What do the bylaws say? Order and disorder in the church: Order and disorder in the church

I had never concerned my­self much with a congregation's bylaws, those documents that prescribe what each board or committee of the congregation is for, who can serve on each one and for how long, and generally how a church is to do its business. As a young pastor, I found issues of terms, officers, meeting dates and quorums pedestrian stuff. I was into the important matters: preaching, teaching theology, community ministry, pastoral care. Who cares about the bylaws? I didn't. Moreover, it seemed to me that those who did care a great deal about church bylaws were far more enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the bylaws than they were about scripture. A bad sign. It seemed to me that the bylaws were often trotted out as a way of extinguishing the Spirit.

Then I began working with congregations as a consultant and teacher, and I changed my mind. I came to see that by­laws were the rules of the road for congregational life and that they often became central to the discussion when there was a crisis. The pastor has re­signed—what do we do now? Check the bylaws. The senior minister and the organist are at each other's throats, each insisting he or she is in charge—what do we do now? Let's see if the bylaws are any help. There's conflict because the board of trustees has told the church council that although there's money in the bank, the council can't spend it on what it deems a crucial mission initiative because it isn't the council's money to spend. What do the bylaws say about the jurisdiction and authority of the trustees and the council?

We pay attention to the bylaws when there is a crisis. This may not be the only or even the best way forward at such times, but bylaws provide guidance and direction that is impartial and helpful. I noticed something else: congregations that pay little heed to their bylaws are often in a state of perpetual crisis, chronic conflict and steady decline.