Ministry and the American Legal System: A Guide for Clergy Lay Workers and Congregations

Written for persons who are not lawyers accountants or quasi-legal specialists this book offers congregations and religious professionals practical insight while avoiding mere listing of rules and lengthy discussions of cases.Part One provides an overview of the history structure and functioning of American law and its legal system as these pertain to congregations religious organizations and professionals.Part Two details various areas of law such as torts contracts real estate transactions employment copyrights and taxation that have direct bearing on congregational life and ministerial practice.Part Three focuses on risk management: ways that congregations and religious organizations and professionals can improve their functioning and minimize their exposure to legal difficulties.