Resources

Here, we provide a selection of many different resources on many different topics to help assist congregations.

ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION

Ordination in the ABC Rochester/Genesee Region is a shared venture involving the candidate, the local church, and the Rochester/Genesee Region. Ordination grants recognition to the person’s calling, fitness, and preparation for a ministry and confers upon such person its approval of her/his place among peers. The local church ordains; by going through the regional ordination process and having the region affirm that the candidate meets the credentials therein, the candidates local church ordination is automatically granted regional, and therefore denominational, recognition of that ordination.

Churches and agencies within the American Baptist Churches of Rochester/Genesee Region may wish to call a person who has been previously ordained through another denomination or affiliation and have that person’s ordination recognized through ABCRGR. Recognition does not replace the original ordination. Rather, it allows candidates who are serving as professional clergy in the Rochester/Genesee Region to have a ministerial standing in the American Baptist Churches USA.

Please see the guidelines for each of these categories posted below. If you would like to enter the process, please contact Executive Minister Rev. Dr. Sandra Hasenauer.

ORDINATION RESOURCES

Ordination Within ABCRGR 8-20.pdf

Summary Of Requirements For Ordination August 2020.pdf

RECOGNITION RESOURCES

Summary Of Requirements For Recognition Of Ordination March 2021.pdf

Guidelines for Recognition of Ordination.pdf

CHILD SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Churches must be safe spaces for all. We must raise our own awareness about potential issues and how to put simple practices into place that will help assure the safety of our youngest and most vulnerable members.

MinistrySafe is a complete child safety system that provides resources, training, and background checks.

ABCRGR provides trainings and webinars on this topic as well. You will find a recording of our November 2021 webinar "Litigation Prevention and Preparedness" with Rev. David Ball, Esq., at the bottom of this web page. To download the PowerPoint presentation from the webinar, click here.

Subscribe to our email newsletter for notices about upcoming opportunities.

CHILD SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RESOURCES

American Baptist Home Mission Societies Workshop on Child Abuse Prevention in Churches

Sample Policy Created by First Baptist Church of Brockport, NY

Safe Sanctuaries Policy Information From the United Methodist Church

Church Law & Tax (a subsidiary of Christianity Today) Produces Excellent Resources on Child Safety and Abuse Prevention

Church Mutual Insurance Abuse Prevention Information

MinistrySafe Child Safety System Providing Resources, Training, and Background Checks

CHURCH MANAGEMENT

These resources are available to help congregations ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, provide financial transparency, and ensure best practices in administration.

According to NYS non-profit regulations, all members of the managing board/s of a nonprofit institution must complete an annual Conflict of Interest reporting form. This includes churches. See the resources below to download the form that ABCRGR Executive Board completes every year to use as a sample when creating your own Conflict of Interest reporting form.

Although churches are automatically granted nonprofit tax exemption, some grantors and some states require additional documentation that a church has 501(c)3 status. ABCRGR has 501(c)3 status under the ABCUSA's tax exemption.

Because we are under ABCUSA umbrella, we cannot grant exemption to any of our individual churches. Each church has to apply for exemption directly with ABCUSA.

CHURCH MANAGEMENT RESOURCES

ABCRGR Conflict of Interest Policy and Annual Form

Instructions for Getting Documentation of Your Exemption Through ABCUSA

Application Form To Complete and Return to ABCUSA at the Address Provided on the Form

Download the IRS Manual on Tax Issues for Churches

Visit This Website for Other Church Management Resources Available Through ABCUSA

ABCUSA DENOMINATIONAL RESOURCES

ABCUSA ANNUAL REPORT

As part of the Five Common Criteria that hold us together as an associational body of congregations, churches are asked to complete an Annual Report in January every year.

Review How The Annual Report is Used and Why Congregational Input is Important to Us as a Denomination.

Instructions on How to Complete the Report Online