A Denominational Office Was Not Liable Because a Pastor Infected His Former Wife with HIV
A Mississippi case demonstrates how ministers are not necessarily agents of their churches or denominational offices.
Denominations
Part 4 of 4
Finalizing a Merger
Moving through the final stages of merging churches—and other options if a merger is not right for you.
Part 3 of 4
Deciding Factors for a Sound Merger
Picking the right leaders to decide vision, name, location, staffing—and more.
Part 2 of 4
The Documents Needed for a Successful Church Merger
Be sure you collect all the needed paperwork to keep the process moving forward.
Q&A: What Might Be the Consequences of Leaving Our Denomination?
Seven practical considerations before moving forward with any plan to separate.
Discrimination in Employment
Key Point 8-14.01. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers with at least 15
Hierarchical Churches—the Compulsory Deference Rule
Key point 7-03.02. Some courts apply the “compulsory deference” rule in resolving disputes over the
Hierarchical Churches—Neutral Principle of Law
Key point 7-03.03. Most courts apply the “neutral principles of law” rule in resolving disputes
Church Property Disputes—Dispute Resolution Procedures
Key point 7-04. Churches and denominational agencies can avoid church property disputes by adopting appropriate
National, Regional Denominational Agencies Not Legally Responsible for Child’s Brain Damage Incurred at Affiliated Church
Regional and national denominational agencies are not necessarily liable for deaths and injuries occurring on the property of affiliated churches.
Denominational Church Has No Ownership Interest in Breakaway Church, Rules South Carolina Court
Church Law and Tax Report Denominational Church Has No Ownership Interest in Breakaway Church, Rules
Clarifying When Churches Are and Aren’t Liable for the Actions of Volunteers
Church Law and Tax Report Clarifying When Churches Are and Aren’t Liable for the Actions
Church Not Responsible for Rape of Teenage Girl by Camp Worker
Court says church and camp exercised sufficient care in selection and supervision of worker.
National Episcopal Church Owns Local Church Property
Local church votes to disaffiliate and loses ownership of church building.
Local Church Retains Control of Property
Court denies Episcopal national church ownership of building used by newly dissociated church.
Document Stating Affiliated-Denomination Properties Were Owned by Denomination Is Not Enforceable
Indiana Supreme Court says PCUSA trust law clashed with Indiana trust law, gives ownership of church building to local church.
When Two Churches Become One
The legal ins and outs of church mergers, acquisitions, and donations/dissolutions.
Arbitration of Disputes
Arbitration is a potential way to resolve church disputes without going to the civil courts.
Breaking Away from the Parent Denomination
Binding arbitration clause controls church property dispute.