what to do if a company doesnt follow bylaws

When Churches Violate Their Ain Bylaws

Written by Raul Rivera on Jul 01, 2010 in IRS Compliance

On any given day, within the l states, thousands of churches are in courtroom because of disputes betwixt members and leaders.  These disputes usually begin with personality differences, simply often times end upwardly with both parties having to look at the details of the church building's bylaws.  Such was the case with a church in Ohio whose pastor chose to alter the time of the church's almanac business organisation coming together.  When some disgruntled members disagreed with his conclusion and noticed information technology was inconsistent with their bylaws, they sued the pastor.  The court, in keeping with the church's bylaws, invalidated the meeting because the pastor did non follow the procedures stated therein.  Do yous know what'south in YOUR bylaws?

What'south in my bylaws?

Have you read your bylaws lately?  Practice you know what they say?  You must know what is in those bylaws and then that y'all do not notice yourself having to back track many of the decisions you have made.  In the Church Compliance and Ministry building Empowerment Conferences that I have conducted all across America, 1 of the most recurring comments I hear is "We are not doing virtually of the stuff that is in our bylaws."  That is a real serious problem that continues to become bigger every year.  Information technology's no wonder why more churches than ever in our history find themselves in court today.  Let me share with you 5 common means pastors and leaders violate their bylaws.

Five ways you may be violating your bylaws

1. Spending Limits:  Your bylaws may state that checks for any amount exceeding $i,000.00 require ii signatures, but y'all every bit the pastor have been signing checks that are for a larger amount without ever fully realizing that the financial limit clause exists.  Exist sure to bank check out whether or not your bylaws contain such a clause!
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2. Annual Audit: Many church bylaws crave that an annual audit of the books exist conducted every twelvemonth, just very few churches actually do information technology.  There are different types of audits that tin be done in your church books.  For churches with over 1200 members, I recommend the professional approach of hiring this out.  However, mostly for churches under 1200 members, I do not recommend that it be a professional person inspect performed past an accounting firm using certified public accountants (just for cost's sake).  Take the approach that a sufficient number of people have looked at the books and can requite reasonable balls that good stewardship and accountability exists and that the financial records are accurate.  The treasurer can do this with a church fellow member that has business and financial skills.
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3. Removing a Member: When a church building fellow member publicly or privately and without repentance lives a lifestyle that is contrary to Scripture, the fourth dimension may come for the church to accept that member removed.  The procedure used must exist exactly as described in the bylaws.  Did you know that the largest source of church disputes concerns such matters and the provisions of the bylaws regarding how this is handled? Never presume that a church member living in unrepentant sin will get down quietly.  You may not even accept a procedure for removal, which ways yous may not even exist allowed to remove a member once he/she has been added to membership.  If that provision is missing, y'all need to amend the bylaws.
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4. Annual Minutes: The laws of all l states require that an incorporated church conduct an annual board meeting with real minutes taken recording the word and decisions of that board meeting.  Exercise your bylaws call for an annual meeting?  If not, you need to improve them to take that clause added.  If then, have you been conducting one and practice you take adequate minutes to reflect the meeting?  If not, so information technology is time for change.  This is really big.  Beginning of all, the states crave it.  Not doing information technology can invalidate the members of the board including the pastor/president.  Why? Because the minutes should record every time a fellow member of the board of directors elected to serve.  We recommend no more a two-year period between reelections.  Secondly, to keep your tax exempt condition the IRS requires an annual lath coming together with accurate minutes.  Finally, what does it say of our stewardship when we cannot keep an authentic tape of the decisions we brand as leaders of the church building?
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   Are your minutes a mess?  Let the states help you lot.  Call u.s. at 770-638-3444 and ask for 1 of our church plant specialists.  We will get yous back in shape once again.

Just they seem so trivial

A dangerous posture that many pastors take is to believe that the matters of church bylaws are trivial.  One pastor may say, "I don't worry about little matters . . . it'south God's sheepfold and HE is the One who takes care of me."  That is true, He does take care of all of us.  He will also take care of us whether we are in church or in court having to defend our ministries.  With a little scrap of effort today, you tin can avoid trouble downwards the road later on.  Do non walk alone.

Please experience gratuitous to annotate. Nosotros always appreciate skillful dialogue. Still, we do moderate each comment to ensure that it is on topic and not derogatory to other participants. We inquire that you keep your comments brief and pertinent to the topic so that others may benefit.

Blessings,
Raul Rivera

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Source: https://www.startchurch.com/blog/view/name/when-churches-violate-their-own-bylaws

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