Should your church
update its bylaws?
While these documents may seem administrative gobbledygook, bylaws are the bedrock of church governance.
Let's be honest, when we hear the term "church bylaws," our immediate reaction could be to yawn out of sheer boredom. We may dismiss them as a mere formality or a box that needs to be ticked off on our to-do list. However, this perspective is uninformed.
The significance of church bylaws is frequently overlooked, often resulting in them being neglected, ignored and seldom reviewed or updated. However, the strength or weakness of your church could depend heavily on the content of these bylaws.
Church bylaws serve as the principal governing document for a church. They become indispensable during times of crisis. While they are distinct from the policies and procedures that oversee daily operations, bylaws are intended to work in conjunction with them. Bylaws provide an aerial perspective on church governance, whereas policies cater to the nitty-gritty of ground-level operations. Effective governance of a church requires both of these components.
Carefully crafting bylaws with a specific purpose can yield multiple benefits for a church. This process can help establish a governance structure with necessary checks and balances, promoting a healthy distribution of leadership throughout the church's hierarchy. Bylaws can also set up an administrative "standard of care" for managing operations, dealing with conflicts, or handling potential litigation. They also define leadership roles, powers, and duties and outline the qualifications and responsibilities of membership.
This seminar (below) overviews the essential elements of church bylaws. It discusses when and how to update them and covers current societal and legal issues that may require updating your church's bylaws.
This webinar is presented by Max Herr, president of Church & Ministry Compliance Consulting. He has more than 25 years of experience in insurance, financial services, compliance and governance, including more than 10 years as a church treasurer. Max served as a church compliance specialist for the California Southern Baptist Convention for six years.