How Political Activities May Affect Tax-Exempt Status
Identify what types of political activities are permissible.
Constitutions
15 Things Richard Hammar Wants Pastors to Know
Governing Documents
Understand the importance of church constitution and bylaws.
The Extent of “Qualified Privilege” and the Legal Consequences of Violating Bylaws
Church Law and Tax Report The Extent of “Qualified Privilege” and the Legal Consequences of
Removal of Church Board Members
If a church neglects to address an issue in its governing documents, state nonprofit corporation law will provide the answer.
Key Changes in Robert’s Rules of Order, 11th Edition
Make sure church meetings are conducted consistently with your parliamentary authority.
Top 10 Documents for Church Leaders
They're more important than you think.
Recent Developments in Arizona Regarding Clergy Removal
An Arizona court ruled that it was barred by the first amendment from resolving a dispute between a church and a priest concerning the termination of the priest's employment, but it could enforce a church's judgment authorizing an award of damages to the priest if it could do so without becoming "entangled" in church doctrine.
Recent Developments in Iowa Regarding Constitutions, Bylaws, and Charters
The Iowa Supreme Court suggested that it was barred by the first amendment guaranty of religious freedom from resolving a dispute involving the interpretation of church bylaws, but it refused to dismiss the case on procedural ground.
Recent Developments in Ohio Regarding Church Business Meetings
An Ohio court ruled that the members of a nonprofit corporation could not vote by proxy at a special business meeting since proxy voting was not authorized in the corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Recent Developments in Ohio Regarding Clergy Selection
An Ohio court ruled that it could invalidate a church's election of a pastor if the election violated the church's bylaws and if it could resolve the dispute without any inquiry into religious doctrine.
Amendment of Church Documents
A court ruled that a church's articles of incorporation could not be amended without the pastor's approval.
Constitutions, Bylaws and Charters
Should proxy voting be recognized in congregational business meetings?
Court Ruled It Was Proper to Inquire Whether a Congregational Meeting Was Preceded by Adequate Notice to the Full Membership
For many years, two factions within a local Baptist church had been at war with
Court Ruled Land Sales Contract Executed by a Church Secretary and Treasurer Were Not Legally Enforceable
Is a land sales contract executed by a church secretary and treasurer legally enforceable? No,
Civil Courts May Never Interfere in the Selection of Clergy
Ambiguous wording in a church constitution or bylaws frequently leads to internal disputes. Such was
Constitution Bars Civil Courts from Resolving Disputes over Rules Set by Religious Organizations
Civil court barred from resolving a dispute over a parliamentary ruling made at the 1985 Southern Baptist Convention.
Court Rulings on the Constitutionality of Including Invocations at Public High School Graduation Ceremonies
Two courts have ruled on the constitutionality of including invocations at public high school graduation
Court Rejects Church Schools’ challenge to Iowa’s Compulsory Education Law
A federal appeals court rejected a challenge by two fundamentalist church schools to the constitutionality