Hello Reader , One of the most common questions church leaders face is: Who actually has the authority to make this decision? On October 27, we’re taking that question head-on. During Pastor, Board, or Congregation? Who’s in Charge?, we’ll take a practical look at church governance and the legal framework surrounding authority and decision-making. We’ll discuss questions such as: Where does authority within a church actually come from? Leadership authority is not always determined simply by...

Hello Reader , If the October 27 topic caught your attention, there’s a good chance church governance isn’t the only legal issue your leadership team is thinking about. Church leaders regularly face questions involving governance, employment, policies, compliance, property, leadership transitions, risk management, and other legal matters that affect ministry operations. That’s one reason we created Faithful Foundations. Faithful Foundations is designed to give church leaders ongoing access to...

Hello Reader , Sometimes what looks like a leadership disagreement is actually a governance problem. The pastor believes a decision falls within pastoral authority. The board believes the issue requires board approval. The congregation believes members should have a vote. Everyone may sincerely believe they are correct. But there is a more important question underneath the disagreement: What does the church’s actual governance structure say? That is why church leaders need more than...