Church Management Support Guide

August 2024 change

We have revised the Church Management Support Guide Version 8.0 effective from 1 August 2024, and separated it into the following three parts:

Part 1 – Finance and Administration (Version 8.1.0) download here

  • This part outlines the statutory, Book of Order and other requirements and advises on best practice relating to a church’s finance, operations, and administration. 
  • The content has not changed from Version 8.0 which applied from 1 July 2023.
  • The part is under review, and a new version will be updated to the website soon.

Part 2 – Current Stipends and Payroll Calculations, Vehicle Reimbursement Rates (Version 8.2.0) download here

This part contains the current rates and calculations for:

  • Ministers’ stipends, allowances and leave for payroll purposes, including some payroll calculation scenarios.
  • Pulpit supply .
  • Motor vehicle reimbursement published by the IRD and recommended by PCANZ. 

Part 3 – Human Resources (Version 8.3.1) download here

  • This part covers the key aspects of managing human resources, including calling and working with ministers, employing lay staff, working with volunteers, complaints and disputes, and health and safety.
  • This revised version of Part 3 sections applies from August 2024.

Churches have access free-of-charge to:

PCANZ Accounting & Payroll helpline 0800 567 957 for advice on how to set up stipends/wages in your church payroll.

However, if you require more extensive help with activities such as preparing annual accounts or setting up your church payroll and such like, there is likely to be a cost attached. Please make sure you are clear on what costs might be incurred before proceeding. 

About the Church Management Support Guide

This is a business resource intended to guide church councils, treasurers, administrators, and others who are responsible for administration and management within the Presbyterian Church, including areas such as finance, property, and human resources.
The document draws on a range of material and sources, including the Book of Order, Conditions of Service Manual and other Supplementary Provisions, as well as legislative and procedural updates from government organisations such as Inland Revenue and Charities Services, and advice from partner organisations. 

If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your PC, Mac or Android you will not be able to view this document, so please download Adobe Reader for free for your operating system here.

The Church Management Support Guide is an interactive pdf – where website addresses and links appear in the guide you can click on them and the website or link will open. To search the document: hold the Ctrl key and press F on your keyboard and a small search box will appear, type in the name of the item you are searching for and press enter on your keyboard. The item you are searching for will now be highlighted in the document; use the arrows on the search box to forward to all the places in the document your item is listed.