Not at all. The churches sign up for 501c3 status. What a 501c3 church corporation is according to the state's legal definition: The creator of a corporation is the State. The State is the sole authority and sovereign head over the corporation. The corporation is subject to the laws of the State which limits its powers. The corporation has no constitutionally protected rights. The corporation is an artificial person. The corporation submits to a State Charter declaring it is a creature of the State. The corporation is created for the benefit of the public. The corporation is a State franchise. The corporation is a privilege granted by the State. As a 501c3 INCORPORATED status, which means your church is a CORPORATION of the state, understand: The creator of your church is the State. The State is the sole authority and sovereign head over your church. Your church is subject to the laws of the State which limits its powers. Your church has no constitutionally protected rights. Your church is an artificial person. Your church submits to a State Charter declaring it is a creature of the State. Your church is created for the benefit of the public. Your church is a State franchise. Your church is a privilege granted by the State. The church that took the 501c3 status agreed to this.