In a recent conversation with a high ranking IRS EO agent, the agent revealed that the IRS will begin focusing on the requirements that independent churches are placing on their ministers.  This pertains particularly to churches that have not applied for their 501(c)(3) status.  On Schedule A of the application, one of the questions asks if the minister was ordained after completing a prescribed course of study.  Many new churches are ordaining their senior pastor but not listing in its bylaws a set of requirements that the pastor should complete before becoming ordained. 

The reason that the IRS is seeking to know what requirements churches are putting in place for their ministers is because many churches are started by men and women of God who have not had formal training and the IRS believes there is a possibility that many individuals are entering the ministry only to benefit from the tax advantages given to legitimate ministers.

We will teach you how to set forth requirements and how to create a minister test and system to ensure that the minister requirements meet all of the latest IRS regulations.  This will make becoming a legitimately licensed and/or ordained minister a breeze. Your church will able to license and ordain ministers in all 50 states.

Why your church should require a test

The test is the best way to ensure that the church has a legitimate set of requirements.  We will show you the tools for creating a dynamic test and how to create a system for licensing and ordaining ministers in all 50 states.  Many states are now requiring that an active and ongoing relationship exist between between the minister and the church.  If your church licenses ministers in other states, you should ensure that on a yearly basis they renew their licenses with your church and also maintain the requirements that your church sets forth.