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Clarifying Financial Terms for Better Stewardship In the realm of church finances, understanding the differences between restricted and designated funds is essential for effective stewardship and transparency. Undesignated Funds Undesignated funds are resources that have not been restricted by the donor nor designated for a specific purpose by the governing board or council. These funds offer the greatest flexibility as they can be used for any purpose deemed necessary by the church. This allows the church leadership to allocate resources where they are most needed, be it for operating expenses, outreach programs, or unexpected costs. Board Designated Funds Board designated funds, while not restricted by donors, are set aside by the church's governing board or council for a specific purpose. These funds still offer a degree of flexibility, as the board can reallocate them back to undesignated funds at its discretion. This type of fund allows the church to earmark resources for particular projects or initiatives while retaining the ability to respond to changing needs and priorities. Types and Definitions of Restricted Funds Donor Restricted Funds Donor restricted funds are resources that come with specific stipulations from the donor regarding their use. These restrictions must be honored as part of the church's commitment to transparency and trustworthiness. There are two main types of donor restricted funds: Permanently Restricted Funds. These funds are contributed with the requirement that the principal balance remains intact, often referred to as an endowment. The income generated from the principal can be used for purposes identified by the donor, and the rate of distribution may also be specified by the donor. This ensures a lasting legacy and ongoing support for the donor's chosen cause or initiative. Donor Restricted Funds for a Specific Purpose. In these cases, both the principal and the income generated are to be used for a specific purpose as directed by the donor. These funds are essential for targeted ministry efforts and projects, allowing donors to have a direct impact on areas they are passionate about. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure that church leaders manage financial resources effectively, honoring the intentions of donors while maintaining the flexibility to address the church's evolving needs. By clearly differentiating between restricted and designated funds, United Methodist Churches can foster greater transparency, accountability, and stewardship in their financial practices. Related Resource: The Discipleship Ministries article “Be Cautious with Designated and Restricted Gifts”  reminds churches that while these gifts can support meaningful ministry, they can also create challenges if not carefully managed. Over-reliance on restricted funds may limit flexibility, add administrative burden, and weaken support for the general budget. Clear policies and open communication with donors help ensure that generosity strengthens—not constrains—the mission of the church. Read the full article → For more information, contact us at ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org  or 615.369.2395. Let’s work together to ensure your ministry’s financial foundation is sustainable and your future is secure.

Nashville, TN –  The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church has officially launched the search for its next General Secretary, the chief executive officer responsible for guiding the agency’s mission of resourcing the denomination through faithful stewardship, trusted administration, and professional service. This leadership position is pivotal in ensuring the continued support of The United Methodist Church’s worldwide ministries, overseeing vital functions such as finance, legal services, human resources, data governance, information technology, and shared services for general agencies, annual conferences, local churches, and other UMC affiliated organizations. The GCFA Board of Directors has engaged Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) to lead the executive search. Applications are now being accepted through DSG Global’s platform at: https://www.dsgco.com/search/22301-gcfa-general-secretary/ Bishop David Graves, President of the GCFA Board, emphasized the importance of this search, “The role of General Secretary is vital to the mission and effectiveness of our Church’s connectional ministries. We are prayerfully seeking a leader who embodies both faithful service and administrative excellence; someone who can guide GCFA in resourcing the Church for its future witness. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the denomination and our ministries around the world.” The successful candidate will succeed Rev. Moses Kumar, who has faithfully served in this role since 2008. In keeping with  The Book of Discipline , the new General Secretary will lead GCFA in its work of stewardship and service, resourcing the ministries of The United Methodist Church worldwide. The chosen candidate will begin work in spring of 2026. All questions or comments can be emailed to DSG Global at GCFAGeneralSecretary@divsearch.com .

Welcome to the inaugural resource of our series on revitalizing ministries in the wake of recent challenges. Stay tuned for more! Property 1. Inventory: The value of your business personal property should be reviewed to ensure that your coverage is adequate but not overstated. Are there any high-value items that are no longer in place or would not be replaced that are still included in your values? This should be reviewed annually. 2. Property used offsite: Do you have any property that you use offsite? If you have audio equipment that is used for events outside of the church you may need an inland marine policy to cover it while in use. 3. Building: You should have your building’s replacement cost valued every three years. Insure your property to the true replacement cost.                i.     Undervaluing your building can lead to coinsurance penalties.                ii.     It can also leave you with a shortfall in the event of a total loss. Are you in the right space? If your building is too large for your congregation or not in use for a significant part of the week you have some options:                i.     Share space with third parties.                 ii.     Consider downsizing.                 iii.     Merge with another congregation. Review your deductibles.                 i.     Increasing the deductible can lead to a reduction in premium.                 ii.     Don’t take on more risk than your budget permits. 4. Financial Risk Make sure your treasurer and others involved in the church’s financial management are bonded. It provides extra coverage that standard crime coverage may not provide. Review your cyber exposure. Many policies now include some limited coverage. Review this with your agent to determine if additional coverage is needed to protect your church’s assets. 5. Be aware of any coverage exclusions or sublimits in the policy. The best coverage is an all-risk policy with coverage for everything but losses that are expressly excluded. Liability 1. Churches frequently rely on agents with no experience covering houses of worship or cut corners on liability to save money. 2. Cheap coverage can be very expensive. Policies designed for for-profit organizations aren’t going to include coverage for sexual misconduct and pastoral counseling. 3. There are other key coverages included in the General Council on Finance and Administration’s recommended coverage standards: Directors and Officers Employment practices liability Umbrella or excess liability 4. Hired and non-owed automobile liability is a coverage that is hard to imagine does not apply to your church. Any employee or volunteer using their personal vehicle for church-related activities creates an exposure for your church. Make sure it’s included in your policy. 5. Workers compensation coverage. If your church has even one employee, this is a coverage you must have. You should also seek coverage for volunteers. This coverage greatly reduces exposure to civil suits for work-related injuries and illness. It provides medical coverage for injuries and illnesses with no deductible. It also provides partial income replacement. 6. Automobile liability insurance should be provided for any vehicles that the church owns. Limits for liability should be at least $1,000,000. Make sure that all drivers are qualified, that motor vehicle records are reviewed, that vehicles are properly maintained, and that all drivers know what to do in the event of an accident. 7. Employee benefits liability coverage should be purchased if your church administers any heath, life, or accident benefits. It’s not required if you don’t provide these benefits or if a third party administers them for you. Record keeping   1.     It is very useful to have a picture or video record of your assets. 2.     Insurance policies should be kept in a secure location or backed up, if in digital format. Never discard your policies. 3.     Updates to the building and all major building systems should be recorded and provided with every insurance renewal or request for coverage. 4.     All background checks, training, and retraining records should be kept in a secure location accessible only to those who need them to do their job. 5.     Maintain all records in a secure location known to everyone involved in the church’s administration. 6.     Have a transition plan in place so that new trustees, treasurers, etc. know the procedures and have the information they will need to do their job. Buying Insurance   1.     Hire an agent with experience in placing coverage for churches. 2.     UMIP’s agent has 60 years of experience placing coverage for churches. 3.     Always purchase a form that takes your church’s exposure into consideration. 4.     Comply as closely as possible to the General Council on Finance and Administration’s recommended coverage standards. 5.     Pay close attention to your need for the following coverages: Sexual misconduct Pastoral counseling Employment practices liability Directors and officers Workers compensation Hired and non-owned auto liability 6.     Refer to UMIP’s insurance buying guide for more information. Special thanks to United Methodist Insurance (UMIP) for their contribution to the first installment of our RightSize Your Ministry series. Stay tuned for more resources and insights, coming soon to  GCFA.org !

Ministry dollars are crucial, and as funds are allocated to meet current needs, staff changes sometimes occur that can affect ministry culture. During these transitions, Human Resource (HR) departments serve as a crucial bridge between employees and leadership. As the key players in attracting and hiring staff, HR departments also oversee training, onboarding and offboarding, and creating administrative procedures to support employees. Here are some key areas of HR and strategies to improve them during times of change:  Recruitment and Selection Improving recruitment and selection processes is essential for attracting and hiring the right talent for an organization. Below are some strategies to enhance these areas:   Improve Job Descriptions to Attract Suitable Candidates Use clear and concise language to describe job responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations. Highlight the company culture, values, and benefits to attract candidates who align with the organization’s mission. Incorporate relevant keywords to enhance visibility in online job searches. Regularly review and update job descriptions to reflect changes in the role or organizational needs.   2.   Implement Competency-Based Interviews to Assess Skills Effectively Identify key competencies essential for success in the role and create interview questions that address these competencies. Train interviewers on how to conduct competency-based interviews effectively, ensuring consistency and fairness in the evaluation process. Provide the interview committee with scoring guides or rubrics to evaluate candidates objectively based on predetermined criteria. Gather feedback from interviewers and candidates to continually refine and improve the interview process.   3.     Utilize Technology for Efficient Candidate Screening and Selection Processes Use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline the recruitment process, from posting job openings to managing candidate applications. Use video interviewing platforms to conduct initial screenings, saving time and resources for both candidates and the hiring committee. Ensure that technology tools used in the recruitment process comply with data privacy regulations and promote fairness and diversity in candidate selection.   4.     Employee Onboarding Develop a comprehensive onboarding program to integrate new hires smoothly into the organization. This should include an introduction to the company culture, policies, procedures, and job-specific training.   5.     Employee Engagement Conduct regular surveys to gather feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and identify areas for improvement. Implement recognition programs to acknowledge employee contributions to boost morale and motivation. Encourage open communication and create opportunities for employees to share their thoughts and concerns.   6.     Training and Development Conduct skills assessments and performance evaluations to identify potential skill gaps. Provide opportunities for mentoring, coaching, and job training to allow employees to expand their skills and advance their careers. Utilize e-learning platforms for flexible and accessible training options.   7.     Performance Management   Set clearly defined performance expectations and goals. Provide regular feedback and coaching to help employees understand their performance and areas for improvement. Use performance appraisal systems that are objective, transparent, and tied to rewards and recognition.   8.     Employee Relations   Establish effective grievance handling procedures to ensure that employee concerns are addressed promptly and fairly. Foster a positive work environment through team-building activities, recognition programs, and transparent communication, creating a sense of belonging and loyalty. Promote diversity and inclusion initiatives to cultivate a culture of respect, fairness, and equal opportunity for all employees.   9.     Compensation and Benefits Conduct regular market surveys to ensure compensation packages remain competitive. Offer a comprehensive benefits package that meets the diverse needs of employees, including healthcare, retirement plans, and wellness programs, to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Implement performance-based incentive programs to recognize and motivate high performers to excel.   10.  HR Information Systems (HRIS) Invest in modern HRIS platforms to automate administrative tasks, streamline HR processes, and improve data accuracy. Provide training to HR staff to ensure they can effectively utilize HRIS tools to support organizational objectives. Implement data security measures to protect sensitive employee information and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.   11.  Compliance and Legal Issues Stay updated on labor laws and regulations to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance. Conduct regular audits to identify any compliance gaps and opportunities for improvement. Provide training to HR staff and managers on legal requirements and best practices to minimize legal liabilities.   12.  Workforce Planning and Talent Management Develop succession planning strategies to identify high-potential employees and prepare them for future leadership roles. Analyze workforce trends to anticipate future talent needs and develop recruitment and retention strategies accordingly. Implement talent development programs, such as leadership training and career pathing to attract and retain top talent and strengthen the organization’s bench strength.   Improving these areas requires a combination of strategic planning, effective communication, investment in technology and training, and a commitment to creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported. Regular evaluation and adaptation of HR practices are also essential to meet the evolving needs of the organization and its employees.   Does your ministry need to improve its HR practices and processes but not sure where to start? UMC Support’s HR Team offers a variety of HR services to organizations within the UMC Connection. Contact us today at ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org for more information!

Right Size Your Ministry Budget In the wake of membership decline or disaffiliation, some church ministries are faced with the challenge of reevaluating their budgets to ensure sustainability while remaining effective in their mission. Here are some concrete steps that ministries can take to right-size their budgets, focusing on both expense reduction and revenue enhancement strategies.    1. Assess Your Current Financial Situation  The first step in right-sizing your church ministry budget is to thoroughly assess your current financial situation. This involves examining both your expenses and revenue streams over the past few years. Analyze your financial records, budgets, and trends to gain a clear understanding of where your ministry stands financially. This can include cleaning your membership rolls.     2. Prioritize Core Ministries and Programs  Identify the core ministries and programs that align with your church's mission and values. These are the essential components of your ministry that must be preserved and prioritized. Consider conducting surveys or seeking input from your congregation to ensure you are focusing on what matters most to them.    3. Streamline Non-Essential Expenses  To reduce expenses without compromising your core ministries, consider these cost-saving strategies:  a. Staffing: Evaluate your staffing needs and explore options like part-time positions, shared staff between ministries, or volunteers for certain roles.    b. Facilities: Assess your facility costs, including maintenance, utilities, and rental spaces. Look for ways to reduce these expenses, such as optimizing space usage or sharing facilities with other organizations.    c. Administrative Costs: Review administrative expenses like office supplies, software subscriptions, and printing costs. Eliminate unnecessary expenses and seek cost-effective alternatives.    d. Programs and Events: Scale back or temporarily suspend programs and events that have high associated costs but low impact or participation.    4. Explore New Revenue Streams  To compensate for the loss in membership and revenue, consider innovative ways to enhance your ministry's financial stability:  a. Online Giving: Embrace online giving platforms and encourage your congregation to use digital payment methods to make contributions.    b. Fundraising Initiatives: Organize fundraising events, campaigns, or crowdfunding efforts to engage both your congregation and the wider community in supporting your ministry financially.    c. Grant Opportunities: Research grant opportunities from foundations and organizations that align with your ministry's mission and apply for grants to fund specific projects or initiatives.    d. Income-Generating Activities: Explore income-generating activities such as hosting community events, renting out facilities, or selling merchandise related to your ministry.    5. Communicate Transparently  During times of crisis, it's crucial to maintain open and transparent communication with your congregation. Share your budgetary challenges, the steps you are taking to address them, and the reasons behind your decisions. Encourage input and feedback from your congregation, and foster a sense of unity in facing these challenges together.    Additionally, for ministries seeking to explore new avenues of funding and boost their financial stability, we invite you to check out our  Non-Traditional Revenue Kit . Whether you're looking to host community events, establish new partnerships, or engage in innovative fundraising initiatives, this kit will help your church diversify its revenue streams and begin thinking creatively. View our Non-Traditional Revenue Kit today to discover new possibilities for financial sustainability and growth in your ministry!    6. Seek Professional Advice  Consider consulting with financial advisors, accountants, or consultants who specialize in nonprofit organizations. They can provide expert guidance on budget management, financial planning, and strategies for long-term sustainability.    7. Monitor and Adjust  After implementing budgetary changes, closely monitor your financial performance. Regularly review your budget against actual expenses and revenues to ensure you remain on track. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as needed to adapt to changing circumstances.    Conclusion  Right-sizing your church ministry budget after a crisis like the United Methodist Church disaffiliation and membership loss is a challenging but necessary task. By assessing your financial situation, prioritizing core ministries, streamlining non-essential expenses, exploring new revenue streams, communicating transparently, seeking professional advice, and monitoring your progress, your ministry can navigate these difficult times while remaining effective in fulfilling its mission. Remember that adaptability and unity within your congregation will be key to overcoming these challenges and building a sustainable future for your ministry.  For more information on how we can support your ministry through finance, click here .

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 2:00 – 3:00 PM Central Time   Join us as we hear from ministry leaders with experience facilitating  Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being  in their community! Learn helpful tips and techniques on implementing  Saving Grace —a money management tool with a biblical perspective based on Wesleyan theology—in your local church. Rev. Mark Bray , senior pastor at Pineville UMC in Louisiana Jill Gaynor , lay member of Reveille UMC in Virginia  Cary James, Jr. , assistant director at Mid-Atlantic UM Foundation Ashley Pondoff , wellness director at The Gathering, a multi-site UMC in Missouri Rev. Tiffanie Postell , senior pastor at Hartzell Mt. Zion UMC in Louisiana Jeff Vanderhoff , senior pastor at Trinity UMC in Western Pennsylvania  This session will be recorded and made available for later viewing.

Having a church budget is a necessity to keep the doors open and the lights on, but a church budget should also help accomplish the goals of your ministry. Before starting with numbers and pen to paper, start with your vision. Vision What is the Vision of your congregation? What work has God been calling your church to do? This will help if you have to make tough resource decisions regarding programs or ministries. You will need to know how additional or fewer resources may affect each area. Identify specific goals Involve ministry work areas in determining the priorities and budget needs Once your vision is in place, and you have a clear understanding of missional priorities, look at both income and expenses. Income What is your congregation’s income? What are the sources? Do your sources align with your church’s values? Establish a reliable income projection considering the following: Prior years/history Growth projections Economic conditions Significant events or unusual circumstances/changes Expenses What are your congregation’s expenses? Are they based on your vision and mission? How do they help you achieve the church’s goals? Build a budget with details - Provides greater insight/transparency to the budget. If expenses are higher than projected revenue, review and make changes to areas that least impact your vision and goals. If revenue is higher than expenses – Determine what ministry/mission is most in need of additional funding or put into reserves for future needs. Communicating the Budget & Actual Results Good communication of a budget is critical. Once your budget is in place, provide regular updates via the Treasurer’s Report and a report from the Finance Chairperson. But remember, financial reports need to be clear and accurate but don’t emphasize the numbers only. Tell how your congregation’s giving has impacted lives!

We recommend that you thoroughly review our Copyright Guidelines for Churches page first to have an understanding of the U.S. Copyright Law and how it pertains to your church before reviewing the licensing options here. It's important to remember that this shouldn't be considered as legal advice. Church Copyright Licensing Overview There are essential licenses that fit most churches' use of copyrighted materials. However, several supplemental licenses exist that grant permission for more specific services such as rehearsals, live streaming, podcasts, videos, and video clips. As mentioned on our Copyright Guidelines for Churches articles, it is essential to note that if your church obtains permission to use copyrighted material for one activity or exclusive right, it doesn't mean you have permission with that same license for another exclusive right. For example, for musical works, it is essential to remember that you will need a license to both the musical composition (the music notes on the page) and the lyrics. Not all licenses provide permission for both. As you will see below, there are basic licensing options available that may grant the necessary permissions to cover all your church's activities and needs. But it is vital that you thoroughly understand all six exclusive rights – reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, display, recording – the license includes and how each right included in the license applies to your church's activities to avoid unintentional copyright infringement. For instance, most basic church licenses do not have permission to livestream; you would need to purchase an additional license on top of the underlying license for consent to live stream copyrighted material. Most licensing companies require purchasing a basic license package before you can obtain the license to livestream. Additionally, when a license is purchased, you typically have access to a catalog of songs included in that particular license. You should always confirm that the songs your church wants to use are included with the license before using. If they are not, then the church should obtain written permission directly from the copyright holder. One-time use, weekly use, and annual licenses are available. Reporting usage of a song to the licensing company is often a requirement of the license. It is essential to keep good records of the work's use to be accurate in your licensing payments and minimize any claims by the copyright holder or its representatives that you have not paid sufficient amounts. Options Below, we have compiled various licensing options to assist you in meeting the copyright needs of your church. If you find looking through this information too time-consuming or overwhelming, we would be happy to provide you with some recommendations. Please click on the pop-up you see on this page and complete the questionnaire. We will review your church's common uses, recommend licenses that will cover those uses, and provide direction on obtaining the license(s) and any other pertinent information you need to know about them. This service is provided for $250-$350, based on the complexity of your church's needs.  Church Copyright License allows for: Reproduction of song lyrics is found in hymnals, websites, chorus books, and similar publications for use by/for the congregation. This includes electronically storing, retrieving, and utilizing song files on computers, presentation software, and similar resources to enable visual projection of songs. Distribution of song lyrics in bulletins, liturgies, programs, song sheets, and songbooks compiled by your church. This also includes distributing lyrics by overhead transparencies and slides. Recording songs in your live worship services, including meditations, preludes, postludes, interludes, fanfares, handbell, and vocal and instrumental specials by either audio or audiovisual means, provided that 1) accompaniment tracks are not reproduced, and permission is obtained directly from the producer, 2) such recordings are for your church and its activities, and the quantity distributed does not exceed 15% of the church size of the license, and 3) to offset the cost of production, you may charge up to a specified amount for each copy duplicated. It does NOT cover song language translation, selling recordings or lyrics outside of church functions, or streaming and broadcasting. Currently, song reporting is required to be submitted online once every 2.5 years. Streaming and Podcasting License allows for: Streaming participating songs from your church's proprietary website, a hosted website, or a streaming service. Live streaming and retransmitting songs performed in your church services in audio and/or video form. Distributing audio or video files of songs performed in your church services to personal computers, portable media players, or a similar device capable of receiving such files. Does NOT cover charging a fee or receiving compensation for any of the above permissions, authorize any third-party to stream songs, stream artist or record label recordings of songs, or stream songs at church events where a financial charge, including donations, is required to attend. Please note that this license is considered an add-on option to the CCLI Church Copyright License, which must also be purchased. Also, there are two licensing options available for streaming, and that the information here is for the basic license. For more information on the specifics of both licensing options for streaming, please visit the website. Church Rehearsal License allows for: Streaming commercial audio and/or video recordings with your worship leaders, musicians, and vocalists from your church's website, a hosted website, or a streaming service. Digitally distributing by downloading recordings such that the audio part is captured, saved, and/or stored on a personal computer or similar device, including distributing them on a CD, flash drive, or similar device. Does NOT cover things like, but is not limited to, charging a fee for recordings, recording your adaptation of the songs, and retaining copies of recordings for personal use. They are intended as temporary audio reference copies for learning and rehearsing. Please note that this license is considered an add-on option to the CCLI Church Copyright License, which must also be purchased. For a list of songs included in these CCLI licenses, please see here . Christian Copyright Solutions WorshipCast Streaming License allows for: Streaming live or on-demand performances of copyrighted music, including worship services and special events, from your church website. This license is not limited to worship service performances but covers concerts, weddings, funerals, youth and holiday arrangements, and studio recordings for worship teams outside the church. This license does NOT cover downloading music or webcasting of master recordings or accompaniment tracks, which would require additional licensing. Song usage must be reported if weekly church attendance is over 5,000. PERFORMmusic License allows for: Live and pre-recorded music performance outside of religious services, such as vacation bible school, free concerts, on-hold music, retreats, picnics, graduations, dances, fundraisers, conferences and seminars, and adult and youth group gatherings. This license does NOT cover streaming or broadcasting the event. Song usage reporting is not required. One License Reprint License (Annual, Event, or Single-Use) allows for: Reproduction of, printing, and showing on-screen lyrics and music used by a congregation in a religious service, such as bulletins, programs, worship aid, song sheet, songbook, transparency, or via an electronic storage and retrieval system for projection of words or music or both. Reproduction does NOT include choir parts, accompaniments, complete scores, and instrumental parts of any kind. Annual licenses cover consistent usage throughout the year for the church and congregational gatherings hosted or sponsored by the church, such as youth groups, small groups, etc. Event licenses are available to cover retreats, conventions, and conferences no more than seven days in duration. Single-Use licenses are available for one-time events, including weddings and funerals. You must purchase a single-use license for each event. Reporting is required weekly and must be submitted online. Limited Podcast Streaming License allows for: Streaming worship services containing covered songs. Content can be distributed to your organization's website or through other platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Zoom, Vimeo, and Instagram and allows you to stream to members who may be homebound, traveling, or serving in active duty. It does NOT allow your organization to archive your services until the end of the duration of the license. Reporting is required weekly and must be submitted online. Practice-Track License allows for: Reproducing and Distributing practice track recordings provided by publishers and CDs or MP3s for choir and ensemble members. Recording your versions of covered songs for the ensemble. Does NOT include commercial master recordings for use within live worship service. For a complete list of member publishers who participate in the One License options, see here . The options below are subscription-based options that grant you the necessary permissions to stream music through its website anywhere publicly. Soundtrack Your Brand Provides your church rights to stream music in an outside venue, such as a rented space for events with a subscription-based plan. The subscription offers both streaming license rights and public performance license rights. Pandora For Business Provides your church rights to stream music in a commercial venue with a subscription-based plan. This is a fully licensed subscription service for businesses with no contract requirements. UMC support has a new ministry support service that can help your ministry identify and obtain the appropriate copyright licensing based on your ministry's usage of creative material. Overview of Copyright Law Copyright Guidelines for Video and Images Common Church Copyright Myths Infringement: Did you know? Still confused? We understand - it is a lot of material... and unfortunately the stakes are high! For a small fee, you can engage our copyright services specialty team to help you figure out which license(s) are right for your ministry. If you wish to have our team work for you, simply fill out our Copyright License Questionnaire to begin the process. A valued member of our team will be in touch and get you on the road to copyright peace of mind! Disclaimer: The information provided in these guidelines is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. In developing the guidelines, certain assumptions have been made about underlying practices and uses of intellectual property. Any change in those assumptions could affect the application of a particular guideline or recommended best practice. Therefore, while the information provided below may assist a local church, it is not a substitute for legal advice by an attorney with knowledge of copyright law or the written approval of specific copyright holders. If there is any doubt as to whether a particular use or practice violates copyright laws, the local church should seek the written advice of a lawyer or specific written approval of the particular use by the copyright holder or licensing agent. Further, the local church should maintain a copyright file containing all written advice obtained from an attorney(s), all licenses/permissions for works use, and records of any payments made to licensors or owners of copyrighted works.

The clock is ticking— Windows 10 will retire on October 14, 2025.  If your ministry, office, or home computer still relies on Windows 10, here are five key things to know as you prepare for what’s next: 🛑  Windows 10 End-of-Life: Increase in Cyber Threats After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for Windows 10. Continuing to use it beyond this point leaves your computer increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. 🔐  Extended Security Updates (ESU) Are Available—for a Price Not ready to move right away? Microsoft is offering a paid Extended Security Update program that provides security patches through October 2026. Enrollment is simple through Windows Update or by syncing your settings with OneDrive using the Windows Backup app. Just remember—this is only a temporary solution. 💻  Upgrade Path: Windows 11 or a New PC If your device meets Windows 11 requirements, you can upgrade at no cost. If not, you’ll need to consider purchasing a new PC to stay protected. For many, this is a good opportunity to refresh aging hardware. We can help— email ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org  to request our discounted pricing on PCs. 💸  Watch for Hidden Costs While the upgrade itself is free, some users may run into unexpected costs. For example, transferring more than 5GB of data could require a Microsoft subscription, and certain apps may need to be reinstalled manually. Budget a little extra time (and possibly money) for the transition. 🚫  Compatibility and Upgrade Prompts Some older or incompatible PCs may still receive upgrade prompts due to Microsoft’s rollout tactics. If your computer doesn’t meet Windows 11 requirements, don’t be alarmed—you can safely ignore these messages. ✅  Bottom Line The best way to stay secure is to plan your upgrade before October 14, 2025.  Whether you choose Windows 11 or a new device, acting now will save headaches later. Need help with this transition? Email us at ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org .

In this webinar, hosted by The United Methodist Insurance Program, the Foundry team will highlight the importance of preventive maintenance, thorough record keeping, and consistent property management. We will walk through practical property checklists, condition assessments, and other valuable tools designed to help you protect and sustain your real estate assets. Topics Covered: Ministry-Driven Real Estate Strategy Church Lifecycle & Property Stewardship Deferred Maintenance & Risk Tools for Proactive Management Operational Best Practices Capital Planning & Budgeting Emotional & Strategic Impact

The webinar focused on strategies for unlocking real estate value for faith-based and nonprofit organizations. The key points covered included: Real Estate Valuation Methods: Sales Comparison: Comparing the property with similar properties to determine a fair market value. Income Capitalization: Evaluating the income potential of the property. Cost Approach: Assessing the cost to replace the property with a similar one. Integral Components for Valuation: Zoning and future land use. Location specifics such as hard corners and frontage. Size and functionality of the property. Area demographics and excess land considerations. Income Streams: Utilizing underutilized spaces, extra land, education spaces, and additional meeting spaces to generate revenue. Next Steps for Property Health Assessment: Evaluating deferred maintenance, current tenants, reserves, debt, membership changes, endowment, operation costs, staff, additional revenue, and giving. Making informed decisions about improving, selling, leasing, or buying properties based on the mission and property health assessment. Mission Property Group: Emphasizing that real estate decisions should align with ministry goals and not dictate the ministry. Combining the church’s vision with market conditions and property values to guide real estate decisions that support ministry growth and operation. Speakers: Carlin Beekman: Vice President, Foundry Commercial. Matt Messier, CCIM, SIOR: Partner, Managing Director, Foundry Commercial.

As our certified Audio Visual (A/V) staff have traveled to annual conferences and local churches, several common questions have arisen regarding A/V equipment and services. Digital Event Specialist Corey Wills answers questions he is most commonly asked.