1703 Overtime rules part 3

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4995420/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]Josh talks with Shelley Jackson and Pastor John Hickey about characteristics that might cause the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to apply to a church and to categories of employees, especially clergy. Continue reading “1703 Overtime rules part 3” →

1702 Overtime rules part 2

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4977693/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]Josh speaks with Shelley Jackson and Pastor John Hickey about the ways in which participation in interstate commerce can mean FLSA applies to individual employees. Continue reading “1702 Overtime rules part 2” →

1701 Overtime rules part 1

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4944416/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]Josh speaks with lawyer Shelley Jackson and pastor John Hickey about overtime and minimum-wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Continue reading “1701 Overtime rules part 1” →

Introduction to Law Meets Gospel

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4944305/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]Law Meets Gospel is a podcast informing faith communities about legal issues hosted by Josh Tatum, an Indianapolis lawyer who works with faith communities, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals across the country on a variety of legal issues. In this episode, Josh describes the history of Law Meets Gospel and his vision for the new podcast. Continue reading “Introduction to Law Meets Gospel” →

5 Developments in Religion and Law since Law Meets Gospel started

Five years ago, I set out to try my hand at blogging about legal and related issues that religious groups face. I sought to help faith communities improve their grasp of the rules that govern them, organize themselves, and feel comfortable contacting a lawyer for help. The last five years have brought some very interesting developments at the intersection of law and religion, and the next five promise even more. I’ve enjoyed blogging, though I have not been as regular as I would like to be. I aim to change that in the coming months. I’ve also created some graphics to help you know right away that what you’re seeing is Law Meets Gospel. To mark the fifth birthday of this effort, below are five important developments in the law that affect faith communities. And then some other big news … .

Continue reading “5 Developments in Religion and Law since Law Meets Gospel started” →

Stop using comp time in place of overtime!

The Department of Labor recently announced new rules about which employees are entitled to hourly and overtime pay. That has caused many employers, including religious and other not-for-profits, to assess whether they are correctly classifying and compensating their employees. One issue that may come up is how your organization compensates employees for work beyond the required hours in a workweek.

Continue reading “Stop using comp time in place of overtime!” →

Indiana church camp sues over neighboring dairy farm

In one of the first lawsuits filed under Indiana’s year-old Religious Freedom Restoration Act (Ind. Code §§ 34-13-9-1 to -11), the Hoosier Environmental Council filed a complaint (download here) on behalf of a children’s church camp in eastern Indiana. The complaint alleges that the Rush County Board of Zoning Appeals substantially burdened the House of Prayer Ministries’ exercise of religion by granting a special exception to local zoning ordinances allowing Milco Dairy to construct and operate a concentrated animal feeding operation, known as a CAFO. Continue reading “Indiana church camp sues over neighboring dairy farm” →

How (and whether) to act without a board meeting

I’m a strong advocate for making all group decisions in live meetings, whether in person or by phone. This is a basic principle of parliamentary law, and it is even more important in the context of a religious organization that invites divine guidance through individual participants in decision-making.  But some groups and some situations simply do not allow for that live meeting. What to do? Act by written consent. Continue reading “How (and whether) to act without a board meeting” →

7th Cir.: Att’y fees to defend frivolous suit are substantial burden; jury must decide zoning denial

The Seventh Circuit affirmed that incurring attorney fees in a frivolous lawsuit brought by a governmental entity can constitute a substantial burden under RLUIPA this week. It also reversed a determination that the City of Chicago had demonstrated the city had not imposed a substantial burden on a religious outreach center’s religious activities by denying licenses required to conduct those activities. Judge Richard A. Posner wrote the opinion for the court, and Judge Richard D. Cudahy wrote the following, exceptional concurrence: “Unfortunately, and I think the opinion must be stamped with a large ‘MAYBE.’” Judge Ilana Rovner was the third vote. Another notable aspect of the case is that, like most RLUIPA cases, it has been in litigation a long time—nine years. As Judge Posner wrote, “We can understand the judge’s desire to end a litigation that will soon have lasted as long as the Trojan War, but we do not think that the end is yet in sight.” Continue reading “7th Cir.: Att’y fees to defend frivolous suit are substantial burden; jury must decide zoning denial” →