Administrative Assistance

The by-laws reflect a churches theology of government. Therefore, it is imperative to consider and identify true Biblical Patterns of Church Government, and write By-Laws that will allow God’s appointed and anointed leaders to lead, guard, guide, equip, disciple, discipline and love the people on a Biblical basis. Today we find basically two forms of church government and by-laws in widespread use, with many variations. We would like to share a little about the basics, the "essence" of these two forms of government, from a Biblical perspective.

1. Most denominations, and some other churches as well, have a "Congregational" form of church government where all power resides and emanates from the congregation, with the members of the Board of Directors (Deacons or Trustees) elected by popular vote. Often the Trustees are the Board members, having authority over land and building issues, with the Deacons over the spiritual affairs of the Church. They have brought the "Corporation" or secular "Democratic" form of government into the church. 
2. Some churches have been established with the pastor as the sole authority, and the Board clearly subservient to his direction. One pastor said to me, "Yes, I am a dictator, but I am a benevolent dictator." Too often this thinking has come from a negative experience of having to deal with a Board controlled by influential, spiritually immature people. When a pastor is put in the unrighteous and untenable position of being directed by, and accountable to people who often are not discipled, or immature Christians, this pastor often says, ‘Never again!"  And then forms a church government that is just as unbiblical.

We can find no Biblical basis, in either the Old or New Testament, for either of these extreme forms of government. As a matter of fact, whenever the people in The Old Testament attempted to institute a "Democracy," God intervened with harsh judgment. Consider the following accounts:

• Exodus 32:26-28 - The people "voted" with their feet, and 3000 died.
• Numbers 16:1-33; 41-50 - Korah’s rebellion against Moses brought instant death to 250 people when the earth opened up and swallowed them. Another 14,700 died in the plague that immediately followed.
  See VS. 3 "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them ... "
  They refused to follow the man God had chosen for them. Unfortunately we see that same spirit, and many such "Korah’s rebellions," are occurring and wrecking great havoc in the church today.

There is a Biblical alternative to the above, and many great and vibrant churches have been established that have adopted By-Laws where all authority rests with the Pastor and the Board with no elections, voting, or committees. NOTE:The key to success of this is ACCOUNTABILITY to other preapproved "Outside Ordained Ministers." Ideally, the church Board Members would be spiritually mature leaders (Elders) either from within the Church, or even ministers from outside the local congregation. Where initially there are no Biblical Elders to serve with the Pastor, some churches ask a Pastor from another church to serve on the Board until such time as local Church Elders are developed, recognized, and set into leadership.

The sample By Laws found in our "More Great Samples" manual gives great latitude to the Pastor to lead, and even to veto an action of his board if he believes this is in the best interest of the church. Such an action would have to be reviewed, and upheld or repealed by the group of "Outside Ministers" that were chosen earlier by all the members of the Board

If the By-Laws are properly written, there will be sufficient checks and balances allowing the Pastor to stand in his appointed place, lead with authority and confidence, and even enjoy the Ministry. The people will be Biblically covered and in a position to grow, to be equipped, mature spiritually, and develop into overcomers, functioning in the sphere of ministry God intends for them.

consider:

• Elders were Ordained in every Church. Acts 14:23
  Recognized by other Elders [observing their gifting, preparation, calling and anointing] and their task is:
• "..The equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ..," Eph. 4:12
• "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Heb. 13:17
  Note: This is a "sheep" directed verse, which clearly says that the Pastor will one day be required to give an account for all that occurs "on his watch." When the Pastor knows he is accountable to God, but is not allowed to lead because of the church government (By-Laws) and a domineering elected Board, he tends to experience great frustration, resulting in stress. We personally believe this is the greatest reason many pastors are leaving the Ministry today.

What if the Pastor falls into sin, becomes a Despot, a Dictator, or an unruly manipulative Tyrant? Who will rein him in, and if necessary remove him from the Pastorate of the Church? Answer - It was not the church members who ordained the Pastor to the ministry. This was done by other Ministers. The Ministry must never be judged by the church membership, it should fall to relational Ordained Ministry to hear any accusations of wrong doing in issues of integrity, finances, immorality or heretical teaching. They must have the authority to judge the issue and, if he is found unfit to continue, and if it is necessary, recommend discipline, with their recommendations binding on the Board.

Articles of War: It has been aptly said "the Church By-Laws are our Articles of War, written in a time of peace." In writing the By-Laws, there are several thoughts to keep in mind:

1. They must give sufficient authority to the leader to lead; and
2. As described above, there must be provisions of accountability in place to protect the sheep in the event the pastor/leader would go astray; and
3. There must be a great deal of God’s Word [Relative to today’s issues] inserted into the By-Laws, that will enable the church to stand in Court.
4. And all the while - remember that this legal entity, the corporation you are creating, may very well out-live those who are creating it.  Therefore, if done biblically, the By-Laws will work well for this generation of leaders and flock, and for successive generations as well.

Include the Word of God: In the event of a lawsuit, we will be unable to use our Bibles in the courtroom, to justify our actions and how we govern on a Biblical basis. Rather, only our By-Laws will be examined. Having reviewed more than a 1,000 church By-Laws, I am always amazed at how there are [on the average] only 12 to 15 points listed in the Statement of Faith section. Some actually have had nothing at all. Our sample By-Laws found in "More Great Samples"  have 40 points.

So - in addition to the usual points on, The Bible, God, Jesus The Christ, The Creation of Man, how about adding sections on the "Hot button" issues of the day. We believe it is imperative to include a great deal of scripture relevant to The Foundation Stones; Repentance; Faith; Justification; Water Baptism; Baptism in the Holy Spirit; The Ministry of the Holy Spirit; Healing; Grace and Sanctification; The Five Fold Ministry; Local Church Elders; Ordination and Commissioning; Non Voting Membership; Meeting in Private Homes; Determining use of the Church Property; Worship; Tithing, Offerings, and Giving; Benevolence; Biblical Definition of Family; Homosexuality; Altering ones Sexual Identity [What do we believe in regards to, and how will we respond to the Transgender; the Transsexual; the Transvestite];  Advice; Guidance and Biblical Counsel; Deliverance; Discipline; Altering Ones Sexuality, and Prohibition of Lawsuits:

POINT:  If these things are in your church By-Laws, you can use them in your defense in the courtroom, and the name of The Lord Jesus Christ will be freely proclaimed.  To the degree you have communicated [and given copies of] the By-Laws to the membership, and have developed legal membership, discipline - on a biblical basis is possible.

Please keep in mind, the church government you design must be trans-generational. One that will work well for not only your generation of leaders and sheep, but for the many successive generations to come. Will the By-Laws you have [or are writing] protect the sheep from a pastor who goes off course?  Who will determine his fitness to lead?  Will the Pastor be protected from devouring sheep and church "Lay leaders" who, like Korah, might decide the Pastor doesn’t know anything?

If this discourse interests you, please take a look at our "More Great Samples" Manual, for sample Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. This is an 11 step "Do it yourself" manual that will enable you to form your own Non-Profit Corporation with sample Articles of Incorporation, Biblical By-Laws and sample letters to the Secretary of State for name reservation etc. A Disc is also available, to enable you to easily develop your own By-Laws

If you would like more information about similar issues, please consider "The Church Administration 'How To' Manual." This Manual, endorsed by three CPA's, an EA and two attorneys, was updated again in January, 2010, for the 11th time, since its original publication in 1991.

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