WCRD - Christian Legal Resources

Witnessing - The New Frontiers:
Christians are commanded by Scripture to tell others about Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation. In this new resource CLA attorneys discuss the law regarding witnessing at public schools, in nursing homes and other government housing projects, in shopping malls, and in transit stations. Before you go witnessing, be sure to know your rights.
$15.00

Your Right to Witness:
Religious liberty and the right to free speech are cornerstones of the Bill of Rights. Yet, many people today do not understand the extent to which these activities are protected. This resources answers questions on whether you can witness at: public parks, on public sidewalks, on government property such as post offices and military bases, in sports stadiums, in airports, etc. Before you go witnessing, know your rights!
$10.00

Bus Safety Regulations: Revised for 1998:
A guide to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as they apply to ministries. This resource discusses when ministries are covered by the regulations, when church drivers need Commercial Driver Licenses, when drug and alcohol testing must occur, and much more.
$15.00

Copyright Issues for Churches & Christian Schools:
The copyright law forbids the unauthorized copying, distribution and performance of copyrighted works. This important resource carefully examines how the copyright law applies to churches and schools, and explains what must be done in order to lawfully copy music, portions of books or magazines,
etc. for use by the church and school.
$15.00

How Does the Americans with Disabilities Act Affect Churches?
In 1990 Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law forbids
discrimination against the disabled in employment and public accommodations. It is vitally important for a church to know and understand how this law affects its hiring procedures and construction/modification of facilities.
$10.00

How to Legally Start a Ministry:
Covers the basics every new ministry should know regarding tax exemption, incorporation, constitution and bylaws, sales and property tax exemption, payroll issues, and many other topics.
$15.00

Sample Church Constitution and Bylaws: Revised for 1998:
Is your church constitution providing you all the legal protection possible? This revised resource provides your ministry with a workable sample constitution which includes provisions on church discipline, tax-exemption provisions, indemnification of church officers, etc.
$15.00

Sample Sunday School Attendance Form:
CLA attorneys designed this form as a model for use by Sunday schools.
FREE

What Every Ministry Must Know About Contract Law:
Every ministry enters into contractual relationships. In this resource, you will discover tips for protecting your ministry from liability and learn of aten common contract pitfalls. This legal resource also includes a checklist for
you to review prior to entering into a contract.
$15.00

What Your Church Should Know About Zoning:
Zoning regulations can pose significant problems for churches. This work discusses the legality of zoning regulations as applied to churches and offers practical guidance on how to avoid these issues.
$10.00

Zoning, Building & Fire Codes: A useful resource for every type of
ministry. Zoning, building and fire codes can greatly impact your
ability to carry out Godƒs work. This resource discusses each type of
code and gives practical guidance for avoiding difficulties.
$10.00

Incorporated Churches & Unincorporated Churches: A Legal Review:
Discusses the advantages and disadvantages to church of becoming a corporation or remaining an unincorporated association. Answers the question of whether the individual members of a church may be personally liable for any damages owed by the church.
$10.00

Legal Guidelines for Pastors and Staff:
This is a companion work to Legal Guidelines for Deacons and Trustees, and covers much the same issues with respect to pastors and church staff.
$10.00

Legal Guidelines for Deacons and Trustees:
Discusses how the positions of Deacon and Trustee are viewed under the law, as well as the legal responsibilities of each. Answers questions such as the standards to which the deacon or trustee will be held under the law, whether he can be personally sued for his actions, etc.
$10.00

Religious Counseling:
Did you know that pastors and churches have been sued because of their counseling activities? Many of these lawsuits involve clergy malpractice or negligent counseling claims. Know how to safeguard your ministry from these costly attacks. This invaluable resource includes a list of legal precautions for church counseling ministries and a sample counseling agreement.
$10.00

Sample Church Constitution and Bylaws:
Revised for 1998: Is your church constitution providing you all the legal protection possible? This revised resource provides your ministry with a workable sample constitution which includes provisions on church discipline,
tax-exemption provisions, indemnification of church officers, etc.
$15.00

25 Tax Questions You Would Ask If You Knew to Ask:
Answers all of the questions commonly asked by the church bookkeeper and the pastor regarding tax exemption of the ministry, filing IRS Form 1023, obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number, Unrelated Business Income Tax, self-employment taxes, how to treat the parsonage or housing allowance, and many others.
$10.00

Church Records:
Are you keeping all of the records required by the Internal Revenue Service? This important resources discusses the church¡s tax-exempt status and the inspection of church records. It covers what constitutes church records, who may inspect church records and when, as well as church audit procedures. $10.00

From Offering Plate to Disbursement:
How should the church handle the offerings taken each during each service? Are there any Biblical and/or legal guidelines? This resource takes you through the procedures which should be used for counting and recording the offering, and discusses the tax implications of designated offerings, contributions in exchange for tangible benefits, etc. A must for the church bookkeeper!
$10.00

Payroll Primer:
This is a companion work to From Offering Plate to Disbursement, and covers the payroll issues which affect churches and Christian schools. It discusses exemption from employer social security taxes, what constitutes an employee, determining taxable wages, how to handle love offerings, etc.
$10.00

Property Tax Exemptions for Churches:
Property tax exemptions for churches and other ministries is not a right under the U.S. Constitution. Most property tax exemptions are granted by state statute. This resource is full of practical advice on how to ensure that your church either obtains or maintains its property exempt status.
$10.00

Questions & Answers About Ministry Fund Raising:
There are some very specific rules about fund raising which must be followed if the church is to avoid paying taxes on the money raised. This resource discusses what a church or school must know in order to avoid paying Unrelated Business Income Taxes.
$10.00

Requirements for the Tax Exemption of Ministries:
Federal tax exemption for churches and other religious organizations is not required by the U.S. Constitution. A church, or any other religious, educational or charitable organization, is only exempt if it complies with the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This resource tells you precisely what is required in order for your ministry to be recognized as tax-exempt. $10.00

Church Insurance:
All too often churches and church schools do not have the proper insurance coverage. This book will tell you the types of insurance which are available so that you can intelligently determine your insurance needs.
$10.00

Insurance Coverage Issues for Christian Schools:
Every school should carry insurance. Yet, having the wrong kind of insurance can be just as costly as having none at all! This resource explains the types of insurance which are available and why each is important to the protection of your ministry.
$10.00

Insurance for Ministries Which Transport Children:
Does your ministry transport children? Do you ask others in your ministry to transport children? This resource is a valuable tool which describes the types of insurance which all ministries which transport children should consider having. It also discusses filing a claim, answers common questions relating to automobile insurance, and gives insurance tips. This informative guide with be especially helpful to your ministry!
$10.00

Certification, Accreditation, and Transfer of Credits:
Attendance at a Christian school satisfies the compulsory attendance requirements of all 50 states. Yet, in some states, public schools, colleges and universities are attempting to reject Christian school credits. Learn what steps you can take to help protect your students and graduates.
$10.00

Compulsory School Attendance Laws:
All 50 states require children to attend school, yet these requirements vary from state to state. Do you know what your state requires? Are you relocating to a different state? This helpful resources pulls together the basic compulsory
attendance requirements for each state.
$10.00

Copyright Issues for Churches & Christian Schools:
The copyright law forbids the unauthorized copying, distribution and performance of copyrighted works. This important resource carefully examines how the copyright law applies to churches and schools, and explains what must be done in order to lawfully copy music, portions of books or magazines,
etc. for use by the church and school.
$15.00

Do Christian Students Have Any Rights in the Public Schools?
There is much misinformation being circulated concerning the rights which Christian students have in our public school systems. Is it lawful for a student to: read the Bible, witness to classmates, wear shirts with religious themes, hold a Bible study group, etc.? All of these questions, and many others, are answered in this resource.
$10.00

Legal Resources for Christian School Ministries:
Written agreements are becoming more important to Christian schools in today's society. This helpful resource discusses the types of agreements a school may wish to have and gives samples of each. In addition, we have included a section on Defending Christian Education which answers many questions regarding the legal basis for unaccredited Christian schools.

Liability Release Forms for Christian Ministries:
Churches and Christian Schools are being sued in large numbers. Such ministries can help protect themselves from lawsuits by using liability release forms for special events such as field trips, Sunday School picnics, trips to
youth camp, etc. This resource also discusses release forms for children
in the bus ministry. This work contains sample forms for use by the church.
$10.00

Record Keeping for Christian School Ministries:
Discusses what records should be kept and maintained by the Christian school. Contains the following sample forms: aAttendance & Activities Form, Significant Incidents Form, Disciplinary Incident Form, a Consent and Release
Form, and others, as well as much valuable information.
$10.00

Sample Agreements for Christian School Ministries:
This legal resource is a must for any Christian school. It contains invaluable information and several sample agreements, including an agreement between the parents of school children and the school and school workers and the school. $10.00

Student Handbook Checklist:
No document is more important to your Christian school than the handbook. Yet, in our experience, many Christian schools either do not have a handbook, or have one which does not adequately address the problem areas most likely to arise. This resource will help guide you through the various topics which should be discussed in your student handbook.
$10.00

What Every Ministry Must Know About Contract Law:
Every ministry enters into contractual relationships. In this resource, you will discover tips for protecting your ministry from liability and learn of aten common contract pitfalls. This legal resource also includes a checklist for you to review prior to entering into a contract.
$15.00

50-State Digest:
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Statutes for Ministries: Does your ministry have activities for children? Are your Sunday School workers, bus workers, or school teachers required to report instances of suspected child abuse? Must the pastor report abuse? This resource provides specific guidance on the mandatory reporting laws of all fifty states, and includes information on clergy privilege. $20.00

Asking the Right Questions:
A guide to effectively screening church workers who will be working with children. Discusses questions which should be asked of every church employee or volunteer, as well as questions which should not be asked. Provides a list of sample questions and several sample forms.
$10.00

Protecting Your Church Workers from Allegations of Child Abuse:
Church workers are being accused of child abuse every day. Is there a way you can protect your church workers from these allegations? YES! By following these practical recommendations you can help reduce the chances of a successful allegation being made against the children¡s workers in your church. You owe it to both the children and the workers to follow these procedures. $10.00

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Witnessing at Abortion Clinics (Current State of the Law):
Is it permissible for Christians to counsel women at abortion clinics? May a concerned Christian stand on the sidewalk near a clinic and distribute literature? This resource discusses the actions Christians may take in light of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. This work is a must for anyone who witnesses at abortion clinics.
$10.00

Canadian Freedoms & Rights:
A helpful guide to the freedoms and rights enjoyed by Canadians. This resources discusses the foundation of Canadian law, the Canadian Bill of Rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
$15.00

Canadian Private School Laws:
Each province has its own school laws. This resources briefly discusses these laws province by province. An excellent resource for learning about the private school laws of Canada.
$15.00

The Legal Alert:
This monthly newsletter of the Christian Law Association covers current cases and happenings in our ministry, as well as various helpful information for all ministries. Please contact us for a subscription.

FREE 1998 Church & Law Seminar Syllabus:
This is a must resource for those who did not attend this informative one day seminar. Entitled Maximizing Your Ministry and Minimizing Your Legal Risk, this syllabus discusses how to deal with conflict in your ministry, tax issues affecting churches and other ministries, how to avoid allegations of child abuse, and insurance issues for ministries. Included are several sample forms and a great deal of very useful information.
$65.00

CLA Information Packet:
For those who want to learn more about the ministry of the Christian Law Association. This packet contains copies of our monthly newsletter, The Legal Alert, a pamphlet describing CLA¡s ministry, and information about the requirements for the tax-exemption of ministries.
FREE

From My Briefcase:
Attorney David C. Gibbs, Jr., sets forth the heart of the Christian Law Association. This book describes many of the cases and issues which have been litigated by CLA attorneys over the past twenty-seven years. From the very first story you will come away with a clearer understanding of the fight for religious liberty and a real burden to help those in need.
$13.95

To order any of the Legal Resources listed, please contact the Christian Law Association:

Are you for the strict separation of Church and State? Or do you long for the integration of Christian faith and State to restore a "Christian nation?" Whatever your disposition on Church and State, these two powers obviously rub against each other and produce heat.

Most of the Web sites listed below deal with the issues coming out of Church and State conflict. And most of them come from a politically conservative position - not because that's just an editorial choice but because that's what we're finding on the Web.

Litigation in defense of religious liberties seems to be a growth industry in the U.S. We're a very litigious society anyway, but the polarization of Christian and counter-Christian values in making and interpreting the law appears to be growing. Most of the seven organizations listed below that provide religious liberty defense services were founded less than 20 years ago.

ACLJ is a not-for-profit public interest law firm and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of pro-liberty, pro-life and pro-family causes.

The ACLJ engages in litigation, provides legal services, renders advice and counsels clients, and supports attorneys who are involved in defending the religious and civil liberties of Americans.

Advocates seeks to put into practice the lessons drawn from the Good Samaritan parable taught by Jesus in a conversation with a lawyer who asked the question, "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:25-37) Advocates identifies national professionals positioned to advance religious liberty, reconciliation, and professional ethics within their nation and region. Their three-pronged approach is to 1) build relationships with those in leadership; 2) work professionally in the law arena; and 3) seek to integrate spiritual principles in practical ways in law and life.

The Center for Law and Religious Freedom, the religious advocacy and information arm of Christian Legal Society, defends the religious liberty of people of all faiths. Founded in 1975, the Center has advocated for the preservation of, and universal respect for, religious liberty in the courts, legislatures and governmental agencies throughout the nation. It has submitted legal briefs in virtually every church-state issue before the U.S. Supreme Court during the last two decades and been involved at the trial court level in several pivotal cases.

The Center also offers both consulting and education services. In significant religious liberty cases, the Center coordinates a nationwide network of experts in church-state law, including attorneys and law professors, in preparing legal research, briefs and strategy without charge. The Center also provides the public with an overview of the law in areas impacting freedom for religious belief and practice. The Center publishes a newsletter called The Defender.

The National Legal Foundation is a Christian public interest law firm dedicated to the preservation of America's freedom and constitutional rights. Since the organization was founded in 1985, they have been actively involved in defending religious liberty throughout the courtrooms of the United States.

The Rutherford Institute is an international legal and educational organization dedicated to preserving human rights and defending civil liberties. Deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people, The Rutherford Institute has emerged as a prominent leader in the national dialogue on civil liberties and equal rights.

The Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose staff handle a full range of cases in the realm of civil liberties and human rights. The Institute's multi-faceted approach of integrating litigation and educational opportunities has made it a formidable leader in defending and teaching the Constitution. The defense of civil liberties and human rights through litigation and education are at the heart of the Institute's purpose.

As the legal arm of the American Family Association, the Center engages in constitutional litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country and advises state and federal legislators on constitutional, political and legal issues. The Center for Law & Policy also drafts legislation for governmental bodies at the local, state, and federal level.

The Center responds to the requests of Christians for legal representation involving first amendment free speech and free exercise rights as well as the constitutional issues involved in the continuing battle against pornography and obscenity.

The purpose of public policy advocacy groups is to make a loud noise on the public and political landscape in order to change policies and laws. They use the media and they lobby the lawmakers. If their agenda is the same as your agenda, they can be a good friend that you should support. But if your agenda is different they can be a terrible nuisance.

The EagleCross Alliance is dedicated to returning the U.S. government to the Biblical principles and values upon which it was founded and restoring our nation's heritage as "One Nation Under God." To accomplish this the EagleCross Alliance:

The mission of Concerned Women for America is to protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens -- first through prayer, then education, and finally by influencing our society -- thereby reversing the decline in moral values in our nation. Concerned Women publishes an E-mail Alert Network.

The Christian Coalition was founded in 1989 by Pat Robertson to give Christians a voice in government. With over 2 million members and supporters CC is driven by the belief that people of faith have a right and a responsibility to be involved in the world around them. That involvement includes community, social and political action. Their goals include:

Eagle Forum, headed by Phyllis Schlafly, is a Christian conservative public policy advocacy organization that promotes its pro-family mission through 16 state affiliates, a radio broadcast, articles, and the Internet. Eagle Forum publishes the Phyllis Schlafly Report.

The think tanks listed here are scholarly institutes that consider the ramifications of public policy - that which exists and that which should exist - and share their findings primarily through publications. Typically, they don't lobby, though lobbying organizations may use their findings.

The Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, and Public Policy, Inc. publishes books and tapes, and sponsors seminars which seek to integrate in depth the Christian faith with public policy issues.

The Minuteman Institute is a division of The National Legal Foundation. Its
research focuses on the relationship between law and public policy from a
distinctly Christian point of view. The Minuteman Institute's scholarship
concentrates on the following areas:

The Institute for the Study of Religion in Politics (ISRP) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the analysis, study and dissemination of
information relating to the intrusion of religion in politics - both in the United States and throughout the world.

The Institute is deeply concerned that most Bible-believing Christians are not aware of how their religion is being transformed and even perverted to accommodate this trend.

"Our fear as Christians that 'secular humanism' might someday take over America blinds us to the very real and continuing power of most Christian institutions in this country, a power which once released politically might push us as a community in directions from which we may not be able to turn once the first steps are taken; the unleashing of Christian political power could very well begin a process which in the end may transform all of us - both individually and corporately - into something we may someday live to regret."

Articles in these online newsletters and magazines represent a broad spectrum of religious/political positioning. The magazines listed here also publish articles on other topics, but all of them are publications that seek to address the politics of today in the light of Christian ethics and traditions.

A monthly newsletter and web site detailing legislative and corporate
attacks on traditional family values and the increasingly frequent victories
over those attacks.

Ottawa Comment and Washington Comment are published by the Third Way Cafe, a ministry of Mennonite Media, on behalf of the Mennonite Churches of the U.S. and Canada, under the sponsorship of Mennonite Board of Missions.

Washington Watch is the Family Research Council's publication for staying
current on national issues which affect the family.

Sojourners is a progressive Christian voice that preaches not political correctness but compassion, community, and commitment. It explores the intersection of faith, politics, and culture.

In Commonweal you'll find lots of politics and plenty of ethics-talk: gay marriage, death penalty, euthanasia, abortion. Plus a miscellany: women's ordination, science & religion, the high cost of college, Social Security, who exactly was/is Jesus?"

World is a sharp, full-color news weekly that helps readers think biblically about the world around them. It is like TIME or Newsweek, but from a Christian perspective.

Visits since January 31st, 2001

Christian Legal Resources

World Christian Resource Directory