Resources for Church Leaders

• The Active Clergy Guide 2009 (PDF) This 36-page document reviews clergy cash compensation and benefits. [updated 16 Dec. 2008]
• 2009 Supplement to the Active Clergy Guide for Contractual and Part-Time Clergy (PDF)This 13-page document offers definitions of part-time, consultative, active, assisting, and retired clergy. A sample letter of agreement is included, as well as a checklist to assist Sunday supply clergy and guidelines for compensation.
• Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs. (PDF) This 154-page manual (in Acrobat PDF format) offers advice to church leaders about responsible methods of financial management including budgeting, internal controls, bookkeeping, taxes, clergy discretionary funds, audits, insurance, parochial reports and records management. The appendix lists many forms commonly used by treasurers of congregations, and provides instructions for obtaining copies of them. Samples of some generic forms are on the pages immediately following the Appendix.
• The Advance and Development Committee provides financial assistance for parishes throughout the state that have a need for renovations, repairs or new construction. It also provides funding to promote growth for individual parishes.
• The Church Report Company: Parish Statistical Reports - Each year the Diocese of Delaware receives Parish Statistical Reports from The Church Report Company. While one cannot fully know what’s going on in an organization by just looking at the numbers, an organization cannot run well unless those numbers are known. This document puts Parochial Report data to use for the benefit of your church. It examines a church’s statistics in two ways: in relation to the diocesan and national benchmarks, and in relation to itself. The report includes graphs, mathematical calculations, and rankings to illuminate those numbers. These reports are available to each congregation. To request a copy of your church's report, contact us. Please include your congregation’s name and your name.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy (PDF) This 4-page document outlines the Diocese of Delaware's position in regard to alcohol and drugs, including the serving of alcoholic beverages at church functions.
• Annual Report of the Diocese of Delaware in PDF format
• Narrative Budget of the Diocese of Delaware in PDF format
• Investment Guidelines (PDF) This 5-page statement of investment objectives and policies governs the investment management of the endowment assets of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Delaware known as Master Fund “A” (the “Fund”). [updated January 8, 2008]
• Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Delaware (PDF) As of April, 2008. A 59-page document.
• Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church (PDF) As adopted and revised, 2006. This 270-page document includes the Rules of Order.
• Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations From the IRS (U.S. Internal Revenue Service): a 32-page PDF document.
• Interfaith Resource Center The Interfaith Resource Center strives to encourage and equip congregations by providing support and resources. Their on-line database lists most of what they have and it is searchable.
• Website Resources Here are listed three easy ways to maintain your website, plus a host of other recommendations for better communications over the Internet.
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Resources for Employees and Employers

• Safe Church Personnel Manual. (PDF) This 22-page document provides guidance for hiring employees, guidelines for employees and volunteers, a sample misconduct prevention policy, a sample anti-harassment policy, a sample form for those transporting children and youth, best practices for those working with children and youth, and incident reporting guidelines.
• Diocese of Delaware's policy of a professional work environment. (PDF) This 5-page document outlines our policy, especially in regard to sexual harassment and other forms of harassment. It recommends sexual misconduct awareness training for all employees and many volunteers.
• Respect the Dignity of Every Human Being: “Safe Church” Policies and Procedures Personnel Manual (PDF) 2008 Edition. We want the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Delaware to be a safe place for everyone to worship, work, and serve.
• Lay Personnel Manual (PDF) This document will be available again soon. It states current policies and procedures for all active lay employees of the Diocese of Delaware. The appendix includes forms for extended benefits and personnel evaluation, as well as a harassment incident investigation form.
• Episcopal Church Diocese of Delaware Employee Benefits On-Line including medical and hospitalization benefits, dental benefits, disability benefits, life insurance, pension, retirement savings plan, flexible spending account, and Blood Bank of Delaware.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware offers free financial education seminars to help people overcome the anxiety of losing control of their finances. "We can help people develop the skills they need to transcend the current economy. The key is to motivate them to learn the skills needed and to understand that avoiding financial issues is not the solution." To arrange for someone to address your church or other group, please call 410-747-2050.
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