The Church Attorney

The Church Attorney The Church Attorney®, creator of proprietary legal audit system, podcaster, author, www.erikacole.com
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Known as The Church Attorney, Erika has dedicated her life to helping churches of all denominations and sizes ensuring that their business and legal affairs are in order so they can focus on spreading their message and serving their congregation.

Church staffing questions can get complicated quickly.In this week’s YouTube video, I explain the employee vs. contracto...
05/30/2026

Church staffing questions can get complicated quickly.

In this week’s YouTube video, I explain the employee vs. contractor issue in plain language, including why churches should not rely on labels alone.

Share this with the person who handles payroll, hiring, or ministry staffing at your church.

Watch the full video on youtube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ79647T9AY&t=2s

05/29/2026

Church leaders, this is your reminder: caring for yourself is not separate from your leadership — it is part of it.

Even 5 or 10 minutes outside can help you reset, breathe, and model a healthier rhythm for your team, family, and ministry. This week inside Faithful Foundations, Dr. Flemings encouraged church leaders to make rest, wellness, and time with loved ones part of the system — not an afterthought.

Take the walk. Take the break. Lead by example.

05/19/2026

Before your next board meeting, it may be worth asking: do our bylaws actually help us govern?

In today’s YouTube video, I explain what churches should review in their bylaws before meetings, elections, major decisions, and leadership transitions.

This is especially helpful for pastors, board chairs, trustees, deacons, and church administrators.

Watch the full video and subscribe to the youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKLH61FeWZk

05/13/2026

A mid-year legal checkup does not have to be complicated.

Start with five places where churches often discover gaps too late:
• Bylaws
• Policies
• Personnel records
• Board minutes
• Facility-use documents

Erika is walking through the full list in today’s YouTube video. This is a practical teaching for pastors, administrators, and board leaders who want to protect the mission with clarity.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/ndxzG2_osHY
Educational only; not legal advice.

04/30/2026

Succession is inevitable—but being unprepared doesn’t have to be.

In over 20 years of working with churches and denominations, one truth remains: leadership transitions should never come as a surprise. Whether due to planned retirement or an unexpected absence, every church needs a clear, thoughtful succession plan in place.

Inside Faithful Foundations, we equip church leaders with practical tools and trusted guidance to help safeguard their ministry’s future. This month, we’re hosting a special Q&A with an expert speaker focused on succession planning—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

If your church hasn’t addressed this yet, now is the time.

Join us inside Faithful Foundations and start building a plan that protects what matters most.

🔗 Learn more and join below.

04/29/2026

Join us for a special live session as we enter the final days to join Faithful Foundations.
Learn how to move from reactive leadership to proactive governance, protect your church, and lead with confidence.

What would change if your church had ongoing legal guidance?Join me LIVE this Wednesday at 1:30 pm ET as we walk through...
04/28/2026

What would change if your church had ongoing legal guidance?

Join me LIVE this Wednesday at 1:30 pm ET as we walk through how to protect your ministry, strengthen your leadership, and avoid common legal pitfalls.

Enrollment closes soon.

04/17/2026

Are you paying more than you should in taxes?

There’s a common belief that churches don’t pay any taxes, but that’s not entirely true. And in some cases, some ministries end up paying more than they should without even realizing it.

In this live session, we’ll clear up the misnomer and walk through where churches may be overpaying—and how to avoid it.

If you’re responsible for your church’s finances or leadership decisions, this is an important conversation you don’t want to miss. Join me live as we talk about stewarding your resources wisely and ensuring you’re not paying more than necessary.

04/17/2026

Tax deadline just passed… but are you paying more than you should?

Join me LIVE at 11:30 AM ET as we clear up the myth that churches pay $0—and talk about where you might be overpaying.

Tax Day is here—and it raises an important question for churches:Are you actually exempt from all taxes?In our latest ne...
04/15/2026

Tax Day is here—and it raises an important question for churches:

Are you actually exempt from all taxes?

In our latest newsletter, we break down the 3 key types of taxes every church should understand—and the common assumptions that can lead to costly mistakes.

If you haven’t reviewed your church’s status recently, this is a timely place to start.

Take a moment to read it here → https://motivated-leader-8371.kit.com/posts/tax-day-reminder-does-your-church-owe-taxes

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