Education

Legal and Financial Issues in Ministry
2 credit hours/3 CEUs
About the Course
This course examines legal and financial issues in the ministry. Studies will include the ministry’s relationship to local, state, and federal statutes, taxes, legal issues arising from the business of the church, as well as issues arising from the practice of ministry. We will study budgets creation, stewardship and fundraising, as well as risk management, prosperity consciousness and ethical considerations.

Course Presentation
Faculty will prepare a Learning Guide for each unit. The Learning Guide will include comments about the topics to be studied as well as suggestions about what to look for in the assigned readings.

Faculty will post discussion threads for each unit related to that unit’s topics of study. Students will be able to post responses to the discussion questions or topics, respond to other students’ postings, and present questions to the class. Faculty will respond as appropriate.

Questions of special interest to individual students may be answered by e-mail.
Grading Policies
Please review the full grading policy of Unity Institute.

Required Texts
  • Pastor, Church & Law, Third Edition, by Richard R. Hammar.
    The book can be ordered from www.churchlawtoday.com. ISBN 1-880562-42-1
  • Basic Accounting for Churches, by Jack A. Henry, Broadman & Holman Publishers, ISBN 080546145-0
  • The Dynamics of Church Finance, by James D. Berkley, Baker Books, ISBN 0-80109105-5
Requirements for Students
Complete Assigned ReadingsRequired assignments may vary in length and may utilize texts and other resources. Additional recommended readings and Web resources will add to the learning experience. Use the Weekly Learning Guide—This will give students an overview of each unit’s learning activities and experiences.

Participate in Online discussionThe discussion forum offers students the opportunity to interact with other students and with the facilitator of the class. The instructor will post questions or statements related to the unit. Students should respond with answers, comments or even questions related to the topic. Discussion forums are mandatory for all students. When extreme circumstances prevent a student from participating online, the student must request an excuse from the faculty.

Complete Written Assignments
—Masters credit students will have a written assignment for each of the units plus a final research paper. Certificate credit students will have written assignments.

Class Tuition and Fees

Register Now
To enroll in an online class, you need to contact the M&RS Registrar at registrar@unityonline.org or call 816-251-3535, Ext. 2170.

Confused about the right program and credit choice for you? Then visit our FAQs section or contact us at:

Ministry and Religious Studies Program
Unity Institute
1901 NW Blue Parkway
Unity Village, MO 64065-0001

E-mail: registrar@unityonline.org
Phone: 816-251-3535 Ext. 2170
Fax: 816-251-3555

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