Church Law & Tax Report
March/April 2019
Feature Article

Requirements for Hiring Foreign Nationals at Your Church 
From eligibility to site visits to records, recent headlines reiterate the need for compliance
Articles
Recent Developments
Issues that affect ministers and churches, with Richard R. Hammar
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Pastor’s Multiple Acts of Sexual Misconduct Not Necessarily Protected by First Amendment 
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Court affirmed Youth Pastor’s 40-year Sentence for predatory sexual assault 
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Six-Year Sentence for Youth Pastor Who Engaged in Sexting 
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
A Church Could Be Liable for Negligent Hiring and Supervision 
Employment Practices
Fired Employee Can Sue for Pregnancy Discrimination
Employment Practices
Fired Transgender Employee Could Sue for Employment Discrimination 
Embezzlement
Pastor Who Embezzled Must Make Restitution 
Confidential and Privileged Communications
Clergy-Penitent Privilege Not Applicable to a Conversation with a Church Elder 
Confidential and Privileged Communications
Compelling Priest to Disclose Confidential Information Violated Religious Freedom Restoration Act 
Church Business Meetings
“Church Autonomy” Applies in Church Name Dispute 
Child Abuse Reporting