Does your church or denomination have to sign anything when you inform them of the opting out?

by Nick
(California )

We are paying someone to help us with the completion of form 4361. They are asking me to send a 'letter of intent to exempt'. This form needs a signature from the board of my denomination. However, the issue with this is that my denomination discourages their pastors from opting out so they will not sign it.

I also saw this at the bottom of the IRS Form.

" To assist the IRS in processing your application, you can attach a copy of the exemption letter issued to the organization by the IRS. If that is not available, you can attach a letter signed by an individual authorized to act for the organization stating that the organization meets both of the above requirements. "