Threats to your ministry’s ability to carry out its religious mission are on the rise. This easy-to-understand legal guide describes practical steps you can take today to prepare your ministry, so you can approach religious freedom legal issues with confidence.

When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Our Lady of Guadalupe School, it clarified and broadened the scope of the ministerial exception. This important employment case allows for greater freedom for churches and ministries as they make decisions about who will teach and represent their faith.

In Bostock, the Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot fire or decline to hire an employee solely because of the employee’s sexual orientation or transgender status. Because the opinion leaves open all questions regarding religious-liberty rights, it is still unclear how this ruling may affect churches and ministries.

In Espinoza, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious schools and religious families cannot be discriminated against in state tax credit programs simply because they are religious. This case paves the way for equal treatment for religious people and organizations.

In Little Sisters of the Poor, the Supreme Court ruled that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury had the authority to create exemptions from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive-coverage mandate for employers who object on religious or moral grounds. While this ruling was primarily about procedures and rulemaking, the decision’s effect is greater freedom for religious organizations.

In Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, the Supreme Court declined to provide emergency relief to a Nevada church that the state’s COVID-19 regulations treat worse than similarly-situated secular businesses and protests. The Court’s ruling does not end the church’s case; it simply declined to halt Nevada’s unequal treatment of the church while the case continues in lower federal courts.

The right to freedom of speech is one of our God-given, individual liberties that our government was established to help secure. Throughout our country’s history, Americans have recognized that a vibrant and prosperous nation must embrace freedom of speech because it’s essential to upholding democracy, the pursuit of truth, and limiting government’s power.

The ministerial exception allows religious organizations to make employment decisions regarding ministers without government interference.

Learn about religious freedom legal challenges facing Christian schools in four key areas: admissions, employment, health insurance, and athletics.

Christian schools exist to instill God’s truth in students’ educational upbringing. A Christian education is holistic, teaching students to use their mind, body, and spirit to seek excellence and pursue truth. In Vermont, state officials have shown a particular disdain for this kind of education. And they’re not just seeking to thwart Christian schools; they are actively punishing them.

In July 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court reinterpreted the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and penal code to include sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination within the definition of the word “sex.” The law expansively applies to churches, religious schools, and nonprofits such that now even though these entities treat all people with respect and dignity, they can face punishment for simply teaching or operating in accordance with their religious beliefs on sexuality and identity.

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Carson v. Makin that the state of Maine cannot exclude students who attend religious schools from a government program in which they are otherwise qualified.

On December of 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the misnamed Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), which, among other things, repealed the federal Defense of Marriage Act and enshrined same-sex marriage into federal law. The law expands not only what marriage means in the law, but also who can be sued for disagreeing with its new meaning. The newly enacted law also opens the door to litigation against those who disagree with the new definition.

The practice of banks and other corporations canceling individuals and organizations due to their beliefs seems to be gaining steam. In early March of 2023, Christian podcaster, author, and preacher Lance Wallnau shared that Bank of America closed his ministry’s account. He expressed on his Instagram page that large banks are investigating Christian ministries as if they are participating in alleged “money laundering schemes” yet ignoring the larger issues America is facing.

The Vermont Principals Association, which is the largest sports association for middle and high school sports in the state, adopted a policy allowing boys to compete on girls’ sports teams. As a result, the MVCS girls’ basketball team was scheduled to play a team with a male player who was over six feet tall.

The rapid embrace of radical ideas and activism surrounding gender ideology is seemingly everywhere we turn. This resource is intended to help churches and ministries engage with this pressing issue. It includes hypothetical scenarios, practical actions for your church, considerations for pronoun usage, and more.

A collection of sample statements & sample job descriptions for Christian schools. Schools can refer to these documents to help guide them while crafting their own.

Christian schools have religious liberty related legal needs that extend beyond what many other Christian ministries may face. This extension of the ADF Ministry Alliance Handbook is provided as a supplement to Christian schools like yours.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the right to freedom of association, meaning Americans have the freedom to choose which groups or causes they associate with and financially support, and whether or not they make that association public knowledge.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the City of Philadelphia violated a faithbased non-profit’s free exercise rights when it tried to shut down the organization’s foster care ministry because of its religious beliefs. This is a significant victory for religious freedom.

On December of 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the misnamed Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), which, among other things, repealed the federal Defense of Marriage Act and enshrined same-sex marriage into federal law. The law expands not only what marriage means in the law, but also who can be sued for disagreeing with its new meaning. The newly enacted law also opens the door to litigation against those who disagree with the new definition.

In case you missed it, Title IX is undergoing some serious changes. If implemented, these sweeping changes stand to change the landscape of schools across the nation.

All children deserve an educational environment that is equipping them for success. Our recent First Amendment victory for Bethel Christian School was also a victory for children's access to quality, faith-based education -- no matter their family income status.

Many towns in Vermont don’t have a public high school. In the late 1860s, the state adopted what is known as the “Town Tuition Program.” It allows parents in towns without high schools to send their students to a school they choose, either public or private.

Meet our clients at Calvary Road Christian School—and learn what’s at stake in this case for their staff, parents, and students.

Should school children be used as political pawns to force a radical agenda? Of course not. But that’s exactly what the Biden Administration attempted to do.

Many parents choose to send their children to Sacred Heart Academy because it aligns with their religious beliefs. However, a new interpretation of a Michigan law forces the school to adopt a view of sex and gender that contradicts its Catholic faith. If the law stands as currently interpreted, Sacred Heart would be forced to close, and many parents would be left without a suitable school for their children.

The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were created over two centuries ago to recognize and protect God-given freedoms that have helped our country flourish. A central theme throughout these founding documents is the protection they provide from government overreach. Unfortunately, in today's age, with its penchant for radical ideologies and "cancel culture," the government isn't the only one who can threaten these core, founding freedoms. Corporate America is trying its hand at stifling views it doesn't like.

One of the ways to prepare your ministry is by adopting a Code of Christian Conduct. This code should be grounded in your ministry’s Statement of Faith and establish parameters for acceptable behavior for all employees, teachers, administrators, campers, students, etc.

Learn about religious freedom legal challenges facing Christian schools and how to better prepare your school for these challenges in the key areas of admissions, employment, health insurance, and athletics.

The rapid embrace of radical ideas and activism surrounding gender ideology is seemingly everywhere we turn. This resource is intended to help churches and ministries engage with this pressing issue. It includes hypothetical scenarios, practical actions for your church, considerations for pronoun usage, and more.

The ministerial exception allows religious organizations to make employment decisions regarding ministers without government interference.

Learn about religious freedom legal challenges facing Christian schools in four key areas: admissions, employment, health insurance, and athletics.

Christian schools exist to instill God’s truth in students’ educational upbringing. A Christian education is holistic, teaching students to use their mind, body, and spirit to seek excellence and pursue truth. In Vermont, state officials have shown a particular disdain for this kind of education. And they’re not just seeking to thwart Christian schools; they are actively punishing them.

In July 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court reinterpreted the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and penal code to include sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination within the definition of the word “sex.” The law expansively applies to churches, religious schools, and nonprofits such that now even though these entities treat all people with respect and dignity, they can face punishment for simply teaching or operating in accordance with their religious beliefs on sexuality and identity.

The practice of banks and other corporations canceling individuals and organizations due to their beliefs seems to be gaining steam. In early March of 2023, Christian podcaster, author, and preacher Lance Wallnau shared that Bank of America closed his ministry’s account. He expressed on his Instagram page that large banks are investigating Christian ministries as if they are participating in alleged “money laundering schemes” yet ignoring the larger issues America is facing.

The Vermont Principals Association, which is the largest sports association for middle and high school sports in the state, adopted a policy allowing boys to compete on girls’ sports teams. As a result, the MVCS girls’ basketball team was scheduled to play a team with a male player who was over six feet tall.

On December of 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the misnamed Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), which, among other things, repealed the federal Defense of Marriage Act and enshrined same-sex marriage into federal law. The law expands not only what marriage means in the law, but also who can be sued for disagreeing with its new meaning. The newly enacted law also opens the door to litigation against those who disagree with the new definition.

In case you missed it, Title IX is undergoing some serious changes. If implemented, these sweeping changes stand to change the landscape of schools across the nation.

All children deserve an educational environment that is equipping them for success. Our recent First Amendment victory for Bethel Christian School was also a victory for children's access to quality, faith-based education -- no matter their family income status.

Many towns in Vermont don’t have a public high school. In the late 1860s, the state adopted what is known as the “Town Tuition Program.” It allows parents in towns without high schools to send their students to a school they choose, either public or private.

Meet our clients at Calvary Road Christian School—and learn what’s at stake in this case for their staff, parents, and students.

Should school children be used as political pawns to force a radical agenda? Of course not. But that’s exactly what the Biden Administration attempted to do.

Many parents choose to send their children to Sacred Heart Academy because it aligns with their religious beliefs. However, a new interpretation of a Michigan law forces the school to adopt a view of sex and gender that contradicts its Catholic faith. If the law stands as currently interpreted, Sacred Heart would be forced to close, and many parents would be left without a suitable school for their children.

When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Our Lady of Guadalupe School, it clarified and broadened the scope of the ministerial exception. This important employment case allows for greater freedom for churches and ministries as they make decisions about who will teach and represent their faith.

In Bostock, the Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot fire or decline to hire an employee solely because of the employee’s sexual orientation or transgender status. Because the opinion leaves open all questions regarding religious-liberty rights, it is still unclear how this ruling may affect churches and ministries.

In Espinoza, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious schools and religious families cannot be discriminated against in state tax credit programs simply because they are religious. This case paves the way for equal treatment for religious people and organizations.

In Little Sisters of the Poor, the Supreme Court ruled that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury had the authority to create exemptions from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive-coverage mandate for employers who object on religious or moral grounds. While this ruling was primarily about procedures and rulemaking, the decision’s effect is greater freedom for religious organizations.

In Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, the Supreme Court declined to provide emergency relief to a Nevada church that the state’s COVID-19 regulations treat worse than similarly-situated secular businesses and protests. The Court’s ruling does not end the church’s case; it simply declined to halt Nevada’s unequal treatment of the church while the case continues in lower federal courts.

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Carson v. Makin that the state of Maine cannot exclude students who attend religious schools from a government program in which they are otherwise qualified.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the right to freedom of association, meaning Americans have the freedom to choose which groups or causes they associate with and financially support, and whether or not they make that association public knowledge.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the City of Philadelphia violated a faithbased non-profit’s free exercise rights when it tried to shut down the organization’s foster care ministry because of its religious beliefs. This is a significant victory for religious freedom.