Disclaimer: This notebook and seminar does NOT constitute legal advice.

“Keep Your Church Out of Court” presents a summary of legal issues with a view towards real-world application. The seminar content is:

• Organized by key areas of law/litigation
• Presented as a two-hour overview of general church legal issues
• Arranged in eight sections:
  • Section 1 – Legal Summary
  • Section 2 – Reasons Churches Go to Court by Church Law & Tax
  • Section 3 – Abuse Prevention
  • Section 4 – Liability & Personal Injury Lawsuits
  • Section 5 – Insurance Coverage Disputes
  • Section 6 – Facilities, Weddings & Funerals
  • Section 7 – Constitution/Bylaws & Administration
  • Section 8 – Keeping Your Church Out of Court by Texas Baptists
    
    

Section 7 – Constitution/Bylaws & Administration

Church Bylaws Summary* (3 pages)

• Constitution & Bylaw Legal Protections
  • Marriage & Sexuality
  • Biblical Authority
  • Membership Definition
  • Member Discipline Procedures
  • Procedure for Rescinding Membership
• “Suggested Language for Church Bylaws” by Alliance Defending Freedom* (1 page)
• “Five Things All Churches Should Have in Their Bylaws” by Alliance Defending Freedom* (5 pages)
• First West 2025 Constitutional Amendment* (4 pages)
  • Statement of Faith and Doctrine
  • Final Interpretive Authority
• First West 2015 Bylaw Revisions Overview* (3 pages)
  • 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
  • Ministerial Staff
  • Deacons
  • Trustees
  • Committees
  • 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.

Admin & Tax Forms Summary* (3 pages)

Forms & Documents Summary* (2 pages)

Section 8 – Keeping Your Church Out of Court

“Keeping Your Church Out of Court, 4th Edition” by Texas Baptists* (146 pages)

1. Church Organization and Operation
2. Church Liability for Personal Injury and Property Damage Claims
3. Decision Makers: Liability and Protection
4. Employment Law
5. Taxes and Governmental Compliance
6. Intellectual Property

   Seminar Outline

   Seminar Slide Deck

   Seminar Content

   Church Law & Tax

   Alliance Defending Freedom

   Michael Best