Clergy Tax Seminar is offered onsite at Bethany Seminary and online, other upcoming webinars address family matters and ministry ‘after Christendom’

The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership will host a Clergy Tax Seminar on Feb. 23. The seminar is recommended for all pastors and seminary students as well as other church leaders who wish to understand clergy taxes including church treasurers, steward commission chairs, and church board chairs. Attend in person at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., or online. The schedule includes a morning session from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (eastern) and an afternoon session from 2-4 p.m. (eastern).

Sessions will cover tax law for clergy, changes for 2014, and detailed assistance to correctly file the various forms and schedules that pertain to clergy including housing allowances, self-employment, W-2s, clergy reductions, and others. Participants will learn how to file clergy taxes correctly and legally and how to comply with regulations while maximizing tax deductions. Those who attend onsite or who attend the live webinar may earn 0.3 continuing education units.

This event is sponsored by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry, and Bethany Theological Seminary.

Registration costs $20 per person. Registration fees for current students at Bethany Seminary or Earlham School of Religion, or students in the TRIM/EFSM/SeBAH ministry training programs are fully subsidized, although registration is still required to reserve a seat and materials. Registrations are not complete until payment is received. For space and quality reasons, registrations may be capped at 25 people onsite and 85 online.

Leading the seminar is Deb Oskin, EA, NTPI Fellow, and a minister in the Church of the Brethren, who has been doing clergy tax returns since 1989. She has learned the problems and pitfalls associated with the IRS identification of clergy as “hybrid employees” from both personal experience and professional experience as an H&R Block agent. During her 12 years with H&R Block (2000-2011), she achieved the highest level of expertise certification as a master tax adviser, and teaching certification as a certified advanced instructor, and has earned the status of enrolled agent with the IRS who is qualified to represent clients to the IRS. She currently operates her own independent tax service specializing in clergy taxes.

To register for the seminar go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts/clergytax2015.

Other upcoming webinars

“The Family and How the Scriptures Are Passed to the Next Generation” is the next webinar in the “Family Matters” series co-sponsored by the Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren. It is scheduled for Jan. 15, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (eastern time). Presenter Howard Worsley is a professor and researcher with a deep interest in children's spirituality and their early perceptions, and author of the book, “A Child Sees God.” Ministers may receive 0.1 continuing education credit for attending the live event. Register at www.brethren.org/webcasts. For more information contact Stan Dueck at sdueck@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext.343.

“Hospitality and Community after Christendom” is the next webinar in a series focused on issues facing the church “after Christendom” which is co-sponsored by the Congregational Life Ministries. It is scheduled for Jan. 29, at 2:30-3:30 p.m. (eastern). Leader Andrew Francis is author of the book by the same name and the book “What in God's Name Are You Eating.” He has been the UK Anabaptist Network’s first development worker and executive vice-chair of the UK Mennonite Trust. Ministers may receive 0.1 continuing education credit for attending the live event. Register at www.brethren.org/webcasts. For more information contact Stan Dueck at sdueck@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext.343.

Source: 01/14/2015 Newsline