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Legal Developments

Issues that affect ministers and churches
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StateTitle Category

Child’s Injury Raises Questions of Church Liability

November 2022
 Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

A Fired Pastor’s Defamation Suit Is Dismissed Member access only

August 2021
 Clergy - Discipline and Removal; Defamation

“Church Autonomy” Applies in Church Name Dispute Member access only

March/April 2019
 Church Business Meetings

A Tennessee Missions Agency’s Employment Contract Requires Employees’ Lawsuit to Be Resolved on Basis of Virginia Law Member access only

May/June 2017
 Employment Practices

Pastor's Letter to Congregation about Former Member's Lawsuit Was Not Defamatory Due to Factual Nature Member access only

November/December 2016
 Defamation

Members' Right to Inspect Church Records Member access only

November/December 2011
 Church Records

Jurisdiction Over Hiring Claims Different vs. Supervision Claims  Member access only

September/October 2011
 Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Informing Church Members of Disciplinary Action Member access only

November/December 2010
 Church Members; Defamation

Potential Problems with "Religious" Marriages Member access only

November/December 2010
 Marriage

Take Care When Naming Your Church Member access only

March/April 2009
 Church Names

Defamation: Statements of Opinion Member access only

July/August 2008
 Church Property; Defamation

Church Childcare Program Forced to Seek License Member access only

March/April 2008
 Freedom of Religion; Schools

Clergy-Penitent Privilege and Observations Member access only

March/April 2007
 Confidential and Privileged Communications; Counseling

Child Abuse Member access only

July/August 2004

Recent Developments in Tennessee Regarding Marriage and Divorce Member access only

January/February 1999

Recent Developments in Tennessee Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Clergy and Church Workers Member access only

May/June 1998

Ownership of Church Parsonages Member access only

July/August 1992
 Church Property

Spiritual Counsel and the Clergy-Penitent Privilege Member access only

March/April 1992
 Confidential and Privileged Communications

Court Settles Debate Over Woman's Last Will and Testament Member access only

March/April 1991
 Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Invasion of Privacy Member access only

May/June 1990
 Invasion of Privacy

ChurchLawAndTaxStore

Unrelated Business Income — The General Rules
Unrelated Business Income — The General Rules Member access only
How unrelated business income, and the possible taxes owed from it, works for churches.
Sexual Harassment in the Christian Workplace - Executive Report 2020
Sexual Harassment in the Christian Workplace - Executive Report 2020 Member access only
An inside look at the church and parachurch ministries workplace environment survey.
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