Church and Ministry Liability: Employment Claims, Misconduct Suits, Civil Exposure, and Protected Autonomy Under the Law

Session I – Religious Employment Law and Clergy Misconduct: Legal Duties and Risk Management – Theresa Sidebotham Ministries are responsible not only for their employees, but their members and the people they serve, and good legal advice must take this into account. This session will give some highlights to be considered. Employment law with respect to religious organizations—churches, synagogues, religious schools, missions, and other ministries—has both an additional layer of legal considerations and some practical points. We’ll discuss how religious employment in general is exempt under Title VII with respect to religious discrimination, and how to approach this nuanced analysis.…