• I give you one-on-one, highly personalized consulting, with prompt, and focused service on all the most important legal, business and uniquely church-related aspects of starting a Christian church in America. I give you all the time that is necessary, by telephone, fax, snail mail, email or any other means that works well for us. This applies to every aspect of every task I do for you.

• Some tasks require an extremely rare set of skills. For example, we will begin to address the structure of legal and religious authority in the church right away. This is where my vast experience as in-house counsel of an international fellowship of churches is of particular value to you. Try finding someone else who can tap into this rare kind of experience and expertise and use it to your benefit.

• I make sure that your church start-up is complete and done right the first time. I even guarantee approval of your 501c3 tax exempt status. My goal is to give you excellent service. So, I generally "over-deliver" by doing more than you would expect.

• I will contact you as soon as you request my assistance. You get a free account on my ABBA-Law system, which lets you stay on top of everything I do for you. You answer just a few simple questions and I do the rest. Most tasks will be completed in 30 days or less!

The articles of incorporation I prepare for you are unique, not templates or boilerplate forms. They are carefully crafted to meet your specific needs as a Christian ministry and to comply with state law. They also include everything required for IRS 501c3 tax exempt status.

This is very important to understand: I carefully study the nonprofit corporation law of your state (or the District of Columbia). This is essential because many of the problems and disputes in churches start with badly written articles of incorporation. One of the most important things I do is glean from your state law to see how I can deemphasize the corporation and emphasize biblical and religious authority in the church.

The mistake many so-called "nonprofit experts" make in working with churches, is failing to understand that the corporation should be a tool of the church, not take over the church. But they wouldn't know how to help you with that because they don't really know what they're doing.

I will help you to quickly and easily secure a Federal Employer Identification Number. This can help you move forward with opening a checking account, as well as requesting and depositing contributions as soon as possible.

I will write unique Bylaws to serve your specific corporate needs and comply with any up-to-the-minute changes in your state law. Bylaws are a complicated document, but very important because they govern how the church functions as a corporate entity. You should always demand unique bylaws that were prepared specifically for your church.

The Church Constitution is extremely important for many reasons. It establishes the structure of legal and religious authority in the church. If you fail to address this issue from the beginning, a secular court may do it for you later, but I guarantee it won't be something you'll like or agree with.

The constitution also helps determine how certain issues will be resolved, like internal disputes, member and clergy discipline, issues of religious doctrine, church spokespersons, and the like. Just as important is how the constitution can help insulate the church from the intervention of secular courts.

The constitution is both a legal and ecclesiastical document. While it speaks to ecclesiastical issues, it also serves as a "contract," so to speak, between the church and its members.

The Church Constitution is the most important document in starting a church. Of course, I've written church constitutions many times before. This is certainly not a document that just anyone can help you with.

I will fully and accurately complete, on your behalf, Form 1023, the IRS application for recognition of tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

It's always best to file Form 1023 as soon as possible after starting the church, long before things like budgets and activities get too complicated. So, we'll start working on it right away.

I have a 100% Approval Rate for all the IRS tax exemption applications I have ever filed, including Group Exemption applications, so I guarantee your approval.

Once the form is filed, I will continue to represent you with the IRS by responding to any follow-up questions or requests for additional information they may have.

I will develop a ministry ordination program and procedures for your church. While no particular form of ordination is required, I make sure it complies with the requirements of the tax laws, as they apply to ministers.

I even provide a script that you may tweak any way you want. This ordination program  will serve as your guide through the entire process of ordaining your ministry personnel. It's important to observe some level of formality so there is never a question about the authority and anointing of your ministers.

I also prepare the necessary documents to properly designate parsonage or housing allowances for paid ministers. This includes a housing expense form, which I prepare for you, and the necessary resolutions for board adoption. I've done this many times before, so you can be sure it will be done right.

I prepare the Agenda and all the most important Minutes for the first meeting of your church board. You'll breathe easier knowing that the hard work required to prepare for a church board meeting, especially the very first meeting, has already been done.

These are not just any old minutes. They're well-considered and carefully-crafted agenda items and board resolutions based on years of serving as in-house counsel and corporate/board secretary while advising and training church boards.

I also work closely with you to make sure we include any additional agenda items and board resolutions that are necessary to help your church start off smoothly. Of course, all the necessary accompanying documents are also prepared, including the Meeting Summary, Appointment of Board, and Waiver of Notice and Consent.

I complete and file the necessary forms to secure all the available state tax exemptions for any state (or D.C.). It doesn't matter how extensive or complicated the forms may be.

For example, most states allow churches to exempt themselves from the tax roles for: (1) income and franchise taxes, (2) sales and use taxes, and (3) personal and real property taxes.

You may be able to save thousands, or tens of thousands in taxes each year... depending on your activities and the value of your property. I have a 100% Approval Rate for all the tax exemption applications I have ever filed to exempt churches from state tax rolls of every kind.

You will also receive a primer to help train your church board on some of the most essential duties they have. Among other things, they'll learn some important fiduciary duties, how to balance the dual-personality of the church and corporation, and how to manage risk.

They'll learn how to work closely and effectively with ministry leaders. And, so they don't have to guess, the training includes understanding the issues that should normally go to the board and those that don't. This primer can teach a board oversight skills and protect it from micro-managing.

And you'll receive a primer to train your board secretary. This is not something you'll find anywhere else. It's based on my unique experience as a corporate and board secretary for many years.

It's a tightly focused, clearly written, point-by-point discussion on training a church board secretary about his/her important role, duties, essential skill set, the authority a board secretary should enjoy for optimum effectiveness, and how to help the board be the best it can be.

A Complete and Expert Solution, $1997
Or, 12 Easy Payments of Just $167 each

1.  Includes Everything!

This very low price includes everything listed here, including preparing all the appropriate documents and completing the necessary forms and applications.

Note: You cover the fees to file the necessary forms and applications like the articles and 501c3 application, but those are paid to the appropriate government agency, not to me.

Here are the 12 tasks I will complete for you:

1.    Articles of Incorporation
2.    Corporate Bylaws
3.    Church Constitution
4.    Federal Employer Identification Number (F.E.I.N.)
5.    IRS Section 501c3 Tax Exemption Application - Form 1023
6.    Ministry Ordination Procedures
7.    Parsonage or Housing Allowances
8.    Minutes of the First Meeting of Your Church Board
9.    State Tax Exemption Forms (Income, Sales, & Property Taxes)
10.  Church Board Training Primer
11.  Board Secretary Training Primer
12.  Ministry Tax Primer

And don't forget the One-on-One Consulting!

2.  30 Days Or Less!

I will prepare the articles, bylaws, minutes of your first board meeting including housing allowance, church constitution, and ordination program in 30 days or less! Everything comes with complete step-by-step instructions on how to complete your part. I help you secure the F.E.I.N. and provide you with one-on-one consulting. We'll even get started right away working on the 501c3 tax exemption application.

3.  Free Building On Faith!

Once I complete your church start up, you also get a FREE download copy of my complete church-starting guide, Building On Faith, which comes with FREE Lifetime Updates!