Resource Materials

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Administrative / Organizational

*Church Constitution & Bylaws

Is your church constitution up-to-date and does it provide necessary legal protections? This will reduce risks and is based on biblical principles. It includes provisions for dealing with conflict, confidentiality, counseling, church discipline, indemnification, tax-exemption, etc.
Revised: 11/11/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

*Developing A Biblical Philosophy of Ministry

A biblical philosophy of ministry is a set of non-negotiable, biblical principles that guides all the choices and decisions in your ministry. Your philosophy of ministry should be drawn from a careful investigation of both the explicit teaching of Scripture and any implicit methodologies which can be gleaned from seeing how ministry occurred in the early Church. When you are able to define your philosophy of ministry in this crucial way, you will not only know why you do what you do, but how to actually do it.
Revised: 01/14/2010

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*How to Keep Minutes

Are minutes of meetings really that important? Learn about the purpose of minutes, the duties of the recording secretary, and the content of minutes. A detailed example of sample minutes is provided.
Revised: 05/03/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Incorporation Guidelines

Should a church incorporate? If so, what is the process? This material will provide all the essential details to step you through the process.
Revised: 06/21/2005

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Internal Audit Checklists

A comprehensive organizational and operational manual covering six key areas: Governance and Legal, Management and Leadership, Finances and Accounting, Personnel, Facilities, and Computer Information Systems. Save hundreds of hours of time, costs, and effort.

For further information click on Frieze Consulting

IRS Publication 557

Tax Exempt Status for your Organization
Click Here to Download

IRS Publication 1828

Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations
Click Here to Download

IRS Publication 3833

Guide to Disaster Relief for Charitable Organizations
Click Here to Download

*Making Wise Decisions

Obviously, not all decisions we make are wise. Learn what the Bible teaches are necessary requirements to make decisions that are wise and bring honor to God.
Revised: 08/07/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Managing a Merger

Here is a handbook on church mergers. There is much to consider in preparing, understanding basic principles, and working through procedures. This material will guide you through the process and provide practical resources.
Revised: 08/07/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Release, Waiver of Legal Liability & Permission Form

There are many events held by churches or organizations, such as children and youth activities, for which a waiver form, also known as a Release of Liability is required. This form can be adapted for your particular needs.
Revised: 02/09/2007

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*The Challenge of Change and the Decision-Making Process

The Church is always confronted with change. Making changes that are biblical is the challenge. Following a biblical decision-making model in the Church is critical in making right choices. This material will help you accomplish that.
Revised: 11/07/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Bible Study Tools

*An Inductive Bible Study Guide

There is a great need for helping believers learn how to study the Bible. This material is comprehensive yet simple to follow and divided into three phases, (1) Investigation: What does the passage say and not say? (2) Interpretation: What does the passage mean? (3) Implementation: How should the truths and principles of the passage be applied? It also includes a list of suggested Bible study tools.
Revised: 01/02/2012

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Church 101

*Biblical Prescriptions for Healing an Ailing Church

Many churches are in poor spiritual health. The symptoms may manifest themselves differently but the prescription is the same. This material provides biblical essentials for a healthy church.
Revised: 06/04/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Options for Struggling Churches

Whether a church is going through leadership change or struggling in some manner, determining its options is challenging. This material suggests ideas and options to help a church determine its direction and future.
Revised: 03/15/2010

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Questions Concerning the Church Today

Most of us would agree that there appears to be some dissatisfaction, discontent and even discouragement with the Church today. There are many unsettling concerns that fill us with questions that beg answers. This material will stimulate and encourage you to reconsider/re-evaluate your thinking about the Church.
Revised: 06/04/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

The Significance Behind the Word "Ekklesia"

Here is a study showing how ekklesia is not just an assembling of God's people, but how a fuller meaning shows what happens when God's people come together. Learn what bearing this word has on church government.

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Conciliation

*Making Peace with God, Yourself, and Others

This material is designed to equip Christians to resolve conflict in a biblically practical step-by-step manner. Those in conflict work through the workbook together. It uses a "guided discussion" approach - asking questions based on specific scripture passages to implement peacemaking with individuals or groups.
Revised: 06/15/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

Family

*Suggested Dating Questions

This material was developed as a result of my personal experience after three years of my wife’s home going and exploring new relationships for a future wife. It covers core questions for personal reflection and questions to consider in a dating relationship in the spiritual, church, personal, family, husband-wife relationships, social, dress, food, domestic, health, emotional, hobbies/leisure, financial, political, children, and sexual areas.
Revised: 10/06/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*The Biblical Role and Responsibilities of a Husband and Wife

What does the Bible teach concerning the role and responsibilities of a husband and wife? Here is clear and concise study that will be helpful for those either contemplating marriage or clarifying a marriage relationship.
Revised: 10/15/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Financial

A Budget Process in Support of Ministry

This article discusses the biblical foundation for a sound budget, a process for formulating a budget, critical factors in giving, and pitfalls to avoid.

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*A Nonprofit Fiduciaries Responsibility to Retain its Tax Exempt Status

The IRS has set in place several regulations for religious nonprofit organizations to maintain their tax-exempt status. The issues addressed in this document pertain to a 501(c) (3) organizations responsibility to demonstrate the control of donated funds.
Revised: 11/15/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Benevolence Fund Policy & Application

This is a sample policy that includes guidelines for providing financial assistance, a form for evaluating benevolence applicants, and a benevolence application.
Revised: 11/02/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Church & Nonprofit Organization Tax & Financial Guide

Covers financial accountability issues, tax-exemption, starting a church or nonprofit organization, maintaining tax-exempt status, reporting as an employer, information reporting requirements, charitable gifts, insurance, employment and other issues.

For further information click on: Zondervan Publishing House

Income Tax Guide

For ministers and religious workers, this resource guide with a "how to" approach is highly recommended. Ministries and ministers should get this every year to keep current with IRS requirements and procedures.

For further information click on: Worth Tax & Financial Services

IRS Publication 526

Charitable Contributions
FREE
Click Here to Download

IRS Publication 1542

Per Diem Rates
FREE
Click Here to Download

IRS Publication 1771

Charitable Contributions - Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements
FREE
Click Here to Download

*Preparing for an Economic Storm without being Fearful

There is much concern about our national and global economy. The Bible tells us how to respond both spiritually and practically. This material provides a spiritual perspective with practical suggestions.
Revised: 03/10/2009

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*The Pastor’s Salary

In most churches, more money is spent on a pastor’s salary than on any other item. That makes clergy compensation the congregation’s number one financial challenge. Here are some practical guidelines for designing a clergy compensation package.
Revised: 11/15/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Suggestions for Handling Church Funds

Some systems of handling money place individuals in a position in which their honesty can be questioned or in which they may be tempted to sin. This material provides some prudent and consistent practices in handling money to maintain a trustful climate.
Revised: 11/15/2008

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Leadership

A Pastor’s Authority

By Ray C. Stedman from the Ray Stedman Library. This article addresses a different model of church leadership from what is normally practiced today which is generally a hierarchical authoritarian position.

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Four Key Characteristics of Godly Leadership

Godly leaders are spiritual servants shepherding a flock as good stewards. This material explains how leaders are to be spiritual, servants, shepherds, and stewards. This is a helpful resource in the training of Godly leaders.
Revised: 08/07/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Give Us Men!

Godly, faithful men are key to leading the church for the glory of God. This material will help in discipling and evaluating biblical leaders. Subjects covered are the qualifications, choice, and appointment of leaders; training, testing, practice, problems, perils, price, and power of leadership. It includes a comprehensive leadership evaluation inventory.
Revised: 08/07/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

*Leadership Authority in the Church

By Paul Benware, Professor of Biblical Studies Division, Philadelphia Biblical University. Paul answers questions such as, "Is it true that obedience to leadership is always required and not to submit is to be in rebellion? When does authority become authoritarianism? What happens when authority is abused?
Revised: 08/07/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Rethinking Authority in the Church

What is the proper biblical view regarding authority in the church? This material gives scriptural clarification of how leaders are to exercise persuasion as opposed to "lording" it over others. It also explains how to "obey" leaders without mindlessly obeying them.
Revised: 02/10/2012

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*The Advisory Committee

This is a suggested option for church leadership development and decision-making in the church. The original intent for establishing an Advisory Committee was to provide a mechanism for new churches that did not have Elder/Deacon Boards or churches that did not have sufficient qualified men to serve as leaders. This model allows for the development of elders/deacons and at the same time train men for leadership. However, the principles of this model can be adapted to existing Elder/Deacon Boards.
Revised: 05/26/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*The Meaning of “The Husband of One Wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2

This paper explores the eight main interpretations of the phrase “husband of one wife” found in 1 Timothy 3:2 as it pertains to elders and deacons. These views are surveyed in order from least to most persuasive. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach is examined. A conclusion is then reached regarding which interpretation is best supported by the biblical data.
Revised: 01/06/2007

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Music

God's Song

What kind of music is acceptable unto the Lord? There are nine chapters that deal with music and worship, what music was designed to accomplish, how music affects us, separating the sensual from the spiritual, and the divine principle of precision.
Revised: 08/06/2006

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Rethinking Music in the Church

Because of the significance of music to the modern Church and because it is, in fact, a controversial and even divisive subject, we need to focus some attention on some key questions concerning music. Where did it come from? What was/is its purpose and function? In its basic characteristics, is it moral, immoral, or amoral? Is there a difference between godly music and worldly music? Can all styles of music be used by the believer for worship or edification? Is there room for a difference of opinion when it comes to different styles and personal preferences? How do we handle that difference of opinion? This material seeks to answer these questions.
Revised: 01/12/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

Outreach / Discipleship

*A Look At The Book

A three lesson evangelistic Bible study on the Proofs, Purpose, and Person of the Bible. This easy to teach material uses the discipleship model. It is ideal for presenting the Gospel while meeting with unbelievers in their homes!
Revised: 07/28/2010

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Foundations for Christian Living

Here is a practical discipleship course for new believers and those who never got systematic help at the beginning of their Christian lives. This 9-10 week course deals with clarifying God’s requirement for heaven, the believer’s unbreakable relationship with God, the believer’s breakable fellowship, and knowing our responsibility, enemies, and friends. It provides practical truths and uses a relational approach to help believers grow in the Lord.
Revised: 10/01/2009

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*God’s Message of Hope – Leader’s Guide

This is a leader’s guide to assist in the use of the God’s Message of Hope DVD. To view the video and for further information visit www.GodsMessageOfHope.com.
Revised: 01/12/2012

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus

This material explains the Bible chronologically from Creation to Christ, beginning with simple truths and moving to the more complex. It lays the foundation of the Gospel with major Old Testament stories, builds upon essential biblical truths in logical manner, and culminates at the Cross and the Resurrection. Consider using the DVD series. You can freely download the book, workbook, teacher's guide, Sunday School lessons, etc. in PDF format. Free audio files are also available.

For further information click on: Goodseed International

*The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus Toolbox

Here is a packet of items to help you prepare and use The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus DVD. It includes: (1) Read Me First – Notes, (2) Suggested Invitation which you can personalize, (3) Suggested Schedule, (4) The Stranger Workbook, and (5) The Last Session Materials.
Revised: 11/24/2009

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Tract: What Do You Believe God Requires Of A Person To Enter Heaven?

Print your own tract – as many as you need when you need them! This 16 page booklet presents a through, biblical presentation of the gospel. It addresses 11 key truths a person must believe to have eternal life. Using MS Word you can personalize this tract with your name, address and phone number.
Revised: 06/22/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

*Tract: Crucial Questions (Avery Business Card #5376)

Here is a non-treating easy to use "business card" type of tract. It engenders interest and directs seekers to www.CrucialQuestions.org where various materials are presented with a gospel emphasis. Print your own whenever you need them!
Revised: 06/16/2010

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Tract: God’s Message of Hope (Avery Business Card #5376)

Similar to the tract above, this “business card” tract directs seekers to www.GodsMessageOfHope.com.
Revised: 09/08/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

*Personalized Labels: God's Message of Hope Business Card Tract

This is a MS Word doc label file for the back of the Business Card Tract. You can personalize the labels with your name, phone number, and email address.
Revised: 06/01/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Video: A Question of Origins

Did the universe and our solar system evolve out of the Big Bang? Can chemical compounds spontaneously evolve in life? Does evolutionism truly explain the great variety of life on Earth? This visually rich production reveals strong evidence that the universe and all life were created by a supernatural being, and that the God of the Bible is that Creator. (Viewing time approximately 60 minutes.)

Click Here to view the video or to place an order.

Video: God’s Message of Hope

This video is about the message of the Bible. Rather than focusing on one part, and missing the whole, this presents the major events of the Bible in chronological order. You will get an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This will answer many questions: How did I get here? What is the meaning of life? How can I realize that meaning of life? Is there hope now and after death? What lies beyond the grave? How can I prepare to die? (Viewing time is 30 minutes.)

Click Here to view the video or to place an order.

Video: The Hope

Is there a source of hope and help for us? Has God revealed a message to the human race? The HOPE is a dramatic motion picture presentation of God’s redemptive story as revealed in 36 Biblical events from Creation through the Second Coming of Christ. You get an overview of the whole Bible and how it all fits together. It includes some of the most beautiful cinematic presentations of the Bible ever filmed. (Viewing time approximately 80 minutes.)

Click Here to view the video or to place an order.

Pastoral Search (Pulpit) Committee

*Searching for a Flock

This is handbook for a pastor seeking a church. Learn how to save time in qualifying and finding a responsive church. Includes material on prospecting, investigating, the interview, sample forms, letters, etc.
Revised: 07/16/2009

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

*Searching for a Shepherd

This how-to manual provides guidelines for pastoral search (pulpit) committees. Learn how to save hours in screening and selecting a qualified pastor for your church. It contains comprehensive material, procedures, forms, sample letters, etc.
Revised: 12/07/2011

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10.00Click Here to Download

Spiritual Growth

*Christian Character Qualities

Character quality definitions to help you learn biblical, godly, Christ-like qualities.
Revised: 10/01/2007

Click Here for additional information.

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

Theology

Selective Salvation

This is an easy to understand study of election and predestination that is intriguing, insightful, and refreshing. Let this comprehensive study help you unravel this complex and confusing subject.
Revised: 02/03/2005

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

The Five Points of Calvinism "Weighed and Found Wanting"

Each of the five points of Calvinism are carefully compared with the clear teaching of God's Word, providing both serious scriptural challenge, as well as correction to the extremes of Calvinism.
Revised: 03/30/2007

Suggested Minimum Donation: $5.00Click Here to Download

______________________________

*Materials written by Steve D. Spacek

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~ Online since 05/20/1996 ~

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