I understand that changes may be made to the Articles of Incorporation provided the following caveat is applied: The Board of Trustees may at any time, by the affirmative vote of two‑thirds of the Trustees, adopt amendments to these Articles of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the preceding provision, the Board of Trustees shall not adopt any amendments to these Articles of Incorporation which are inconsistent with the provisions of Articles V through X unless approved by the Classis (or Synod on appeal).
If such an amendment is made (concerning possible consensual division or irreconcilable division) by the local council without the approval of the classis (or synod on appeal), what will this mean to the local congregation?
Comments
Dear Mr. VanderBilt:
A church's Articles of Incorporation are considered a legal document filed with the state with the intent to protect the members of the church and its property. The church could be held accountable (even in a court of law) for its actions of amending an Article without following proper procedure (seeking the approval of the classis). If I understand your issue correctly, it centers around division in the congregation or a conflict. Our CRC polity has processes in place to assist churches who are going through a time of conflict, such as reaching out to the classis to enlist the help of church visitors who would meet with the council and potentially with members of the congregation to help resolve a conflict.
Dee Recker, Director of Synodical Services for the CRCNA
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