January 12, 2012

ELGIN, IL – Government regulations, basic operations and compliance tips, and the potential impact of health care reform will be examined at an interdenominational tax and benefits workshop titled "Best Financial Practices for Your Congregation: Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity" on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Kansas City, Mo.

The event, co-sponsored by Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), is designed for pastors, church treasurers, financial secretaries, stewardship and finance committee members, and others involved with church finances.

Questions that will be discussed include: What can churches expect regarding government regulations for congregations in the future? Why is it important to work together as faith-based communities in areas of compliance and regulation? What do we know and what don't we know about health care reform? Where does one go for help when trying to stay current?

The day-long seminar will be led by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), a Christian financial educational organization. A group of member denominations affiliated with the Church Benefits Association, including BBT, is sponsoring the event. The Church Benefits Association is an association of approximately 50 church pension boards, religious orders, and denominational benefit programs for clergy and church professionals.

"Best Financial Practices for Your Congregation: Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity" will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Kansas City (Mo.) International Airport Marriott. Registration information is available at http://www.ecfa.org/events (scroll down to the "Best Practices Resource Workshop" and click on "Register now"). The registration fee of $50 includes lunch.

A DVD with highlights from the workshop will be available for those who are not able to attend the event. Contact communicatons@cobbt.org or 800-746-1505 ext. 376.

Find a flyer giving details about leadership and schedule for the workshop at http://www.brethrenbenefittrust.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/Best%20Practices%20Flyer%2012-13-11.pdf.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 123,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

Newsline: Church of the Brethren New Service
Brian Solem, publications coordinator for Brethren Benefit Trust, provided this release.