Message #20690

[tennis shoe]

This document originated from a local church. It’s edited for anonymity. I asked about 501c3 years ago. They acted like they’d never heard of it. This is the first time I’ve seen this in writing.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF <CHURCH NAME>

1. Name: The name of this corporation shall be <church name>.

2. Period of Duration: The duration of the existence of the corporation shall be perpetual.

3. Purpose: The corporation is organized exclusively for religious purposes. The purpose for which it is formed is for the assembling of believers in Christ Jesus for religious worship, for the promotion of scriptural holiness, and for-the spreading of the Gospel by the preaching of the Word and by personal testimony.

No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any officer of the corporation, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the corporation affecting one or more of its purposes), and no officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the Carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not conduct or carry on any activities not permitted to be conducted or carried on by an organization exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, or by an organization contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of such Code and Regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

4. Name and Address of Registered Agent: The name of the registered agent is <edited> and the address of the registered agent <edited>.

5. Names and Addresses of current Church Board:
<list edited>

6. Members: Only believers in full communion shall be members. See Article VI.
!
By-Laws of <Church Name> Revised & Approved by Membership Vote on <date>.

7. Disillusionment: Upon the dissolution of the corporation or the, winding up its affairs, the assets of the Corporation shall its be distributed exclusively to charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational organizations which would then qualify under the provisions of Section, 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended. The distribution shall be at the discretion of the Trustees and Church Board with approval of Church membership.