—it’s guidance you...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , As we enter the final days to join the Faithful Foundations All-Access Membership, we’re hosting a special live session tomorrow at 1:30 PM ET to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. During this live, we’ll walk through what it truly means to move from reactive leadership to proactive governance—and how to ensure your church is protected and positioned for long-term sustainability. You’ll also get a closer look at what’s included inside the membership,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read