New ECFA Workshop Delivers Key Resources for Recession-Proofing Ministries and Churches

New ECFA Workshop Delivers Key Resources for Recession-Proofing Ministries and Churches

'Focusing on the Basics in Changing Times' Workshop Launches This Fall in Six U.S. Cities

WINCHESTER, Va., July 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Evangelical Association for Financial Accountability (ECFA) will launch its new workshop series, "Focusing on the Basics in Changing Times: Recession Proofing Ministries and Churches," in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 3.

The workshop features presentations from ECFA executive staff, area professionals and prominent ministry experts on a variety of topics, including best church practices, best websites to increase giving and nonprofit tax, legal and accounting issues. It also will be held in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Sept. 15), Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 17), Grand Rapids, Mich. (Oct. 21), Minneapolis, Minn. (Oct. 22) and Cincinnati, Ohio (Nov. 5).

"Churches and faith-based nonprofits are seeking guidance on how to ensure their ministries thrive despite the recession," said Dan Busby, president of ECFA. "We want to use this workshop to provide ministry and church leaders and board members with the tools and resources they need to meet the financial challenges ahead by focusing on financial integrity, accountability, strategic fundraising and best practices."

According to a recent survey, nearly 50 percent of Christian nonprofits cut their overall budgets for the 2009 fiscal year. "Focusing on the Basics in Changing Times: Recession Proofing Ministries and Churches" is a full-day workshop designed to help this segment of nonprofits adapt to the changing financial landscape and develop and implement plans to overcome the common financial challenges that many churches and ministries are facing.

The workshop is tailored for church pastors, ministry heads, board members, financial managers, chief executive officers and other church and ministry staff members. Presentations will focus on a variety of topics, including stewardship, leadership, church issues, board governance, legal issues, small church and nonprofit issues and financial management. Scheduled presentations include "Emerging Trends in Nonprofit Governance," "God, Generous Giving and Asking" and "Fraud Prevention for Ministries."

Dan Busby, CPA, president of ECFA, ,Wes Willmer, Ph.D., senior vice-president of ECFA, and Brian Kluth, D.D, nationally known speakers and authors, are among workshop presenters and speakers. Other speakers include: Michael Batts, CPA; Nick Wallace, CPA, John Butler, J.D.; Elisa Morgan, publisher of "FulFill;" and Tom Winters, CPA, J.D., founding partner of Winters & King, Inc.

Registration fees are $49 for ECFA members and $99 for non-members. Groups of five or more will receive a $10 discount.

ECFA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Up to five continuing professional education credits may be available for attending this workshop.

For more information on "Focusing on the Basics in Changing Times: Recession Proofing Ministries and Churches," including a full slate of speakers, and to register, visit www.ecfa.org.

ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA standards pertaining to financial accountability, fund-raising and board governance. For more information about ECFA, including information about accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ecfa.org or call 1- 800-323-9473.

To schedule an interview with an executive staff member of ECFA or other workshop presenters, contact Ty Mays at (770) 256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.