At Reynolds Law Group, we frequently receive calls from churches seeking legal advice. Here’s a sample of the kinds of inquiries we handle:

• Merging with another church: “We have an opportunity to merge with another church and expand our ministry. How do we do that?”

• Starting a daycare or school: “We want to start a daycare or school. Should it be part of the church, or do we need a separate entity?”

• Handling abuse reports: “A youth ministry student reported abuse at home. What steps should we take?”

• Rights to sermons: “I want to make sure I own the rights to my sermons. Can you help?”

• EEOC complaint: “We received a complaint from the EEOC. What do we do next?”

• Launching a new church: “We want to launch a new church. Where do we start?”

Our lawyers help churches navigate these situations, ensuring they make informed decisions while fulfilling their mission. These questions generally fall into three categories: Ministry Expansion, Ministry Protection, and Ministry Team.

Ministry Expansion

Many churches contact us not because something went wrong, but to explore opportunities for growth. Here’s how we help churches expand their ministries:

• Launching new campuses or churches

• Starting compassion ministries, like a Dream Center

• Opening preschools or academies

• Establishing community-serving businesses, such as coffee shops

• Merging with other churches

• Creating nonprofits to qualify for grants and outside funding

We’ve helped numerous churches expand their ministries, providing the legal structures necessary to protect and support their growth.

Ministry Protection

One of the most critical areas where churches seek legal guidance is in the protection of minors. Preventing abuse is one of our top priorities. Our program, Keeping Them Safe, helps churches reduce the risk of sexual abuse through policies, background checks, and training.

Other areas where we assist churches in protecting their ministries include:

• Updating Safety Plans for emergencies

• Implementing financial fraud prevention policies

• Creating vehicle use guidelines for church-owned and leased vehicles

• Protecting church assets through robust legal structures

• Ensuring church documents, such as articles of incorporation and bylaws, are current and legally sound

Taking proactive steps can help avoid costly legal disputes.

Ministry Team

Employment matters in churches can be particularly complex due to the overlap of religious laws with standard employment laws. We help churches manage their ministry teams effectively by providing legal guidance on:

• Implementing up-to-date Employee Manuals

• Correctly categorizing employees

• Establishing fair compensation policies

• Clarifying ownership of work product, such as sermons or original music

• Drafting accurate job descriptions that reflect both legal and religious duties

As your church grows, having sound policies in place for your ministry team is crucial.

Partner with Reynolds Law Group

Whether you’re expanding, protecting your ministry, or managing your team, we provide trusted legal advice.

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