Writing a Church Constitution

[Baptist City Holdout]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

 

[qwerty]

Best word of advice......

Spellcheck

Edit: You got it.

 

[Tim]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

Doesn't hurt to add rules about facility use and rental. Such as fellowship hall.

Non-smoking campus rule is good also.

 

[16KJV11]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

Let me know and I can send you mine.

 

[Ransom]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

Don't reinvent the wheel. Find a church you respect, and ask if you can use their constitution as a starting point.

If article 1 uses the words "King James Bible" or something synonymous, throw it out and find another one.

 

[Tim]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

Don't reinvent the wheel. Find a church you respect, and ask if you can use their constitution as a starting point.

If article 1 uses the words "King James Bible" or something synonymous, throw it out and find another one.

I know what you are saying, but shouldn't a Church select a standard Bible translation to be consistent?

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Tim]I know what you are saying, but shouldn't a Church select a standard Bible translation to be consistent?[/quote]

Informally for pulpit use? Sure...with broad leeway to use others when necessary.

Formally mandated in the church's charter documents? Nope.

 

[Tim]

[quote author=Tim]I know what you are saying, but shouldn't a Church select a standard Bible translation to be consistent?

Informally for pulpit use? Sure...with broad leeway to use others when necessary.

Formally mandated in the church's charter documents? Nope.
[/quote]

While other translations could be used for study and such, shouldn't a Church have one standard to be used in the pulpit, Sunday school, pew Bibles, and the ones on hand to give to new believers. Uniformity. Like - my parents Church uses the NKJV for pulpit, overheads, pew Bibles .... they don't have the NIV for pulpit, ESV for pews .... you get the picture.

 

[Ransom]

I know what you are saying, but shouldn't a Church select a standard Bible translation to be consistent?

Why is this needed? Unless it's doctrine, keep it out of the doctrinal statement. And unless it's part of church governance, then keep it out of the constitution.

 

[sword]

CLA has a great church & bylaw package.

It also explains the legal significance & importance of every section & provision.

It allows you to add & subtract as you please but includes warnings why some provisions should be included.

It's a great starting point & reference tool. Remember this document is not likely to change for the next 10 years or more so take your time.

Special attention should be given to any section about accountability, church voting procedures & the process of calling a new pastor. It is critical to decide who may vote and the timing of any election before your in the situation. Many church splits have happened because these type of details were not decided & put in writing ahead of time.

http://www.christianlaw.org/cla/index.php/resources/category/legal_protections/
Sample Constitution and Bylaws
By CLA
This updated version of the CLA Sample Constitution and Bylaws contains valuable annotations by attorneys for the Christian Law Association that explain the legal significance of every provision.
$25.00

       

 

[Tim]

I know what you are saying, but shouldn't a Church select a standard Bible translation to be consistent?

Why is this needed? Unless it's doctrine, keep it out of the doctrinal statement. And unless it's part of church governance, then keep it out of the constitution.

Is the Church Constitution the same as a Doctrinal Statement? It is my understanding that a Church Constitution includes a doctrinal statement along with other things like objectives, purpose of Church, relationships (associations), membership rules, Church discipline procedure, pastoral and other office requirements, rules and procedures of the Church (Communion ever second Sunday, etc), .... rules for the facility .... etc etc etc.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Tim]It is my understanding that a Church Constitution includes a doctrinal statement along with other things like objectives, purpose of Church, relationships (associations), membership rules, Church discipline, pastoral and other office requirements, rules and procedures of the Church (Communion ever second Sunday, etc)[/quote]

There you go.

 

[Tim]

[quote author=Tim]It is my understanding that a Church Constitution includes a doctrinal statement along with other things like objectives, purpose of Church, relationships (associations), membership rules, Church discipline, pastoral and other office requirements, rules and procedures of the Church (Communion ever second Sunday, etc)

There you go.
[/quote]

So, would a Church then have a second document to cover other details? What would it be called? Member's Bill of Rights? LOL

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Tim]It is my understanding that a Church Constitution includes a doctrinal statement along with other things like objectives, purpose of Church, relationships (associations), membership rules, Church discipline, pastoral and other office requirements, rules and procedures of the Church (Communion ever second Sunday, etc)

There you go.

So, would a Church then have a second document to cover other details? What would it be called? Member's Bill of Rights? LOL
[/quote]

A doctrinal statement covering core beliefs including ecclesiology. (Notice that doesn't include secondary, tertiary, or further down the line beliefs.)

I really fail to see why the frequency of Communion would need to be codified at all. I could just see some wacko protesting a special Communion service because it wasn't spelled out in the church by-laws. And I would rank this right up there with a whole host of other things that might be "the way we do things" that doesn't necessarily need to be made into Tradition.

 

[Ransom]

Is the Church Constitution the same as a Doctrinal Statement?

They don't have to be, but I believe that my church's doctrinal statement is part of the constitution.

 

[wtyson]

Any words of advice? Suggestions? Warnings? What to include? What to exclude?The door is wide open here, folks. I have written one previously, but it never hurts to get ideas.

Don't reinvent the wheel. Find a church you respect, and ask if you can use their constitution as a starting point.

If article 1 uses the words "King James Bible" or something synonymous, throw it out and find another one.

Ransom's First line is very wise...

Is second line is well...um...never mind...Happy New Year!

 

[JrChurch]

Ransom didn't have the opportunity to be governed by the right president.   

Ronald Reagan on the Authorized King James Bible

 

[sword]

This 103 slide power point presentation is very informative.

It only took about a half hour to go through but we learned a great deal from it. Writing or revising such documents should not be taken lightly.  I commend you for seeking the advice of others who have been down that path.

http://www.slideshare.net/bgilstrap3761/8-legal-concerns-for-constitutions-bylaws-presentation

 

[Ransom]

Ransom didn't have the opportunity to be governed by the right president.   

Has Miley Cyrus chimed in with her theory of the Atonement yet?

 

[Tim]

Ransom didn't have the opportunity to be governed by the right president.   

Has Miley Cyrus chimed in with her theory of the Atonement yet?

I would guess she is Baptist since she clearly uses her license to sin.