By Tom Gliebe of FireGate Ministries
A church or ministry as a Canon Law Corporation Sole functions under "Canon Law," also known as church law,  which was formed in the 1400's.  Today, it is recognized by virtually every state of the Union and many countries abroad. 

While many of the largest churches in the world use Corporation Sole, such as the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, most Synagogues, Eastern Orthodox plus others, few of our modern day evangelical churches or ministries are even aware of its existence!  The Canon Law Corporation Sole is a "sovereign  perpetual office" and is recognized as nonprofit by the states.  It allows for a legal and clear separation of church and state.  It permits the church to govern itself as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Most churches and ministries today have signed a covenant agreement with their respective states and have been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service through a 501c3  as a legitimate nonprofit State Church Corporation or, in other words as Church, Inc.  The only problem with this is that there is no justifiable rational for a church to incorporate under a government charter (contract) nor to seek a tax-exempt status which has already been granted, to the church, by the Constitution of the United States! 

 In most cases, over the last 40 years, attorneys, CPA's and accountants have convinced the clergy, to become  Church, Incorpprated  based upon alleged benefits and privileges such as Limited Liability,Exemptions (land, etc.) and Tax Deductible status for its donors.   All these advantages were already granted to the church by the Constitution!  Why then are we asking the government to grant something that has already been granted us?

Many thousands upon thousands of churches and ministries in America have joined in a contractual agreement with their respective State governments.  The State government is based upon Statutory Laws and not on Scripture based Canon Laws.  State nonprofit corporation churches, and ministries can be successfully sued in court if they preach the full Gospel because of certain laws such as the laws which are interpreted to protect people against Hate Crimes. Basically, churches and ministries have agreed to abide by the laws of the State when they become Church, Inc!  This is an unscriptural position and leaven to the body!  The Church ends up with two masters.  An untenable situation that must be rectified. 

The founding fathers of the Constitution recognized the necessity for the "separation of church and state" by acknowledging that there was a "Government of Man" and a "Government of God."  They took further steps and declared that "Congress shall make no laws neither establishing religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof" and so it is still today.  But the church and ministries broke this declaration by applying through their individual states to be established through the 501(c)3 corporation status.  The 1st Commandment says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  Jesus said it like this, "You cannot serve two masters.” The Scripture is the final authority for the church, not the Internal Revenue Service code. Yet this legal right to the "separation of Church and State" is rarely implemented?  What has happened and why?

Beth-El Aram Ministries can personally assist you in the formation of a properly structured, legally correct, Canon Law Corporation Sole. They have authored,  and filed many Canon Law Corporation Soles. 

Additionally, they can help you organize and protect your assets and estates and distribute an inheritance to your heirs through other instruments without government intrusion and taxes.

Pastors and Ministers who have concerned questions regarding their state structured Church or Ministry corporations owe it to  yourselves to continue this process of investigating Corporation Sole. Those who are preparing to start a church or ministry looking for understanding and clarity of a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) verses Corporation Sole, should contact Beth-El Aram Ministries.

The call you make will affect your future and all those who will be touched by the ministry only God can give.  Guard your calling; Guard your future; Guard your flock; Guard your family.

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Gardner is among the very few who specialize in setting up Canon Law Corporation Sole  for churches and ministries throughout the United States.  Know too, that all Corporation Soles are NOT created equal. There are actually two types of Corporation Sole and you must know the difference:  Civil Law and Canon Law. 

Rev. Ric and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Gardner as spiritual leaders and ordained ministers  have pastored and evangelized for many years and have many years of experience and study on Corporation Sole: Civil and Canon.  As professionals they hold certificates or degrees in paralegal, banking, business, and estate planning and have many other experiences that give them a professional and unique understanding of the history, heart and needs of the church while understanding the laws of the land.  They have assisted many churches, ministries and associations in obtaining Canon Law Corporation Soles.