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Bylaws: Saddleback or other megas

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Gina B, Aug 31, 2010.

  1. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    I can't seem to find a list of bylaws for any large sized churches.

    Does anyone know if any of the megachurches put their bylaws online? I'm looking for a set of bylaws from ANY well-known church so I can reference it in something I'm writing...specifically I'd like to reference what they say about financial checks and balances. (writing in answer to the question of why churches have bylaws and explaining that sometimes they include ways to keep the church from being defrauded, but can't find a valid reference source!)
     
  2. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I'm not sure if they list it, but you might want to contact the church offices. Some churches might give this out upon request.
     
  3. drfuss

    drfuss New Member

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  4. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    I'll have to do that tomorrow. It's just a pain to deal with places like this when I have deadlines. So many churches have them online that I was really surprised to find that the really big ones don't appear to!
     
  5. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Most large and mega churches don't keep these kinds of documents online. In the church where I get to serve (which I guess is considered either a very large or mega church...whatever that means) we don't post ours online but keep them in hardcopy for members (we do covenant membership) who ask.

    If you dig around on some of these sites you'll find them. Just a note, most churches of this size have a constitution and bylaws for legal means. While they exist to assist in the overall operations guidance they aren't specific enough to govern day-to-day operations. You'd need the employee manuals or something like that.

    I realize that last little part is likely to get a lot of flack from people, but it is what it is. This isn't to say the documents aren't important or unnecessary, but that for different sized organizations they operate a bit differently.
     
  6. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    A couple of churches I am involved with are like this, but I don't consider either to be mega churches. One ones between 300 and 500 in attendance, and the other runs 600 to 900 in attendance.
     
  7. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    I'm a member of a megachurch, and we do not release our bylaws. To view them, you must be a church member. You have to go into the church library and request them, sign a log book and then they will get a numbered copy out of a locked closet and let you view it, but you can't take it out of the library.
     
  8. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Thank you drfuss, that would have been perfect, but I just submitted it after finding that Park Street Church in Boston lists them.

    I just prefer using Baptist churches or at least ones I know have good doctrine when I put stuff out there for the world to see.
     
  9. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I suppose any congregation may do what it wishes, but such secrecy and security has aroused my curiosity.

    What is the reason for such a policy? Why should your church, or any church for that matter, not want its by-laws available to anybody?
     
  10. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I've seen them for Parkside church in Cleveland OH and for Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis on their respective websites.
     
  11. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Oh shoot! And I have more personal knowledge of Parkside in Cleveland, I should have remembered that.

    Stupid memory issues. GRRR!!

    I'm really interested in hearing about the seeming need for so much secrecy surrounding the bylaws of some churches. That strikes me as odd, although there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation.
     
  12. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. I would go a step further though. Why would anyone join a church when they are unable to see the bylaws prior to joining?
     
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Exactly, Matt. I'm assuming that the by-laws will contain a doctrinal statement as well as the governance statement. Sure would like to know what I'm getting into, wouldn't you?

    Unfortunately, I suspect too many folks are attracted to a church by things other than doctrine and practice, and not seeing the by-laws would be no big deal.
     
  14. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    We're large, but not mega-sized.

    Our by-laws are available for the asking (not online--but I know we've given copies to folks that have asked).

    The only thing we're "secretive" about (members only) is the detailed financial statements that include itemized salaries.

    Everything else is pretty much out there.

    Not sure I would see the point of being so particular about by-laws.
     
  15. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Try here;
    http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/gccbylaws.htm
    I also suggest that you write this church with your exact question as to see how they do it. I am sure they will respond.
     
    #15 freeatlast, Sep 1, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2010
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