Ministry Association with Liberty World Ministries

One of the most valuable benefits of FOFEM membership is the opportunity to operate your ministry under Liberty World Ministries' registered charity umbrella without the complexity and cost of creating your own separate charitable organization.

The Liberty World Ministries Advantage

Instead of spending thousands of dollars and countless hours establishing your own registered charity, you can become an Associate Minister with Liberty World Ministries and benefit from our established charitable status, financial infrastructure, and administrative support.

What is Ministry Association?

Ministry Association is a formal partnership where ordained FOFEM ministers operate as part of Liberty World Ministries' charitable work. Under this arrangement:

You Receive:
  • Charitable umbrella - operate under LWM's registered charity status
  • Tax receipt issuing - LWM issues official receipts to your donors
  • Administrative support - financial tracking and CRA compliance
  • Legal covering - operate as part of established ministry
  • Credibility - association with 45+ year ministry
You Provide:
  • Financial accountability - regular financial reports to LWM
  • Ministry alignment - operate within LWM's charitable purposes
  • Doctrinal agreement - maintain our statement of faith
  • Compliance - follow CRA charitable regulations
  • Transparency - open books for LWM oversight

Why Associate with Liberty World Ministries?

Option Creating Your Own Charity Associating with LWM
Initial Cost $3,000-$10,000+ (legal fees, CRA application) Included with FOFEM membership
Time to Establish 6-12 months (CRA approval process) Immediate (upon FOFEM approval)
Annual Reporting T3010 Registered Charity Return (complex) Simple financial reports to LWM
Annual Fees $1,000-$3,000+ (accountant, legal, compliance) Covered by FOFEM membership
Board Requirements Minimum 3 directors, meetings, minutes LWM board provides oversight
Bookkeeping Professional bookkeeping required Simplified tracking, LWM support
Audit Risk You handle CRA audits alone LWM expertise and support
Can Start Immediately? No - must wait for CRA approval Yes - start receiving support right away
Cost Comparison Over 5 Years

Creating Your Own Charity: $8,000 initial + $2,000/year x 5 years = $18,000+

Associating with LWM: FOFEM membership dues only = Save $15,000+

How Ministry Association Works

Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Apply for FOFEM Membership - Complete application, interview, and ordination process
  2. Request Ministry Association Status - Indicate desire to operate under LWM umbrella
  3. Submit Ministry Plan - Describe your ministry activities, budget, and fundraising plans
  4. LWM Board Approval - Board reviews to ensure alignment with LWM's charitable purposes
  5. Establish Designated Fund - LWM creates designated fund in your ministry name
  6. Begin Operations - Start ministering and raising support immediately
  7. Provide Accountability - Submit regular financial reports to LWM
  8. LWM Issues Receipts - Donors receive official charitable tax receipts from Liberty World Ministries

How Donations Work Under Association

When you operate as an Associate Minister with Liberty World Ministries, donations flow through a designated giving system that is fully compliant with CRA regulations:

Donation Flow - Example
1. Donor Gives:

Mrs. Smith wants to support Rev. Johnson's missionary work. She writes a cheque to:

"Liberty World Ministries"
Memo: "For Rev. Johnson's Ministry"

2. LWM Receives:

Liberty World Ministries receives the donation and:

  • Issues official tax receipt to Mrs. Smith
  • Deposits to designated fund for Rev. Johnson
  • Tracks donation for reporting
3. Rev. Johnson Receives:

Funds are disbursed to Rev. Johnson for approved ministry expenses:

  • Living support/salary
  • Ministry materials
  • Travel expenses
  • Mission projects
4. Accountability:

Rev. Johnson provides quarterly reports showing:

  • Income received
  • Expenses incurred
  • Ministry activities
  • Receipts for major expenses

Result: Donor gets tax receipt, Rev. Johnson gets support, LWM maintains oversight, and everything is CRA-compliant!

Legal Requirements for Ministry Association

To remain fully compliant with Canada Revenue Agency regulations, Associate Ministers must adhere to these requirements:

Financial Accountability
  • Submit quarterly financial reports to LWM
  • Maintain receipts for all expenses over $50
  • Provide annual summary of ministry activities
  • Allow LWM to audit records if needed
Ministry Direction & Control
  • LWM board maintains ultimate direction and control (CRA requirement)
  • Minister operates with significant autonomy within approved ministry plan
  • Major changes to ministry direction require LWM approval
  • All activities must align with LWM's registered charitable purposes
Charitable Purpose Compliance
  • All activities must be for advancement of religion (LWM's mandate)
  • Funds used only for approved charitable purposes
  • No personal benefit beyond reasonable ministry compensation
  • Activities must serve public benefit, not private interests
Doctrinal Alignment
  • Maintain agreement with LWM's 11-point statement of faith
  • Uphold biblical standards in personal conduct and ministry
  • No teaching contrary to LWM's doctrinal positions
Tax Receipt Rules
  • Only LWM issues official tax receipts (minister CANNOT issue own)
  • Donations must be to LWM, not to minister personally
  • Donors cannot control or direct specific use of funds (designated giving is OK, control is not)
  • LWM has final say on fund disbursement (to maintain charitable control)
Record Keeping
  • Keep all financial records for minimum 6 years
  • Maintain documentation of ministry activities
  • Track donor information for LWM's records
  • Provide copies of all receipts to LWM on request

What Can Designated Funds Be Used For?

Under CRA rules and LWM policy, designated funds can support:

ALLOWED USES
  • Living Support: Reasonable salary/support for minister and family
  • Ministry Materials: Bibles, teaching resources, tracts
  • Travel: Transportation for ministry work
  • Facilities: Rent for church/ministry space
  • Mission Projects: Orphanage support, church planting, outreach
  • Equipment: Sound systems, projectors, ministry tools
  • Training: Bible school, conferences, ministry development
  • Administration: Office supplies, communications, reasonable overhead
NOT ALLOWED
  • Personal Expenses: Non-ministry related purchases
  • Investments: Stock purchases, real estate speculation
  • Political Activity: Supporting candidates or parties
  • Private Benefit: Enriching minister beyond reasonable support
  • Non-Charitable: Activities outside LWM's mandate
  • Loan Funds: Cannot loan to minister or related persons
  • Luxury Items: Excessive or unreasonable purchases

Violation of these rules jeopardizes LWM's charitable status and can result in termination of association

Accountability & Oversight

Liberty World Ministries takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously. Associate Ministers are supported with accountability that protects both the minister and the ministry:

Quarterly Reporting Requirements:

Every 3 months, submit a simple report including:

  • Income Summary: Total donations received for your ministry
  • Expense Summary: Categories of expenses (salary, travel, materials, etc.)
  • Ministry Activities: Brief description of what you accomplished
  • Major Receipts: Copies for expenses over $500
  • Balance Statement: Funds available in your designated account
Annual Review:
  • Comprehensive annual report of ministry activities and finances
  • Meeting with LWM leadership to discuss ministry direction
  • Planning for upcoming year's ministry goals and budget
  • Renewal of ministry association for next year
LWM's Role:
  • Review reports for compliance and appropriate use of funds
  • Provide guidance on CRA regulations and charitable best practices
  • Support ministers in difficult situations or questions
  • Represent ministers if CRA questions arise
  • Issue all tax receipts and maintain donor records
  • File annual T3010 return including all associate ministry activities

Three Levels of Association with LWM

Not all FOFEM ministers need the same level of association. We offer three levels to meet different ministry needs:

1. Credentialed Ministers

Basic FOFEM membership

You Receive:

  • Ordination credentials
  • Clergy tax status
  • Marriage authority eligibility
  • Pastoral support
  • Network/fellowship

You Maintain:

  • Your own ministry finances
  • Your own tax receipting (through another charity or not at all)
  • Independence in operations
2. Partner Ministers

Working in collaboration

You Receive:

  • Everything from Level 1
  • Promotional support from LWM
  • Platform at LWM events
  • Joint ministry projects
  • Referrals and connections

You Provide:

  • Mutual support and collaboration
  • Participation in LWM initiatives
  • Still maintain independent finances
3. Associate Ministers

Operating under LWM umbrella

You Receive:

  • Everything from Levels 1 & 2
  • Charitable umbrella
  • Tax receipt issuing
  • Financial administration
  • Legal covering
  • CRA compliance support

You Provide:

  • Financial accountability to LWM
  • Quarterly & annual reporting
  • Operate within LWM's mandate
  • Submit to LWM oversight

Choose the level that fits your ministry: All ordained FOFEM ministers receive credentials and clergy benefits. Partnership and Association are optional enhanced levels for those who want deeper connection with Liberty World Ministries.

Benefits Summary: Why Associate with LWM?

Financial Benefits:
  • Save $15,000+ over 5 years
  • No charity setup costs ($3,000-$10,000)
  • No annual compliance costs ($1,000-$3,000)
  • Donors get tax receipts immediately
  • Professional financial administration
Legal Benefits:
  • Operate under established charity
  • CRA compliance support
  • Audit protection and expertise
  • Proper accountability structure
  • No personal liability for charity registration
Practical Benefits:
  • Start immediately (no 6-12 month wait)
  • Simple reporting vs. complex T3010
  • No board of directors to manage
  • Focus on ministry, not administration
  • Leverage 45+ years of LWM credibility
Spiritual Benefits:
  • Part of larger ministry family
  • Accountability partners
  • Pastoral support when needed
  • Prayer coverage
  • Not alone in ministry challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! You can operate under a ministry name (e.g., "Johnson Family Missions - A Ministry of Liberty World Ministries"). Donors write cheques to Liberty World Ministries with your ministry name in the memo, and you maintain your distinct identity while benefiting from LWM's charitable status.

No. You maintain day-to-day control and decision-making for your ministry activities. LWM provides oversight to ensure CRA compliance and charitable purpose alignment, but you have significant autonomy within your approved ministry plan. Think of it as accountability, not control.

You can! Many ministers start under LWM's umbrella while their ministry grows, then later establish their own charity once they have the resources and capacity. Association is not a lifetime commitment - it's a relationship that serves you for as long as it's beneficial.

Minimal. Quarterly reports are typically 2-3 pages: income/expense summary, brief ministry update, and receipts for major purchases. Annual report is more comprehensive but still far simpler than running your own charity. We provide templates to make it easy.

Yes! Donors can designate gifts for your ministry. However, CRA rules require that LWM maintain ultimate control - donors cannot dictate specific use. Designated giving is legal and encouraged; donor control is not. LWM honors designations as long as they align with charitable purposes and your approved ministry plan.

Fair transition. If you leave in good standing, we work with you for smooth transition. Unused designated funds can be transferred to another charity you establish (if CRA-approved) or used for similar ministry purposes within LWM. Specifics handled case-by-case with integrity and fairness.

Ready to Learn More About Ministry Association?

If you're interested in operating your ministry under Liberty World Ministries' charitable umbrella, we'd love to discuss how this could benefit your calling.

Next Steps:
  1. Contact FOFEM Leadership - Schedule a conversation about your ministry vision
  2. Discuss Your Needs - Determine which level of association fits best
  3. Apply for FOFEM - Begin ordination process if not already ordained
  4. Submit Ministry Plan - Outline your ministry activities and funding needs
  5. Begin Partnership - Start operating with LWM's support and covering

Contact FOFEM about Ministry Association:

lbrtywrld@gmail.com

(604) 825-0195

Mention "Ministry Association" when contacting us to ensure you speak with the right person about this opportunity.

The Bottom Line

Ministry Association with Liberty World Ministries allows you to focus on what God called you to do—ministry—while we handle the administrative, legal, and financial complexity of charitable operations. You get the benefits of an established charity without the burden of creating and maintaining one. For many ministers, this is the smartest way to start and sustain effective ministry work.