Free Legal Resources for Your Ministry
Legal Assist
Last updated: February 2026
Services available to ministry leaders
Facility-Use Agreement Review
If your church loans or rents space to outside groups — recovery meetings, homeschool co-ops, wedding receptions, community events — Legal Assist will review your facility-use agreement to make sure it protects your ministry. This is one of the most common liability gaps Georgia churches have, and most don't realize their agreement is outdated or incomplete.
Employee Handbook Review
Georgia churches with paid staff need clear employment policies. Legal Assist reviews your employee handbook for gaps in areas like termination procedures, anti-discrimination language, and ministerial exception documentation — the kinds of things that matter when an employment dispute arises.
Church Bylaw Assessment
Well-drafted bylaws protect your leadership when difficult decisions need to be made — from pastor transitions to financial disputes to church discipline. Legal Assist reviews your bylaws and flags areas where stronger language could protect your board and your church.
Screening Procedure Recommendations
Background checks and screening procedures for staff and volunteers are one of the most effective ways to protect your ministry. Legal Assist provides recommendations on screening policies that meet both legal standards and best practices for child safety and abuse prevention.
Question & Answer Service
Have a legal question specific to your ministry? Legal Assist accepts written questions and provides general legal guidance. Common topics include tax exemption requirements, volunteer liability, employment law for churches, and religious liberty protections.
Law & Ministry Update
Brotherhood Mutual's legal team publishes regular case reviews and a podcast covering court rulings and legislation that affect Christian ministries. Recent topics include religious hiring protections, volunteer security team immunity laws, immigration enforcement at places of worship, and liability for church-sponsored outreach programs.
These updates are free and available to all ministry leaders.
How to access Legal Assist
Any ministry leader can use Legal Assist. Visit Brotherhood Mutual's Legal Assist portal to submit a question, request a document review, or browse their FAQ library. If you're a MinistrySure client, your advisor can also connect you directly.
Legal Assist questions answered
Is Legal Assist really free? +
Yes. Legal Assist is a complimentary service Brotherhood Mutual provides to any ministry leader. There are no fees, no billable hours, and no attorney-client relationship created through the service.
Does Legal Assist provide legal advice? +
Legal Assist provides general legal information and guidance specific to ministry operations. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your state. For complex legal matters, Brotherhood Mutual recommends consulting with a local attorney as part of your risk management plan.
Can Legal Assist help with a current legal dispute? +
Legal Assist focuses on preventive guidance — reviewing documents, answering questions, and helping your ministry avoid legal issues before they start. If you're facing an active legal matter, contact your insurance advisor so you can work through the claims process and connect with appropriate legal counsel.
What's the most common thing churches use Legal Assist for? +
Facility-use agreements. Churches that loan or rent their buildings to outside groups need clear, enforceable agreements that protect the church from liability. Legal Assist reviews these agreements regularly for churches across the country.
Not sure if your ministry has the right protection?
Legal Assist helps ministries avoid legal problems before they start. If you also want to make sure your insurance coverage is keeping up, we'll start with a conversation about your ministry and your current policy.
Brotherhood Mutual is pleased to provide Legal Assist as a complimentary resource. Services through Legal Assist aim to provide general legal information to current and prospective policyholders. The information provided is intended to be helpful but does not constitute legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your area. No attorney-client relationship is established through this process.