Church Counsel Podcast: Church Law Simplified

One quick way to reduce your church’s liability is to make sure your church is incorporated as anon-profit corporation. Why does this matter? If your church is not a non-profit corporation, you are an unincorporated association. You may have been an unincorporated association for years and years. A good indication that your church is formed as an unincorporated association is if your church has a constitution and not by-laws. What this means is that if sued, and if there is not insurance coverage or enough insurance coverage, the liability for judgment is going to rest on the shoulders of all the members of the church (not the church itself), and they will have to pay the judgment. Those with the highest net worth may be the most at risk, because the judgment would be joint and several with all the members, and the member with the deepest pocket is the one who would be at the most risk. By incorporating your church, you limit the liability to only the assets of the church and thereby reduce the liability of the members of your church. 

As a church leader, you are pulled in many different directions. Sunday is always coming, there are meetings, counseling sessions, and lots of sheep in the flock that need to be led. With so many things to keep up with, its easy to ignore the things that are most important. Since the squeaky wheel gets the grease, what happens if the wheels are about to fall off but they don’t make a sound? The urgent is not always as critical as the important, and this is where church liability is located. It is most of the time not urgent, but one of the most important things that needs to be done.The fastest way you can find your church with real liability is to ignore the risks your church may have right now. This is why we have assembled these five quick wins that can drastically reduce your church’s liability quickly without you having to stop ministering but investing the time to keep your ministry safe.

Today, we will provide actionable tips on how to legally use music, images, videos, and other creative works in your ministry while respecting the rights of content creators. We'll also discuss practical steps to educate your church staff and volunteers on copyright matters, creating a culture of compliance and respect for intellectual property. This is a follow up to our last episode!The Church Counsel Podcast is the essential podcast for pastors, worship leaders, and church media teams seeking to honor God and the work of artists while staying on the right side of the law. Subscribe now and join us on this enlightening journey toward a more informed, responsible, and copyright-compliant church community!

Welcome to The Church Counsel Podcast! Our show is hosted by seasoned attorney Travis Story and this episode aims to empower churches with the knowledge they need to avoid potential violations.Today, we will  will provide actionable tips on how to legally use music, images, videos, and other creative works in your ministry while respecting the rights of content creators. We'll also discuss practical steps to educate your church staff and volunteers on copyright matters, creating a culture of compliance and respect for intellectual property.The Church Counsel Podcast is the essential podcast for pastors, worship leaders, and church media teams seeking to honor God and the work of artists while staying on the right side of the law. Subscribe now and join us on this enlightening journey toward a more informed, responsible, and copyright-compliant church community!

One of the most overlooked rights and responsibilities of a church is something everyone sees all the time. One of the many jobs of your church or organization is communication, however, to do that well, you use images and branding in a way, which could cause copyright or trademark issues in the future. In todays episode we will break down the differences between copyright and trademarks and expound on the topic of intellectual property for your church or organization.

This podcast will explore the roles and responsibilities of officers in a church and a non profit board of directors. We will discuss the different types of officers, their roles and responsibilities, and how to ensure proper governance and oversight. We will also look at the different types of board members, such as members-at-large, executive directors, and other leaders, and how they help to shape the organization’s mission and vision. We will also discuss the importance of communication and collaboration between the board and officers of a church and a non profit. Through interviews and conversations with experienced professionals, we will provide listeners with insight into the complexities of managing a successful organization and how to ensure it is working towards its goals.

In this episode, Travis will discuss what types of service animals are allowed inside a church building. We will explore the different types of service animals, such as emotional support animals and guide dogs. We will discuss the relevant laws and regulations that pertain to service animals and churches. We will also provide some tips on how to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for service animals in churches. Tune in to learn what type of service animals are allowed in your church building.

In this episode, Travis will discuss how to apply the priest–penitent privilege. We will review the basics of the priest–penitent privilege, such as what types of communications are considered privileged and what types of religious beliefs and legal systems this applies to. We will then discuss practical considerations such as when to invoke the privilege and what questions to consider in the process. Tune in to gain a better understanding of how to effectively use the priest–penitent privilege.

The clergy (priest)-penitent privilege is one of the oldest and most well-recognized privileges in the United States. In today's episode Travis will define the term and explain how it applies to various religious beliefs and legal systems. We will explore the different types of communications that are protected under this privilege and how it affects counseling in the religious context. We will also provide some questions to consider when deciding whether or not to use the priest–penitent privilege. Tune in to gain a better understanding of this important concept.

In this show, Travis will discuss the importance of mandated reporting and how it applies to your church. We will explore what mandated reporting is and who is responsible to report at your church or organization. We will discuss the different types of abuse that may lead to a mandated reporting situation and provide questions to help people determine if they have a mandated reporting situation. Tune in for an informative episode about this important topic. 

Today we're focusing on the unique challenges of protecting a church's preschool ministry. From background checks for staff and volunteers, to creating a safe and secure environment for the children, there are many important steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of our youngest members. Travis will share his expertise in the field of child safety, as well as advising church leaders who have successfully implemented these measures in their own preschool ministry. Whether you're a church member or leader, or simply someone who cares about the welfare of children, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In todays episode, Travis will be discussing the reasons why a church may choose to update their mission statement, bylaws, or other key documents, as well as the process for doing so. There are many considerations to make in making these changes and Travis shares recent experiences where these changes have been made and implemented. Whether you're a church member, leader, or simply interested in the inner workings of religious organizations, this is an episode you won't want to miss!"

Join us on the Church Counsel podcast as Travis dives into the important topic of developing a church constitution and bylaws. We'll explore the reasons why having a clear and well-written constitution and bylaws is crucial for any church, as well as the key elements that should be included in these documents. We'll also discuss the process of creating and ratifying a constitution and bylaws, and provide tips for ensuring that the final product accurately reflects the values and goals of your church community. Whether you're a church leader, member, or simply interested in the topic, this podcast is for you.

Welcome to the Church Counsel Podcast, this unique podcast is our inaugural celebration of everything Church Law related.  Join Attorney Travis W. Story as he enlightens you about the in's and out's of Church Law.  If your church is needing help lowering your liability, securing your foundational documents, or working any of your policies and procedures, this is the podcast for you.