This year’s theme is: The Time Is Now: Building Resilient Churches for a Shifting World The Team Pass allows up to five members of your church leadership team to attend the fully virtual summit together. It also includes replay access and the comprehensive summit guide for each team member. Is there an elephant in the room??? And here is what makes it such a strong investment: your church can bring five leaders to the summit for less than the cost of one hour of a lawyer’s time. Sometimes,...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , This year’s 19th Annual Church Law & Leadership Summit is not just longer. It is more interactive, more practical, and more focused on the real issues church leaders are facing right now. For the first time ever, the summit is expanding to two days: Thursday, September 17Friday, September 1811:00 AM–2:00 PM ET each dayFully virtual Day 1 includes a welcome and framework from Erika E. Cole, Esq., The Church Attorney®, followed by a featured session with Frank and Elaine...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , For 18 years, the Church Law & Leadership Summit has helped church leaders prepare for the legal, operational, and leadership challenges facing ministry. This year, for the first time ever, we are expanding to two days. Why? Because church leaders asked for more. Last year, one of the biggest things we heard was that attendees wanted more time — more networking, more conversation, more practical support, and more space to process the issues facing churches today. We wanted to...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , Early bird registration is now open for the 19th Annual Church Law & Leadership Summit, happening virtually September 17–18 from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM ET each day. This year’s theme is: The Time Is Now: Building Resilient Churches for a Shifting World For the first time ever, the summit is expanding to a two-day virtual experience. After 18 years of hosting this event, we heard clearly from church leaders that one day was no longer enough. Attendees wanted more time for networking,...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , As summer moves quickly and churches begin preparing for an increase in activities, this is the time to pause and ask a some important questions. Churches that are committed to growth and long term impact know that they benefit from regularly reviewing the systems, documents, and practices that support ministry. So, here are three questions every church should ask regularly: 1.Do our bylaws match how we actually operate? Many churches haven’t reviewed their bylaws in years....
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , Most churches schedule regular reviews of their finances. Many conduct annual ministry planning sessions. Some even perform facility inspections to identify maintenance issues before they become costly repairs. But when was the last time your church conducted a legal and governance checkup? For many churches, the answer is simple: "It's been a while." Many churches discover governance, policy, HR, or documentation gaps only after a challenge arises—a staffing question, board...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader , Church leaders rarely wake up worrying about bylaws, policies, or board minutes. They're focused on ministry. Serving people.Leading staff.Discipling members.Planning programs.Advancing the mission. But many churches discover governance and legal gaps only after a staffing issue, board disagreement, facility request, financial concern, or ministry challenge forces the question. That's why I'm inviting you to join me for a free webinar: Mid-Year Church Legal Checkup: 5 Areas...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , Last week, we talked about one of the most common questions churches face: Should this person be treated as an employee or an independent contractor? As summer ministry activities begin, Let's continue that conversation with another important question: What about volunteers? Vacation Bible School, youth camps, mission trips, community outreach events, and children's programs often rely heavily on volunteers and for good reason. They are one of the greatest blessings in...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader , As summer gets closer, many churches are planning for a full season of ministry — summer programs, special events, worship coverage, childcare needs, administrative support, and all the extra projects that seem to come with this time of year. And with those needs, there's one question I've gotten time after time: “Can we just pay this person as a 1099 contractor?” Now, I fully understand why that question comes up. Churches are trying to be good stewards. You want to bring in...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read