Church Finance

“To answer the question we must first consider how taxation of church property, including clergy housing, has historically been considered.” - Acton Institute

“Under James MacDonald, Chicago-area megachurch may have been in “serious violation” of 4 out of 7 stewardship standards, says Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.” - Christianity Today

“For the second time, a popular tax break for pastors has been judged permissible under the US Constitution, despite efforts by an atheist legal group to prove otherwise.” - Christianity Today

“That provision imposes a 21 percent tax on employee parking benefits provided by thousands of congregations and nonprofits from coast to coast. To pay that tax, some churches may have to file form 990-T paperwork with the IRS if they provide parking for employees.” - RNS

“This time, the trial court … declared the housing allowance unconstitutional. This ruling has been appealed, and arguments are currently being made before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.” - GARBC.org

Four former members of the now-defunct Mars Hill Church are suing its controversial former pastor Mark Driscoll, accusing him of “a continuing pattern of racketeering activity.”

1. Fewer than half of solo pastors receive any health insurance … 2. Almost three-fourths of full-time worship/music leaders receive health insurance… 3. Many full-time church staff receive no retirement benefits…. 5. Only six in ten full-time pastors and staff get any type of automobile reimbursement…. CPost

“It’s ironic that the ministry would be asking for funds, because for 21 years, the association ran one of the most successful charitable gaming operations in the Tri-State, making nearly $4 million from weekly bingo games in Kentucky and Ohio.”

Unaka Avenue Baptist Church secretary gets 8 years for stealing $420,000

“[T]he offering process, when ushers pass baskets down the rows and worshippers voluntarily drop in checks or cash, has remained basically unchanged since the 19th century”