Priest Claimed Defamatory and False Statements Led to His Dismissal
But a court ruled the ministerial exemption barred it from resolving the priest’s claim.
Removal, Clergy
In a Battle of Bylaws, Court’s Intervention with Pastor’s Firing Found Proper
Appellate court says church dispute didn't involve doctrine, meaning lower court's decision could stand.
Court Allows Pastor’s Wrongful Dismissal Lawsuit to Proceed
What church leaders should note about this surprising decision by a federal court in Ohio.
In Pastor and Deacons Conflict, Court Says Intervention Barred by First Amendment
Church Law and Tax Report In Pastor and Deacons Conflict, Court Says Intervention Barred by
Termination of a “Whistleblower”
A court cannot intervene in the firing of a ministerial employee.
Dismissing a Minister for Wrongdoing
Take care when terminating staff over moral conduct.
Former Pastor Sues Church for Breach of Compensation Agreement
Have all important documents reviewed by legal counsel.
The First Amendment and Church Employment Disputes
Courts are generally barred from resolving ministers’ employment claims.
Racial Discrimination
A federal district court in Georgia ruled that it was barred by the "ministerial exception" from resolving a dismissed minister's claim that his dismissal was a result of unlawful racial discrimination.
Selecting Ministers and Negligent Retention
A church may exercise reasonable care in selecting ministers or other church workers but still be responsible for their misconduct.
Age Discrimination and Denomination Policy
A minister's age discrimination lawsuit challenging a denominational policy requiring the retirement of ministers at 70 years of age was barred by the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Recent Developments in Texas Regarding Clergy Removal
A Texas court ruled that it lacked the authority to intervene in a local church dispute involving the retention of a pastor.
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 by a Federal Appeals Court Regarding Employment Practices
A federal appeals court ruled that a church-affiliated university did not commit unlawful discrimination when it dismissed a professor in its divinity school.
Recent Developments in Ohio Regarding Clergy Removal
An Ohio court ruled that it was barred by the first amendment from resolving an internal church dispute regarding the tenure of the pastor.
Recent Developments in Florida Regarding Clergy Removal
A Florida court ruled that a church board properly removed a pastor without a congregational vote.
Recent Developments in Georgia Regarding Clergy Removal
A Georgia court ruled that the first amendment guaranty of religious freedom prevented it from resolving a lawsuit brought by a minister challenging the legality of his removal by his church.
Recent Developments in North Dakota Regarding Employment Practices
The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that an employer may have violated a minister's legal rights by dismissing him for engaging in private sexual behavior in a public restroom.
Recent Developments in New Jersey Regarding Employment Practices
A New Jersey court ruled that a church acted properly in dismissing its music director for criminal acts.
Recent Developments in Illinois Regarding Clergy Removal
An Illinois court ruled that the first amendment did not prevent it from resolving a dispute over the removal of an officer by a religious organization since it could do so without any inquiry into religious doctrine.