Contact: Sandra Hoekstra-Lower, Christianity Today, 630-260-6200 ext 4224, shoekstralower@christianitytoday.com

CAROL STREAM, Ill., March 11, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christianity Today recently released the book Church Finance: The Complete Guide to Managing Ministry Resources by Richard R. Hammar and Michael E. Batts.

"At last, a comprehensive guide, for churches, written by two top experts, covering all the key aspects of church finance," says Dan Busby, president of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

The book provides valuable insights on how accounting principles and tax laws apply to churches. The distinction is vital to understand as there are significant differences between how a church and a business operate.

Other topics covered in the book include selecting insurance coverage and how the church's mission and purpose can be tied into budgeting and financial management.

Both authors have spent decades advising and helping churches with finances. Michael E. Batts is a CPA with more than 25 years of experience advising churches and is the managing partner of Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, P.A., an accounting firm dedicated exclusively to serving nonprofit organizations across the United States. He is a member and former chairman of the board of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), a national organization that accredits Christian organizations in the areas of financial integrity, accountability, and governance.

Co-author, Richard R. Hammar, is also a CPA. He is the author of several books and downloadable resources relating to church finances, including the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide and the biannual Compensation Handbook for Church Staff. He is also the senior editor of the Church Law & Tax Report, a bimonthly newsletter reviewing significant legal and tax developments for churches and clergy, and Church Finance Today, a monthly newsletter for church treasurers.

Church Finance is available on ChurchLawAndTaxStore.com.

Christianity Today is a nonprofit, global media ministry that equips Christians to renew their minds, serve the church, and create culture to the glory of God. With its vision to see the church grown up into the fullness of Christ, the ministry reaches more than 3.5 million people every month through a wide range of digital and print resources.