If your congregation does not have a lawyer, it should.
It would be ideal if your lawyer specializes in civil liberties and especially religious liberty law. If you do not know how to find a lawyer, the American Bar Association will help you. There are local chapters which can also help. You might contact the Alliance Defending Freedom, Becket, or the ACLJ. Smaller congregations might want to consider forming a co-op, in consultation with a lawyer, to share expenses. Other resources: Gammon and Grange, Provident Law, First Liberty, or the Christian Legal Society.
© R. Scott Clark 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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(Replying because the email address was autocorrected incorrectly ironically.)
Out of curiosity, has your church or any other Reformed churches you know of taken these steps as of yet? Our church is connected to Our state’s (Maine) branch of the Christian Civic League who has guided directions during Covid. That said, I’m not sure they’ve done much as it hasn’t seemed like they’ve done anything to push back where push back could be done.
Drew,
I don’t know what my congregation has done. I intend to encourage them to move in this direction, if they haven’t yet.
I’m thinking less about “push back” and more about being prepared for the coming legal battles, e.g., Equality Act and/or its state equivalents. I suspect congregations will be looking at litigation sooner rather than later.
Yep, the Equality Act, which is anything but, will soon pass and religious liberty will be over.
Pacific Justice Institute.
Hi R. Scott–I think I know why you’re saying this, i.e., First Amendment rights under assault–is that the basis for the post? or something else? Thanks.
William,
The signals are clear. It’s time for churches to become legally aware and prepared.
ABA is a top evil org. As an attorney on their listservs and publications, it’s literally the worst.
What do you recommend instead?
Updated post with additional resources.
Recommend contacting churches in the area and asking for referrals. Most larger churches have an attorney on retainer or one that they have used in the past. Miller is correct in his/her assessment of the ABA, but the website is still a reasonably good resource for simply finding an attorney.
Thank you Jerry.
The changes you made are great.