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es worship planning faqs featured find a congregation find a church or other program in your area that will help you continue your relationship with god with jesus or with the elca find a congregation resources resources hub education support for ministry call process resourceful servants the elca foundation augsburg fortress evangelism for current leaders rostered ministers communicators collaborative women of the elca worship planning elca coaching for future leaders elca seminaries colleges universities finance help finance for synods finance for congregations financial information grants scholarships portico benefit services mission investment fund elca federal credit union daily bible reading featured search resources this is the downloadable resources web page of the evangelical lutheran church in america resource library news and stories news news feed living lutheran newsletters publications videos blogs featured resource library this is the downloadable resources web page of the evangelical lutheran church in america discover and learn giving about giving ways to give world hunger where needed most lutheran disaster response featured good gifts elca good gifts offers many ways to honor friends and loved ones with gifts that will make a difference in the world give today events events elca youth gathering churchwide assembly rostered ministers gathering featured rostered ministers gathering all elca rostered ministers are invited to a time of intentional connection when we can renew our strength enjoy camaraderie register new to the elca find a church directory careers newsletters myelca elca good gifts give search en es about the elca church structure congregations congregations operations congregational operations important legal tax employment and misconduct related information and documents for elca leaders who are serving this church in their congregations and synods information and resources legal information the elca does not offer legal advice to elca members congregations pastors or synods general legal resources not advice to elca affiliated individuals and organizations are available here legal resources financial resources information employment forms and various financial documents and reports are available here financial resources sexual misconduct the elca provides detailed information about identifying mitigating and reporting sexual misconduct sexual misconduct financial and legal resources financial resources explore and download legal resources explore and download preferred elca vendor tithe ly preferred elca vendor vanco admin matters read more faith and civic life social statement office of the secretary bylaws and constitutions the office of the secretary provides administrative services and tools for elca leaders who are serving this church in their congregations their synods and the churchwide organization administrative info tax and other legal issues building and property legal issues related to the structure or use of your building things to consider before renting or leasing the church building should our congregation have a written use agreement for occasional use of the property sample building use agreement pdf word renting church property for a cellular tower sample cellular tower lease does your congregation share space with another organization consider separate incorporation renovating a church building zoning and land use issues hiring and caring for employees and volunteers in congregations churches are commonly thought of only as places of worship but it is important to remember that they are also employers with many volunteers here are some employment laws tools and workplace issues for churches to consider hiring and terminations things to consider when hiring new employees screening and hiring employees sample employment application sample background check questions sample employee reference check form sample volunteer application handling terminations other employment issues these additional resources offer practical guidance helping congregations to understand employment laws ensure safe workplaces and prevent discrimination or violence employment laws affecting congregations does my congregation need to put up posters explaining certain laws to the staff how to prevent crime and violence at my congregation prevent discrimination in the workplace religious organizations and tax exempt status the irs recognizes the elca as a 501 c 3 exempt from federal income tax for irs guidance see irs tax information for churches and religious organizations and irs tax guide for churches religious organizations the irs permits a parent organization the elca to establish group ruling tax exempt status for subordinate organizations congregations campus ministries etc for federal income tax purposes to join or obtain documentation for the elca group ruling click here risk management do you have questions about insurance and risk management and want to know how to help protect your church and its assets please refer our risk management resources for further important information additional resources on tax matters information on exemptions from state sales tax and local real estate tax taxation on income from renting church property how political activity can affect a congregation s tax status does my congregation have to file a form 990 with the irs concerns about endorsing third party products and tax status employment tax the difference between an independent contractor and an employee information about tax exemptions for donors tax information for clergy withholding boundaries between church and state the irs may show increased leniency toward churches under the johnson amendment the elca will continue to adhere to and promote the prohibition on partisan campaign activity by churches as was intended by congress more than a half century ago public church status copyright issues though copyright issues usually fall under the mission advancement unit the legal department has some basic information about using copyrighted material available basic information on copyrights and intellectual property keeping it legal copyright laws and the church from the lutheran magazine ethics policies and practices why do we need ethics policies the elca s ethics policies are designed to help people understand fiduciary duties and address conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts ethics policies quick links computer and internet policies this document lays out requirements for those designated to have access to the internet and church technology computer and internet use congregational and synod ethics policy this policy addresses conflicts of interest business ethics not the ethical values or policies of synods or the elca operational ethics good samaritan policy this provides guidance for congregations seeking to provide funds to needy persons in the congregation or community helping hands misconduct prevention sample sample guidelines for establishing a child and youth abuse prevention program prevent sexual misconduct misconduct what is misconduct federal and state laws distinguish among sexual harassment abuse and assault the elca is concerned with all forms of misconduct by rostered ministers or lay leaders regardless of legal definitions any sexual behavior by clergy for personal gratification is a misuse of office and should be reported to the appropriate synod preventing sexual misconduct in congregations all sexual misbehavior by clergy or lay leaders is unacceptable the church must be a safe place to worship learn work love and receive care free from misconduct adopt a written policy ensure that all know it train all adults who work with children and enforce guidelines to protect children youth and the congregation resources create a sexual misconduct prevention policy sample sexual misconduct prevention policy what parishioners can do to understand and prevent clergy sexual abuse where to report clergy sexual misconduct to report misconduct contact kendra stea director of misconduct prevention at 773 380 7142 or by email for assistance and guidance in reporting clergy sexual misconduct within the elca for additional information visit responding to allegations of clergy misconduct called to be a safe place all forms of sexual misbehavior by clergy and lay leaders are unacceptable the church must be a safe place where all people can worship learn work love and receive care free from sexual misconduct responding to a sex offender in a congregation what is an appropriate response to sex offenders an article from lutheran partners reporting misconduct involving minors any suspected sexual contact with a minor must be reported to civil authorities as required by state law synods and congregations should cooperate fully with investigations and ensure immediate safety and care for the affected child or youth reporting child abuse clergy reporting laws reporting misconduct the elca addresses all forms of misconduct by rostered ministers or lay leaders including but not limited to financial or sexual misconduct substance abuse bullying and discrimination to report or discuss a concern contact your synod office or the director for misconduct prevention report misconduct reporting sexual misconduct within the elca sexual misconduct by congregational employees should be reported to the pastor council president or other congregational officers congregations should have clear policies for addressing allegations and should respond with compassion and care to anyone reporting abuse by clergy or lay leaders synod responsibility synods usually handle allegations of clergy sexual abuse ensuring compassionate responses and appropriate discipline synodical policies provide a framework for addressing misconduct supporting those harmed and holding offenders accountable addressing sexual misconduct in our church post incident since its founding the elca has expressed its commitment to preventing sexual abuse and misconduct as people of faith we are called to create and sustain a church that is a safe place for all congregations healing after clergy sexual abuse elca and other resources safe connections parishioner guide to understand and prevent clergy sexual abuse healing in congregations tools for synod and congregational leaders after clergy abuse elca strategy shared learning for synods seminaries congregations and ministries for responding to abuse reducing the risk christian ministry resources dvd guidebook and manual to prevent child sexual abuse safe sanctuaries by joy thornburg melton policy screening and training guidance to reduce child abuse risk reporting sexual misconduct within the elca sexual misconduct by congregational employees should be reported to the pastor council president or other congregational officers congregations should have clear policies for addressing allegations and should respond with compassion and care to anyone reporting abuse by clergy or lay leaders synod responsibility synods usually handle allegations of clergy sexual abuse ensuring compassionate responses and appropriate discipline synodical policies provide a framework for addressing misconduct supporting those harmed and holding offenders accountable addressing sexual misconduct in our church post incident since its founding the elca has expressed its commitment to preventing sexual abuse and misconduct as people of faith we are called to create and sustain a church that is a safe place for all congregations healing after clergy sexual abuse elca and other resources safe connections parishioner guide to understand and prevent clergy sexual abuse healing in congregations tools for synod and congregational leaders after clergy abuse elca strategy shared learning for synods seminaries congregations and ministries for responding to abuse reducing the risk christian ministry resources dvd guidebook and manual to prevent child sexual abuse safe sanctuaries by joy thornburg melton policy screening and training guidance to reduce child abuse risk risk management as a current or prospective insured congregation or synod under the elca endorsed property and liability insurance program underwritten by church mutual insurance company s i you may be interested in how effective risk management may assist your congregation below are links to various web sites and documents to further assist you in protecting your congregation from liability and loss additional resources on the topic of risk management and insurance are available on the drop down menu on the right or the risk management downloadable resource page to learn more about the elca endorsed program with church mutual please visit the elca resource on the program or the church mutual brochure in times of tragedy or crisis the american red cross touches the lives of those in need whether it be emergencies tornadoes hurricanes or earthquakes the american red cross disaster preparedness app suite offers essential information on what to do before during and after an emergency temperature and water sensor program for eligible church mutual insureds church mutual offers free temperature and water sensors and 24 7 monitoring that alert you to take action and protect your church building from the damages and disruption caused by frozen pipes as well as from power outages learn more church mutual makes all its safety resources available to all elca congregations risk management resources church mutual safety resources 10 essentials of winter outing safety 10 essentials of youth outing safety armed intruder background screening child and youth sexual abuse prevention copper theft prevention crime prevention emergency preparedness fire prevention food safety mission trips playground safety safety resources for camps safety resources for houses of worship sanctuary congregations helpful tips self inspection safety checklist for worship centers summer outing safety swimmer and water safety transportation weather risks wildfire assistance and resources workforce management workplace safety other risk management and loss prevention resources managing risks first steps in identifying congregational liability by richard b couser copyright c 1993 augsburg fortress used by permission our stewardship managing our assets by john l golv our staff building our human resources by trish holford congregation leader series of augsburg fortress publishers disaster preparedness active shooter event quick reference guide active shooter study quick reference guide congregational disaster preparedness guidebook from lutheran disaster response disaster plans work disaster preparation fema resources security procedures in the workplace staying safe in church securing soft targets and crowded spaces workplace violence report protecting the congregation s financial assets guidelines for purchasing insurance eleven things i have learned from dealing with embezzlement lessons from a synod bi...