I
Literally Wrote The Book On The
Legal Not only am I an experienced church lawyer, I literally wrote the book on the Legal and Business aspects of starting a church. It's called:
Building On
Faith by Abe Hernandez, Esq.
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"As a current Deacon, Secretary of the Board of Directors and a previously ordained Minister, I am consistently impressed by the work of Abe Hernandez. In consistency with his character, convictions, and Faith, his book is thorough, to the point, above reproach and on the mark. This is an excellent resource and should be considered for every Church planting. I've seen Abe in action as an attorney and Church member and I am continually impressed by his excellence and attention to detail in all his work."
Bruce Matthews |
You Can Download Chapter One Right Now
Whether you consider yourself a Do-It-Yourselfer or not, let me suggest that you "test drive" Building On Faith.
I'd like to give you a copy of Chapter One, entitled "Avoid the 10 Most Common Pitfalls and Save Over $3,000 Doing It." Request it now by completing the form below.
You'll have a chance to take a closer look at my book at the end of this letter.
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Claim Your
Free Copy Of Chapter 1:
"Avoid The 16 Most Common Pitfalls And Save Over $3,000 Doing It." YES, Please Send Me Chapter 1, Now.
My privacy
guarantee: |
The
Only Thing Better Than Using My
Book To Start A Church Is... Using Me
Do-It-Yourself is NOT for everyone.
Most church leaders prefer to hand the legal and business tasks of starting a church to someone who works with churches and knows exactly what they're doing. That leaves them free to focus on their ministry and outreach.
They understand that it's never enough to merely file boilerplate articles and tax exempt applications. And they know better than to rely on self-anointed "nonprofit experts" who mostly handle token chores.
Most church leaders understand they need a Complete Solution that is uniquely focused on meeting the needs of a Christian church. That's why it's essential to work with a professional who also has extensive experience and expertise in working primarily with churches.
What you don't want is a "hired hand," or someone who works with "hired hands." You must work with someone who can be a true Partner in starting a church that glorifies God. That's the only way you can simultaneously Start, Serve, Advise, and Protect the church.
Because a church is the people in it, the issues it potentially faces are many and varied. Fortunately, most potential problems can be avoided with relevant advance planning.
As a discerning church leader, I'm sure you recognize the need for a hands-on approach by partnering with a competent, experienced professional who knows how to uniquely serve churches. That's why I have something even better than walking you step-by-step through the entire process of starting a church...
I Will Take Care Of The Entire Process For You
It's hard to beat the guidance you get with my book, Building On Faith. But, there's only so much that can be put in a book.
With my personal church-starting consulting services, you get all the benefits of:
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My many years of legal education, training, experience and expertise in starting, serving, advising and protecting churches,
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My continuing legal practice and commitment to serving churches, and
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My daily, up-to-the-minute research on the issues, laws, regulations, standards and practices affecting churches.
You can't get all this from just any book or consulting service out there.
You can't get it from automated online businesses that merely sell a handful of non-authoritative booklets, never to be heard from again.
Nor can you get it from so-called "nonprofit experts" who are busy starting every kind of religious organization under the sun, as well as all kinds of nonprofits... even those whose goals may offend Christian values.
You can and will get all these benefits from me because I've made an undeniable, life-long commitment to serving Christian churches.
This is very important to understand because... you know that when it's all said and done, I'll still be here when you need me to help you with many of the ongoing issues that churches face. That's the purpose of my law firm.
Like I said, Starting, Advising and Protecting Churches is my life's ministry. That's what I do... and I do it well.
I Am
Unabashedly
Pro-Christian And Pro-Church
As a church lawyer who partners with church leaders to help them start, advise and protect churches, not only do I hold to fundamental Christian principles, I am unabashedly pro-Christian and pro-church.
Unlike other providers, I do NOT try or pretend to cater to non-Christian religious groups. Needless to say, I love, appreciate, and embrace all kinds of people.
My calling, however, is to start, advise and protect biblically-based Christian churches whose purpose is to unapologetically promote and advance the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
That's why you won't find me surreptitiously launching separate web sites to help start other types of religious groups. Which is what other "experts" out there are doing.
If you share this goal, think twice before relying on sources or providers that cater to all comers. You must be certain that anyone you allow to influence your church start-up is committed to serving your unique needs as a Disciple of Jesus Christ.
If you do nothing else right, at least heed this warning: Anyone you allow to influence your church start-up must have a proven track record and long-standing commitment to serving the unique needs of churches and Christian Believers.
I Can
Start Both Independent
And Group-Affiliated Churches
Did you know that the legal and business aspects of starting a church apply equally to nearly all churches regardless of their independent or group-affiliated nature?
Yet, unlike with ministry and outreach, very few good resources exist on the legal and business aspects of starting a church, even though they can be the most difficult to figure out and implement.
The fact is that... whether independent or group-affiliated, all churches need reliable, affordable, authoritative, and step-by-step guidance through the landmine of legal and business tasks.
Therefore, aside from ministry and outreach, perhaps the most important factor in starting a church is having a competent, experienced professional who can easily handle the legal and business side of it.
A competent, experienced professional is the only one who can give you a Complete Solution. For example, here are three very important considerations most people who plan to start a church never think about:
| 1. Models of Authority in Independent Churches: |
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Did you know you can have a model of authority by default if it is not determined beforehand? Fortunately, with the number of legitimate choices you have, you don't have to face that problem. For example, if you're an ordained minister starting a church, you don't have to put all authority in the hands of the general membership. And if you're a group of lay persons starting a church, you don't have to put all authority in the hands of ministry personnel. You can implement almost any balance of legal and religious authority in an independent church. But, you must first be in a position to make informed choices. Then, you must implement them properly and in a timely fashion. This isn't just "religious philosophy." Most disputes that threaten the continuity of a church begin with a simple disagreement. But, with clear definitions of authority in place, most can be easily resolved. Things tend to get worse when there's little or no guidance on where actual authority lies. Some providers tell you that it has to be a certain way. But one of the biggest errors you can make in starting a church is merely trying to copy someone else's religious experience and not learning about choices that can meet your church's needs. It's very important that your church-starting professional also have strengths in understanding and implementing Models of Authority in independent churches. Models of authority include legal and religious components, so not just anyone can help you with that. |
| 2. Ecclesiastical Structures of Church Groups: |
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Most group-affiliated churches are structured in a Hierarchical, Congregational, or Connectional manner, although these are by no means the only ways for church groups to be structured. If you're starting a church in the context of an existing fellowship of churches, you must define the group's role in the new church's governing truths, or the church's role in the fellowship. Even loosely-affiliated churches with no formal agreement between them can find themselves in disputes over numerous matters, including property and other assets, when their relationships lack definition. Even for church fellowships comprised of fully autonomous congregations, it's important for new churches to define their role, if any, in the group. If there's even a remote possibility that you may attempt to establish a group-affiliated structure of some type in the future, you need to be informed from the outset. Your church-starting professional must have extensive experience with group-affiliated churches in both, well-defined and autonomous fellowships.. and the ability to implement Ecclesiastical Structures (Church Polity). Even though Ecclesiastical Structures are primarily matters of religion, not business or law, they nevertheless inform and influence the resolution of disputes. For that reason, your church-starting professional must also have particular expertise in drafting affiliation and association agreements that help church groups establish and define relationships. |
| 3. Authority and Structure in the Constitution / Bylaws: |
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Once the Authority and/or Structure are determined, the next most important task is properly reflecting that in the church's constitution and bylaws. Non-authoritative online "vendors" often suggest that you throw in as many biblical concepts as possible. Not only is that wrong, it's also dangerous. Your goal is not to be exhaustive in what you include in the constitution/bylaws. Instead, you should attempt to define authority, structure, relationships, duties and responsibilities in biblical or religious terms for the purpose of insulating them from legal scrutiny. Only a competent, experienced professional can help you with that. |
Stay With Me Now...
Please stay with me. I'm sure you've already had a few "Aha!" moments. And I promise you'll have a few more.
Why am I giving you all this information? Simple. I want to inform and educate you. I want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Nothing more. Nothing less.
As you can see, some of the most important aspects of starting a church can seem complicated. And clearly, they can't be accomplished by just anyone on the internet who claims they know something about starting churches.
So, don't be fooled by most online vendors. Starting a church requires in-depth knowledge of many important issues that are not immediately apparent.
Of course, you can go with the bottom-of-the-barrel approach and just incorporate and file for tax exemption. But, If you want to avoid misunderstandings, disputes and divisions in the future, you have to plan ahead and do it right from the outset.
You need a Complete Solution. And YES, you should ask...
"What Would Jesus Do?"
Well, obviously... Jesus would do what glorifies God. Jesus would do it right from the beginning. No cutting corners. No thinking He could get away with an inferior effort.
Here's the bottom line. You cannot justifiably rely on any book, lawyer, consultant or any other type of resource when planning to start a church, unless you find they also have strengths in all the most important skill sets.
Remember, it's not just about starting a church, it's also how you start it.
It takes the right mix of knowledge, training, experience and expertise to seamlessly integrate the process of starting a church with the structure or model you already have in place, or one you envision, and to responsibly reflect that in your governing documents.
Whether the church you are called to start is independent or group-affiliated, only a competent, experienced professional can provide precisely the solution you need.
Click here to learn more about the Five Essential Things You Must Know Before Buying a Resource or Hiring a Lawyer or Consultant to Help You Start a Church.
If You'd
Like To Talk
It Through First
I Invite You To Call Me Anytime
Before we go any further, please understand this. The most important thing is not that you request my assistance or take a look at my book. The most important thing is that you...
Start a church in a way that glorifies God. Start a church so that it's set up for success in powerfully advancing His Kingdom.
That's my primary goal in helping Believers throughout the U.S. who are starting churches. Which means that I understand sometimes you just need to talk it through before moving forward.
Maybe you just want to run some preliminary plans by someone or, talk about the concerns or questions that perplex you the most. Perhaps you'd like to know the impressions of someone who can grasp the nuances and spiritual significance of what you've been called to do.
Believe me, no matter what your issues are, there's always an answer. I've had these conversations many, many times before. So, I'm inviting you to...
Give me a no-obligation phone call ANYTIME.
I'm normally available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. But if you call me after hours or on a weekend, leave a message and I'll return your call as soon as I can. Why? Because I know that church business doesn't run on a 9-5, M-F schedule.
I can't give you legal advice unless you separately engage me. But we can certainly talk about some very important issues and questions you may have.
Really, I'd like to hear from you. This may sound like an unusual invitation, but it's just part of my philosophy about partnering with, and serving clients.
Here's my number:
(210) 373-8856
Or
You Can Send Me An Email By Clicking Here.
(If
you use a spam blocker, please check your
spam folder as well as your inbox for a
confirmation. Then, add me to
your address book.)
And don't worry, I never pressure anyone to hire me. I don't have to.
You see, I know that if you've been called by God to enter the pastoral ministry and/or start a church... and you're ready to move forward, then you understand the value of having at your side, a competent, experienced professional whose life ministry is to start, advise and protect Christian ministries.
If you're not ready to move forward, I'll be the first to tell you. Then, we can talk about steps you can take to get there. That's part of the value of talking it through with someone who knows and cares.
Let Me
Tell You What I do
For My Consulting Clients
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These Are The
Specific Tasks I Will
Accomplish In Starting A Church For You
| 1. Charter / Articles: |
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I will draft a complete and accurate church charter/articles of incorporation that will be accepted by the appropriate agency in your state. Others give you boilerplate forms. But I carefully craft everything I do for you. I will file the required paperwork to make sure that your church incorporation goes off smoothly and successfully. Sometimes, this will additionally involve a name reservation, or other similar filing. If you prefer to not incorporate and would rather function as an unincorporated association, I will draft and file the necessary documents as well. Through my extensive, ongoing research, I am familiar with all the requirements in every state and the District of Columbia. I've drafted similar articles and charters for many churches, religious organizations, their integrated auxiliaries and support organizations, including the umbrella parent organizations and numerous high-level associations of churches. None of my articles/charters have ever been rejected by a secretary of state. All you do is sign where requested. And I pay all the fees. Please keep reading to learn more about this. |
| 2. Constitution / Bylaws: |
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I will draft a Constitution-Bylaws that will serve your specific needs. Depending on your needs, a Constitution-Bylaws can be quite extensive, sometimes up to 50 pages or more. This is a very important document because it will largely determine how certain issues, such as church or legal disputes, will be resolved. It can also help insulate the church from the intervention of secular courts. In fact, a Constitution-Bylaws is both a legal and an ecclesiastical document. It contains many provisions relating to religious determinants in addition to provisions on how the church will be legally governed. I'll even draft the appropriate resolutions you'll need to officially adopt your governing documents. I've handled all these complicated but important tasks many times before for many different churches and religious organizations. So I know all the most important provisions. |
| 3. F.E.I.N.: |
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I will secure a Federal Employer Identification Number for the new church. Now, this is such a simple task that it's a wonder others try to sell you an expensive booklet on this topic alone. But since I take care of everything, I even do the simple things. |
| 4. IRS Form 1023: |
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And of course, based on the mission and activities that you've planned, I will complete Form 1023, the IRS application for recognition of 501(c)(3) tax exemption. I even guarantee approval. You need only sign the application because I provide the fees. (Keep reading to learn more.) I have a 100% Approval Rate for all the IRS tax exemption applications I have ever filed (for churches and nonprofits), including Group Exemption applications. If you elect to file Form 1023, we'll get it done right away. It's always best to file this form when the church is new and things like budgets and activities are not too complex. Of course, this is an extensive form, requiring many hours of dedicated focus and decision-making. I make it easy for you by involving you only to the extent necessary. |
| 5. Legal and Ecclesiastical Authority: |
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I will also help you implement the legal and ecclesiastical authority you decide will work for your fellowship, incorporating your decisions into the church's governing documents. Absolutely no one else out there is doing this because... well because they simply have no understanding about these important matters. This requires not only working closely with you and listening carefully to your goals and vision, but also drafting all the provisions to the minutest detail. |
| 6. Church-Minister Contract: |
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I will draft a church-minister contract that meets your specific needs. If this is in line with the type of relationship you foresee between the minister and the church, you simply cannot afford to overlook it. This is a consulting arrangement, not a legal one. But I can easily bring to bear on this relationship the full extent of my knowledge and experience. The goal is to provide you with practical solutions to guide this very important relationship. The crafting of a church-minister contract is in many ways like the crafting of legal and ecclesiastical authority: extremely few people are qualified or confident enough to help you with it. |
| 7. Parsonage / Housing Allowances: |
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I also draft the necessary documents to properly designate parsonage or housing allowances for your all of your ministry personnel. This includes completing the housing expense form and the necessary resolution for board adoption. Since I've done this many times before, you can be sure it will meet your needs. I can even assist your understanding of ministers and social security, as well as things to know in completing their personal tax forms. |
| 8. Ordain Ministry: |
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I will guide you through the entire process of effectively ordaining ministry personnel. It isn't complicated, but it's important to observe some level of formality so there is never a question about the authority and anointing of your ministry personnel. There's more than one way to do this, so I will tailor it to your preferences and personal convictions. |
| 9. State Tax Exemptions: |
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I will complete and file the necessary forms to secure all the available state tax exemptions. For example, most states allow churches to exempt themselves from the tax roles relating to: (1) income and franchise taxes, (2) sales and use taxes, and (3) personal and real property taxes. Some churches are able to save thousands, or tens of thousands in taxes each year... depending on their activities and the value of their property. Just as importantly, I know of no one else who offers this incredible, money-saving service. All you do is sign the forms. And remember, I take care of all the fees. I also have a 100% Approval Rate for all the tax exemption applications I have ever filed to exempt churches and religious organizations from state tax rolls of every kind. |
| 10. First Board Meeting Minutes: |
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I will draft the minutes of the first meeting of your church's board of directors. Think about that. Your board and corporate secretary will breathe easier knowing that the hard work required to prepare for a meeting, especially its very first meeting, has already been done. These are not just any old minutes. They're well-considered and carefully-crafted resolutions and agenda items based on years of experience advising and training church boards. My minutes have gotten many a new church board - green with inexperience and trembling with fear - off to a confident and successful start. They're intended to give your board every advantage with resolutions and action items that include every important issue that your church board should discuss and act upon at its first meeting. |
| 11. Meeting Summary Sheet / Board Agenda: |
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I also draft the "Meeting Summary Sheet" and "Board Agenda," both of which can serve as templates for future meetings. The Meeting Summary Sheet lays out the notice and meeting requirements, and the Agenda shows you how to prepare for a meeting and make it go smoothly. |
| 12. Appointment of Board / Waiver of Notice & Consent: |
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I will also draft your "Appointment of Initial Board" and "Waiver of Notice and Consent," which help you appoint the church's initial board and allow them to meet without notice. Needless to say, you need a qualified professional to draft all these documents to meet the specific needs of church boards. |
What You
Don't
Get
Is Just As
Important As
What You Do Get
With many years of actual, "in-the-trenches" work with church organizations throughout the U.S., I've seen good things and not-so-good things.
So, as you can imagine, I've gotten pretty good at understanding what you do and don't need. Here are some of the more interesting things you will not get with my consulting services:
| No | getting in the way of your ministry and outreach; |
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No |
favoring or advocating the practices or traditions of one group over all others; |
|
No |
subjecting you to the unique terminology or traditions of a particular group; |
| No | foreign or inflexible church rules; |
|
No |
expectation that you copy someone else's religious experience; |
|
No |
attempts to steer you to someone else's philosophy of what Church Polity or Church Authority should be; and |
|
No |
risk-taking attitude with the laws and regulations as they apply to churches and ministers. |
Instead:
| I |
Support your ministry and outreach; |
|
I |
Respect your experience, practices, discipline, traditions and preferred terminology; |
| I | Facilitate all your plans and efforts in every way possible; |
|
I |
Expertly craft everything to meet your specific needs and preferences; |
| I | Protect the church in everything I do; |
| I | Inform you about the many choices you have; |
|
I |
Encourage you to choose the course of action that best meets your needs; and |
|
I |
Ensure that you're able to immediately work toward spiritual and financial stability. (More on this later. Please keep reading.) |
If you have not already done so, please click here to learn more about the Five Essential Things You Must Know Before Buying a Resource or Hiring a Lawyer or Consultant to Help You Start a Church.
The Most
Comprehensive Church Start-Up
Solution Comes With
A
Highly Competitive Fee
I'm sure you'll agree that I've put together a fairly comprehensive church start-up solution. But that's not all. With this consulting package you also get:
Eleven (11) Very
Impressive, FREE Bonuses
With a Combined Value of $10,000 to
$12,000
I'll discuss the Bonuses in a minute.
Complete Fee: My low consulting fee is what I call a "Complete Fee" because Everything is included. There's nothing else to pay. And you will never receive a surprise billing of any kind from me.
In my former position as in-house counsel, we always put about $20,000 into the start-up of a church or religious organization... in the form of time, effort, research, expertise, fees and costs. That's what it normally takes to get a Complete Solution.
Other providers charge you a rate of say $200 to $300 per hour. Then, they proceed to rack up 2 to 3 weeks worth of billings. Even at the lower rate of $200/hr, that comes to $16,000 to $24,000 for an Incomplete solution of unknown quality.
Of course, you
won't have to pay anywhere near
$24,000, $20,000,
$16,000, or even
$10,000. My consulting services are
priced as low as $6,997 for the
Complete Solution
that only a professional who serves churches
day-in-and-day-out can offer.
Now, you may be wondering if you can afford an appropriate, complete solution by an experienced church lawyer who will partner closely with you to start a church. But the real question is whether you can afford NOT to.
You have to seriously consider the consequences of choosing an inferior, incomplete solution instead.
As I counsel all of my clients...
If you do not currently have the spiritual and financial support to afford the right solution for your church start-up, you probably shouldn't be starting a church at this time.
God has either blessed you with the appropriate level of support so you can do it right the first time, or He hasn't. You must heed His guidance.
My intent in structuring this fee was to make sure that you would not be able to find a better value anywhere else, even if we don't factor in my vast experience and expertise.
My complete consulting fee can be made in up to Twelve (12) installments. Or, get a:
•
$300 Discount
for nine (9) installments;
•
$600
Discount for six (6)
installments;
•
$900
Discount for three
(3) installments; or
•
$1,300
Discount for paying in
full.
Please take a look:
| 1. | Twelve (12) installments: |
|
$1,997 -- to get
started $ 573 -- in 30 days $ 573 -- in 60 days $ 573 -- in 90 days $ 573 -- in 120 days $ 573 -- in 150 days $ 573 -- in 180 days $ 573 -- in 210 days $ 573 -- in 240 days $ 573 -- in 270 days $ 573 -- in 310 days $ 570 -- in 340 days =$8,297 |
|
| 2. | Nine (9) installments: |
|
$1,997 -- to get
started $ 750 -- in 30 days $ 750 -- in 60 days $ 750 -- in 90 days $ 750 -- in 120 days $ 750 -- in 150 days $ 750 -- in 180 days $ 750 -- in 210 days $ 750 -- in 240 days =$7,997 $300 Discount |
|
| 3. | Six (6) installments: |
|
$1,997 -- to get
started $1,140 -- in 30 days $1,140 -- in 60 days $1,140 -- in 90 days $1,140 -- in 120 days $1,140 -- in 150 days =$7,697 $600 Discount |
|
| 4. | Three (3) installments: |
|
$1,997 -- to get
started $2,700 -- in 30 days $2,700 -- in 60 days =$7,397 $900 Discount |
|
| 5. | One (1) payment: |
| $6,997 $1,300 Discount | |
| 6. | What This Fee Includes: |
|
a. |
Professional consulting services. All forms, applications and documents, including the 12 tasks mentioned above. |
|
b.
|
All the fees required to file:
•
Name
reservation |
|
c.
|
All incidental costs of doing business, like all mailings, phone calls, and the like. In other words, whatever the costs involved in starting a church on your behalf, there will be no surprise billings. |
| d. | All taxes, if any. |
Keep in mind that as soon as I file your incorporation or association documents, you can begin accepting financial contributions under the auspices of a church.
This gives you the opportunity to almost immediately recoup all your start-up costs. In fact, it may help you be well on your way to building a strong and healthy ministry even before the second installment is due. (Take a look at one of the bonuses below for yet another way to make this happen.)
Now Let Me Tell
You About The
Eleven (11) Free Bonuses I Mentioned
| Bonus #1: | Two Training Primers |
|
Primer For Training Your Church Board: |
|
This primer provides training for your church's board of directors on some of the most essential duties they face. Your board will learn why they are important, how to balance the dual-personality of the church and corporation, and how to manage risk. They'll learn fiduciary duties and how to work closely and effectively with ministry leaders. And, so they don't have to guess, they get training on which issues normally go to the board and which do not. They'll learn oversight skills, and how to avoid micro-managing. This 12-page, bullet-point trainer has so much that a board can learn, that it can be separately offered for sale. But, you get it at no cost with this consulting package. |
|
Primer For Training Your Church Board Secretary: |
|
Now here's something you don't get access to every day. A highly focused primer on training a church board secretary. Now your church board secretary can help make the board the best it can be. It teaches the important characteristics that a church board secretary should have and helps them understand what they should know. It's a tightly focused, clearly written, point-by-point discussion on the duties and authority a church's board secretary should enjoy for optimum effectiveness. This is the kind of report that can be used for training over and over again. It can be handed out and discussed. It can be included in the board manual. There are many ways to put it to use and make the most out of it. You'll soon have a well-trained church board secretary that knows how to pick right up where the board left off. |
| Bonus #2: | Church Record Book And Seal |
All new clients also get a luxurious, leather-like, self-contained Church Corporate/Record Book. It features:
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Elegant mahogany brown soft-padded vinyl with the feel and texture of fine-grained leather.
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Corporate name embossed in 24K gold on the spine of the binder.
-
Contents are secured by a Velcro closure. Three 1 5/8" "D" rings hold nearly twice the capacity of ordinary outfits without extra bulk.
-
Pocket corporate seal stored in a matching zipper case on the rings.
| Bonus #3: | Online Video Training |
After the church start-up is complete and you've selected a board, minister and perhaps some staff (even if they're all volunteers), you'll get access to FREE online video training for your Board and Staff.
This training will encompass topics of relevance to each position, and to church matters in general. For example, your board and corporate secretary will learn to plan a meeting, set an agenda, prepare a "meeting packet," conduct a meeting, prepare the minutes, and follow-through to make sure all decisions and resolutions adopted are actually meaningful and implemented.
They'll understand their roles more specifically, and will learn about parameters that apply to their positions, including extremely important matters such as intermediate sanctions, excess benefit transactions, and the like.
Your officers and staff will learn about risk management and employment issues. Your ministry personnel will learn about ministry tax issues, and other matters directly relevant to them.
And everyone will learn about audits, policies & procedures and various other matters that are crucial for a ministry that wants to be around for a long, long time.
I'm particularly good at this type of training as I've done it many times before at workshops throughout the U.S. So, prepare for some eye-opening training.
As web-based video training, your church staff can access it at their convenience. Training modules are set up in 15 and 30 minute lengths. All you need is a computer, an up-to-date browser, and an internet connection.
|
Bonus #4: |
A Special Account On My Proprietary ABBA-Law System |
What is ABBA-Law? ABBA is the acronym for Accountable By Being Accessible, which is a central theme in all my client relationships. It's also a nod to the practical faith of my clientele in Abba – Father God.
In August 2003, I set out to design what I envisioned as a tool to revolutionize attorney-client relationships for solo and small firm practitioners. The result was ABBA-Law, my proprietary Attorney Accountability System.
My intent was to give clients an unprecedented level of access to, and influence over, the process of legal billing and legal representation. It turned out to be much more. ABBA-Law pushed my legal practice to new heights in Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Accountability.
ABBA-Law is a MySQL database-driven web application that utilizes 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology for optimum protection of your personal, confidential information.
As my consulting client, you'll get a free account on ABBA-Law, which gives you direct, unobstructed access to the status of your church start-up. And you can immediately contact me by several convenient means.
You can access ABBA-Law 24/7/365 from anywhere in the world on a personal computer with a typical browser. Simply enter your confidential username and password in the Client Login section.
You will immediately notice that the Client Interface is surprisingly elegant, intuitive, and user-friendly. Once in the system, you may:
|
Quickly and Easily View |
|
|
In Addition, You May |
|
I make weekly or daily entries in your file whether the work done was extensive or modest. ABBA-Law gives you a central, indispensable role in the process of your church start-up.
|
Bonus #5: |
A Copy Of My Book: Building On Faith |
Once your church start-up is complete and you're enjoying a time of harvest and fruitfulness with your church family, I will send you a state-specific CD copy of my book - Building On Faith: Everything You Need To Know About Starting Your Own Church.
When you're ready to start another church,
perhaps in a nearby city, you'll have the
step-by-step guidance you need to get it done right. Add
that to the knowledge gleaned from watching
me start a church.
Unlike other online providers, I don't make you buy a new book for every new church you want to start. Instead, I give you a free book so you can use it over and over again, to the glory of God.
Building On Faith - Table of Contents:
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Chapter 1: |
The 10 Most Common Pitfalls to Avoid and How to Save Over $3,000 Doing It |
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Chapter 2: |
What Is a "Church" for Federal Tax Law Purposes |
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Chapter 3: |
Legal and Religious Authority in Independent Churches |
| Chapter 4: |
How To Form a Church Corporation |
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Chapter 5: |
How to Get Your Federal Employer Identification Number |
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Chapter 6: |
How to Draft, Complete and Adopt the Constitution-Bylaws |
| Chapter 7: |
Who Is a "Minister" for Federal Tax Purposes |
| Chapter 8: |
How to Ordain, Commission or License Ministers |
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Chapter
9: |
How to Designate a Parsonage or Housing Allowance |
| Chapter 10: |
How to Draft a Church-Minister Contract |
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Chapter
11: |
Step-By-Step Instructions to Complete and File the IRS 501(c)(3) (Form 1023) Application for Tax Exemption. |
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State Road Map |
A "Road Map" for Your State (or D.C.); All the Most Important State-Specific Information Relating to Churches, including state tax exemptions. |
| IRS Forms, Guides and Publications |
All the Most
Important and Relevant IRS Forms, Guides and
Publications You Need. |
| Bonus #6: | A Custom-Designed Website |
Wondering why I would discuss websites when you're interested in starting a church? I believe that today, a presence on the world wide web is an important part of starting a church.
Websites are smart and useful tools that have long since proven their worth, even for churches. In the information age, millions of people go online to do research more than to buy consumer goods.
They search the web for churches and answers to life's deepest questions. A church website is a wonderful medium for reaching today's seekers and for encouraging consistent financial contributions.
| Your Church Website: |
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The goal of your new website is twofold: (i) To introduce the new church to your community, (ii) while helping to financially strengthen it.
Your new website will be PayPal™-enabled so you can accept online donations and start building your church's financial stability right away. You can request online donations for important needs, such as the following.
| Online Donation Suggestions: |
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Another important reason to accept online donations is the chance to more quickly recoup your church start-up costs, including any out-of-pocket costs.
You can even personalize your website by suggesting a theme, color scheme, and design. And make it unique by providing the content and sub-page structure you want.
| Sub-page Suggestions: | ||
| Who We Are | Visitors | Sermons |
| What We Believe | Calendar | Music |
| What To Expect | Life Groups | Communications |
| This Week | Missions | Operations |
| Praise & Worship | Ministries | Membership |
| Classes | Children | Leadership |
| Events | Students | Time & Location |
| Workshops | Adults | Directions |
| Teaching Series | Pastoral Care | Online Giving |
| Daily Devotionals | FAQ | Employment |
| Getting Connected | Contact Us | Facilities |
| Bonus #7: | Professional Church Logo Design |
You also get an original, professionally designed church Logo. Two graphic designers will prepare:
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4 Logo Concepts
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2 Redraws
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Unlimited alterations
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Unlimited colors
And they won't stop designing until you're happy. Your initial drafts will be delivered by email 5 business days after you provide concepts.
And your final logo design will be delivered to you by CD and email in all formats needed for online use and offline printing, including GIF, JPG, PSD, TIFF, vector PDF, vector EPS, Adobe AI and Grayscale GIF versions.
My web designer will integrate your church logo into your website. And you get full Intellectual Property ownership of the logo design. This means that with the Grayscale GIF version, you can register the logo for trademark protection right away. Check out some of the graphic designers' work:
| Logo Samples: | |
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Bonus #8: |
Professional Business Card And Stationary Design |
My graphic artists will also take the final logo design you select and use it to create a, one-of-a-kind, professional business card and stationary design.
You'll get these designs with the CD and email delivery of your new logo as well. They'll even coordinate with your preferred offline printers to get your new cards and stationary printed with minimal disruption to your ministry. Here are some examples of their work.
| Business Card & Stationary Designs: |
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Bonus #9: |
Six Full Months Of Free Web Hosting |
This high-value bonus package also includes a complete web-hosting solution, Free for Six (6) Full Months.
Here's what you get: I will provide website hosting - one of the web's best - for your new church website for six (6) full months at absolutely no cost to you. You may choose to continue this hosting arrangement after the first 6 months for a low fee.
If you continue this hosting arrangement, you will also receive Free website maintenance and support (see Free Bonus #10, below) for as long as you continue the hosting.
| Your Web-Hosting Package: |
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Bonus #10: |
Six Full Months Of Free Website Maintenance And Support |
Along with your free six (6) months of web-hosting, you also get Free website maintenance and support for six (6) full months. You may continue receiving free website maintenance and support after the first six months by choosing to also continue the web-hosting arrangement (bonus #9) for a low fee.
Website maintenance and support is typically a very expensive service. But you will receive this service at no cost for as long as you continue the web-hosting arrangement.
Websites are only helpful if they don't take your focus off the ministry. Free website maintenance and support allows you to focus on building and strengthening your ministry because the last thing you need is to get bogged down with technical chores.
Whether you need to change or add content to your site, create email accounts, redirect pages, and the like, it will all be handled for you. Without this free service, you'd have to hire or recruit someone else because website maintenance and support are an absolute necessity.
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Bonus #11: |
Free Domain Name For 12 Full Months |
You also get your choice of one available Domain Name on one registry for 12 full months. You may choose from either a .COM, .NET, .ORG, or any other registry you prefer.
You simply give me a list of domain names you'd like, in order of preference. I will do the necessary search and purchase it for you. As your website host, I will also configure the domain name with the appropriate server information so that it functions with your new church website.
Your free domain name will continue to be free beyond the first 12 months if you elect to continue your hosting arrangement with me.
The combined value of this Complete Media Outreach Solution (Bonuses 6 - 11 only) is about $8,000, That's an $8,000 package at a 100% savings because you pay absolutely nothing.
You will NOT find this kind of value anywhere else.
Keep in mind that a main goal of this package is to help you boost the church's financial strength and stability starting immediately after going online.
Here's My 100% Personal Satisfaction, Full Approvals, And "No More Payments" Guarantee
Here's how my church-starting consulting services guarantee works:
| Forms and Applications Approval: |
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I guarantee that all forms and applications I complete and file on your behalf will be accepted and approved, including Form 1023 - the IRS application for 501(c)(3) tax exemption approval. In the unlikely event that any application or form I complete and file is not approved or accepted, I will re-do it and re-file it, and absorb all penalties, charges, and costs of any kind, at no additional cost to you, and as often as necessary. I have a 100% Approval Rate for all such forms and applications I have ever filed in starting churches, including the IRS Form 1023 for tax exemption. |
| Your Personal Satisfaction: |
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I guarantee your personal satisfaction with all documents I draft in connection with your church start-up. I will redraft and refine any document relating to your church start-up package until you are completely happy with them. |
| No More Payments: |
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I guarantee that you will never be billed for additional time, services or incidentals (copies, mailing, etc.) that I provide to make sure your church start-up is smooth and complete. You only pay one low consulting fee. |
| Continue Working: |
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I will continue working for you as long as necessary to accomplish your goals. Professional services and fees are based on time - a valuable commodity that cannot be recovered once expended. For that reason, this is not a money-back guarantee. Of course, it's unlikely that my applications and/or filings will not be accepted or approved. So take this guarantee as an assurance that: |
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My Church-Starting Consulting Services
Are Limited To 3 New Clients Per Month
My inspiration for helping fellow Believers start churches more quickly, easily and with far less cost than ever before, came out of my desire to do whatever I could to advance God's Kingdom with the talents He has given me.
I already have a separate law practice, so I wanted to do something special like... offer a major discount off the rates I normally charge. And provide a superior value that anyone called to start a church could see and appreciate.
There's just one small issue:
•
The
deeply discounted pricing,
•
The superior value I provide,
•
The 11 Free
Bonuses I offer
at my own expense, and
•
My desire to give each client
quality, focused attention
...also meant that I'd have to limit my consulting services to just 3 new clients each month.
Those on my waiting list still get all my information-gathering forms right away. So, when their place comes up, we "hit the ground running." I make it a point to lose no time at all.
The best way to secure a spot right now is to make a payment on any plan below. Once it goes through, I'm committed to everything I've mentioned here and we'll get started immediately.
And remember, you're also invited to call me at (210) 373-8856 if you just want to talk it through first. I'm normally available M-F, 9am-5pm, Central Time. But you can call after hours or on weekends. If I don't answer right away, leave a message and I'll call you as soon as I can.
Or, click here to send me an email. (If you use a spam blocker, please check your spam folder as well as your inbox for a confirmation. Then, add me to your address book.)
Because it's my life's ministry, I consider it a privilege to help Believers all over the U.S. to plan and accomplish their church start-ups.
Don't Delay... Get Started Right Away
I can't say
how long all the bonuses I provide will be
available. They could be gone in a week or
two. So, get started right away and claim
the full value of everything I'm offering
today. Take advantage of
these Four
easy ways to order now:
(210) 373-8856
|
Once I receive your request for my consulting services with your first or full payment, I will contact you right away to let you know that I will personally be serving your church start-up needs.
Remember, I can only accept 3 new clients per month.
Yours in Christ,
Abe Hernandez,
CEO
ChurchStarter.com
P.S.
Please note that since I'm providing all the free bonuses
completely at my expense, they may not be offered for
long. Don't lose this opportunity to
get this great value. Secure your place now.