CHURCH - LEGAL MATTERS
R. D. Ice
"Here, show me the coin used for the tax." When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" "Caesar’s," they replied. "Well, then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." Matt 22:19-21 (NLT)
The Lord's One Church is a Spiritual Kingdom which includes every saved person. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47. Salvation, then, is the key to being a member of the Lord's church. When one is saved the Lord adds that person to His Church.
The local church includes "some of the saved" in a geographical area. We can choose to either join or not join ourselves to a particular local church. Does our salvation depend upon belonging to a local church? Probably not. [The Ethiopian Eunuch was saved before he became part of a local church.] In general all who worship with and feel themselves part of a local church are members. All who are baptized in a local church setting are automatically considered members in good standing.
But the local church has a legal existence also. Each State has its own laws about such things. And the Federal Government (the IRS) has its rules and regulation concerning "nonprofit organizations" such as local churches.
The elders are the spiritual leaders of the local church. But in most States there must also be Trustees who have legal responsibility for the church property. This doesn't seem important, yet it could be in certain situations. There might be a question as to who owns the church-building. There could be a hostile takeover of the church property.
Churches in many States incorporate as a nonprofit organization for protection in legal matters, and sometimes to please the IRS. (We did so in New Kensington, Penna. in 1976.) Such churches must have a congregational meeting each year consisting of such members, men and women, who are 16 years of age and older, who are considered members in good standing. Voting is then done on such things that are legal matters [not on church doctrine]. Trustees are elected (in multiples of three) to serve for a period of time (such as three years).
Probably each local church as a set of by-laws (written or unwritten) by which they confirm the membership status of each person.. And sometimes some will keep their "membership" in the old church back home. It is important to be a church family united together in faith and practical matters.
