Membership – Answer the question: Who can become a member? Clarify that church members must adhere to a clearly-defined Statement of Faith. A member’s failure to abide by the church’s policies, doctrines and teaching can result in church discipline.
Church Discipline – Define a Church Discipline Process in your bylaws. It is important to Detail how (who, what, when and where) church discipline will occur.
Pastor Search Process – In many churches, pastor search committees are formed once a Lead Pastor vacancy occurs. Detail how this committee is nominated and elected as well as other steps in the process.
Ministerial Staff – Clarify how ministerial staff are selected and approved. Note that this selection process typically differs from the process used for Lead Pastor vacancies.
Deacons – Answer the question: Who is eligible to serve as a deacon?
Trustees – Church trustees or elders usually hold (and authorize transfers) church property in trust as representatives of church membership. Define how many trustees are authorized for election by the church, and specify their roles and responsibilities, especially with relation to church property and real estate.
Committees – Define the roles, responsibilities and composition of all standing committees in the church’s bylaws.
Regular Meetings – Ensure regular meetings specified in church bylaws match current practice.
Quorum – Provide a reasonable, attainable rule (likely meaning a lower threshold) for establishing a quorum.
