BUSINESS:

[1] If at all possible, ALWAYS organize your Ministry as a Church. then other Ministries flow out of that.

Church is NOT a building with SUNDAY "SERVICES" SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHOIRS, NURSERY, BANDS, SINGERS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, CLERGY COUNSELING, TRUSTEES, CORPORATION PAPERS, LIGHTED CANDLES, INCENSE, USHERS, HYMNALS, BULLETINS, and a BIG ORGAN, . . .

Robert Schuller has ALL of these things . . . JESUS CHRIST used NONE of these things!

Which ever one you expect to answer your prayers & want to bless you . . . better PATTERN AFTER HIM!

FACT: A real Church has a 501(c)(3) Status AUTOMATICALLY . . . WITHOUT even APPLYING . . . or even REGISTERING.

FACT: Churches are INSTANTLY considered worthy of Tax Exemption by all levels of Government . . . it is ALL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS who must "Apply for a 501(c)(3)" . . . and be "approved to exist" and "allowed to exist" by Government dictation and declared "worthy of tax Exemption"

[Groups like Red Cross, cancer fund, tree hugger groups, zoos, etc.]

[2] Church Defined is "Two-or-three-believers gathered in Jesus Name" Matt 18

[3] A Church needs an "Obviously Christian Name": A generic, new-age name like 'New Life Fellowship could be anything! A good way to start many Church names is Christ's Church ________________________________

See Eph 3:15 on what a Church should be named

Church Name: Examples: The Church of Jesus Christ at Willow Creek (Bible style used most often)Willow Creek Community, Church of Jesus Christ Christ's Church: (add here some preferred designation here)

[4] A slogan then - [though not required] - can express a major focus, used on literature, etc.

[5] After the name is established a Mission Statement needed: Just One Sentence!

Christ's Great Commission of Matt 28:18-20 has a 2000 year track record and cannot be improved

[6] A Checking account in that EXACT Legal name

[7] A Statement of Faith

The Apostle's Creed also has a 2000 year track record and cannot be improved

[8] The Mayflower Compact - the Legal-&-Lawful Constitution of the Pilgrims - was their Church Constitution back in England.

[9] Bylaws to establish a fiduciary trust: basically that "two-treasurers" receive the money, count the money, sign-off on the offerings, deposits, checks payable and Monthly financial statement, made public to the church and recorded in minutes approved by those present

[10] The Church must be made public: post a sign, brochures, newspaper classified ad, etc.

My Dear Brother!

Thank you for a quick reply.

Please trust me in this matter, I assure you by the blood of Jesus Christ that this is 100% correct, without possibility of error. I grew up with this (my father's business) all of my life, and have helped ministers by the hundreds,

LEGAL FACT-1: In the USA, no one needs a Charter, NOR a 501(c)(3) to start a Church!

(People like the Assemblies give ministers legal charters to give them AUTHORITY over you!)

LEGAL FACT-2: Any American citizen can start a true church in their living room, garage, front porch, basement, or even in a public school, or library - whatever - even in a city park - WITHOUT ANYONE'S PERMISSION, and have IMMEDIATE TAX EXEMPTION as a "non-Profit" ORGANIZATION - (not corporation): This is INSTANT and AUTOMATIC!

LEGAL FACT-3: ** Amazingly, it is the people who start a non-profit Corporation that is NOT a Church who needs the 501(c) (3) . . .groups like Red Cross, "Save the Bears", "Save the Trees", etc.

LEGAL FACT-4: At least for this time, you are FREE to start a dozen different churches if you wish, and receive funds for them all, as LONG as you are not receiving funds completely as fraud . . . such as saying you have a building fund for a new church-house, while spending it on your OWN house. This is the type of thing Jim Bakker of PTL got in trouble for.

LEGAL FACT-5: What ever you or your people give to your Church is AUTOMATICALLY TAX EXEMPT TWO WAYS: . . .ONE for your Church - which doesn't have to file an income tax return like a business does, AND TWO: for your people, who can deduct what they give from their income tax.

LEGAL FACT-6: A Church - as a religion, as a belief system, etc., - IS seen by our government as separate from a Church-house-building. "IF" you want to have a "Church-Building" that is "Property Tax Exempt" the IRS says you must do as follows:

> > put up a sign identifying the property as a Church-house

> > have weekly meetings

> > advertise this publicly in some way (You can print this on the sign out front)

> > IF you do these things - even in your house, basement, garage, etc., you can claim property tax exemption, "IF" the deed OR rent is listed in the same name that is advertised and receiving funds - [a little more involved, but can be done if need be]

*****In general, it is best not to claim "Property Tax Exemption" on one's house unless you do "sign the deed over to the Church, or draw up a rental contract and hold Sunday services there, thus giving up control of your property."

LEGAL FACT-7: However you can claim a "Study", an "Office" and a "Chapel" all in your home and deduct a percentage [based on the actual square footage ] of all utilities, insurances, rent or mortgage, etc.

**LEGAL FACT-8: SALES TAXES - You do need a "Federal ID to not have to pay sales taxes on everything from cars to things for your home.

> I can get this for you in one day if you wish to have one

> You simply show it to each of you local businesses, thy copy it for their files and you save 5-7% on all that you buy!Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have a question.