15 Things Richard Hammar Wants Pastors to Know

Insights to help you successfully navigate the complexities of church administration.

Your training to serve as a pastor prepared you to write sermons and guide the spiritual life of a congregation. But what about the administrative side of ministry? Attorney and CPA Richard R. Hammar knows only too well that pastors struggle with budgeting, understanding housing allowances, or running a business meeting.

In his 30-plus years of working with churches, he’s discovered 15 areas that frequently trip up new, and seasoned, pastors. Below are short reads on each topic to give you an overview and then links to in-depth articles for greater insight.

Governing Documents

Understand the importance of church constitution and bylaws.

Richard R. Hammar

Parliamentary Procedure

Learn the basics of running church meetings.

Richard R. Hammar

Church Insurance

Determine if your church has the right insurance.

Richard R. Hammar

Child Abuse Reporting

Learn what it means to be a mandatory reporter and state-by-state reporting requirements.

Richard R. Hammar

Incorporation

Learn the fundamentals of incorporating a church and how it affects church governance.

Richard R. Hammar

Clergy-Penitent Privilege

Learn what statements or conversations are considered “privileged.”

Richard R. Hammar

Accountable Reimbursement Arrangements

Review the four specific requirements for business expense reimbursements.

Richard R. Hammar

Ministerial Exception

The law doesn’t always protect pastors from employment discrimination.

Richard R. Hammar

Housing Allowances

Understand how to properly set this significant pastoral benefit.

Richard R. Hammar

Taxable Income

Correctly report tax liability with this helpful reference guide.

Richard R. Hammar

Public Accommodations Laws

Understand how discrimination laws affect which outside groups can use church facilities.

Richard R. Hammar

Excess Benefit Transactions

Learn what common practices may expose senior pastors to substantial excise tax.

Richard R. Hammar

Inspection of Church Records

Know when to say “yes” to a request to view confidential information.

Richard R. Hammar

Embezzlement Prevention

Implement an effective system of internal control.

Richard R. Hammar

15 Things Richard Hammar Wants Pastors to Know

On-Demand Webinar: Attorney Richard R. Hammar identifies 15 topics that frequently trip up pastors and church administrators.

Richard R. Hammar

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