Guarding against the creeps

July 22, 2015 Christian Ministries: How to Protect Them from Lawsuits  Are you a pastor or ministry leader?  Are you unwilling to compromise your beliefs about marriage, gender, and sexuality but concerned about the legal liabilities that might result? If that's you, we want to help.   The Supreme Court's recent decision to redefine marriage for the entire country has many pastors and ministries leaders worried about how this will impact their ministry.  And for good reason.  During arguments before the Supreme Court, U.S. Solicitor General said that maintaining tax exempt status is "going to be an issue" for non-profits that hold to the natural and historical understanding of marriage. While there is risk in a changing world, there are also steps you can take to protect the ministry you care about from lawsuits.  Alliance Defending Freedom published a small booklet titled Protecting Your Ministry From Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Lawsuits with the sole purpose of equipping pastors, ministry leaders and Christian school faculty with the necessary tools to better protect their churches, ministries, or schools. Topics include: Statement of Faith Religious Employment Criteria Formal Membership Policy Marriage Policy Facility Use Policies Religious Mission Statement Code of Christian Conduct And Much More The Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW) is taking this booklet one step further. FPIW is setting up meetings all over Washington State to help pastors and ministry leaders better protect their ministry from future sexual orientation and gender identity lawsuits. These meetings will be based on ADF's Protecting Your Ministry booklet, but will also discuss how to be more proactive in the legislative process in Washington State. These meetings are free! All we ask is that you let us know if you are planning on attending (register here). Several meetings are scheduled, but more dates and times will be announced in the following cities in the near future.   If you are interested in hosting a Protect Your Ministry meeting in your community, let us know.  We'd love to work with you! Even if you can't attend, please send this to a pastor or ministry leader you know would benefit. Please prayfully consider attending or hosting a Protect Your Ministry meeting. Confirmed Dates & Locations Locations will be provided upon registering. August September October BOTHELL Thursday, 8/20 10am - 12pm TRI-CITIES Thursday, 9/10 10am - 12pm WENATCHEE Thursday, 10/1 12pm - 1:30pm UNIVERSITY PLACE Tuesday, 9/15 7pm - 9pm SOUTH BEND Monday, 9/28 6:30pm - 8:30pm Future Dates & Locations *pending confirmation of dates & times If you would like to host in one of these areas, please contact us. Poulsbo * Yakima * Port Townsend* Lynnwood Kirkland Olympia Everett Vancouver Seattle Bellingham Mount Vernon Renton Connect With Us On Social Media                                          The Family Policy Institute of Washington is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting public policy that recognizes the significance and sanctity of the family in Washington State.