1. Church Matters - Solutions
Part V, The Use of Policy in Church Government
CMS Leadership Series
Other Parts:
Part I, Church Government – History
Part II, Church Government, Constitution and Bylaws
Part III, The Call Process
Part IV, Financial Management
© CMS 2017

2. The Use of Policy in Church Government
The content of this presentation is based on how to properly create and apply policy in a Lutheran congregation.
These principles could apply to any religious organization.
Good policy is designed to be rigid enough for strong guidance, and not be subject to miss-interpretation.
© CMS 2017

3. The Use of Policy in Church Government
A church policy manual supplements your Constitution and Bylaws.
They are not procedures.
A policy is statement that directs an action to meet an identified need.
Think of it as a “means” to achieve an “end.”
© CMS 2017

4. Questions We Might Ask
How does this presentation relate to popular Policy Governance models?
No relationship at all, two different animals.
Policy Governance is designed for boards that control affiliated non-profits.
What principles should we know to help keep us on track?
How do we apply these principles in our own environment?
Some not so well known
Yes, there are some principles to keep in mind
Our two “standards” for what we do
Not all matters of polity are adiaphora
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5. First Principles
Good policy will protect your church and staff against unwanted outside charges and pressures.
Good policy will ensure your workers are protected from the ebb and flow of different personalities within your church.
Policies are made by groups of people, not by individuals.
*Members should have one or the other
*1947
*1953
*2015
1992
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6. First Principles
Verbal policies are not policies, they are a trap for future problems.
All policies your church has are written down and collected in one place, i.e., a policy manual.
It is an intent or action to be taken, thus Policy statements are short and blunt.
They may be positive or negative in tone.
© CMS 2017

7. Application
The highest level of policy in a church is its constitution.
The bylaws are basically procedures, but may also contain some policy or rules.
Additional policies are needed to address specific issues in lower level areas that don’t need to be bylaws.
© CMS 2017

8. Application
Any unit in your organizational structure may be empowered to create policy for its own needs.
Unless delegated otherwise a unit only writes policy for a lower level unit.
Exception: Finance Committee, etc.
If a group doesn’t need policies that is okay too.
© CMS 2017

9. Application
The first policy adopted needs to be one that states which units are allowed to create policy.
This is a policy of the Voters’ Assembly, including who maintains the policy manual.
The Voters may also want to make a statement regarding what is a quorum for the Church Council.
Example: at least two officers and 50% of the board chairs or designees is a quorum.
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10. Policy Examples Church Council (ideas).
Policy for calling additional meetings.
Policies for dealing with processing the final budget and budget adjustments.
Develop any needed policies for reporting committees and aux. organizations.
Adopt a Policy Statement Document for recording adopted policies. See last slide for example.
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11. Policy Examples Elders/Deacons (ideas) Policy for conducting weddings?
Only members in good standing; any Christian; no one, we do wedding confirmation and blessings for members in a normal service, etc.
No civil documents signed.
Use of individual camera and video recordings during services.
No flashes, re-enactments after service, recording from an agreed fixed place, etc.
© CMS 2017

12. Policy Examples Fellowship and Integration/Assimilation (ideas).
Policy on use of our facilities other than members?
Non-profits only, community groups, other churches, etc.
What do we charge for outside groups?
Use of electricity, janitor fees, unlocking and locking charges, etc.
Use of bulletin boards.
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13. Policy Examples Board of Missions (ideas).
Policy for conducting mission awareness events and what does it include?
Policy for training needs for new greeters and host families.
Policy on frequency of evangelism events, including outreach training?
Policy for visitor parking.
© CMS 2017

14. Policy Examples Board of Education (ideas).
Policy on background checks for paid and volunteer staff working in our schools, Sunday school and youth programs, plus any before and after school staff.
Training policy for new teacher’s aide.
Policy on classroom monitoring.
Policy on routine teacher effectiveness evaluations.
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15. Policy Examples Policies for Parent Teacher Organization.
Policy on standards for Sunday school and adult lay teachers. Example: Confirmed, qualified to teach the subject, etc.
Policy for the role of the Sunday School Superintendent.
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16. Policy Examples Board of Trustees (ideas).
Policies for the security of our facilities.
Policy for the “off-site use” of church property.
Policy for conducting and recording of the inventory of the equipment and furnishings.
Policy for handicap parking.
© CMS 2017

17. Thank you!
Church Matters - Solutions thanks you for the opportunity to share with you this important information for the benefit of the laity.
© CMS 2017

18. © CMS 2017

19. © CMS 2016