Click here for important update on new overtime rules from Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
Pastors and Church Treasurers Handbook 2025-2026 Index:
General Information in preparation for preparing budget-pages 3-4
2026 Budget Worksheet – page 5
Parsonage Allowance – pages 6-7
Professional Expenses – page 7
W-2 & W-3 Worksheet – page 8
2026 Equal Participation Plan Church Assessments Information (Home Ministries) – pages 9
State of Illinois Mandatory Requirements for Anti-Harassment Training, Anti-Harassment Poster requirement and Employee Handbook-page 9-10
State of Illinois Mandatory Reporting Law and requirements-pages 10
Charitable Contributions (cash and non-cash, including car donations) – pages 11-12
Tithe/Offering Form – page 13
Gateway Conference Board of Administration Standing Rules & Recommendations-pages 14-20
Guidelines for Local Churches and Treasurers and Auditors – pages 17-19
Ministerial Education & Guidance (MEGA) Guidelines-pages 21-24
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Compensation-page 21
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Benefits – pages 21
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Vacation Policy-page 21
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Sick Leave – page 21-22
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Family & Medical Leave – pages 22-23
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Moving Expense Reimbursement-pages 23-24
MEGA Guidelines Pastoral Enrichment Leave (Sabbatical) – page 24
Roth 403 (b) Plan available-page 24-25
Aplos Accounting System through Gateway Conference update-page 26
Pastor (GAPS) and Pastor’s Children Scholarship information – page 26
Pastor’s Children Scholarship application – page 27
Pastors GAPS Application – page 28
Pastors GAPS Reference Form – page 29
Local Church Grant Initiatives Information, Letter of Inquiry Template, Deadlines-pages 29-32
Incorporation requirements from FMCUSA-page 32
Health Insurance information – page 33
Pension Information –pages 34-37
Checklist for Pastors and Treasurers – pages 37-38
Gateway Pastor Requirements – pages 38-39
Church Excel Resource through FMCUSA-page 39
FMFinancial-page 39
MissionInsite offered through Gateway Conference-pages 39-40
Financial Health Resource offered through FMCUSA and FMFinancial-page 40
Gateway Conference resources link-page 40
Gateway Conference Scholarship Fund link – page 40
FMCUSA website – page 40
FMCUSA Human Resources link – page 40
FMCUSA legal resources link – page 40
The Free Methodist Way link – page 40
The Center for Pastoral Transformation link – page 40
2023 Book of Discipline link – page 40
Brother Mutual Worker Classification information link – page 40
Distinguishing Employees from Volunteers link – page 40
Document Retention link Information-page 40