Issue 85 of Administration Matters

Stories of Faith in Action

We are pleased to share with you the latest version of “Stories of Faith in Action,” filled with inspiring stories from this past year. “Stories of Faith in Action” connects us as church and illustrates how, through your generosity, God is at work across the ELCA. It highlights how a portion of your offering, called Mission Support, advances the ministry of our church, helping the ELCA nurture Christian community, raise up leaders, serve our neighbors and strive for justice. Most importantly, it’s one way to thank you for your faithful generosity to your congregation, your synod and the churchwide organization ― by showing your offering at work. The stories and resources can be found at LivingLutheran.org/SOFIA.

January: New year checklist for Portico financial and health benefits

Is your congregation ready to start the new year strong? There are a handful of steps administrative personnel should take in January to ensure a smooth transition into 2023. EmployerLink users, visit Portico’s New Year Checklist to ensure that you are prepared.

January is also the time many of us set health goals. Getting an annual preventive exam, sometimes called a physical, is recommended by health care professionals for everyone but especially for those starting a new exercise program. Remind your employees who have Portico health benefits that preventive exams are covered and that the Portico Care Coordinators by Quantum Health are just a phone call away to answer questions about coverage and tests.

Risk control technologies

Every year ELCA congregations are impacted by water- and smoke-related losses to their property that severely impact their ability to conduct their various ministries. See the following for important free sensor and alarm alert technologies from our endorsed insurance partner, Church Mutual, that can help prevent such losses. >More

IRS issues standard mileage rate for 2023

The Internal Revenue Service has announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. As of Jan. 1, the standard mileage rate for business use of a car, van, pickup truck or panel truck will be 65.5 cents per mile, up 3 cents from the 2022 midyear increase. This rate applies to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles as well as gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. >More

Invite a friend to subscribe to Administration Matters!

Over 13 years ago a group of staff at the ELCA churchwide organization got together with an idea. They wanted to offer church leaders a tool that would provide support in facilitating the management and administration of their congregations and ministries. So, Administration Matters was born.

Administration Matters addresses common, practical issues, including finance, governance, risk management, tax and legal concerns, and other topics of interest about day-to-day operations and management in church settings.

We hope you find its articles interesting and useful and ask that you share them with colleagues, partners in ministry, neighboring churches and congregation staff, inviting them to subscribe. Subscription is free, their names won’t be added to any other mailing lists, and they may unsubscribe at any time if they decide to opt out. Just forward this issue to their email address, and they can subscribe using this link. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Administration Matters.