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Church Finance Insights

Plain-language help for pastors, treasurers, and church finance teams. Bookkeeping, payroll, giving, tax compliance, and stewardship, written by CPAs and ministry practitioners who serve churches every day.

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Most read:How to Count and Record Church Offerings

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Three Kinds of Donations in Your Church: Unrestricted, Designated, and Restricted

Every donation your church or ministry receives is unrestricted, designated, or restricted. Here is what each one means, who decides how it is used, and how to handle three common situations.

Giving

7 min read

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Stewardship & Governance

September 15, 2026

A Better Way to Spend

Personal card reimbursements and debit cards quietly create risk and busywork. Here is how churches handle spending, worst to best, and where we land.

Are Your Financials Bank-Ready?

Solid financials and bank-ready financials are not the same thing. Here is what lenders look for, why P&L transfers trip them up, and how to get ready before you apply.

9 min read

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4 Questions to Ask Before Giving to a Church or Ministry

Stewardship & Governance

August 1, 2026

4 Questions to Ask Before Giving to a Church or Ministry

Christians are called to give generously and with wisdom. Before you support a ministry financially, here are four questions that will help you give with both open hands and clear eyes.

7 min read

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Can We Route Donations Through the Church for a Tax Deduction?

Stewardship & Governance

June 1, 2026

Can We Route Donations Through the Church for a Tax Deduction?

When a donor earmarks a gift for a specific person, the IRS treats it as a personal gift, not a deductible contribution. Here is what church leaders need to know about passthrough giving and the one narrow exception worth noting.

6 Ways to Minimize Fraud in Your Ministry

Church fraud is more common than most leaders expect. Nearly one-third of churches have experienced some form of financial misconduct. These six practices should be in place from day one.

Payroll and Employee Setup Guide for Churches and Nonprofits

A few decisions made at the start of a new hire can protect your church from wage, tax, and compliance liability down the road. Here is everything you need to know.

Does Your Church Have a Clear Expense Policy?

A sample ministry expense and reimbursement policy plus a stewardship health check to help your team find gaps in documentation before they become problems.

10 Things Every Minister Needs to Know About Taxes

Ministers are taxed differently from every other employee. These ten things will help your pastor and finance team navigate ministerial taxation with confidence.

9 Finance Questions Every Church Planter Must Answer

Most church planters are motivated by Gospel ministry, not financial administration. But the administrative structures you put in place early will either support your growth or slow it down. Here is the checklist that puts the most important tasks on your radar.

Is Church Giving Tax-Deductible?

Not always. When a donor designates a gift for a specific person rather than the church's exempt purpose, it loses its deductible status entirely. Here is what the IRS says and how to guide your congregation.

Your Church 1099 Filing Guide: 5 Best Practices for a Stress-Free Season

The 1099 threshold rises to $2,000 for payments made in 2026. Here is what changes for churches and the habits that make every filing season simple.

Minister Housing Allowance: What Your Church Must Do Every Year

The IRS has an entire department dedicated to minister tax compliance, and housing allowance is the number one item they audit. Here is the annual process every church needs to follow.

How to Count and Record Church Offerings

Who collects the offering, who counts it, and how does offline giving connect with your online platform? A practical guide to administering your church's offerings with integrity and accuracy.

7 min read

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