Administration & Finance Resources
Administration & Finance Handbook
The Office of the Bishop staff is pleased to release the 2024 Administration and Finance Handbook. The goal of this handbook is to provide one document with clear and concise explanations and resources. Some of the items included are Clergy compensation information, guide to Clergy and Lay Benefits, Lay professional compensation information, human resource information, Church management and oversight resources, tax and other IRS information, and many other resources that would be helpful for Treasurers, Bookkeepers, Parish Administrators, and almost any parish leader. The goal is to provide an updated version on a quarterly basis each year. Please take the time to review this handbook and pass it along to other staff and leaders in your parish. This handbook will always be a living document. If you have any suggestions for next year’s handbook, please contact the Canon for Mission & Operations, the Rev. Jon Anderson at Jon@EpiscopalColorado.org.
Administration & Finance End-of-Year Checklist
The Office of the Bishop has provided a helpful checklist of administrative and financial tasks to be done before the end of the year and also for the beginning of the upcoming year. Clergy and Wardens will find this list helpful, however, most of the check list is intended primarily for Treasurers. We ask that you please pass this onto your Treasurer or the appropriate people. If you have any questions, contact Pam Greenfield at pam@episcopalcolorado.org.
Compensation and Benefits
Housing Allowance
Sample resolution and letter for Housing Allowance
Retirement Planning
For information about clergy pensions and lay retirement plans, visit the Church Pension Group’s web site at www.cpg.org.
Compensation Changes for Clergy and Lay Employees
- Employment Change Form – Complete this form anytime compensation changes for a clergy or lay employee. Send the completed document to Dianne Draper at dianne@episcopalcolorado.org. The change will go into the CPG system immediately.
Colorado FAMLI Law
Since January 1, 2023, All churches must be registered with the Colorado FAMLI portal and quarterly putting money into the Colorado FAMLI portal. Beginning January 1, 2024, individuals can apply for FAMLI funds. This is the Link to all information regarding the use of the Colorado FAMLI Law. You can contact Dianne Draper or Pam Greenfield in the Office of the Bishop with questions.
Health and Dental Insurance 2025 –
- Active Lay and Clergy health and dental enrollment form
- 2025 Health & Dental premiums
- 2025 Medicare Secondary Plan premiums
- Medicare Secondary Plan Enrollment for new active clergy and lay employees 65 and older, please contact Dianne Draper at dianne@episcopalcolorado.org.
Anthem Health Insurance Plans
- Anthem BlueCard PPO 90 Summary 2025
- Anthem BlueCard PPO 80 Summary 2025
- Anthem BlueCard PPO 70 Summary 2025
- Anthem CDHP-20 with Health Savings Account 2025
Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance Plans
Delta Dental Plans
Employee Assistance Program, Health Advocate and Oakes Trust application Resources
- Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for lay employees
- Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for clergy
- Health Advocate
- Oakes Home Trust for our of pocket health & dental expenses
Health Savings Plan Information
Church Management and Oversight
Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs
“Lessons from a Rookie Treasurer” – From ECF Vital Practices / Finance & Administrations
Insurance Requirements
Property & Casualty Insurance – Risk Management
For more information about Property and Casualty Insurance, visit the the Property and Casualty page of the Church Pension Group website.
For audit guidelines and reporting requirements, please see Reporting to the Diocese.
Parish Bylaws Template: PDF | Word
Articles of Incorporation Template
General Policies Regarding Clergy Sabbaticals – From the Commission on Ministry
Clergy Discretionary Funds
There is a lot of confusion and misinformation concerning the proper use of Clergy Discretionary Funds among leaders in the Church. It is one of the most common areas of clergy misconduct. We have outlined some best practices and requirements for Clergy Discretionary Funds to inform and protect churches and clergy. Please take the time to review them and make corrections in your church as needed. For questions about Clergy Discretionary Funds, please contact the Canon for Missional Advancement and Congregational Vitality.
Clergy Discretionary Fund Expectations
IRS Information and Links
The Tax Exempt Certificate for The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
Many of the IRS Forms you will need for your church are available on the IRS web site.
Trusts and Endowments
Diocesan Trusts and Endowments offer grants in many areas, from covering health care expenses, to funding specific kinds of ministry, to clergy assistance for auto purchases.
Learn more and apply for grants
Church Property Decisions
Major decisions related to church property (including leases, cell phone tower leases, sale, and property secured loans) must be approved by the diocesan Standing Committee. If you have questions about this process or are considering something that will require approval, contact Scott Asper and the Property Advisory Committee, scott@coef.org.
Application to Alienate Church Property
Application to Encumber Church Property