Should A Church Have A Constitution?

Last updated on: March 22, 2016 at 7:03 pm by Jack Wellman

Should A Church Have A Constitution? 2016-03-22T19:03:17-05:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Should churches have a constitution? Is it a good idea for a church to have one?

A Church Constitution?

Most people might not even realize that churches have a constitution and these constitutions may contain their own bi-laws and policies. These are intended for the good of the membership because it protects the members from false accusations or being dis-fellowshipped for unbiblical reasons or from any one person becoming too powerful in the church. A church’s constitution can safeguard the integrity of leaders while expressing the will of the congregation while giving both guidance, principles, and procedures to follow so that there are certain expectations for everyone in the church. These constitutions give guidelines on church discipline, when it is necessary or if it is necessary but it also covers moral issues where members who profess faith in Christ yet live in sexual immorality or are customarily breaking the laws. Members who live in such a way without repentance cannot continue in the membership of the church because of the biblical command to abstain from such behavior or face the possibility of church discipline is taught in the Bible. In some cases, it could lead to the member(s) being dis-fellowshipped, if necessary.

Order in the Church

This is not our church nor is it any man or woman’s church. This is the church of Jesus Christ that He promised He would build and the gates of hell won’t stop it (Matt 16:18). He is the Chief Cornerstone of the church, along with the Apostles and Prophets who are part of the foundation. We are simply the living stones being built upon it, but there is always the necessity to have order, clarity, and not chaos. The Apostle Paul wrote that “all things should be done decently and in order” (1st Cor 14:40) “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace [just] as in all the churches of the saints” (1st Cor 14:33). Some churches may have amendments in their constitution or even bylaws that have specific applications for anything from ensuring that male staff never meet with female staff members alone or that the pastor cannot meet with another women unless another woman or his wife is present. These bylaws protect those who receive counseling but they also protect those who give counsel.

Statement of Beliefs

If someone doesn’t find the church’s statement of beliefs, they had better write one right away and you can do that just by opening your Bible. The church needs to be clear that they hold to the essentials in the faith such as in Jesus is the One and only way to be saved (Acts 4:12), that Jesus was both Man and God (John 1:1-2, 14), that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord and professes Him by name can be saved (Rom 10:9-13), that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation since it is a free gift from God (Eph 2:8-9) and other things like the sinless-ness of Christ, the divinity of Christ, the need for repentance and faith (Mark 1:15), and many other such things. There might even be a mission statement of faith in the church’s constitution.

The Importance of a Constitution

I believe it is critical that the church constitution clearly and unequivocally state what the church believes as a body and as a matter of Biblical faith. The constitution should clearly state what the expectations for the church are. They should contain the written expectations for church leadership and what procedures should be followed under given circumstances. These are for the protection of membership and leadership. The constitution is to ensure that no one individual or individuals can take control of the church and use it for their own benefit or purposes. It keeps the church checking it self and the membership knowing what their responsibilities, and can keep the church organized in a manner where everyone’s expectations are perfectly clear.

Conclusion

If your church doesn’t have a constitution, ask them why they don’t. Surely they have some sort of bylaws in place which should have principles, applications, and guidance for the church leadership and church membership. Without organization and structure, the church is on shaky ground and could find itself in trouble, being given to great liabilities due to neglect of unforeseen circumstances.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

Previous Post

March 22, 2016

Should A Church Accept Lottery Winnings As Offerings?

Next Post

March 23, 2016 What Is The Difference Between Elders and Deacons?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Answers Bible Definitions Bible Story Bible Study Bible Verses Christian Books Christian Entertainment Christian Fathers Christian Mothers Christian Quotes Devotional Famous Christians Music News Parables Prayers Quotes Sunday School Lesson Uncategorized Youth Sermons

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who recognized Jesus as "the Christ" in the Temple as an infant?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Zechariah Peter Simeon Joseph