327 – The Church’s Constitution and Bylaws

SEMESTER 2

327 – The Church’s Constitution and Bylaws

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  ECCLESIOLOGY II LESSON # 27
THE CHURCH’S CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Read I Cor. 14:40, II Thes. 2:15.

INTRODUCTION:

1. These verses address themselves to order, and probably best describe the reason for the adoption of the Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Again, these are not to void, violate or circumvent the Scripture.
3. They are an attempt to summarize what we believe scriptural order to be and to cement it in agreement, so as to prevent vacillation from every wind of doctrine in the future.

I. DEFINING THE TERMS: CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

1. By Constitution we simply mean the defining of the church, its identity, doctrine and component parts, such as members, officers, committees, subordinate organizations, etc.
2. By Bylaws we mean the regulations that outline the duties and limitations of the offices and functions outlined in the Constitution.

II. DETAILS OF THE CONSTITUTION

A copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of Bethel Baptist Church (Church Member’s Handbook) has been included with a preceding lesson to let you see more specifically the design and construction of such a document.

1. The legal status and property rights are established to protect the property from unscrupulous people.
2. The name of the church is legally established making the Constitution applicable.
3. The Church Covenant is entered establishing mutual moral agreement for membership.
4. The doctrine of the particular church is summarized, to prevent constant potential controversy in the future, and possible diversion of the church and property to another faith.
5. An agreement is stated as to requirements for receiving members and maintaining membership. This can otherwise be a never-ending source of trouble.
6. The officers of the church are set forth. This places authority and responsibili­ty in proper men, outlines the authority and responsibility they have, and prevents “parties unknown” from usurping that authority.
7. It outlines the ordination, responsibilities, requirements and con­finements of potential necessary committees, thus preventing self-ordained power groups.
8. It outlines the requirements of the change of Constitution and Bylaws (amendments) thus preventing arbitrary violation, by simple change.

III. DETAILS OF THE BYLAWS

The Bylaws are both positive and negative in purpose. By telling what an officer may or must do, they also state and/or imply what he may or must not do.

1. It gives the qualification of an officer, thus protecting the church from becoming legal prey of unscrupulous men.

i. Good Bylaws carefully followed, would prevent most churches from such tragedy.

2. They stipulate guidelines for services which obligate both officers and members.
3. They give the duties of officers and committees not only naming their responsibilities, but confining them to their proper area of responsibility and authority.

IV. LIMITATIONS OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

1. They are never to conflict with practice laid down in Scripture.
2. They are neither sufficient nor intended to operate properly without scriptural discernment.
3. They are not able to effect their desire and purpose if a church does not familiarize themselves with and abide by them.