Board training

“What if small churches aren’t a problem to be fixed?” Encouragement for pastors of small churches.

There are opportunities for ministry with a congregation that can fit inside this building that aren't possible in a megachurch. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com
There are opportunities for ministry with a congregation that can fit inside this building that aren’t possible in a megachurch. Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Christianity Today is Introducing “Pivot”. Their comment:

We’re rolling out a new blog with a big mission: to equip and inspire small church pastors.

So much of the literature and resources for local churches is focused on big churches. Built into most of the discussion is the idea that you have to grow. There’s something wrong if you are the same size this year as last year. The larger the attendance, the better the church.

Where does that leave pastors with a flock of 50 or 125 faithfully in the pews each week?

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Tips for churches: Time to get a new credit card reader. A tool for document retention timelines.

If you are using a credit card reader in your church, time to get a new one. A tool to help with setting up timelines for document retention. Also, pastors, please guard your heart.

Guard your heart

To all the dear pastors devoting your life to leading us sheep: Guard your heart.

6/21 – Christianity Today – Tullian Tchividjian Resigns after Admitting ‘Inappropriate Relationship’

Guard your heart. Please.

Get new credit card reader before October 1

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Thoughts on jumping into cloud computing

Bruce Schneier has a series of articles that ponder the risks and rewards of jumping into cloud computing. That is the concept of storing your data and computing power with an on-line service provider.

Some things to consider:

6/10 – Schneier on Security – Should Companies Do Most of Their Computing in the Cloud? (Part 1) – The answer is complicated. The efficiencies and cost savings are real and a major advantage.

On the other hand, there may be legal issues, such as your government creates far higher privacy standards than the country where your data will be stored or another country places severe restrictions on data you store there. (more…)

Jim Ulvog

Brief tax articles for charities

Here are a few articles on my growing backlog of ideas of interest to charities. Quick updates on a variety of topics: general reminders, maintain control over funds sent overseas, FICA taxes on 403(b) contribution, short list of regs impacting a missionary sending church, and cell phones as de minimis fringe benefit.

12/10/14 – Ministry CPA – 5 Reminders about Charitable Contributions – Check out the article for quick summary of: (more…)

Jim Ulvog

Do heavy staffed foundations have better outcomes than lean staffed foundations? Can lean staffed foundations still get the job done?

Writing at Inside Philanthropy, David Callahan follows up on his previous article about the intentionally heavy-staff model used by many legacy foundations.

He asks Can Lean Foundations Do Smart Grantmaking? Here’s a Study That Says “Yes”.

He cites a study by Exponent Philanthropy that surveyed nearly 800 members of the organization. The survey, of people associated with foundations with little or no staff, found that foundations can stay informed, make lots of grants, and produce reasonable returns on the invested funds with very low staffing levels.

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

More good stuff for charities and board members

Articles on warning signs that a charity’s financial processes aren’t working well, the debate on DAFs, and a way-out-there charity.

4/10 – GuideStar – Ten Signs of Financial Trouble for Board Members – If you are on the board of a larger-sized charity, might be helpful to check out this list of warning signs that something is wrong in the financial function. Applies to any charity in New York.

Just a few tidbits:

1.FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS LATE–

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Sometimes there are people actually trying to destroy your pastor. Also, bullies hang out in churches.

Recognizing dysfunctional people who are trying to disrupt your congregation is the first step in healing the hurt.

Peter Chin describes how insulated members of a small group or close-nit bunch of friends learn How to Destroy Your Pastor.

Sometimes it is necessary for a pastor to move on when the pastor isn’t ready to do so. However, and this is a hugely critical however, such a decision must be a corporate decision, not just the opinion of a small group of people who have decided they don’t like the pastor.

I have experiential knowledge of being part of the resistance standing up to a gaggle of people who decided they wanted to drive off a pastor.

Peter Chin describes the dynamics in which a small group can become insular, which creates an echo chamber. The lack of outside feedback reinforces growing misperceptions or biases.

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Price cut on print books

I’ve dropped the prices for the print copies of my books available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes store.

Here is what you can find on-line:

tragedy-cover

 Tragedy of Fraud – Insider Trading Edition

Story of Scott London’s fall from regional audit partner at KPMG to prison inmate because of his insider trading.

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

ECFA provides two books on tax issues for churches and clergy; ‘price’ is just to register at their site

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is graciously making two resources available for the really low price of registering at their website.

I encourage churches and parachurch organizations to seriously consider becoming accredited members of ECFA.

As you ponder doing so, you really ought to register at their site. They provide a variety of information even for those who merely register. If you do that, which already makes sense, then the books free.

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Case study of collapse of Mars Hill, home church of Mark Driscoll. What lessons can you learn?

The people at 15 separate locations that make up Mars Hill are leaving, to stand or fall on their own. Mars Hill is where Mark Driscoll was senior pastor. The corporate ‘parent’ will end its existence in a few weeks, on New Years Day 2015.

The dramatic implosion of the megachurch is the subject of a 3,600 word case study at Leadership Journal: The Painful Lessons of Mars Hill.

The article points us to a very sobering teaching.  In Proverbs 24:32 we read

I applied my heart to what I observed

And learned a lesson from what I saw.

Perhaps we ought to apply ourselves and learn from this rapid collapse. As a far-away observer, this was a fast and unexpected disintegration.

I will only mention a few lessons that jump out at me. I still need to process the article more, so my comments are incomplete and likely confused. Putting my ideas into words pushes me to sort this out.

Please check out the article and ponder it yourself. What can you learn out of this sad event?

What got you here may bring your downfall

(more…)

Jim Ulvog

Free webcast provides overview of ACA for religious organizations

Bit of short notice, but tomorrow (Wednesday 12/31 at 11 am Central) Clifton Larson Allen will provide a free webcast:

Looks like it will be a great survey for small NPOs.

Hat tip to my friend, Tim Murphy (@NonprofitCFO), of CLA for mentioning the course.

 

Jim Ulvog

Succession planning in a local church

Transitioning from one senior pastor to the next is a difficult and dangerous time for a church. I’ve watched a few of my clients walk through the transition. It is always difficult.

Pr. Warren Bird provides a superb introduction to the topic in his article at Christianity Today – How Pastors Are Passing the Leadership Baton.

He starts by quoting Rick Warren: (more…)

Jim Ulvog