README
Complete guide to establishing a church as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
Documents
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Formation Process | Step-by-step guide to incorporating and obtaining 501(c)(3) status |
| Compliance Checklist | Complete checklist of requirements for establishing a legally compliant church |
| Maintenance Checklist | Ongoing requirements to maintain legal compliance and tax-exempt status |
| Church Formation Services | Comparison of services that help churches obtain and maintain 501(c)(3) status |
| Church Qualification Template | Fillable checklist to document your church meets IRS criteria |
| Sample Statement of Faith | Statement of faith for multi-source wisdom community |
| The Church of Life | Working qualification document tracking progress (10/13 criteria met) |
| Similar Movements | Comparison to UU, Progressive Christianity, Emergent Church, ULC |
| Cult Perception Analysis | How mainstream Christians view these movements as cults or heretical |
| Government Cult Classification | Legal perspective: government cannot classify cults under First Amendment |
| Meeting Notes Template | Template for board meetings, resolutions, and official decisions |
Key Concepts
Automatic Exemption: Churches are automatically tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) without applying, but many still choose to apply for formal IRS recognition.
State Incorporation: First step is incorporating with your state as a nonprofit religious corporation.
Optional Federal Recognition: While not required, obtaining IRS determination letter provides credibility for donors, grants, and banking.