Religious organizations are extremely helpful during this COVID-19 period that we are living in. People often seek out faith-based institutions for assistance in dealing with traumatic periods of time in their lives. There are those who are going in person to churches to attend such church services. In other cases, since it’s being advised for people to not attend large gatherings, individuals are finding ways to different ways to receive the word of their respective faiths.
They are streaming such services through podcasts, and video streaming services. The point being is that even in the face of such changes and daunting roadblocks, people are still seeking out religious organizations for direction. There are those who want to start a religious organization considering such a push for religious direction. Below are some tips on how to start a religious organization.
Determine what kind of religious organization you want to create.
A religious organization includes nondenominational ministries, interdenominational and ecumenical organizations. The main purpose of a religious organization is to study or advance religion. One example of a religious organization is a nonprofit religious broadcasting station.
When attempting to create your own religious organization, you first want to decide on what type of organization you are going to create. Since the main goal of such an organization is to “study or advance religion” you have a wide variety of options available. Maybe you want to build a place of worship, which might include a church, a mosque, or a synagogue.
You might even create a radio station or podcast which focuses on spreading the teachings of a particular faith. You can even create a business which provides bibles for sale which focus on the New Testament, and other Christian focused accessories and study guides. Find out where your strengths lie and lean towards creating an organization in which you can best aid people of a particular faith.
Hire the best employees.
You can’t run a religious organization by yourself. You’ll want to bring together a group of individuals who are capable of doing the work asked of them, who also believe in the vision of your organization. Find people who are well qualified, have a background in the organization that you’re building and are looking for long term employment.
For example, as you invest in call center monitoring software for your live calls look to fill those call center positions with people who want to support your organization’s mission. You don’t want to have someone who just views this call center position as just another job. You want an employee who will provide the best agent performance possible, and might know a bit about your chosen organization’s focus.
You might find yourself running a call center with staff who are adept in discussing many aspects of faith, including topics like the New Testament. These call center agents aren’t just focused on simply answering calls. They want to provide the best customer service and customer interaction possible. Try to find employees who believe in your vision just as much as you do. You want the best support team for your organization.
Find the best location for your organization.
If you are seeking to focus on the duties of your religious organization in a certain community, maybe consider building your location in this area. This can give you easier access to the group, and they might even be gracious that you’ve decided to be nearer to them. On the other hand, maybe you won’t be able to find a piece of land which is close to this group.
At this point, consider working with a realtor to find the best location possible for your religious organization. For example, consult with realtors like Ashe County Real Estate in North Carolina to find that parcel of land or acreage to build a new church on. Once you create a home base of operations in Ashe County, North Carolina, or elsewhere, you’ll be better able to do the work of your chosen group.
Create a mission statement.
A mission statement is a short statement of why your organization exists. The statement defines what its overall goal is, and identifies the goal of its operations. Some questions which the mission statement focuses on are what kind of product or service it provides, what is its primary customers or market, and what is its geographical region of operation. A religious organization needs a mission statement to get off to a solid start.
You’ll want to make your mission statement short, concise, and easy to understand. A mission statement can keep you focused, which is an important factor in moving forward and decision making. This can help you to decide on a name, craft published ministry materials, and fundraising. At the end of the day, you want your mission statement to reflect every aspect of your religious organization’s mission.
File the appropriate documentation.
Before you begin any sort of organization or business, there are documents that you’ll fill out. When creating a religious organization, this is still the case. For instance, in the case of starting a church, depending on your state, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Formation. In addition to that, you’ll have to apply for federal tax-exempt status as a nonprofit and even file for an employer identification number (EIN).
With any religious organization, when you file for an EIN with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you can do this through the IRS website. You have to provide an organization name to receive an EIN. An EIN helps to identify yourself when filing tax documents and to open a bank account. By applying for tax-exempt status, for example as a church, your religious organization is designated as a public charity. At the end of the day, it’s best to contact a tax advisor and business advisor who can provide you with figuring out which documents need to be filled out for your new religious organization.
Form a board of directors.
Your board of directors will play an advisory role for your organization while also dealing with legal and structural issues that might affect your organization. You’ll need a top tier of support as you move forward with your organization, so choose wisely. Pick these members based on their expertise, connections, and desired qualities.
You’ll want to identify qualified individuals who support your mission. You’ll also want those people who are willing to spend their time and talents to the growth and success of your organization. For your board of directors look at including lawyer, banker, accountant, religious leader, political leader, and activist. Having such a varied group of experienced members will help your religious organizations to grow and thrive in the future years to come.
Open a bank account.
Opening a bank account is key for running any type of formal organization or business. You want to have a location to place the money which comes through your company, for safekeeping. The money which comes through to your organization is used for a number of things including paying staff, paying your mortgage and bills, hosting events, and paying federal and state taxes.
When setting up a bank account, first contact a local bank to determine what documents you’ll need to provide for a new, nonprofit bank account. You’ll more than likely be asked to bring your EIN, Articles of Incorporation, and your Bylaws and Mission Statement when you go to set up your bank account. This is yet another time where consulting with a financial or business advisor is needed, so you can receive the proper direction needed in setting up a bank account for your religious organization.
