Church Financial Disclosure: Help!

[ILG]

Churches should be open about finances. You should have the right to ask questions. In some places simply asking a question will label you a troublemaker. If that happens, you may want to consider attending another church.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by keith4him

If it affliated it has to have bylaws and they have to be in accordance with the UPCI.

If the Pastor is not wanting to have a fincancial meeting or give a outline of how the money is used, then go to him alone (give him the benefit of the doubt) if you are not satisifed then take one elder along ( then if you questions are not answered) then go to the local presbyter.

That is the bible way (Matthew 18), don't use your questions to spread discontent and destroy that local body.

I am trying to stop discontent. But I need to know for sure.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

I am trying to stop discontent. But I need to know for sure.

Direct people to talk to the pastor directly, then tell them what I shared here.

But above all else, bathe everything in prayer.

[josh]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

Can someone give me information on church financial disclosure?

Does a church have to have business meetings or financial statements presented?

If not required by law, do UPCI affiliated churches fall under a minimum requirement to disclose financial activity to members of a church.

If the church is incorporated, most states require that the church hold a meeting with the corporate board once a year and have that board review the financials. That is what we do.

Outside of that, it is governed by the church by-laws. I'm not sure what the IRS requires about an annual meeting...we do it so I've never checked that out. I would assume they require an annual business meeting as well. If you have a corporate board, or a church board, that meeting would be sufficient. Many non-profit organizations are far too big to have an annual business meeting of all members. The representatives would be sufficient.

We don't do a full financial disclosure to the whole church...that is for our corporate board to handle. If anyone has any questions, they are free to ask. We have an accountant that prepares our financials for official review for our bank, etc. That is what the members would see if they ask.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by ILG

Churches should be open about finances. You should have the right to ask questions. In some places simply asking a question will label you a troublemaker. If that happens, you may want to consider attending another church.

There is no problem here with my pastor or questioning his handeling of moneys. I just want to know what the rules are.

1) I don't think our church has bylaws except those of the UPCI. So I am trying to find the UPC standard bylaws if there is such a thing.

2) I want to know who can view the financial statement and who can not.

3) I just found out that our church was affiliated. This blew my mind. The board members didn't even know.

[StillStanding]

At Christ Chruch, we have an annual business meeting where financials are passed out to those in attendance. All salaries are combined into one account so nobody knows how much all employees are making. The church hires a CPA firm to audit the books and give a report of the financial position of the church.