Tag: Governance
What Happens When You Don’t File a Nonprofit Annual Report with Your State
by Patrick Bradley: Almost every state has an ongoing nonprofit annual report requirement for nonprofit corporations such as churches. This is business you need to take care of regularly. Or this could happen… Almost every year I get a panicked phone call or email from one of my churches. They’ve […]
Do Church Boards Have to Use Robert’s Rules of Order?
by Patrick Bradley: A church planter challenged me recently on whether church boards have to use Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct meetings. I started digging around and opened a whole can of worms. His question came from a common place: I haven’t met a church planter yet that likes […]
Beware of a Fake Annual Report Notice in Your Mail
by Patrick Bradley: The tricksters are back at it, mailing out a fake annual report notice to unsuspecting churches. Here’s what they’re up to, how to spot it, and what to do. Depending on your state (see my growing reference list), your church corporation has to file some kind of […]
How to Decide Between a Fall and Spring Church Plant Launch
by Patrick Bradley: It is generally acknowledged that there are 2 best windows for a church plant launch in the US: fall (Sep/Oct) and spring (Feb/Mar). How will you decide? The windows work kind of like a space shuttle landing – in its day, it couldn’t come down just anywhere. […]
Should You Use Your Group’s Umbrella 501c3 Exemption?
by Patrick Bradley: Some church groups and denominations have set up an umbrella 501c3 exemption for their churches. There are pros and cons for your church plant if you choose this option. 501c3 is the official nonprofit, tax-exempt status of a charity that allows you to accept charitable donations, issue […]
When to Push Back Church Launch
by Patrick Bradley: Church planting never goes quite like you think it’s going to. Some things will go better than you’ve imagined. Other things will be harder. A few planters will have to decide whether to push back church launch. What I mean by pushing back launch is punting until […]
When Does a Management Team Win?
By Patrick Bradley: What is the end game for a church plant Management Team? When does a Management Team win? Understanding the Management Team win is important in recruiting team members and in keeping everyone shooting at the same target. You’ll have a Management Team for several years and even […]
4 Reasons You Need a Church Plant Management Team
by Patrick Bradley: A church plant Management Team plays several crucial roles in supporting the planter during the early stages of the new church. Go without a Management Team and you’ll be at risk for the following reasons. If you’re starting a legally autonomous church congregation, you should not be […]
What is a Church Plant Management Team?
By Patrick Bradley: Autonomous church planters should come under the authority of a church plant Management Team. Here’s what a Management Team is: The New Testament makes a strong case for congregations being overseen by a plurality of Elders. But when you’re starting a new church from scratch, you won’t […]
12 Church Sub-Calendars You Need Today
Church sub-calendars are a great way to keep everything organized at your church. Setting them up is relatively easy and it solves the following 3 problems. Whether or not you’re a program-driven church, there are things that happen in the life of your church each year. Keeping them all straight […]