Church Legal Center

07/11/2026

Launch Team invite for Pastor's Guide to Church Law

Thank you for all your support over the years. My next project is a book to help pastors and church leaders in the body of Christ. I am personally inviting you to join the launch team for my new book, Pastor's Guide to Church Law. I am asking you to buy the book (hardback $34.99 or paperback $19.99) using the link below and then give me a positive book review as a "verified purchaser" on Amazon so other church leaders can find it too.

https://www.amazon.com/author/johnpjoseph

Rev. John P. Joseph, Esq., CCA Emeritus

Follow John Joseph and explore their bibliography from Amazon's John Joseph Author Page.

07/02/2026

Dear Clients and Friends,

I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Pastor’s Guide to Church Law, has officially been published and is now available. This book is based on my many years representing churches covering legal issues they faced. Please consider adding this work to your library and giving me positive feedback on Amazon so others can find it too.

https://www.amazon.com/author/johnpjoseph

Follow John Joseph and explore their bibliography from Amazon's John Joseph Author Page.

03/24/2026

Revised Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation Act

The Florida Not For Profit Corporation Act (“Ch. 617”) has not been significantly examined or amended for over fifteen years. During that time, corporate processes, director responsibilities, membership rights, potential liability issues, and other factors have been amended in Florida’s for-profit corporation statute, the Florida Business Corporation Act (“Ch. 607”), and in the Model Nonprofit Corporation Act (“MNCA”) adopted by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. In order to assess whether and to what extent Ch. 617 should be amended, a Ch. 617 “Task Force” was formed by the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar. The Task Force consists of attorneys experienced in matters regarding nonprofit corporations. I am a member of the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar. The proposed legislative changes have now been drafted for approval. I will post in my website blog when the amendments have passed.

01/06/2026

Pastors, treasurers, and bookkeepers are busy this month preparing their contribution statements for 2025. You want to include checks, cash, money orders, and credit card payments. Also, do not forget those donations made online!

I suggest including the name and address of the church and adding the following phrase: "No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution, other than intangible religious benefits." Failure to do so may result in the church donor not being able to receive a proper deduction for their contributions.

Although the standard deduction has increased, do your best to get these statements in the hands of your contributors this month.

People who give like seeing how much they gave, and those who do not give may be convicted to start doing so!

Rev. John P. Joseph, Esq., CCA Emeritus

12/25/2025

A very Merry Christmas to all!

12/23/2025