Developing a Policy for Outside Groups
Create clear understandings for facility use.
Contracts
Arbitration of Disputes
Arbitration is a potential way to resolve church disputes without going to the civil courts.
Record Keeping
Learn best practices for protecting confidential documents.
Understanding Pastoral Liability
Know the situations in which a pastor is personally liable for wrongdoing.
Making a Claim
Failure to promptly notify your church’s insurer can result in loss of coverage.
Q&A: Accounting for Sales of Pastor’s Preaching Resources
What is the proper way to allocate income of sales?
Reading the Fine Print
Tips and tactics to remember when it comes to contracts.
Interference with Contract
Student sues official who informed a potential employer of his arrest.
Former Pastor Sues Church for Breach of Compensation Agreement
Have all important documents reviewed by legal counsel.
Determing Disability Discrimination
Most courts have concluded that they are barred by the First Amendment from resolving challenges by dismissed clergy to the legal validity of their dismissals.
Building Rental for Church Use
A federal court in South Carolina ordered a public school district to continue allowing a church to rent a school building for weekly worship services.
Contracts
A church's decision to discontinue making payments to a former pastor's widow did not amount to a breach of contract.
Understanding Offer and Acceptance in Land Sales
New conditions in an acceptance of sale terms can invalidate the acceptance.
Retirement Plans
An Indiana court ruled that a provision in a church's bylaws requiring the church to make retirement payments to two former pastors took precedence over conflicting provisions.
Arbitration
An Illinois court upheld the validity of a church arbitration policy despite the alleged "bias" of the arbitrators.
Employment Practices – Part 2
False information provided on an application for employment may constitute grounds for termination.
Injuries on Church Property During Use by Outside Groups
When is a church subject to liability?
Arbitration of Construction Disputes
Be aware of arbitration clauses in contracts.
Copyright
A federal court in New York ruled that a magazine publisher did not violate the rights of freelance authors and photographers.
Signing Contracts on Behalf of Your Church
Be sure you understand the legal consequences of documents before you sign.