J.M. v. Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God

OPINION

STONEBURNER, Judge.

Appellants St. James Assembly of God Church and the Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God challenge denial of their motions for summary judgment, contending that the religious freedom clauses of the federal and state constitutions deprive the district court of subject-matter jurisdiction over claims asserted by respondent J.M. for the hiring and retention of a pastor who engaged in a sexual relationship with her during counseling. Because court examination of the council’s and the church’s hiring decisions are precluded by the First Amendment, we…