Church Law Podcast

By Church Law and Tax - Part of the gloo network of brandsReligion & Spirituality Religion

Church Law Podcast episodes

April 15, 2025 Top Legal and Tax Issues: Answering Listener Questions with guest, Matthew Branaugh, Esq.
In this episode of the Church Law Podcast, Erika welcomes back special guest Matthew Branaugh, attorney and editor at Church Law & Tax. Together, they tackle a variety of legal and tax questions submitted by you, our listeners—offering valuable guidance to help churches and ministries navigate complex issues. Topics include volunteer background checks, receiving property from another church, handling love offerings, protecting 501(c)(3) status while generating income, church name protection, and more. This informative conversation equips church leaders with practical insight to steward their ministries with wisdom and legal clarity.
SHOW NOTES
Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
The Church Attorney®’s Guide, Love Offerings
National Sex Offender Public Website
Ep. 15 - Keeping Children Safe in Your Church, with guest Matthew Branaugh, Esq., of Christianity Today’s Church Law & Tax
Ep. 39 - Expanding Uses for Church Property and Related Legal Considerations, with attorney Midgett Parker
Ep. 9 - Fraud in Church: It Can Happen to You! With guest Vonna Laue, CPA
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.
43 min
March 25, 2025The New Administration and What Your Church Should Know
In this episode, Erika provides essential guidance to help churches and ministries stay ahead of shifting legal and compliance requirements under the new administration. Learn critical steps your ministry must take to remain compliant and secure while discovering the invaluable support offered through Faithful Foundations Membership. Don’t let your ministry be caught off guard—stay informed, prepared, and faithful.
Key Discussion Points:
Understanding the Changing Landscape
Overview of key policy shifts under the new administration
How these changes impact churches and ministries
Key Steps for Churches to Take Now
Compliance updates and legal requirements
Best practices for financial and operational stability
Proactive measures to safeguard religious freedoms
Faithful Foundations Membership: Your Trusted Resource
Exclusive support for churches navigating compliance changes
Resources, training, and legal insights
Community support and best practices for ministry growth
SHOW NOTES
Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.
24 min
March 03, 2025 Immigration and the Church: What May Change in 2025 with guest Lina Hughes, Esq.
In this episode, Erika tackles a critical issue facing churches and ministries—immigration law and its evolving impact on faith-based organizations. With rapid policy shifts, many churches serving immigrant communities are left wondering how to navigate the legal landscape effectively.
To provide expert insight, Erika welcomes guest, Lina Hughes, a seasoned immigration attorney with over 26 years of experience. Lina is the principal attorney at Yen Hughes Law, a professor of immigration law at Trinity Law School, and an advocate for attorney well-being.
Together, they discuss: how immigration policies have historically impacted churches, the latest policy changes affecting faith-based organizations, practical steps churches can take to prepare and adjust, the importance of a written immigration policy, and more.
If your church or ministry serves immigrant populations, this episode is a must-listen. Gain wisdom, confidence, and practical strategies to continue serving with excellence in 2025 and beyond.

SHOW NOTES
Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
Know Your Rights Toolkit
Red Cards/Tarjetas Rojas
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.
32 min
February 19, 2025 Employees vs. Contractors: Proper Worker Classification for Churches with guest, Tiffany Releford, Esq.
This podcast episode, hosted by Erika Cole, The Church Attorney®, features employment law expert Tiffany Releford. The discussion provides valuable insights into employment law as it applies to churches and nonprofit organizations. Topics include distinguishing between employees and independent contractors, the implications of part-time versus full-time status, and how recent federal executive orders impact nonprofit compliance.
Tiffany also highlights the importance of understanding legal protections against discrimination, particularly in light of evolving government policies. Church leaders and nonprofit administrators will find practical guidance on navigating workplace legal complexities while staying mission-focused.

SHOW NOTES
Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
Church Law Podcast, Episode 12: HR Matter for Churches w/ guest Tiffany Releford, Esq.
Are you a religious leader who is feeling burnt out? Register today for Take the Next Call, a 6-week online course that will empower you to take control of your journey and fulfill your destiny beyond your church leadership role.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.
31 min
January 31, 2025 Rest as a Sacred Leadership Commitment, with guest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked importance of rest in leadership, especially for those in ministry. Erika is joined by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, work-life integration researcher, and author of Sacred Rest. Together, we discuss how rest is not a luxury but a sacred commitment that leaders must prioritize to serve others effectively.
Church and ministry leaders often carry heavy responsibilities, facing the demands of their roles while neglecting their own well-being. Dr. Dalton-Smith shares her expert insights on the critical connection between rest and health, and how leaders can incorporate holistic rest into their lives to recharge, refocus, and continue their work with renewed energy and purpose.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in for practical advice and encouraging wisdom on how to make rest an integral part of your leadership journey.

SHOW NOTES
Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Sacred Rest Quiz (Link to quiz for listeners to assess their rest needs)
Are you a religious leader who is feeling burnt out? Register today for Take the Next Call, a 6-week online course that will empower you to take control of your journey and fulfill your destiny beyond your church leadership role.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.
30 min
November 26, 2024BONUS EPISODE: An Interview with Richard Hammar, attorney, CPA, and co-founder, Church Law & Tax
Hammar, attorney, CPA, and co-founder of Church Law & Tax. Rich reflects on his more than 40-year career representing churches and informing them through his articles for Church Law & Tax and his many books, including Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition, and the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide.
The two discuss the top five reasons churches and religious organizations go to court. They also explore the issues and challenges that have changed over the past four decades, and why churches face increasing legal liability.
And Erika asks Rich about his career transition—and what church leaders can learn from his experience.
SHOW NOTES
Episode 2: “The Top Legal Issues Confronting Churches”

Episode 15: “Keeping Children Safe in Your Church”

Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition, by Richard R. Hammar

The annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, by Richard R. Hammar

The top five reasons churches and religious organizations go to court

Erika Cole’s 2024 Church Compliance Conference

“Breach of a Fiduciary Duty,” by Richard R. Hammar

“More States Expand Victims’ Rights to Sue for Abuse,” by Richard R. Hammar

“Generative AI Is All the Rage. Handle With Care.” by Matthew Branaugh

Become a ChurchLawAndTax.com Advantage Member and enjoy full access to articles, a Legal Library, a copy of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, and more.

Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.

Join the waitlist for the 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment.

Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. She serves as a senior editorial advisor for ChurchLawAndTax.com.
41 min
November 19, 2024Endings and New Beginnings, with Church Podcaster Matt McGee
Endings don’t have to be the end.
Erika concludes the current season of the Church Law podcast, “The Lifecycle of a Church,” by examining the ways churches facing closure still can plant seeds for new beginnings.
She’s joined by Matt McGee, host of The Last Service podcast, to talk through common perceptions—and misperceptions—about endings, especially in the American church; how church leaders define success; and what to honestly measure about a church’s health to determine ways forward.
The two also offer insights on how to make healthy transitions, plus share stories about resilient churches that forged new futures during struggles.
SHOW NOTES
Episode 45: “The Lifecycle of a Church”
“Navigating Church Closures and Mergers with Erika E. Cole, The Church Attorney,” The Last Service podcast
“Is a Merger the Right Next Step for Your Church?” by Erika E. Cole
“Dissolution,” from Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition, by Richard R. Hammar
Church Finance, Second Edition, by Michael E. Batts
Understanding Church Insurance, from Church Law & Tax
Become a ChurchLawAndTax.com Advantage Member and enjoy full access to articles, a Legal Library, a copy of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, and more.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Join the waitlist for the 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment.
Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today!
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. She serves as a senior editorial advisor for ChurchLawAndTax.com.

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30 min
October 29, 2024 When to Hire An Executive Pastor, with XPastor.com Founder David “Fletch” Fletcher
So, you’ve planted your church, and it has entered a growth phase. And with that growth has come added responsibility, stress, and pressure.
Therefore, it’s understandable that you might be considering bringing in someone to help. Should that someone be an executive pastor?
David “Fletch” Fletcher, founder of XPastor.com and an advisor-at-large for Church Law & Tax, is known as the “Dean of Executive Pastors.” In this episode, he offers wisdom and insights gleaned from four decades leading churches of various sizes and makeups.
Using Acts 6 as a guide, Fletch unpacks what it is for pastors to effectively delegate certain duties and roles, and thus free themselves to focus on their calling, as they lead growing, ever-changing churches.
This is especially critical when a church enters the 500-1,000 member range, Fletch says, and begins to see declines in productivity among a growing staff, or even missional drift.
It’s why an executive pastor might be the wisest investment a church can make.
SHOW NOTES
Episode 27: “Building a Healthy Leadership Culture in Your Church”
State of the Church – 2025: Measuring What Matters in Ministry, by Gloo and Barna
Become a ChurchLawAndTax.com Advantage Member and enjoy full access to articles, a Legal Library, a copy of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, and more.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Join the waitlist for the 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment.
“The Changing Face of the Executive Pastor Role,” by Matthew Branaugh
“How to Interview Your Next Church” by David Fletcher
Church Finance: The Church Leader’s Guide to Financial Operations, by Michael E. Batts
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. She serves as a senior editorial advisor for ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
28 min
October 08, 2024 The Thriving, Expanding Church, with guest Brad Hill, chief solutions officer, Gloo
Many churches make it out of their infancies and early years and hit their strides as they approach the double-digit years of existence. When a church’s life cycle reaches this point, it’s easy for its leaders to focus on what got them there. But that can be a misstep.
In this episode, Erika talks with Brad Hill, Gloo’s chief solutions officer, about how thriving, expanding churches can maximize their opportunities by developing new ways of thinking about ministry and doing it.
Embracing new technologies like AI, and the ways they can be used for advancing the Good News and making disciples, is one such way. Finding ways to measure the health and well-being of the people coming to the church is another way. Learn more as Erika and Brad explain how a thriving, expanding church is made possible when that church thinks innovatively about helping its people thrive and flourish.
Show Notes:
Episode 45: “The Lifecycle of a Church”
Episode 32: “Readying Your Church for the AI Wave”
AI and the Church - Gloo
State of the Church – 2025: Measuring What Matters in Ministry, by Gloo and Barna
Become a ChurchLawAndTax.com Advantage Member and enjoy full access to articles, a Legal Library, a copy of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, and more.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
Join the waitlist for the 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment
“Generative AI is All the Rage. Handle With Care,” by Matthew Branaugh
“Yes, Ministries Should Embrace AI,” by Jonathan Smith
Church IT, Third Edition, by Nick Nicholaou and Jonathan Smith
Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode.
See all episodes of Church Law.
The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. She serves as a senior editorial advisor for ChurchLawAndTax.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
27 min
September 10, 2024 Navigating the Early Years, with guest Pastor Soboma Wokoma
Pastors Soboma and Faith Wokoma weren’t planning to start a church. But bringing 17 people together for connection, coupled with earnest commitments to prayer, eventually led to launching Legacy Center Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Eight years later, the church draws about 350 people a week. The church is at a stage some consider “the messy middle” of ministry: Operations have grown, the newness has faded, and it’s easy for ministries to move off course.
Continuing the theme of “the lifecycle of a church,” Erika talks more with Pastor Soboma about how Legacy Center has intentionally worked to avoid drift. The two discuss skill-building among staff and volunteers, using bivocational pastors, and calling upon volunteers with workplace experience to help lead the church’s administrative operations.
That last approach—volunteer-led administration—also underscores the power of continual assessment and adjustment, Pastor Soboma notes, because leadership abilities and needs change, and approaches must be flexible to respond for the long-term good of the church
Show Notes:
Episode 46: “Starting a Church, with guest Peter Olson, executive pastor”
Episode 45: “The Lifecycle of a Church”
A Special Offer for Our Podcast Listeners! As a special thank-you to our loyal podcast listeners, we’re offering an exclusive 20-percent discount on registration for the 17th annual Church Compliance Conference, a virtual event on September 19, 2024.
Simply use the discount code PODCAST at checkout, or, use these links to the discounted registration pages:
All Access Group Ticket
Individual Ticket + Companion Guide and Conference Replay
Single Admission
Church Goverance, Richard R. Hammar
Become a ChurchLawAndTax.com Advantage Member and enjoy full access to articles, a Legal Library, a copy of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, and more.
Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church.
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27 min

About Church Law Podcast

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Pastors and church leaders in America face challenges that are increasing in scope and impact. Whether we're talking issues of cultural dynamics and the church or need-to-know information about…