Lawsuits by Dismissed Clergy

Key point 2-04.1. Most courts have concluded that they are barred by the First Amendment guarantees of religious freedom and non-establishment of religion from resolving challenges by dismissed clergy to the legal validity of their dismissals.

* 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. Randy was employed as a church's Director of Youth Ministries. In that position, he was responsible for "the administration and organizing of recreational events for the youth, such as camping outings and other social gatherings; he coordinated the transportation, oversaw the logistics, and served as a chaperone." He also "managed the budget for the youth program, recruited adult and youth participants, registered the attendees at events, collected participation fees from attendees, and performed fundraising ...