Providing church staff and lay leaders with the information they need to insure adequate and appropriately structured financial support for church employees is a vital aspect of the Empowering Leaders Developing Ministry. Jeff Cranford serves as the field service and education consultant for churches and associations in the areas of planning financial support, church and clergy taxes, and retirement and insurance.

Click on the following links for information related to these vital areas of providing financial support for church staff to empower them for effective ministry.

• Planning Financial Support
• Compensation Study
• Tax Guide
• Retirement
• Insurance

Using a comprehensive approach to planning financial support will insure that the church’s financial support resources are maximized and that church employees have the support they need to be freed for empowered ministry.

One of the best tools for planning financial support for church employees is available on the GuideStone Financial Resources, SBC web site. This booklet can be viewed online, printed, or downloaded in pdf format. The booklet may also be requested by mail by calling GuideStone at 1-888-984-8433 or contacting Raymond Cady.

Jeff Cranford is available to meet with you to assist in planning financial support for your church staff.

The 2008 SBC Compensation Study was a joint project of state Baptist conventions, GuideStone Financial Resources, and LifeWay Christian Resources. Compensation and congregational data was collected anonymously from ministers and office/custodial personnel of Southern Baptist churches and church-type missions. This biennial survey was conducted during the months of January-April 2008.  A key feature of the 2008 SBC Compensation Study is an option that allows churches to generate a customized report that provides information for only those churches of similar attendance, membership, and budget.
View reports from the 2008 SBC Compensation Study.

Structuring church employee’s compensation properly according to IRS guidelines results in a lower tax liability and compliance with IRS regulations. One of the best resources for handling minister’s taxes and church tax reporting requirements is the annual Minister’s Tax Guide published by GuideStone, SBC. Other valuable tax information can be found on the GuideStone web site. The guide may also be requested by mail by calling GuideStone at 1-888-984-8433 or contacting Raymond Cady.

Jeff Cranford is available to assist with your tax questions as well. Several C.P.A. consultants around the state who are knowledgeable about church and clergy taxes assist Virginia Baptists as well. For contact information on one of these C.P.A. consultants contact Jeff Cranford.

Virginia Baptist church employees typically use one of two providers for their retirement preparation, GuideStone, SBC or the Church Benefits Board, CBF. Jeff Cranford serves as BGAV state representative for GuideStone through a cooperative agreement between the BGAV and GuideStone. In this capacity Jeff is available for field service and education relating to the Church Retirement Plan of GuideStone Financial Resources. Information on the Church Retirement Plan is available for viewing, printing, or downloading from the GuideStone web site. Information may also be requested by mail by calling GuideStone at 1-888-984-8433 or contacting Raymond Cady.

Jeff’s office can also provide information and referral for those needing the resources of the Church Benefits Board, CBF. Information is also available by visiting the CBF Church Benefits Board web site.

Providing adequate insurance protection for church employees is a constant challenge for BGAV churches and associations. The primary sources for Virginia Baptist church employees insurance needs are the GuideStone, SBC and the Church Benefits Board, CBF. Please visit the web sites of these two boards to learn about their insurance plans.

Occasionally, church employees are unable to use the services of either GuideStone or Church Benefits Board medical insurance plans. For alternative sources of medical coverage or help with other insurance questions contact Jeff Cranford.