Should your church run like a business? The answer is “yes” and “no”.
Are houses of worship, nonprofits and ministries to operate like the corporate world?
We tend to like black-and-white answers. But there’s tension when it comes to houses of worship and business practices. While these organizations exist for spiritual and societal good – not to make a profit – they also employ staff, manage property, handle finances, and navigate regulations. When these operational realities are ignored or mismanaged, ministry can suffer:
Funds can go missing.
Pastors can burn out.
Legal problems can emerge.
The mission can get derailed.
Our free e-book, “Should Churches Run Like a Business?”, addresses these questions with insights from compliance expert Max Herr and the Ministry Pacific team. The goal isn't turning a faith-based organization into a business. It's leading the mission with excellence and integrity.
The e-book covers:
Why the business vs. church debate misses the point – and what framework actually serves ministry.
Critical compliance issues that expose churches to fines and lawsuits (employee misclassification, payroll obligations, workers' comp).
Financial controls that protect your congregation from embezzlement and build donor trust.
Insurance and risk management as acts of faithful stewardship, not as a lack of faith.
When income-generating activities create tax exposure – and how to avoid costly surprises.
The non-negotiables: Measure success by actions taken to advance the mission, not on financial returns.
Effective business practices remove distractions from ministry and protect resources. When administration works well, congregations don't notice it. When it fails, operations can suffer.
This e-book will be helpful to pastors, clergy, board members and nonprofit leaders seeking to make their mission sustainable and impactful.
