Compliance & Risk
Governance discipline, without the guesswork.
Administrative readiness for the rules, records, and responsibilities every church carries, with specialist referrals when legal or tax advice is required.
Services
Compliance & governance services
Corporate Structure, Governance & Decision Rights
Understand how your church is constituted, directed, and controlled.
- Inventory of articles, bylaws, minutes & policies
- Clear roles for board, officers, pastor & signers
- Board agenda and minutes templates, governance calendar
- Conflict-of-interest and related-party policies
Possible deliverables: Governance gap report, responsibility matrix, policy drafts for professional review.
Bylaw revisions and incorporation matters are coordinated with qualified legal counsel.
Tax-Exempt Status & Regulatory Readiness
Clarify filing, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations.
- Review of entity status, registrations & exemption records
- Church versus independent 501(c)(3) obligations screening
- Annual compliance calendar
- Record retention and donor acknowledgment policies
Possible deliverables: Requirements checklist, documentation inventory, compliance calendar.
Tax and legal filings are handled with qualified tax and legal professionals.
Clergy & Staff Compensation and Payroll Systems
Evaluate total cost, authorization, and documentation.
- Compensation inventory: salary, housing, benefits, retirement
- Board approval process and documentation
- Position descriptions and payroll workflow
- Payroll affordability within normal operating revenue
Possible deliverables: Compensation worksheet, payroll-process map, approval templates.
Clergy tax treatment and employment classification are coordinated with qualified specialists.
Pastor Succession & Continuity
Plan for leadership transitions before a crisis arises.
- Pastor and spouse benefit inventory
- Emergency succession, bank access & signatories
- Parsonage, housing & benefits continuation questions
- Continuity plan aligned with governing documents
Possible deliverables: Succession readiness checklist, continuity action plan.
Risk, Insurance, Safety & Internal Controls
Reduce avoidable losses and protect vulnerable people.
- Risk inventory across finances, facilities & data
- Segregation of duties and fraud prevention
- Child and youth protection, volunteer screening
- Insurance needs discussion with licensed agents
Possible deliverables: Risk register, control matrix, insurance discussion checklist, continuity plan.
“Compliance” here means administrative readiness. Church In Order does not provide legal advice, tax representation, or certification of compliance; those matters are referred to qualified attorneys, CPAs, and other licensed professionals.
Next step
Ready to get your church in order?
Request an assessment and we’ll schedule a general consultation to talk through where your church is and what matters most.