Baptist Church Matters

[Guest marshellmiller]

1. Is it true that to willfully violate Parliamentary Law of an organization approved constitution and bylaws has the same consequences in court of law as violation of any other criminal or civil law?

2. Can the Pastor, who according to our church constitution, is the moderator at our church council meetings, ask the church body for permission to act on certain matters? We have a situation where the church did vote, and gave him the authority to act, and the Pastor did act upon the matters. The results of those actions have been reported back to the body in the next council meeting. The minutes were approved by the body. Can members who were not present at the first meeting now claim that the actions taken were illegal? Can members who did not vote, or who voted againist the motions make such a claim at this point? Can the actions taken be reconsider or rescinded?

3. Our church constitution states that the pastor serves as chairman of the church council and provide administrative leadership for the total church program. (Article IV, item 7). Article IV, item 3 states that the pastor shall provide administrative leadership to guide the church in the attainment of its divine mission. Are these articles sufficent to express

the authority of the pastor?

4. Are members allowed to make a presentation to the body in a council meeting, when their request has been denied by the moderator because they refused to inform him of the nature of the presentation?

5. Can are members allowed to address the body as a group when they are not part of a standing committee, or special committee that had been establish by the ody?

[jstackpo]

1. No, it is merely improper and it is up the the (church) members to enforce the rules. See RONR Chapter 20.

2. Ask? Yes; other questions in order: No, no, yes, rescinded (not reconsidered - too late now), if the "actions" in question have not been fully carried out.

3. Interpreting bylaws is up to the local association. RONR p. [588 / 570]*.

4. RONR sez probably not if the "members" are members of the council, but your rules may give the moderator the authority to block such things. It is otherwise up to the council, not the moderator, to decide if non-council-members may speak to the council, or even stay in the meetings.

5. If they are members of the group, they can speak to -- debate -- any proper motion.

Sounds as though you should get a copy of RONRIB:

"Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief", Second Edition (Da Capo Press, Perseus Books Group, 2011). It is a splendid summary of all the rules you will really need in all but the most exceptional situations. And only $7.50! You can read it in an evening.

and read it cover to cover.