Church bylaws are an important document that outline the governance, structure, and policies of a church. Bylaws help provide order, unity, accountability and continuity for a church. Here is an overview of some of the key purposes and functions of church bylaws from a biblical perspective:
1. To establish biblical leadership and governance
The Bible teaches that local churches should be led by elders/overseers and served by deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Bylaws can specify the process for appointing and overseeing these leadership roles. They can define the relationship between elders, deacons, pastors, staff, and the congregation. God is a God of order and not confusion, so having clear leadership structure and governance policies brings harmony and avoids conflict (1 Corinthians 14:33).
2. To affirm biblical doctrine and values
Church bylaws present an opportunity to clearly articulate foundational doctrines, beliefs, and values (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This provides unity and guards against false teaching. Bylaws usually include a statement of faith and purpose that grounds the church in core biblical truths regarding the triune God, the person and work of Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith alone, etc.
3. To specify membership requirements
Bylaws define what is required to become a member of that local church. This often includes faith in Christ, baptism, commitment to the beliefs and values of the church, submission to authority, etc. Biblically, church membership is important for affirming salvation, identifying the flock, and exercising spiritual authority through congregational voting (Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5).
4. To regulate church ordinances/practices
Bylaws specify how the biblical ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper will be administered in that church. They provide guidelines for practices like weddings, funerals, child dedications, etc. This protects the sanctity and seriousness of spiritual ordinances and practices (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
5. To stipulate congregational and elder authority
Bylaws define the sphere of authority given to the congregation and to the board of elders. In general, elders are responsible for doctrinal oversight and spiritual leadership while the congregation makes decisions that affect operations and resources. Bylaws can specify which decisions require a congregational vote and the process for electing elders (Acts 6:1-6).
6. To establish policies and procedures
Bylaws contain policies for the orderly running of the church in areas like financial management, personnel decisions, facility use, etc. God is not a God of disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). Prudent policies reduce confusion, conflicts, offense, and abuse in the church (Philippians 4:8).
7. To define processes for discipline and restoration
Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 5 teach that the church must exercise discipline when necessary for the purity of the body. Bylaws can outline biblical steps for private and public correction of sin and the process for excommunication and future restoration if needed.
8. To stipulate procedures for amending governing documents
Bylaws specify how they can be amended in the future as the church grows and develops. This prevents confusion and power grabs. Changes are made through defined procedures – often requiring approval by the elders and a congregational vote.
9. To provide legal and financial protections
Well-crafted bylaws help protect the church legally in areas like elder authority, membership status, use of facilities, employee policies, etc. They also contain financial controls that steward resources wisely. This enables the church to focus on ministry not lawsuits (Matthew 5:25-26; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8).
10. To facilitate continuity through leadership transitions
Bylaws continue on from one generation of leaders to the next. Godly policies and procedures do not depend on specific individuals. This provides stability and consistency for the church over decades and centuries after initial leaders have gone (Hebrews 13:7-8).
In summary, biblical church bylaws are a gift from God to establish His authority, bring order and unity, avoid confusion, and position the church for effective ministry. They allow churches to build on biblical foundations laid down by previous generations and leave a godly legacy for those to come.
Key Biblical Principles Relating to Church Bylaws
Church Leadership and Governance
The Bible prescribes plurality of leadership in the local church by elders/overseers and deacons (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, Philippians 1:1). The elders are specifically tasked with the spiritual oversight of the flock – teaching, praying, shepherding (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-3). Deacons minister to practical and physical needs of the body (Acts 6:1-6). Bylaws establish this biblical leadership structure.
Doctrinal Foundations
Since the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20), bylaws anchor the church in biblical truth. Core doctrines would include the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), etc.
Church Discipline
Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 5 clearly present the responsibility of the church to exercise discipline. The purpose is to protect the purity of the body, warn the flock, and aim to restore the wandering sheep by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 5:5, Galatians 6:1).
Congregational Authority
While elders lead, the congregation participates in affirming leaders (Acts 14:23), church discipline (Matthew 18:17), doctrinal decisions (Acts 15:22), and financial matters (2 Corinthians 8:19). Bylaws define their role.
Financial Stewardship
Bylaws institute checks and balances for handling money (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Policies for counting, depositing, reporting, authorizing spending, auditing, etc. are prudent steps to steward resources well (Luke 16:2).
Unity of the Body
Biblical bylaws aim for the unity and cohesion of the church body (Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:2). Wise policies avert confusion and offenses that create disunity. Orderly structure and clear process cultivate harmony.
Precedents in Scripture
While the New Testament does not contain detailed church bylaws, there are examples of establishing order and structure in the early church – appointing elders (Acts 14:23), creating a process to distribute food (Acts 6:1-6), sending representatives from churches to discuss doctrinal issues (Acts 15:2), giving instructions about the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:2, 17-26), approving servants to handle finances (2 Corinthians 8:19).
The extensive regulations given to Old Testament Israel also reinforce the appropriateness of biblical bylaws – God is a God of order. Rules and governing documents protected righteousness and punished wickedness in the nation.
Key Components of Church Bylaws
While specific content will vary, biblical church bylaws often contain:
Preamble
Introduction to the church and the bylaws explaining why this document exists and its general purposes.
Statement of Faith
Doctrinal foundations like the Word of God, Trinity, Person of Christ, sin, salvation, church, end times, etc.
Church Purpose/Mission
Brief statement summarizing the mission, vision, values, and ministry priorities of the church.
Membership
Requirements to become a member including faith, baptism, commitment to the beliefs of church, submission to authority, process to apply for membership, voting privileges.
Leadership/Governance
Establishing the elder board – qualifications, duties, selection process, term limits. Role of vocational pastors, ministerial staff, deacons, trustees, other positions.
Congregational Authority
Specifying member voting rights on budgets, large expenditures, acquisition of property, election of officers, mergers, dissolution, disciplining elders, doctrinal stances, calling/removing pastor, amending bylaws.
Ordinations/Ceremonies
Guidelines for baptisms, communion/Lord’s supper, weddings, funerals, child dedications, ordaining leaders.
Settlement of Disputes
Process for resolving conflicts and filing grievances – steps for private correction, role of elders in adjudicating disputes, procedures for excommunication/removal of members and process for future restoration.
Finances
Financial controls and policies – counting of offerings, authorizing and reporting of expenses, annual budget approval, audits, compensation packages, spending limits before congregational vote is required, etc.
Property
Process for acquiring, selling, transferring, or encumbering real property and related assets. Constructing new buildings.
Indemnification
Protecting leaders legally from personal liability in executing their roles in good faith.
Dissolution
Steps and process for disbanding the church – notification required, responsibilities for asset distribution, transferring members.
Amendments
Rules for revising and updating the bylaws – what requires member vote, what elders can change, notification needed, etc. Allows periodic modernization.
Crafting Biblical Bylaws
Some tips when framing biblical bylaws:
- Solicit input from current church leaders but do not allow control by a few
- Think through hypothetical situations that may arise and how policies would apply
- Aim for bylaws that are clear in intent yet flexible for prudence in application
- Have multiple elders/leaders and members carefully review the draft
- Do not copy another church’s bylaws entirely – tailor to your specific church
- Consult a local Christian attorney – they can review bylaws for potential legal issues
- Consider your church’s size, history, denomination, location, facilities, etc. when drafting
- Plan to revisit bylaws periodically – they should evolve wisely as the church grows
- At members’ meeting to adopt, provide ample time to review, discuss, make edits
- After approval, make bylaws readily available to all members
Cautions When Formulating Bylaws
Here are some cautions to avoid when developing church bylaws:
- Avoid having just the pastor or a small group write them in isolation
- Beware of simply copying another church’s bylaws without thorough personalization
- Avoid vague language that could allow misinterpretation or abuse
- Refuse to incorporate non-biblical practices or contradictory doctrines
- Do not allow bylaws that consolidate power/authority in the hands of a few
- Avoid legalistic rules that become extra-biblical requirements upon the congregation
- Beware of creating financial controls that hinder legitimate ministry activities
- Do not micromanage ministries or church life which stifles the Holy Spirit
- Avoid cumbersome processes that make leadership oversight difficult
- Reject guidelines that are so inflexible they do not allow for wisdom, prudence and grace in application
Conclusion
Biblical church bylaws aim to honor the Lord Jesus Christ through establishing His headship, protecting God-ordained leadership, grounding the church in sound doctrine, facilitating orderly and efficient ministry, stipulating righteouse processes, stewards resources wisely, averts confusion and discord, and positions the church to thrive for God’s glory. Church bylaws are a means to the end of a healthy church, not an end in themselves. They should serve the church but not shackle it.
