Disputes Archives | Church Law & Tax

Church disruptions are top-of-mind for many faith leaders in today's fractured landscape. Read on for valuable tips, insights and recommendations.

The Editors

Appellate court says church dispute didn't involve doctrine, meaning lower court's decision could stand.

Richard R. Hammar

A review of state laws and court decisions affecting church leaders.

Key Point 8-27. Churches have various defenses available to them if they are sued as

Key Point 8-30. Most church general liability insurance policies exclude employment practices. This means that

Key point 7-03.01. The civil courts resolve disputes over the ownership and control of property

Key point 7-03.02. Some courts apply the “compulsory deference” rule in resolving disputes over the

Key point 7-03.03. Most courts apply the “neutral principles of law” rule in resolving disputes

Key point 7-18. Churches can lose a portion of their property to a neighboring landowner

How have state and lower federal courts resolved church property disputes since Jones? A few

Key point 7-04. Churches and denominational agencies can avoid church property disputes by adopting appropriate

1. WATSON V. JONES (1871) A study of the law of church property disputes must

Church property disputes can arise in a variety of ways. In some cases, a church

Key point 6-12.04. Most courts refuse to intervene in church disputes concerning the validity of

Key point 6-12.05. Some courts will supervise church elections to ensure compliance with the procedural

Key point 6-10.01. According to the majority view, the civil courts will not resolve disputes

Key point 6-10.02. According to the minority view, the civil courts may engage in “marginal

Key point 6-10.03. The civil courts will not resolve a dispute contesting the discipline of

Key point 6-10.04. Courts willing to intervene in disputes challenging the discipline of a church

You may not want to do it, but sometimes you need to let volunteers go.

Timothy E. Schenck