Dear Editor:
I read the article about Second Baptist Church of Houston with great interest.
I am a longtime member of a Baptist church and a professional registered parliamentarian. I have served various churches and religious organizations as a professional parliamentarian for more than 30 years.
The church’s Articles of Incorporation and the state statutes of Texas may provide some direction; however, at a glance, the Second Baptist Church’s former bylaws indicate an incredible lack of safeguards, including:
- There’s no quorum stated for business meetings.
- There is no time frame for giving notice of a special meeting.
- There is no required notice for amendments to the bylaws.
- A majority vote is all that is needed for all decisions, while typically, amendments to bylaws require prior notice and a two-thirds vote with a quorum present.
- The bylaws state that the moderator should be well acquainted with Robert’s Rules of Order, but there is no mention of having Robert’s Rules as a parliamentary authority; therefore, the statement is meaningless.
- If they had adopted Robert’s Rules as their parliamentary authority, the majority of the members present at the meeting would have had the authority to call a point of order, appeal the decision of the chair, move to adjourn the business meeting, and make other procedural motions that could have prohibited the action taken.
Unfortunately, it’s rare for church members to read governing documents, and still fewer participate in proposing amendments or a revision of the bylaws. Ensuring bylaws address such items as quorum, notice and adopting a parliamentary authority such as Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised and following parliamentary procedure will protect members, pastors and staff.
Whenever federal and state statutes, articles of incorporation, bylaws and standing rules of an organization are silent on an issue, an adopted parliamentary authority provides a solution that will protect the majority, the minority and the absentee members.
I believe the experiences some of the members of Second Baptist Church have had could very well be the experience in many Baptist churches, if not now, possibly soon. Reportedly, a “bylaws kit” already is being advertised on a website connected to the brother of the current pastor of Second Baptist Church for pastors who “like control” for $70.
Many churches lack the governance structure to protect themselves from an ambitious pastor or group that seeks to take over the church. I hope Second Baptist Church’s governance crisis will serve as a reality check for other churches and organizations.
Tannis F. Nelson, Wilmington, N.C.