Religious Institutions Archives - Page 3 of 20

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

The Two Main Questions to be answered at the United Methodist General Conference, 2024 and how to Prepare your Congregation for the Outcomes.

There are two main issues to be decided in the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. The answer to both issues will have a significant impact on the future of the denomination and will require local congregations’ thoughtful consideration regarding their own affiliation with the denomination.

March 4, 2024 No Comments

Appellate and Constitutional Law

Can Birds of a Religious Feather Retire Together?

People of faith have a constitutional right to establish “voluntary associations to assist in the expression and dissemination of any religious doctrine” and the moral

February 21, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

How a local United Methodist Church left the UMC after December 31, 2023 and kept its Property

This is the story of Chilmark Community Church located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and its exit from the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

February 19, 2024 No Comments

First Amendment

Who gets decide what “religious exercise” is within the parameters of RLUIPA?

A governmental entity has a very limited role when it comes to determining if a plaintiff is “religious enough,” or engaged in “religious activity,” for purposes of RLUIPA

February 13, 2024 No Comments

Merger

Holy Union: When Church Mergers Bloom from Pastor Transitions

Church mergers, often driven by pastoral transitions, are becoming increasingly common. And while the reasons are complex and varied, one unexpected trigger is emerging – senior pastor transitions.

February 7, 2024 No Comments

Church Mergers

Saying Goodbye (and Hello): Navigating Senior Pastor Transitions

Change is inevitable, even for our beloved faith communities. And one of the most significant transitions a church can experience is the departure of its senior pastor. It’s a time of mixed emotions – gratitude for the outgoing pastor’s contributions, sadness at their leaving, and uncertainty about the future. But with careful planning and open communication, a senior pastor transition can be an opportunity for growth and renewal.

February 2, 2024 No Comments

Business Law & Transactions

Five Things to Consider When Forming a Non-Profit Entity

The process of creating a legal entity involves much more than merely filing paperwork with the Secretary of State. Filling out the filing paperwork should

January 26, 2024 No Comments

Religious Institutions

State Religious Freedom Restoration Act’s provide an alternative to RLUIPA when litigating a Religious Property Dispute

When litigating religious land use cases, it is important to look at state religious freedom restoration acts and add them as a claim to case

January 22, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

Make sure your local church is legally protected after disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church

any churches that have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church have done so without legal counsel. The choice to leave without the assistance of an attorney may have been due to timing, cost or simply a decision by leaders that they could complete the process on their own. While the local church may have saved money on legal fees through the process, they may not have set themselves up for success in the future. Considering this, now may be the right time to review your corporate documents with legal counsel to see if your local church is fully protected.

January 15, 2024 No Comments

Church Property Disputes/Denominational Splits

Donors to local religious entities have a legal path to successfully sue religious denominations for return of donations based on fraud.

In a potentially groundbreaking case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a church member may proceed with a lawsuit to recover donations when a denomination fraudulently told its members that it was using tithes and offerings for charitable means, when in fact the funds were used for a commercial enterprise.

January 8, 2024 No Comments

Category: Religious Institutions

The Two Main Questions to be answered at the United Methodist General Conference, 2024 and how to Prepare your Congregation for the Outcomes.

Can Birds of a Religious Feather Retire Together?

How a local United Methodist Church left the UMC after December 31, 2023 and kept its Property

Who gets decide what “religious exercise” is within the parameters of RLUIPA?

Holy Union: When Church Mergers Bloom from Pastor Transitions

Saying Goodbye (and Hello): Navigating Senior Pastor Transitions

Five Things to Consider When Forming a Non-Profit Entity

State Religious Freedom Restoration Act’s provide an alternative to RLUIPA when litigating a Religious Property Dispute

Make sure your local church is legally protected after disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church

Donors to local religious entities have a legal path to successfully sue religious denominations for return of donations based on fraud.

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Church Property Disputes and Denominational Splits

RLUIPA, Religious Land Use and Zoning

Land Use

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