Explaining PMAs to Your Church or Faith Based Community

Across America, many churches and ministries are beginning to feel the weight of government restrictions and IRS oversight. With a 501(c)(3) status, pastors and leaders often worry that if they speak the full truth on controversial or political topics, they could risk their tax-exempt status or face unwanted government intrusion.

This creates a painful dilemma: compromise the message of the Gospel to stay in compliance, or boldly proclaim God’s Word and risk interference.

But there is a better way. A Private Membership Association (PMA) provides a lawful, biblical alternative for churches and faith-based communities to operate with true freedom. Rooted in trust law and First Amendment protections, a PMA allows ministries to carry out their calling under God’s law first, not corporate statutes.

What Is a Private Membership Association (PMA)?

A Private Membership Association (PMA) is a private contractual agreement between individuals who voluntarily come together for a common purpose. Unlike corporations, nonprofits, or 501(c)(3) organizations that exist in the public domain, a PMA functions entirely in the private domain — where members set the terms of their fellowship, services, and activities.

Definition

A PMA is essentially a membership-based community, where every participant agrees to the terms of association. Because the agreements are private contracts among consenting members, the association is not subject to the same public regulations that apply to corporations or nonprofits.

Legal Foundation

The authority for a PMA comes directly from the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees:

• Freedom of Association → Members have the right to gather and organize privately.

• Freedom of Religion → Churches and ministries are free to worship and teach without state interference.

• Freedom of Contract → Individuals may enter into lawful private agreements outside of government oversight.

These constitutional protections form the legal backbone of every PMA.

Key Point

The most important distinction is this:

• Public entities (LLCs, corporations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits) operate under government jurisdiction.

• PMAs operate under God-given rights in the private domain.

For churches and ministries, this means freedom to minister without compromise, free from IRS entanglements, and fully aligned with biblical stewardship.

Why Churches and Ministries Use PMAs

For many faith leaders, the choice to operate as a Private Membership Association (PMA) comes down to one word: freedom. A PMA allows churches and ministries to step out of the corporate public system and back into their rightful place under God’s law and First Amendment protections.

1. Avoiding 501(c)(3) Restrictions

Traditional churches that register as 501(c)(3) nonprofits accept a long list of restrictions in exchange for tax exemption. These include limitations on political speech, activism, and even certain doctrinal positions.

By contrast, a PMA:

• Allows pastors and leaders to speak truth boldly without fear of government punishment.

• Removes the risk of losing status for addressing controversial moral issues.

• Protects the church’s message from being shaped by external agendas.

In short, a PMA keeps the pulpit free.

2. Autonomy Under God

A PMA structured as a ministry trust operates under biblical stewardship and natural law, not corporate statutes. This means the ministry is:

• Self-governing under God’s authority.

• Free from dependency on IRS approval or state recognition.

• Aligned with the original intent of the First Amendment: to keep the church separate from government control.

This restores the church’s rightful place as a spiritual body, not a corporate franchise.

3. Member-Only Structure

Because PMAs function in the private domain, they serve members only. This does not limit outreach — it simply changes the legal framework:

• Worship services, teachings, and ministry activities are offered to voluntary members.

• Membership agreements clearly define the rights and responsibilities of all participants.

• By creating a private faith based community, the ministry is shielded from many public regulations that apply to corporations.

This structure ensures that everything the church does remains private, lawful, and protected.

Benefits of a PMA for Faith-Based Communities

For churches, ministries, and faith-based groups, operating as a Private Membership Association (PMA) offers both practical protections and spiritual empowerment. By moving into the private domain, ministries can live out their calling freely, without compromise.

1. Freedom of Speech

One of the greatest blessings of a PMA is the freedom of speech: the right under first amendment of the U.S. constitution and defined as the ability to teach and preach biblical truth without censorship. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations that must avoid certain topics to protect their status, a PMA allows faith leaders to:

• Speak boldly on moral, cultural, and political issues.

• Preach the full counsel of Scripture without compromise.

• Equip believers with truth, even when it conflicts with government agendas.

2. Protection from IRS Overreach

When properly structured, a PMA exists outside of IRS jurisdiction. This means:

• No risk of losing tax-exempt status for what is taught from the pulpit.

• Freedom from the strings attached to 501(c)(3) status.

• Ministry finances and operations remain in the private domain.

This allows the church to steward resources for Kingdom purposes instead of government-defined agendas.

3. Confidentiality

Because a PMA is built on private member-to-member agreements, ministry activities remain confidential and protected.

• Membership rolls, records, and internal agreements are not public information.

• Spiritual counsel and ministry work stay within the covenant community.

• Leaders and members alike gain peace of mind knowing their faith practice is secure.

4. Strengthened Community

A PMA naturally creates a tighter bond of fellowship, as every member joins voluntarily and intentionally.

• Members enter into covenant, united by shared faith and values.

• The church becomes a true faith based community, not just a public organization.

• This strengthens both accountability and spiritual unity.

In essence, a PMA allows churches and faith-based communities to reclaim their God-given freedoms, operate with confidence, and build a stronger spiritual body — free from government interference.

PMAs vs. 501(c)(3) Churches

For decades, churches in America have been encouraged to register as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to gain tax-exempt status. While this may seem beneficial on the surface, it comes with serious trade-offs. By stepping into the public corporate system, churches open themselves to IRS regulation and government oversight.

A Private Membership Association (PMA) church or ministry, however, operates in the private domain under trust law and First Amendment protections. The difference is profound.

501(c)(3) Church

• IRS-Regulated → Must comply with IRS rules to maintain tax exemption.

• Restricted Speech → Limited in political and social commentary from the pulpit.

• Government Oversight → Subject to audits, investigations, and compliance requirements.

• Corporate Structure → Recognized as a state-registered entity, not purely a spiritual body.

PMA Church / Ministry

• Private & Trust-Based → Exists as a private contractual association, outside corporate jurisdiction.

• Protected Speech → Free to teach biblical truth without fear of censorship.

• First Amendment Shield → Operates under freedom of association, religion, and contract.

• Spiritual Identity → Recognized as a faith community under God, not a government-controlled corporation.

Key Difference

The core distinction is this:

• A 501(c)(3) church is a public corporate body regulated by the government.

• A PMA church or ministry is a private spiritual body, protected by God’s law and the Constitution.

How to Explain PMAs to Your Congregation

Introducing the idea of a Private Membership Association (PMA) to your congregation doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the more simple, biblical, and transparent you keep the message, the more your members will understand and embrace it.

1. Keep It Simple

Present the PMA as a tool for freedom, not a technical legal structure. You might say:

“A PMA allows us to worship and serve God without government interference.”

This helps members see the PMA as a protector of faith, not just paperwork.

2. Use Scripture

Ground the explanation in God’s Word. Passages like Acts 5:29 (“We must obey God rather than men”) or Matthew 22:21 (“Render unto Caesar… and unto God…”) remind the congregation that our first allegiance is always to God.

A PMA simply provides the lawful framework to live out that truth.

3. Emphasize Benefits

Share the practical and spiritual blessings of moving into a PMA structure:

• More freedom → No restrictions on preaching or teaching.

• More protection → Shielded from IRS overreach and government entanglement.

• More alignment → Operating fully in line with biblical stewardship and God’s authority.

4. Encourage Questions

Be open to discussion. Some members may feel unsure about stepping out of a 501(c)(3) model. Encourage honest questions and provide reassurance:

• “This is about protecting our ministry, not changing our mission.”

• “We will continue to serve God and the community — now with greater freedom and clarity.”

By addressing concerns with transparency and patience, leaders can build trust and unity around the shift.

Taking the First Steps as a Church or Ministry

Transitioning your church or ministry into a Private Membership Association (PMA) may seem like a big leap, but the process is simple when broken into clear steps. It’s about moving from the public corporate system into the private domain, where your faith community is free to operate under God’s law first.

Step 1: Decide to Move into the Private Domain

The first and most important step is a leadership decision. Church leaders must prayerfully and intentionally choose to step out of the 501(c)(3) system and reclaim the ministry’s freedom in the private.

Step 2: Form a PMA Under Trust Law

A PMA is established through trust law and private contract. This lawful structure ensures your church or ministry:

• Operates privately.

• Is protected under the First Amendment.

• Is free from unnecessary government entanglement.

Step 3: Invite Your Congregation to Become Private Members

Because a PMA is membership-based, the congregation becomes part of a private covenant community. Members simply agree to participate under the terms of the PMA, which strengthens unity and protection.

Step 4: Operate Lawfully and Peacefully as a Faith-Based PMA

Once established, the church continues its mission exactly as before — preaching, teaching, worship, and outreach — but now within the safety of the private domain. The PMA model allows ministries to live out their calling without compromise, under the covering of God’s law and constitutional protections.

Conclusion

A Private Membership Association (PMA) offers churches and faith-based communities the freedom to live out their God-given mission without compromise. Unlike the 501(c)(3) system that ties ministries into government oversight and IRS restrictions, a PMA restores the church to its rightful place in the private domain, where it can speak truth boldly and serve faithfully.

This is not about escaping the law or hiding from responsibility. It is about operating lawfully under God’s authority first, supported by trust law and the protections of the First Amendment. A PMA ensures that your ministry’s work remains private, protected, and firmly aligned with biblical stewardship.

The time has come for churches and faith leaders to prayerfully ask: Is a PMA the right path for our ministry’s future? With the right guidance, your faith based community can reclaim its freedom, strengthen its mission, and serve God with boldness — free from compromise.