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Answer
There is no mention of church constitutions in the New Testament. The necessity for church constitutions arose due to legal matters. Churches may become incorporated, own property, hire staff, pay certain types of taxes, be exempt from others, and operate additional ministries that may or may not have similar tax exemptions or a different level of legal protection compared to the church itself. A constitution is a legal document that provides the church with guidance in ministry and safeguards against lawsuits. By clearly outlining its identity, activities, purposes, and consistently following the plan, the church can enhance its legal protection and maintain a unified focus.
Given the absence of references to constitutions in the New Testament, the content to be included is subjective and based on practicality. However, the following are commonly included sections in a church constitution:
Purpose Statement: This section of the church constitution should not only align with biblical principles but also adhere to legal standards. By consistently operating within its stated purpose, the church can reduce its vulnerability to legal challenges.
Doctrinal Statement: This crucial segment of the church constitution should clearly and concisely articulate the church’s beliefs on fundamental doctrines such as God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, and more. In line with contemporary legal advice, many churches also address societal issues like same-sex marriage, divorce, harassment, and others. While stating “We believe in the Bible” would be simpler, providing clarity on the church’s interpretation of biblical teachings is beneficial due to potential disagreements on key doctrines, even among individuals who claim to adhere strictly to the Bible.
Membership Requirements: The church constitution should explicitly outline the criteria for church membership and the associated rights and obligations. It is essential to have a clear definition of who qualifies as a member of the church and what being a member entails.Also, there should be a statement regarding the process of church discipline (see Matthew 18:15-20). In today’s legal environment, churches may face lawsuits from members concerning discipline matters.
Leadership Roles: The church constitution must clearly outline the responsibilities of church leaders, the selection process, and the procedure for their removal, if required. It should specify who holds the ultimate authority in decision-making: the congregation, a board of elders, etc.
Procedural/Legal Issues: Given the evolving landscape of church-state relations, churches must exercise caution in their interactions with non-members. For instance, if a church permits non-members to rent its premises for weddings, how will it handle requests for same-sex weddings? Can the church refuse usage by a group whose values conflict with its own, if it allows other organizations to use its facilities? Will the church consider hiring non-members or non-believers for certain roles? If yes, what are the conduct expectations for these individuals? What guidelines exist for staff or volunteers working with children? The church should maintain consistent positions that align with its mission. For example, if a church rents its chapel for weddings solely for financial gain, it may struggle to justify rejecting a gay couple. However, if the church rents its chapel to assist couples from similar faith backgrounds, it has a basis for selectivity.
Provision for Amendments: As the church expands and circumstances evolve, new challenges may necessitate updates to the church constitution. In such instances, how will amendments be made? The constitution itself should outline a process for implementing changes.
Lastly, the church constitution should be concise and easily understandable.
Typically, a church does not need to have a lengthy constitution.Write a constitution from scratch. It would be wise to examine the constitutions of various churches that are of similar size, doctrinal distinctions, and focus. Perhaps adopting the constitution of another church, either entirely or partially, could be the most sensible course of action. It is also recommended to seek advice from a lawyer who is well-versed in church law to ensure that nothing is included or excluded that could expose the church to legal action. No legal document is completely secure, and churches should depend on the Lord of the Church for ultimate protection, but it is prudent to utilize all the resources available to reduce risk.
