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Legal issues continue to be a growing area of church
affairs, necessitating familiarity with and resources for
proper risk management.
Always remember that the farther away activities of a
church venture from traditional worship and Bible study,
the more the likelihood of potential legal ramifications.
Churches are being sued for such activities as selling
chicken dinners, sponsoring athletic events, and many other
activities. As the number of ministry opportunities increases,
so does the possibility that someone will try to find a
legal angle from which to attack the church.
Necessity of Frequent Contact with a Lawyer - Some of
the best advice that can be given to a pastor is to acquaint
himself with and form an ongoing relationship with a local,
reputable attorney. This relationship is important because
the pastor can avail himself of the lawyer's expertise,
before making a mistake with legal ramifications. It is
always better to think preventatively rather than retroactively,
and major decisions should not be made regarding the church
or its business, without first contacting a lawyer.
In the state overseer field, developing a close relationship
with a good local attorney is important because it provides
for continuity in dealings between the lawyer and the church,
and it provides him with ability to be familiar with our
procedures, for posterity. In particular, a good local
attorney who has been representing the state office for
years can serve as a valuable counselor to any successors
in office at our state offices.
Keep a good lawyer close by, and call him before you make
big decisions.
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