Using a Private Membership Association for Your Business, Ministry, or Private Practice
- Iqra Saeed
- Aug 31
- 7 min read
Across the country, more business owners, health practitioners, and ministry leaders are waking up to a sobering reality: the more they grow, the more they are entangled in government red tape, overregulation, and IRS interference.
While most people turn to common structures like LLCs, corporations, or nonprofits, each of these ties you directly into the public corporate system — subjecting you to its statutes, filings, and endless compliance requirements.
But there is another way. A Private Membership Association (PMA) offers a lawful, private alternative to do your work, serve your community, and operate your business or ministry without surrendering your God-given rights. Rooted in trust law and constitutional protections, a PMA allows you to carry out your mission in peace — outside of unnecessary corporate control.
What Is a Private Membership Association (PMA)?
A Private Membership Association (PMA) is exactly what it sounds like — a private contractual agreement between members. Instead of operating as a public-facing corporation or LLC, a PMA functions in the private domain, where members voluntarily join under mutual agreement.
At its core, a PMA is not about avoiding responsibility — it’s about operating lawfully under private rights instead of being bound by the ever-expanding web of corporate regulations.
The Legal Foundation of a PMA
PMA protection is rooted in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees:
Freedom of association → the right to form and join private groups.
Freedom of contract → the right to make binding agreements without state interference.
Freedom of religion and conscience → especially vital for ministries, healers, and faith-based work.
These rights, together, form the legal backbone of a PMA — making it lawful, enforceable, and protected from undue government intrusion.
Key Point: Operating in the Private Domain
Unlike LLCs, corporations, or nonprofits that exist inside the public corporate system, a PMA operates:
Privately → members agree voluntarily, without state oversight.
Contractually → obligations are defined by mutual agreement, not statutes.
Constitutionally protected → shielded under rights that cannot be legislated away.
A PMA is not about hiding from the law — it’s about exercising your lawful right to exist and operate privately, outside of the commercial regulatory web.
How a PMA Works Under Trust Law
One of the most powerful aspects of a Private Membership Association (PMA) is that it operates under the principles of trust law — not corporate law. This distinction is critical for anyone seeking to protect their mission, practice, or business from unnecessary government intrusion.
Faith-Based Organizations and Ministries
Many PMAs are structured as Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) or ministries. This is not accidental — it reflects their grounding in natural rights and spiritual freedom. By organizing in this way, PMAs benefit from:
Religious protections under the First Amendment
Exemptions from public control in matters of faith, conscience, and belief
The ability to serve members directly, without asking permission from state agencies
Trust Law Provides Shielding
Under trust law, private associations are treated as contractual entities among members. This means:
They are not public franchises created by the state.
They exist outside the jurisdiction of most regulatory agencies.
Their operations are shielded unless they knowingly cross into public commerce.
In short, trust law serves as the protective boundary that keeps PMAs free from the reach of public statutes and corporate codes.
Member-to-Member Agreements Stay Private
The beauty of a PMA is that its rules and agreements are member-to-member contracts. These:
Exist privately within the association.
Are not subject to public law or general statutory control.
Are enforceable in law as valid private contracts.
As long as your PMA remains within the private domain and serves members only, it retains its lawful protections under both the Constitution and trust law.
Why Use a PMA for Your Business or Practice?
Whether you run a small business, a ministry, or a health and wellness practice, a Private Membership Association (PMA) offers a powerful alternative to the corporate-public system. By shifting into the private domain, you can operate with more freedom, protection, and peace of mind.
For Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
Operate privately without being buried under endless licensing and regulation.
Protect your income and contracts from unnecessary government interference.
Build a structure that supports private commerce between consenting members — not public contracts regulated by the state.
A PMA allows entrepreneurs to focus on serving clients rather than navigating bureaucracy.
For Ministries & Faith Leaders
Preserve religious freedom and autonomy at the core of your mission.
Avoid entanglement with restrictive IRS 501(c)(3) requirements, which can limit speech and activities.
Serve your community in alignment with your faith — without needing state permission.
With a PMA, ministries remain free to teach, serve, and minister in accordance with their convictions.
For Health & Wellness Practitioners
Provide services in the private domain, without fear of administrative overreach.
Protect client confidentiality through private member agreements rather than public HIPAA-style mandates.
Offer natural, holistic, or faith-based services without risking conflicts with state regulatory boards.
A PMA empowers practitioners to operate lawfully, safely, and privately, while still honoring their duty of care to members.
In every case, a PMA is not about avoiding responsibility — it’s about exercising your God-given right to operate privately while protecting your mission from unnecessary control.
Benefits of Operating as a PMA
Choosing to operate as a Private Membership Association (PMA) isn’t just a structural decision — it’s a strategic safeguard for your mission, business, or ministry. By stepping into the private domain, you unlock a range of protections and freedoms that public entities simply cannot offer.
1. IRS Protection
PMAs are shielded from many forms of federal interference, including some taxation requirements that apply to public corporations and 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
Transactions within the PMA remain private member exchanges, not public commerce.
This reduces unnecessary entanglement with the IRS and other tax authorities.
2. Privacy
At the heart of a PMA is privacy by design:
All contracts, agreements, and interactions are strictly between consenting members.
These agreements remain outside of public record, giving both providers and members greater peace of mind.
Sensitive matters (such as faith practices, health services, or private commerce) stay confidential within the association.
3. Freedom
Unlike public entities, PMAs are not automatically bound by:
State licensing schemes
Bureaucratic permits
Layers of statutes that regulate public-facing businesses
This allows your work to flourish in the private domain, free from excessive interference — while still operating lawfully.
4. Spiritual & Lawful Standing
When structured as a faith-based ministry or trust, a PMA carries extra protection:
Rooted in both trust law and First Amendment rights
Shielded from many restrictions that public nonprofits face
Operating with spiritual integrity and lawful standing
A PMA doesn’t exempt you from responsibility — it ensures that your responsibility is defined by your agreements with your members, not by bureaucrats or corporate statutes.
PMAs vs. Traditional Structures
To understand why a Private Membership Association (PMA) is so powerful, it helps to compare it to the most common structures — LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits. Each of those exists within the public corporate system, while a PMA operates in the private domain.
LLCs & Corporations
Created under state corporate law and transparency acts
Must comply with tax filings, regulations, and licensing
Treated as public entities, meaning government agencies have jurisdiction over their operations
For entrepreneurs, this often means trading freedom for the “benefit” of limited liability — at the cost of privacy and autonomy.
Nonprofits
Dependent on IRS 501(c)(3) status
Bound by restrictions on speech, political involvement, and religious expression
Subject to annual reporting, oversight, and compliance checks
For ministries, this structure can be especially limiting, forcing leaders to compromise on core convictions in exchange for tax-exempt status.
Private Membership Association (PMA) / Ministry Trust
Exists in the private domain under First Amendment protections
Self-governing through member contracts — not state statutes
Can be structured as a ministry trust, gaining even stronger protections
Free to operate without seeking permission from agencies that regulate public entities
How to Start Using a PMA
Setting up a Private Membership Association (PMA) can be one of the most empowering steps for your business, ministry, or practice — but it must be done properly and lawfully to ensure the protections actually apply. Here’s an overview of the process:
Step 1: Decide if a PMA Is Right for You
Ask yourself:
Do you want to operate privately rather than under public statutes?
Do you want stronger privacy, autonomy, and freedom in your work?
Does your mission serve members directly, rather than the general public?
If yes, a PMA may be the structure best aligned with your vision.
Step 2: Understand the Legal Protections and Responsibilities
A PMA is powerful, but it comes with responsibility. You must:
Understand the constitutional and trust law foundations
Recognize the difference between public commerce vs. private membership
Stay true to the private domain, serving only members — not the general public
Step 3: Form and Document Your PMA Under Trust Law
Proper setup is crucial. A PMA should include:
A Declaration of Trust or Articles of Association
Clear bylaws or membership agreements
Properly worded documentation that reflects its private, constitutionally protected status
Step 4: Begin Operating Privately
Once formed, your PMA can begin:
Serving members only (not the general public)
Functioning as a self-governing private association
Conducting all exchanges as private contracts
This separation is what gives a PMA its strength and protections.
Important Reminder: The protections of a PMA only hold if it’s set up correctly. Many people make mistakes by using incomplete or incorrect templates. Working with experienced educators ensures your PMA is documented and functioning under lawful protections from day one.
Conclusion
A Private Membership Association (PMA) is more than just a business structure — it’s a lawful pathway back into the private domain, where your God-given rights are respected and protected. For entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and health practitioners, a PMA offers a shield against overregulation, IRS interference, and the limitations of corporate entities.
Whether you are building a business, leading a ministry, or serving clients in private practice, a PMA provides the freedom, privacy, and lawful protection you need to fulfill your mission without compromise.
The next step is yours: learn how to create your own PMA and secure your private domain today. When you stand on truth and operate in honor, you reclaim the freedom to serve others as God intended.
Disclaimer: The SNR AIs do not draft paperwork — they are designed to help you understand and manage your PMA properly.
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