Church Executive CHURCH EXECUTIVE NOV-DEC 2017 DIGITAL

27 > FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS 3 common “balancing acts” when starting a Christian school 18 During a recent conversation with a borrower, it was apparent they were frustrated with their school operation and had been asking themselves, What did we get into? Surely, they are not the only ones who feel this way in the process. That prompted us to consider some of the common pitfalls that churches could potentially avoid in these same situations. By Darren Thompson & Richard Koon 33 > CHURCH INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS The problem with managing cash The need to manage cash is a good “problem” to have … but what should your church do with it? John Regan, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer at New York- based Permanens Capital, has a few tried-and-true ideas. FEATURES 23 > 3 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO CULTIVATE GENEROUS GIVERS IN YOUR CHURCH Jim Sheppard, Principal of Generis — a consulting firm that helps churches to inspire and cultivate generosity through giving development coaching and strategy — talks about the best way to create an environment of giving. 28 > BEST EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP Frank Sommerville, JD, CPA — in partnership with Church Mutual Insurance Company — discusses harassment, hiring practices, terminating employees, and wage/overtime rules compliance. 32 > THE DECISION OF A LIFETIME During the first two years of your ministry, you will make the decision of a lifetime — whether or not to opt out of Social Security. This is a hot topic in ministry circles today, and everyone has a personal opinion on the matter. But what does it really mean to opt out of Social Security? And should you? By Don McLeod, CFP® DEPARTMENTS 3 > FROM THE EDITOR 34 > CHURCH TRENDS & STATISTICS By Joyce Guzowski 20 CHURCH EXECUTIVE.COM | 5

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