Religious Institutions Archives - Page 2 of 20

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

The governance structure of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

The Presbyterian Church (USA), or PCUSA, operates under a system of governance known as Presbyterian polity. This system emphasizes a representative form of leadership and decision-making based on a historic structure of governing bodies. It’s designed to foster shared responsibility, accountability, and collaboration among members and leaders. This blog will delve into the key aspects of PCUSA polity, exploring its structure, functions, and guiding principles.

June 14, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

The issues a local church should consider if it is thinking about leaving the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. denomination

The decision for a church to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA), or PCUSA, is a significant one with far-reaching implications. This blog aims to provide local churches with essential knowledge and considerations to navigate this complex process successfully.

June 13, 2024 No Comments

Church Mergers

Amending Endowments: Sacred Trusts, Changing Times – A Call for Thoughtful Amendment

Endowments stand as pillars of financial strength within some United Methodist and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) churches. They provide resources that support ministries, outreach, and the upkeep of our sacred spaces. But as doctrine and discipline change, and as our world faces new challenges, a question arises: Should our church endowments be amended? And if so, how can we do this responsibly and in line with our faith?

June 12, 2024 No Comments

Equal Terms

Seeking Justice: Relief Available in RLUIPA Land Use Claims

The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) provides vital protections for religious institutions facing discriminatory or unduly burdensome land use regulations. But what happens if a religious institution believes its RLUIPA rights have been violated? What kind of relief can they seek? In this blog post, we’ll explore the various remedies available to those who successfully bring a RLUIPA land use claim.

May 31, 2024 No Comments

Nonprofits

RLUIPA: The quiet Religious Freedom law that is reshaping land use and zoning in America

The Atlantic Magazine profiled the case of North Jersey Vineyard v. City of South Hackensack, New Jersey, a case that I litigated where the Court applied the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), to an land use decision of a local community that barred a church from using a building it purchased in an area zoned for religious use, that ultimately resulted in a difficult years long lawsuit.

May 30, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

Promises made, Promises Broken: How the decisions made at the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church affect local churches

The delegates to the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to adopt dramatic changes to the theology and the governance of the denomination. Read this week’s blog (in the comments below) to learn about the legal implications of the decisions of the General Conference.

May 13, 2024 No Comments

Church Mergers

Experienced Attorneys help Merging Churches cut through red tape

Thousands of religious congregations merge every year. According to Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird, in their book Better Together—Making Church Mergers Work, church mergers are

April 25, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

The Role of a Civil Court in a Religious Property Dispute

Not all religious property disputes involve a unanimous decision of a congregation. Typically, a majority of a congregation will vote to leave a denomination and

April 1, 2024 No Comments

Religious Institutions

All People’s Church Files Suit Against City of San Diego for Discriminatory Decision to Deny Church Project in Del Cerro

All Peoples Church has decided to sue the City of San Diego in Federal Court in order to seek a fair redress of its request to build a home for our congregation on its property.

March 26, 2024 No Comments

Nonprofits

En Banc Drama: The Ninth Circuit Vacates the Huntsman decision and Orders a New Hearing

Federal appellate courts, like the Circuit Courts of Appeals, typically operate with panels of three judges who hear arguments and issue decisions. However, there’s a provision that allows the entire court, all the judges on the bench, to rehear a case. This is called an en banc hearing

March 13, 2024 No Comments

Category: Religious Institutions

The governance structure of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

The issues a local church should consider if it is thinking about leaving the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. denomination

Amending Endowments: Sacred Trusts, Changing Times – A Call for Thoughtful Amendment

Seeking Justice: Relief Available in RLUIPA Land Use Claims

RLUIPA: The quiet Religious Freedom law that is reshaping land use and zoning in America

Promises made, Promises Broken: How the decisions made at the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church affect local churches

Experienced Attorneys help Merging Churches cut through red tape

The Role of a Civil Court in a Religious Property Dispute

All People’s Church Files Suit Against City of San Diego for Discriminatory Decision to Deny Church Project in Del Cerro

En Banc Drama: The Ninth Circuit Vacates the Huntsman decision and Orders a New Hearing

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Church Property Disputes and Denominational Splits

RLUIPA, Religious Land Use and Zoning

Land Use

Nonprofit