Church Law & Tax Report

A Texas court ruled that it was barred by the First Amendment from resolving a lawsuit brought against a church by a dismissed youth director.

Statements concerning the discipline of members cannot be defamatory unless made with malice.

There are several legal defenses available to a denominational agency that is sued as a result of the acts or obligations of affiliated clergy and churches.

Churches can impose scriptural or moral standards on their employees, and such efforts will be fully protected by the civil courts?o long as they do so fairly and uniformly.

Age discrimination requires proof that age was the basis for an adverse employment decision.

Several courts have refused to hold churches and denominational agencies liable on the basis of a breach of a fiduciary duty for the sexual misconduct of a minister.