There is not a week that goes by that we are not talking to someone in ministry regarding legal issues that have risen in a church. One of the first things we ask is: What does your Constitution and Bylaws state?
Constitutions & By Laws
One of the most important legal aspects of organizing a church is that of forming the Constitution and By Laws. In decades past, most churches simply had a one or two page Statement of Faith which might also include how many deacons there were going to be and for how long they would serve with a few other items such as following Robert's Rules of Order for all business meetings. Today, those types of documents will not suffice as protection for the church corporation, its ministries, or its members.