Guest Speaker Receiving Love Offerings Only

by Pete Hillebrandt
(The Woodlands Texas)

Question regarding guest speakers and love offerings:

I am Treasurer of our Church. Our Board has agreed that this year Guest Speakers would be paid based on Church Love Offerings from the members.

Checks would be made out to our church and we would count the total love offerings of cash and checks and issue One Church Check to the Guest Speaker less airfare and lodging.

The Net Revenue effect would be zero. Will this present a problem by giving the Guest Speaker a Church Check for the Net?

Also.

I only gave members a deduction for Love Offerings given to our pastor. Because Love Offerings to other pastors who are not affiliated with our church I never gave them a deduction for outsiders.

Is that wrong? I feel if the members want to give to an outside speaker that is strictly their choice. He would still have to claim them as income and we would not have to send him a 1099.

Since our pastor is directly affiliated with our church I give them the deduction. Is that okay?

Also.

Do you have resources available in keeping up with the IRS guidelines related to all church activities? I would be more than willing to pay for them. I just need a source to go to to make sure I am incompliance of everything the government is throwing at us.

Pete
Treasurer
The Shepherds House Church