2/1/2012
Resources for Churches
To clearly understand your constitutional rights as a pastor or church leader, we encourage you to study the resources below. These materials, prepared by ADF attorneys directly involved in church litigation cases, will help equip you when religious freedoms are challenged in your own church.
You can request printed copies of our resources by contacting us here.
- Speak Up Church Brochure
- Speak Up Church FAQ
- Speak Up Church Overview
- Speak Up Church Powerpoint (Leader's Resource)
Click the headings below to expand the list of available resources.
Church Governance
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+ Security
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+ Church Autonomy
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+ Governing Documents
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- Seven Things All Churches Should Have in Their Bylaws
- Suggested Bylaw Language for Select Topics
- The Importance of a Membership Policy
- Model Membership Agreement
- Procedure for Member Discipline/Membership Revocation
- Procedure for Rescinding Membership
- Job Descriptions & Religious Grounds for Limiting Employment
- Business With Conviction: Employer Religious Beliefs
- Religious Belief Regarding Marriage
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+ Legal Documents and Law Reviews
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- Brief Explaining Religious Organization Exemptions to Employment Discrimination Laws – Kennedy v. Villa St. Catherine
- Brief Explaining Church Autonomy in Hiring Decisions - EEOC v. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School
- Lawsuit Filed to Protect Church From Disruption of Worship Service - Mount Hope Church v. Bash Back
Churches & Politics
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+ General Resources
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+ Legal Documents and Law Reviews
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- Brief Explaining Rights of Religious Organizations to Petition Government - Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Shirley Dobson, Nat'l Day of Prayer
- Ninth Circuit Opinion Protecting Church's Right to Influence Legislation - Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church v. Unsworth
- Prince or Pauper? Religious Proselytizing and the First Amendment
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+ Pulpit Initiative
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- Pulpit Freedom Sunday FAQ
- Pulpit Freedom Initiative Executive Summary
- Pulpit Initiative White Paper for Sermons Addressing Candidates
- The Alliance Defense Fund Pulpit Initiative: What It Is, What It's Not
- History of the Johnson Amendment
- Pulpit Freedom Talking Points
- Sign-up to participate in the Pulpit Initiative
- 2011 Pulpit Freedom Participant List
Equal Access
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+ General Resources
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+ Legal Documents and Law Reviews
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- Brief Explaining Church's Right to Equal Access Public Meeting Rooms - Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries v. Glover – Motion for Summary Judgment
- Brief Explaining Church's Right to Equal Access to Government Programs - American Atheists v. City of Detroit – Brief
- Court Order Protecting Church's Right to Access Public Meeting Rooms - Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries v. Glover
- Lawsuit Filed to Protect Church's Right to Access Public Park - St. Faustina Old Catholic Church v. City of Pensacola
- Sixth Circuit Opinion Protecting Church's Access to Government Programs - American Atheists v. City of Detroit
Religious Freedom
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+ General Resources
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- Government Programs FAQ
- Land Use FAQ
- When to Contact ADF
- Seasonal Religious Expression – Celebrating Christmas in Public Places
- Faith Under Fire: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Resource Page
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+ Legal Documents and Law Reviews
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- Case Upholding Religious Group's Right to Petition for Public Prayer Proclamations – Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Ritter
Sermon Tools
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+ General Resources
Do you know someone who would want to learn more about his or her consitutional rights as a pastor?
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