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Serving as a church board member carries significant duties and responsibilities.
But church board members rarely receive training to perform their roles.
That puts strain on the men and women entrusted with making critical decisions affecting the health and vitality of their church.
In this episode, Erika explains how state laws shape the way boards operate.
She also discusses the governing structures churches typically follow, and the ways board members—also called “leadership teams,” “board of elders,” or “board of trustees,” depending on the church’s background—must fulfill certain important functions within those structures.
Erika also explores the various expectations placed upon board members, including how to meet the duties of good faith and loyalty, two important legal principles, and how to both support church leaders, including pastors, and keep them accountable.
She covers the ways churches and board members can minimize legal liabilities, too.
This episode offers a helpful primer for anyone who serves on a church board or anticipates doing so in the future.
- Episode 29: “Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”
- Video Recording: “What Every Church Board Should Know”
- Essential Guide to Liabilities and Duties for Church Boards, by Richard R. Hammar
- Board Member Orientation, by Michael E. Batts
- “Could a Church Board Member Be Sued for Mismanaging The Church’s Money?” by Richard R. Hammar
- Immunity Statutes, by Richard R. Hammar
- Directors and Officers Insurance, by Richard R. Hammar
- “When Is It Wise to Pay for Legal Counsel?” by Matthew Branaugh
- Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here.
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com, a not-for-profit publishing ministry.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. She serves as a senior editorial advisor for Christianity Today’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.