Starting a Church

[lisa128]

What is the name of your state? NY

I want to start a church in New York, can some one tell me the process of doing this?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? NY

I want to start a church in New York, can some one tell me the process of doing this?

**A: #1, pray for help.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

# 2. Pray for money.

 

[lisa128]

Help, direction rather, is what I'm seeking here.

I would like to know which forms I should fill out to start a church. And where to file them.

 

[HomeGuru]

Help, direction rather, is what I'm seeking here.

I would like to know which forms I should fill out to start a church. And where to file them.

**A: until a new Pope gets elected, no new churches are to be started.

 

[Some Random Guy]

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/nfpcorp.html#certinc

see the restrictions and info on both not-for-profits and churches

 

[olgethorpe]

You can also check out www.ulc.org . These guys will ordain you for free and give advice on how to go about organizing your church.

 

[lisa128]

I was checking on the irs website...

It seems that a church is automatically tax-exempt according to the IRS. (In their form 1023 the application for 501c3 status as well as in their pub 1828) In this case, to start a church is it necessary to form a corporation(a taxable business) then seek 501c3 status (tax exempt non-profit business)?

Can a church be started without even filing with the IRS?

 

[Some Random Guy]

Do you plan to collect donations from anyone? Do those people expect to be donating to a bona fide non-profit charity? Do you intend to ever open a bank account for the organization? Being a registered 501c3 has its advantages

 

[lisa128]

Well, donations are optional and the people will know that they are donating to a church. We would need a bank account to manage funds that would be used in a charitable manner (sending out free literature, evangelism, helping other Christians etc.)

What are the differences, advantages, disadvantages to a 501c3 corporation vs tyring to start a church without this piece of paper?