Pastor Gets Rude Awakening

8/22/2018

I had some free time on my calendar and decided to attend a Church with which I had early ministry connections. The Pastor had received several invitations to attend a Church Management Conference in his area, but felt IRS compliance issues were really not a factor for small Churches.

After a few moments of reminiscing of days gone by, he turned the topic to our business of Church Management. He stated that he had received our brochures and invitations, but since he was a small Church he assumed (wrongly of course) that the IRS didn’t waste their time or resources auditing small Churches. When I informed Pastor Renault that his thoughts were far from the truth and in reality, the IRS really had closed more small churches and sent more Pastors of small congregations to prison than those of larger or mega churches.

Pastor then brought the conversation to a close with these words, “Well, we still don’t have to worry—I know we are doing nothing illegal.”

People (Pastors) Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge

As Service began, it didn’t take long for my trained eye to recognize areas which will cause major trouble for my friend and his Church. During the offering I immediately spotted three illegalities. By the time service was dismissed, I counted two more. If these things are done in an open forum for all to see, what else is done that is illegal that is not seen by the public?

As I shook my Pastor friend’s hand to bid farewell, I told him (away from earshot of others) that his Church had some serious legal issues and if the IRS walked in he and his board would probably get some prison time in addition to hefty fines which would probably result in the Church property being confiscated and sold.

Had He Attended

Had Pastor Renault attended the Conferences to which he had been invited he would have received valuable knowledge concerning that which may or may not be done during and with offerings.

In addition, he would have learned many of the IRS regulations which govern churches and non-profits.

Wasted Time May Prove to be Costly Time

He didn’t want to speak of retaining us while people were exiting the Church, but asked when the next Conference would be in his area. When I told him it may be a year or two before we have a chance to return his countenance sank.

Looking behind me as I walked out, I could see the anxiety on his face and even heard someone ask him: “What’s wrong?” I never heard his answer to their question. Pastor Renault and countless others think they and their Church are okay until it is too late. Once it is too late Pastors and Churches incur huge financial penalties and in many instances face criminal indictment.

Even if your Church was legally perfect, it is still worth attending our nearest Conference for peace of mind. The old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is still true today.

I pray for Pastor Renault and hope he can get this fixed soon. He didn’t know he was doing anything illegal. Unfortunately, when standing before a Federal Judge, he will be reminded that ignorance is no excuse.

This Is Why You Need Us!

Chitwood & Chitwood is the premier Church Growth, Management, and Compliance firm in the nation. For more than 79 years we have provided Management and Compliance oversight to thousands of Churches nationwide. At our Church Management Conferences across this nation, we teach that which every Pastor and Church Leader should be aware.

For those we represent, we ensure their Churches are maintained in full IRS compliance and litigate on their behalf involving any IRS questions or concerns.

It is imperative that every Pastor and Church Leader attend the next available seminar—even if it requires hours of travel to the venue location. Every day you procrastinate your attendance to one of these seminars possibly places you under the IRS microscope.

To attend the next conference, please call our office at 800-344-0076! Get compliant or you may very well be a statistic.

Our firm will fix whatever is wrong and fight on your behalf. Act Now!

By Dr. Michael Chitwood

What You Will Learn at our Conferences

Our Church Management Conferences will arm you with the information you must have to shield your Church or Ministry from IRS intrusiveness; teach you how to get your Taxes to the lowest possible rate; and daily operate your Church or Ministry within IRS acceptable guidelines.

Our Conferences have been taught across the Nation for over 48 years. Because of the Penalties, Fines, and even Imprisonment that the IRS imposed on many Churches and Pastors, Dr. Chitwood felt led by the Holy Spirit to become a buffer between Churches, Ministers, and the IRS.