Civil Courts May Not Decide Questions of How Church Presents Financial Records To Members

In Nelson v. Baker, (KY App., April 1, 2011), the Kentucky Court of Appeal dismissed a lawsuit brought by members of a Baptist church complaining, among other things, that defendants were not reporting to members on the church's financial affairs. the Court of Appeals held that, based on the First Amendment, it lacked jurisdiction over the complaint because: "The Church’s financial records and method of presentation to the congregation are clearly matters of internal governance and organization, and are, therefore, not subject to interference by the court."