Richard R. Hammar

An easy-to-use reference for all the copyright issues churches encounter in the course of their weekly activities. From photocopying sheet music to posting Internet content, noted church attorney, Richard Hammar, explains how to avoid copyright...

When churches plan for disasters, it's always with the hope that the plans will be unnecessary. But if a disaster—be it a hurricane, a tornado, a fire, flooding, or something else—does strike your church, you'll be glad if you've taken time...

Learning how to deal with our peers is part of growing up. While all children should experience healthy conflict that brings growth and maturity it is likely they'll encounter other children who wield their age, size, and superior knowledge like weapons...

What Churches Need to Understand about the Legal Limitations of Waivers and Release Forms Introducing Church Issues—an in-depth resource created to help church leaders gain clarity and direction on a specific topic that challenges religious...

What Churches Need to Understand about Public Accommodations Laws Introducing Church Issues—an in-depth resource created to help church leaders gain clarity and direction on a specific topic that challenges religious freedoms or exposes a...

Child abuse is tragic for all those involved. This download will help you put a plan into action to prevent child sexual abuse from happening in your church. You'll find help with addressing suspected abuse and how to handle sexual abuse accusations...

Personal computers, smartphones, social media—churches of every size can benefit from the variety of electronic tools available. But an increase in these options also means pastors and staff need to establish policies and best practices to govern...

Help your church develop a tax-compliant benevolence ministry. Churches are commanded to love their neighbors and care for the poor. But the church also must abide by tax rules designed to prevent abuse of a benevolence system. This training downloadable...

No church enjoys going to court. Legal disputes are messy, and sometimes unavoidable. However, your church can create proactive procedures to avoid common reasons why churches most often go to court, and to resolve legal conflict. Creating—and...

Church leaders are faced with an overwhelming number of questions related to keeping the church safe, legal, and financially sound. Richard Hammar receives thousands of questions every year and shares his answers to 20 of the most widely asked and...

You've completed your theological training. You're eager to serve God and His church with your gifts and talents. So why is someone asking if you want to opt-out of Social Security? If you're like most new ministers, you're probably overwhelmed by the...

As of July 2022, this supplemental download is being offered as a complimentary add-on to all orders of the Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition book, to account for recent developments in the legal space.  Editor’s Note: In June of...

Few things damage a church as much as accusations against the pastor. Sometimes the accusations are doctrinal and based on opinion and theology; other times the accusations are legal and based on decades of precedent and statutes. In either case, an...

This download corresponds with “The Basics of Running a Legally Sound Church Business Meeting” webinar. Download this handout to follow along and take notes while you watch. Webinar Description:Churches should select and implement a specific...

The download “Child Abuse: Emerging Trends from the Biggest Legal Threat to Churches” is a presentation handout to take notes while you watch the webinar.   Webinar...