October Newsletter

An article from ABC News this week brought renewed attention to a warning Justice Samuel Alito gave about religious liberty.

Reflecting on the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, he called it “perhaps the decisive point in our nation’s turn against religious liberty.”

His concern is one that matters deeply to the churches and ministries we serve. When biblical beliefs about marriage are treated as evidence of bigotry, pastors and Christian leaders face difficult questions about how to faithfully carry out their ministry.

A church needs to know whether its employment policies reflect its beliefs. A Christian school needs to understand how to uphold biblical standards. A ministry board needs to make sure its governing documents clearly explain the convictions guiding its work.

These questions can affect the people a ministry hires, the use of its property, and the decisions its leaders make every day.

At the National Center for Life and Liberty, we help churches understand those responsibilities and prepare for the challenges that may follow.

Religious liberty includes the freedom to put our faith into practice. Churches and ministries must be able to teach what Scripture says and carry out their work according to those convictions.

That takes careful preparation and a willingness to stand firm when those freedoms are challenged. Clear policies and trusted legal counsel can help a ministry address concerns before they become a crisis.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll see how the NCLL is serving churches across the country and defending the freedom they need to continue the work God has called them to do.

—David C. Gibbs III

President and General Counsel

The legal needs of churches and ministries reach every part of the country. A pastor may need guidance on a personnel matter. A Christian school may face questions about its policies. A ministry may find itself in a dispute that threatens its property, finances, or ability to continue serving.

NCLL counsel serves churches and ministries in all 50 states. Wherever a ministry is located, its leaders can reach out for help understanding their options and deciding how to move forward.

That nationwide availability is especially important when a pastor or board faces a situation it has never handled before. Having counsel to turn to can help leaders recognize a concern, understand their responsibilities, and take the next step with greater confidence.

We currently have active litigation and cases in 21 states, defending churches and ministries. Those matters require ongoing attention as our attorneys help ministry leaders respond to legal challenges affecting their work.

Behind every case is a congregation, school, or ministry with people depending on it. A legal dispute can consume time and resources that leaders had planned to devote to worship, teaching, outreach, and caring for families.

Your support helps the NCLL provide counsel across all 50 states and stand with the churches and ministries we are currently defending. It allows us to help leaders prepare, respond when a problem arises, and protect the freedom to continue serving faithfully.

The needs coming to the NCLL are greater than any one church, ministry, or organization can meet alone. Every day, pastors and Christian leaders reach out for help with decisions that can affect their people, their property, and the future of their ministry.

Meeting those needs takes partnership. Churches, ministries, organizations, and individuals all play a part in helping the NCLL serve those who need trusted legal counsel.

Your support allows the NCLL to serve ministries before a legal problem grows, stand with them when a crisis cannot be avoided, and help them move forward with clarity.

This work is possible because churches, organizations, and faithful individuals choose to stand together for the freedom of ministry.