Key Cases
Employment Discrimination
Christian Ministry May Decline to Hire Non-Ministerial Employees Who Do Not Share Its Religious Beliefs
In Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Wash. v. Brown, 162 F. 4th 1190 (9th Cir. 2026), the court of appeals considered a pre-enforcement action seeking a declaration that it violates the church autonomy doctrine to enforce the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) so as to prohibit a faith-based homeless shelter from hiring non-ministerial employees such as an IT technician or operations assistant on terms consistent with its beliefs. The court of appeals affirmed the district court's conclusion that the ministry was likely to succeed on the merits of its claim. The plaintiff also operates a faith-based recovery program, health clinic and provides meal services. "It encourages everyone that it helps to 'develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.'" The plaintiff requires its employees to agree with and live out its Christian beliefs and
