Church Law & Tax Report
November/December 2010
Feature Article
Immigration 101 
A primer on visas, work permits, and more.
Articles

Immigration Law and the Church 
How to welcome the stranger, legally.
Legislation Drops Cell Phones from "Listed Property" 
But churches should await IRS guidance before changing record-keeping policies.
Same-Sex Marriage 
Will pastors have to perform marriages contrary to their religious beliefs?
Assessing Sex Offenders' Risk of Reoffending 
How diagnostic tools can help measure the danger.
Recent Developments
Issues that affect ministers and churches, with Richard R. Hammar
Marriage
Spousal Support Payments 
Court rules that pastor's lowered salary should not cause his alimony payments to be reduced.
Clergy - Removal; Contracts
Court May Resolve Pastor's Breach of Employment Claim 
Not all church disputes involve matters of doctrine.
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Church Held Liable for Coach's Sexual Misconduct 
Don't ignore warning signs of potential misconduct.
Church Members; Defamation
Informing Church Members of Disciplinary Action 
Court refuses to resolve expelled member's defamation claim.
Church Property
Petroleum Contamination of Church Property 
Court rejects church's injunction against neighboring gas station.
Marriage
Potential Problems with "Religious" Marriages 
Ceremonies that don't comply with legal requirements can have legal and tax consequences.
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Are Churches and Affiliated Organizations Separate Entities? 
A church and its affiliate may be considered a "single employer."
Q&A
Q&A: Notifying the Congregation of a Sex Offender 
Church leaders must consider several points to make an informed decision.