Ambrose
Puritan Board Freshman
What is the purpose of a Church Constitution? As distinguished from a Book of Church Order, Government, Worship, etc.?
In reviewing the Constitutions of several churches, my impression is that they may have come about to define the Church's relationship to the civil government and are essentially articles of incorporation. For example, they often cover such things as Trustees and property disputes. This leads me to wonder if these documents only came into being because of the practice of church incorporation, as this requires the Church to set up corporate officers and by-laws. However, that is just speculation on my part. Yet I still wonder if a Constitution is at all necessary for an unincorporated Church.
In reviewing the Constitutions of several churches, my impression is that they may have come about to define the Church's relationship to the civil government and are essentially articles of incorporation. For example, they often cover such things as Trustees and property disputes. This leads me to wonder if these documents only came into being because of the practice of church incorporation, as this requires the Church to set up corporate officers and by-laws. However, that is just speculation on my part. Yet I still wonder if a Constitution is at all necessary for an unincorporated Church.