Court Affirms Pastor’s Conviction, Sentence for Embezzlement
Pastor wrongfully took more than $100,000 from widow over several years.
Fiduciary Duty
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.
Risk Management
Key point 10-13.03. Churches can reduce the risk of liability based on breach of fiduciary
Court Decisions Rejecting Fiduciary Duty Claims
Key point 10-13.02. Several courts have refused to hold churches and denominational agencies liable on
Court Decisions Recognizing Fiduciary Duty Claims
Key point 10-13.01. A few courts have found churches and denominational agencies liable on the
Breach of a Fiduciary Duty
In recent years, some courts have ruled that certain “special relationships” are “fiduciary” in nature
The Role of Your Church Board in Providing Financial Oversight
Consider the value of strong finance and audit subcommittees with specific responsibilities.
Loans to Directors
Key point 6-07.10. Church board members may be personally liable, under state nonprofit corporation law,
Breach of the Fiduciary Duty of Care
Key point 6-07.03. Church board members have a fiduciary duty to use reasonable care in
Breach of the Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty
Key point 6-07.04. Church board members have a fiduciary duty of loyalty to their church,
Violation of Trust Terms
Key point 6-07.05. Church board members may be personally liable for diverting designated funds or
Church Finance Workers: What You Do Matters
As the year comes to a close, remember the incredible value of your ministry role.
Pastor, Church, and Denomination Could Face Liability for Negligent Supervision But Not for ‘Duty to Warn’
Church Law and Tax Report Pastor, Church, and Denomination Could Face Liability for Negligent Supervision
Common Church Finance Department Mistakes and How to Remedy Them
Seven ways church finances can go awry and the guidance needed to keep them on track.
Four Fiduciary Duties of Church Boards
Officers and directors must provide careful financial oversight—or else face consequences.
Church Member Sues Pastor for Defamation
Pastor sued for making widespread allegations that a church member was homosexual.
Legal Liability When a Pension Plan Fails
Denominations could be responsible for failure to provide for plan members.
Q&A: Reporting and Reimbursing Expenses
Can the church reimburse expenses from a different tax year?
Q&A: Pastors and Church Finances
Should pastors be in charge of the church's money?
Fiduciary Duty and Legal Liability
Breach of fiduciary duty is difficult to prove in court.