Pastor, Church & Law

Initiating the Relationship—In General

§ 2.01

The pastor-church relationship begins with the selection or appointment of the pastor. While the selection or appointment of a pastor is an ecclesiastical decision, it may have legal implications. For example, how is a pastor to be selected or appointed if a church’s governing documents do not address the issue? What are the legal consequences if the selection of appointment of a pastor is not in accordance with a church’s governing documents? Under what circumstances can a civil court review a church’s selection or appointment of a pastor? These questions are addressed in the sections that follow. A related question is the liability of a church for the negligent hiring of a pastor. This important question is addressed in chapter 9.

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