Two episodes dropped on Kingdom Impact 5 this month, and both tackle situations that quietly happen in almost every church without anyone stopping to ask “wait, is this a tax thing?” Spoiler: it usually is.

Can Our Church Employees Volunteer at Our Church?
Released September 22 | Listen here

Picture a normal Saturday: a few staff members show up early to help set up chairs, no one clocks in, no one thinks twice. A brand-new Department of Labor opinion letter says maybe you should. KI5 breaks down what the ruling actually says, why it came from an agency you’d never expect to weigh in on church potlucks and workdays, and the one question every church leader should ask before the next volunteer sign-up sheet gets passed around.

Does My Church’s Missionaries Need a 1099?
Released September 8 | Listen here

Your church cuts a check to support a missionary in the field. Simple enough, right? Not quite. KI5 digs into one of the murkiest corners of ministry finance: is that support payment a W-2 wage, a 1099, or nothing that needs reporting at all? The answer depends on factors most churches never think to check, and getting it wrong is an easy way to invite an IRS letter you didn’t ask for. In under five minutes, we walk through how to tell the difference so your next missionary support check goes out with zero guesswork.

Why it’s worth five minutes

Both episodes hit the same nerve: the everyday stuff nobody double-checks is usually where the compliance risk hides. Missionary support and staff volunteering feel routine, which is exactly why they’re worth a second look.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, Kingdom Impact 5 is powered by Clergy Financial Resources, which has spent 45+ years helping churches and ministries navigate exactly this kind of thing. Catch new episodes at clergyfinancial.substack.com, or find the show on Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, and iHeart.

Clergy Financial Resources serves as a resource for clients to help analyze the complexity of clergy tax law, church payroll & HR issues. Our professionals are committed to helping clients stay informed about tax news, developments and trends in various specialty areas.

This article is intended to provide readers with guidance in tax matters. The article does not constitute, and should not be treated as professional advice regarding the use of any particular tax technique. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information. Clergy Financial Resources and the author do not assume responsibility for any individual’s reliance upon the information provided in the article. Readers should independently verify all information before applying it to a particular fact situation, and should independently determine the impact of any particular tax planning technique. If you are seeking legal advice, you are encouraged to consult an attorney.

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