If you’re reading this issue of Church Law & Tax Update on New Year’s Eve, the countdown to 2020 is already on. We’re just hours away from a new year. And even though the new decade technically begins at the start of 2021, there’s still a sense of anticipation with calendars turning to the 2020s.

But before we look too far ahead, let’s take time now to look back. This past year brought numerous developments and headlines that affected churches, particularly with their legal, tax, finance, and risk management matters. We tabulated the articles that generated the most interest from readers like you during 2019 and compiled two lists. Both articles are free to read. Each give you a helpful retrospective—along with some helpful insights and instructions to take into the next year.

On ManagingYourChurch.com, for instance, our list starts out like this:

10. When the Church Office Closes for Bad Weather, Does Everyone Get Paid?

9. Atheist Organization Opts Not to Appeal Housing Allowance Ruling

8. Shining a Light on How Churches Spend Money

Find out the remaining top articles by reading the rest here.

Meanwhile, over on ChurchLawAndTax.com, the list goes like this:

10. Mastering Fifteen End-of-Year Tasks

9. Churches Can Once Again Reimburse Employee Health Care Costs

8. IRS Releases Proposed Revision for Form W-4 for 2020

Check out the rest to learn what came in at No. 1.

The Lord bless you and keep you,