Every religious organization should have a body of governance documents that sets forth the duties, authorities and rights of its members. These documents should avoid ambiguities of managing issues that arise. The result of neglecting to develop or keep effective policies can be an organization that is unprepared to address important issues. For churches who enjoy considerable First Amendment rights for free expressions and religious exercise, the governance documents can be instrumental in securing these protections. Thoughtful construction of the governance documents helps churches exert important defenses should the occasion arises.
M Smith Law, PLLC will review bylaws and policies to help ensure best practices are followed. The terms in each document are compared to current statutes, model formats and case law. Updated edits are provided with instructions on meaning and strategy.