In 1987, Drs. Townsend and Wright recognized the need for someone to teach pastors and churches the Biblical truth of Lordship, as it applied to the church; to assist them in unentangling themselves from the headship of the state; and to stand with faithful pastors and churches in times of difficulty and attack. It was from this vision that the Ecclesiastical Law Center was born.

Over the years, since 1987, the Law Center has assisted churches in 39 states to return to the Lordship of Christ over HIS church. In those 18 plus years, the Lord has intervened to allow our churches to stand on Biblical conviction, without compromising the position of Christ over His church, in every situation God has sent our way.

In 2001, James Wright joined the staff of the Law Center as our Legal Education Coordinator, webmaster and research assistant. James is responsible for the ELC website and contributed significant research and the first two chapters to the Law Center’s book, APPROVED BY GOD.

In 2004, after nearly 8 years of research, the Law Center published the book APPROVED BY GOD: A Case for Modern Disestablishment. The book covers the scriptural, historical, legal and practical aspects of the Lordship church position. Research continues as we face new challenges and the staff is currently working on a second book.

The Law Center has the Bible as its central focus. The discussion surrounding the “unincorporated” church or the “unregistered” church today often centers on constitutional or legal argumentation. The Bible becomes almost a sidelight. Our position is clear: We need to do what the Bible says and stand where the Bible says to stand. This unique, Biblical approach to the church has allowed our churches to stand on Biblical principle and maintain a testimony for Christ, even in the times of battle. Above all, the testimony of Christ must be upheld … it is HIS church.