Property Disputes and Bylaws

Key point 7-04. Churches and denominational agencies can avoid church property disputes by adopting appropriate nondoctrinal language in deeds, trusts, local church bylaws, or denominational bylaws.

A South Carolina court ruled that the property of a church that voted to disaffiliate from a parent denomination belonged to the denomination as a result of provisions in the denomination's bylaws.

In 1988 an Assembly of God church established a mission church (the "church") as an outreach to another area of the community. The church initially met in various locations, including a daycare center and theater. It purchased property in 1994 on which it later built a worship facility. According to the Article XI, section 2(a) of the Constitution of the South Carolina District Council of the Assemblies of God, "groups of believers which are still in the formative stages shall be recognized ...