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.