Some churches have "by-laws" and some don't. A friend asked me about church by-laws regarding what they were, how binding were they, are they scriptural, etc.
He stated that this happened recently in a Baptist church (not ABA). The majority of a church voted to call a man to be pastor. He had been divorced years earlier and had not re-married. When the vote passed, several families who did not vote for the man informed the church that they could not vote to call him because their church by-laws from the 1950's stated that they could not call a man who had been divorced.
This caused much confusion, hard feelings and a fiery discussion about church by-laws. Any opinions? (The divorced preacher issue has been run into the ground and I think argued from every possible angle. I just used that example because it was the one presented)
Does your church have by-laws? If so, are they binding over future votes?
Just curious.
Yes, Grace Pointe has by-laws. Yes, they are binding over future votes... however, the by-laws can be easily changed with the proper notice, quorum and vote percentage as spelled out in the by-laws. One example in our by-laws is that if Grace Pointe ever breaks rank with the ABA, the property is sold and the funds sent to the MBA of Texas.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if the ABA ever goes liberal (not likely, I'm just giving an example), we could vote to strike that article out of the by-laws before breaking fellowship.
You won't find by-laws in the scriptures per se, but we do believe churches are local visible bodies of scripturally baptized believers who are covenanted together to carry out the Lord's work. The by-laws, in my opinion, is that covenanted agreement.
There is a sample set of by-laws available for download at www.churchplantingvillage.net. I can also email Grace Pointe's to any interested parties.
I don't know. I'd say there are definitely some customs churches have which are not necessarily scriptural as is referenced in 1 Corinthians 11:16. Apparently customs were among the churches. As far as "biblical by-laws" I'd have to say no since the concept of democratic government was written of as a popular thing until recently in history.
ReplyDeleteConcerning whether or not the by-laws be good or bad, I don't know again. I'd say it is a group of members trying to protect future members. The problem (as brother Leland stated) is that they can be changed. And, even with just a majority vote (51%), the idea of having a quorom and vote percentage necessary to change bylaws can be trashed. The fact is, the members who exist at any given moment can by majority vote to change things. The entire system is a man-made process with many flaws as most are.
I think we should just go to some Grecian or Roman rule and law, maybe Spartan?
How about just pastoral rule??? :)
ReplyDeleteOh sure... make us do all the work. :)
ReplyDeleteI suppose by-laws could, in cases, be helpful, but not a necessity. Neither church I have pastored had by-laws (except for the abundance of passed motions as recorded by church clerks).
ReplyDeleteWonder what Bro. Vaughn thinks about this?
Or Hebert?
ReplyDeletesince I have been called out I feel it necessary to answer the call...
ReplyDeleteconcerning by-laws...the Bible is to be the all sufficient rule to our faith and practice. Many might use the scripture from Matthew 16 concerning binding and loosing as a proof text to justify thier use of making extra laws.
However what does a Church have the authority to bind or loose? Can a Church decide to loose baptism by immersion as scriptural? no! Can they bind sprinkling as the mode of baptism approved of? no!
Binding a loosing has everything to do with Church membership...who can be and who cannot be a member. Doctrine is already bound and NO CHURCH has the authority to loosen it or bind heresy instead. A Church can only VOTE to accept a mamber or to not accept a member that is all...no more and no less.
NOW...can they set certain parameters or guidelines for what constitutes a member...I think they can but they should be biblically based with scripture to make plain what is expected. For example I know of Churches that state in thier by-laws that women are to wear dresses to every Church function...is this expressly stated in the Scriptures...NO...but modest apparel is addressed very specifically.
The Bible already has told us what it takes to be a member of the Church (salvation, profession of faith, scriptural baptism and vote of acceptance into the membership) and what to do with immoral, ungodly and sinful Church members...CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
NOW...concerning pastor rule...I have heard it said and I quote, "Being the pastor is just shy of being a dictator." I think this is a stylistic thing for church and pastor. Some Churches expect the pastor to take the lead while some men (like myself) feel like you can never go wrong with expressing your vision to the Church and asking for approval.
If the Church agrees with the pastor being in charge then that is thier perogative...as long as he is following the Lord...how can it go wrong?
That is my 2 cents and I feel as though I have sufficiently come out of semi blogging retirement...maybe even all the way out of retirement. In fact...I think I will blog tonight!
As far as I know, I have never been a pastor or member of a church that had by-laws. I say "as far as I know" because there is always the possibility of some long-forgotten document.
ReplyDeleteBy-laws are something of overkill, in my opinion -- an attempt of the present church seeking to bind the future church. But to what end? If the future church doesn't really believe what was held by the church in the past, why should they go through the motions? It is a mere mask.
Are they binding over future votes? I think if a church has "legally adopted" by-laws, they would find they are legally binding if someone wanted to push it before a court of law (that is, if they operated in a manner contrary to their by-laws).
Are they binding over future votes? Nothing is ever really binding over a congregation that operates by majority vote. You just vote to change it and then go about your business.
Is this related to a church being incorporated? Doesn't this entangle a church too much with the government? I have heard that incorporation gives the state 51% ownership of the corporation.
ReplyDeleteChurches often have by-laws without being incorporated. Not sure about the incorporation & the gov't.
ReplyDeleteIncorporation gives 0% ownership to the government. Ask Brother Crain. Calvary is incorporated, and can at any time they wish dissolve that "incorporation".
ReplyDelete