Law and Church

Jesus prayed for unity in the church in John 17. Paul admonished Christians to resolve their disputes within the church rather than in court. I know of very few churches that are prepared to resolve disputes within the body. 1. Better unity requires better theology. 2. Better unity requires pastoral involvement. 3. Better unity involves outside help. 4. Get an arbitration contract.

1. Better churches have a safety policy.
2. Better churches provide safety training to their workforce.
3. Better churches measure compliance with their safety policy.
4. Better churches correct mistakes that cause injury.
5. Better church leaders lead by example in safety practices.
6. Better churches have a solid reporting process for injuries.
7. Better churches involve everyone in creating safe workspaces.
8. Better churches also extend workplace safety to volunteers.

www.LawandChurch.com 1. Better churches fulfill their general duty to provide a safe workspace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cites employers who do not provide safe workspaces, including ergonomically effective office space. 2. Better churches train their employees on ergonomics because the more employees know the more likely they are to avoid harm. Employees must know common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their signs and symptoms. Employees must know the importance of reporting MSDs as soon as possible. Employees must know how to report an MSD in your church. Employees must know risk factors and activities associated with work-related MSDs. 3. Better churches require employees to work safely and provide the tools necessary to do so. Require employees to stand up and walk around every hour. Provide standing desks. Provide proper typing equipment to avoid carpel tunnel. Provide back and knee braces for heavy lifting, helmets and harnesses for work at heights, and other safety equipment.

www.LawandChurch.com

www.LawandChurch.com

www.LawandChurch.com

1. There are so many church leaders out there right now whose passion for the gospel has not been sickened by coronavirus. Here’s the problem: we still have to cancel those mission trips and many churches have collected thousands of dollars in donations designated for those trips. Misspending that money could be a catastrophe. At the Church Law Group, we have some ways to help you. 2. Better churches have documentation on what designated money is designated for. 3. Better churches have strict policies on the process of receiving and documenting designated funds. 4. Better churches have a plan on what to do when designated funds cannot be used for a designated purpose. 5. Go to our website at ChurchLawGroup.com and download our template plan that helps churches take care of these vital issues. Without a plan and a process, you’ll set your church up for headaches. Your church can succeed at fulfilling the great commission even in having to cancel these mission trips.

www.LawandChurch.com Church leaders are getting creative in how they do worship services online. Here’s the problem: there are a slew of legal issues that existed in person and are exacerbated when we move online. We’ve got to have a plan to ensure legal compliance in these trying times. Copyright & Takedown Notices - make sure your church has its proper streaming licenses and a takedown notice. Children - many church leaders are trying to reach children online too. This is great, but when you do that you automatically raise the bar on data privacy issues. Confidentiality - what goes on Facebook stays on Facebook. Make sure you have a good privacy policy in place to protect your church.