CHRISTIAN MINISTRY – LAW STUDIES

CM 5801 – The Church, the Law, and You
This course is designed to introduce the concepts of U.S. law as it relates to the church and the Christian. It will investigate the concept of separation of church and state and its understanding in religious circles. It will answer the question of Christians and politics from a Biblical approach.
(3 credits)

CM 5810 – The Biblical Basis of Personal Finances
This course is designed to introduce Pastors, Christian leaders and Bible students to the foundational premise of possessions. The study will cover stewardship, financial planning, budgeting, investments, insurance, retirement planning, taxes, etc. This course is fundamental for every Christian leader.
(3 credits)

CM 5820 – Taxes & the Ministry
A study of the tax laws as applied to ministry will be covered. The focus will be on the pastor as employee or self-employed, to pay or not to pay social security taxes. Also discussed will be the obligation, if any, of the church to be responsible to the IRS as a reporter of members’ gifts or deductions. The basics of this course will be just how much the church is affected by the current tax laws.
(3 credits)

CM 5830 – US Legal Concepts
This course is open to all students and is designed for the pastor, churchman, educator, administrator, businessman who would like to increase his understanding of those legal principles which apply to normal everyday business transactions. Contract, property, insurance, wills, trusts, and torts will be covered. Issues and regulations associated with Christian ministry will be detailed.
(3 credits)

CM 5840 – Christian Schools & the Law
A study of legal issues affecting Christian schools today. The attention will be given to “compliance” with local, state and federal regulations. The Biblical principle of obedience to Scripture will be the clear guide in all of the course. A review of the negative impact of governmental entanglement and illegal intrusion into the church will be discussed. The focus will be on the issues of the U. S. Constitution.
(3 credits)

CM 5850 – Religious Freedom- Constitutional Liberties
A detailed study of the U.S. Constitution and its associated amendments. Each amendment will focus on its impact on the local church. The student will be required to research the so-called “Wall of separation of church and state,” and write a thorough paper on the subject.
(3 credits)

CM 5860 – Church Security
This course is vital for the church in a volatile society. It deals with the problems that demand security, the process that develops security, the people, the plan, and all the issues that must be understood and implemented for the protection of the church today. The study reviews actual cases of church burglary, robbery, vandalism, rape and murder. (Seminar)
(3 credits)