Annual Church Legal Checklist for Governance and Compliance
An annual legal review helps churches reduce risk, strengthen governance, and protect their tax-exempt statuses. Use this checklist to guide a proactive compliance strategy.
Governance
Administration, denominations, boards, polity, mandatory policies
Can Church Disputes Be Resolved Without Going To Court?
Attorney and Senior Editorial Advisor Lisa Runquist shares what she's learned in more than four decades of handling church disputes.
Immanuel Baptist Church Split Highlights Need for Sound Governing Documents
Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock is grappling with a host of complex issues, including how to govern itself in the midst of a split.
Part 1 of 4: Prepping for a Church Meeting
Preparation is key in holding an effective church meeting.
Part 4 of 4: Minding Meeting Minutes
Holding an effective church meeting includes knowing who should be keeping minutes and how they should be kept.
Part 3 of 4: Making Every Vote Count
Holding an effective church meeting includes understanding the four basic types of votes, and knowing which one is best.
Part 2 of 4: Managing Meeting Motions
Knowing how to make—and manage—a motion is a crucial aspect of a successful church business meeting.
Four Steps Needed For An Effective Church Meeting
Parliamentarian Sarah E. Merkle partners with Church Law & Tax to show church leaders how to hold an effective church meeting.
Mastering Meeting Basics
A five-part series providing simple and straightforward guidance to church leaders.
Part 5 of 5
Running a Virtual Church Business Meeting
A quick guide to conducting church business virtually.
Part 4 of 5
Taking Minutes at a Church Business Meeting
How to properly document the official actions taken at a meeting.
Part 3 of 5
Voting at a Church Business Meeting
Four primary methods of voting that members and leaders should understand.
Part 2 of 5
Making Motions at a Church Business Meeting
Four questions to help ensure your motions follow proper parliamentary procedure.
Part 1 of 5
Preparing for a Church Business Meeting
How to structure effective, legally sound meetings—and set their agendas.
The Dangers of a Quiet Governance Change
Subtly shifting who has authority to make key decisions in your church may make sense—but may also erode congregational trust.
17 Changes Relevant to Churches in Newest Robert’s Rules of Order
Leaders should note these changes before their next official church business meeting.
Part 4 of 4
Finalizing a Merger
Moving through the final stages of merging churches—and other options if a merger is not right for you.
Part 2 of 4
The Documents Needed for a Successful Church Merger
Discover the essential documents for a seamless church merger process.
Part 3 of 4
Deciding Factors for a Sound Merger
Picking the right leaders to decide vision, name, location, staffing—and more.