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Legal Developments

Issues that affect ministers and churches
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StateTitle Category

Court Affirms Pastor’s Conviction, Sentence for Embezzlement

Fiduciary Duty

Discrimination Claim Brought Against School that Fired Gay Teacher Allowed to Proceed Member access only

Employment Practices; Ministerial Exception

In a Battle of Bylaws, Court’s Intervention with Pastor’s Firing Found Proper Member access only

Employment Practices

Former Youth Leader Convicted for Attempting to Engage Minors in Sexting Member access only

Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Church Was Not Legally Responsible for a Man Injured on Its Property Member access only

Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

Pastor Guilty of Embezzling Funds from a Local PTA Member access only

Fraud

Churchgoer’s Criminal Stalking Conviction Vacated Due to Free Speech Concerns Member access only

Church Members

Court Barred from Ruling on Suit Brought by Former Church Members Member access only

Church Members

Decision Reinforces When Courts Can—or Can't—Resolve Church Bylaws Disputes Member access only

Charters, Constitutions, and Bylaws; Church Business Meetings

Court Willing to Resolve Pastor’s Lawsuit Against Church for Compensation Dispute Member access only

Clergy - Discipline and Removal; Compensation and Benefits

North Carolina Appeals Court Ruling Shows Limits of Negligent Selection and Negligent Supervision Member access only

Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Pastors Can Be Subject to Criminal Penalties for Not Complying with Legal Requirements for Valid Marriage under State Law Member access only

Marriage

Embezzlement Without Internal Controls Member access only

Fraud

Church Not Responsible for Rape of Teenage Girl by Camp Worker Member access only

Denominations - Legal Liability; Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities; Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Church Responsible for Payroll Taxes Member access only

Payroll Tax Reporting

Compensation Dispute Member access only

Compensation and Benefits

Church Held Liable for Pastor's Abuse of Minors  Member access only

Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Church's Insurance Policy Prevents Coverage  Member access only

Insurance

The Ministerial Exception and Racial Discrimination Member access only

Clergy - Removal; Employment Practices

Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment Member access only

Employment Practices