| Do you know what RLUIPA stands for? Here’s the answer: the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act—a law the US Congress unanimously passed in 2000. And here’s why it’s important: One of the top reasons churches go to court each year is disputes with local governments, zoning boards, and neighborhood associations over property uses tied to religious services and activities. RLUIPA requires municipalities to justify reasons for restrictions, denials, or other obstacles placed upon churches and their use of property. If you didn’t know what RLUIPA was until now, you’re not alone. In fact, most churches, pastors, and church boards are unaware RLUIPA exists. That means many do not take advantage of it. While the law doesn’t automatically guarantee victory, it provides pathways churches can take. To help educate our Church Law & Tax members to better understand RLUIPA, we produced a virtual roundtable series that includes five video segments, two case studies, and a PDF guide with key highlights and resources. Get a sneak peek by watching the introduction and a case study on how one religious organization successfully navigated zoning codes. We believe this series will be a valuable resource for a long time to come. Also this week: Last chance: Sign up now for tomorrow’s free webinar featuring CPA Vonna Laue and me as we discuss findings of our recent survey on fraud in the church. | 