BYLAWS ARE OFTEN IGNORED AND RARELY REVIEWED. BUT YOUR CHURCH COULD STAND OR FALL BASED ON THEIR CONTENT.
Go ahead and say it: “Church bylaws.” Boooooorring. They’re nothing more than a box that must be checked, right? Wrong. Churches have two “personalities” – one is spiritual and theological. The other is civil, and for that we need a unique set of bylaws for guidance and to avoid being forced to accept the requirements of the state’s nonprofit religious corporation law.
A set of bylaws is your church’s primary governing document and is absolutely crucial in times of crisis. Bylaws are different from, but should work in tandem with, written policies and procedures which guide day-to-day operations. Bylaws are the bird’s eye view of church governance, while policies operate at ground level. Effective church governance is an intentional synthesis of the two.
Many churches’ bylaws are seldom referenced and are rarely reviewed. While all may seem quiet, circumstances from within and without will test your bylaws. Will they stand? Will your church stand?
Bylaws, when created with specific intent, will benefit your church by:
Creating a governing structure with checks and balances for a healthy sharing of leadership throughout the structure of the church.
Creating an administrative “standard of care” for managing operations, conflict, or when confronted with litigation.
Articulating leadership roles, authorities, and responsibilities.
Defining membership qualifications, responsibilities, and privileges.
Join us to understand the key components of church bylaws, when and how to update them, and current cultural and civil issues that may demand a modernization of your church’s bylaws.
OUR EXPERT
Max Herr is 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.
