Senior Editorial Advisor Board

Sarah E. Merkle

Sarah is one of six attorneys in the world to have earned the credentials Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher and Professional Registered Parliamentarian. She helps boards, associations, churches, nonprofits, and public bodies navigate rules applicable to governance and business meetings. Sarah is the editor of the blog, The Law of Order: A Resource on Parliamentary Procedure & the Law, providing accessible answers to organizations’ most common questions.

Sarah became an Editorial Advisor for Church Law & Tax in 2018, and a Senior Editorial Advisor in 2020.

Recent posts by Sarah E. Merkle

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.

Advantage Member Exclusive

Meetings Matter: A Crash Course for Church Leaders

On-Demand Webinar: Quick tips and insights for effectively running anything from a board meeting to a congregational 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.

Advantage Member Exclusive

Do Your Church’s Governing Documents Allow Virtual Business Meetings?

Answering this crucial question can help legally validate decisions made during the coronavirus outbreak—and beyond.

5 Questions Churches Should Ask Before Holding a Virtual Business Meeting

How church leaders can ensure their decisions are valid if an in-person meeting isn’t possible.

Taking a Church Vote in 5 Easy Steps

What you need to know to keep a meeting moving along.

Make Your Church Meeting Agenda Work for You

Consider these approaches as you plan your church meeting.

Why Church Meeting Minutes are a “Must”

Four reasons to take thorough, accurate minutes at your meetings.

Why You Should Remove Certain Reports from Your Meeting Agenda

And how to find which ones don't need to be presented.

How to Keep Your Church Board Meetings Short

The secret to making meetings brief and efficient.

Churches and Released Time Programs for Public Schools

Steps for developing and maintaining a constitutionally sound effort.