Sunshine Cathedral Blog

Q&A by the Reverend Doctor Durrell Watkins, Senior Pastor

Question: I’m new and didn’t participate in the recent congregational meeting. Can you explain what the meeting was about?

Answer: We are required to have an annual congregational meeting. It is usually informative (as regular business is conducted at monthly board meetings). Because the meetings are usually communication opportunities, there isn’t a real issue if we don’t meet quorum. However, if there is business to be conducted (like amending the bylaws), then, of course we need a quorum. Bylaws can only be amended at a congregational meeting.

Our previous bylaws required a quorum of 15% (though our denomination only requires a church our size to have 10% for a quorum). So, at our most recent meeting we voted to change the quorum to be in line with the denominational requirement. Additionally, we moved non-corporate issues from the bylaws to SOPs where they more appropriately belong. To achieve the 15% quorum (which we no longer are required to have), we opened the meeting at the beginning of the second service and recessed it until noon. We of course hoped everyone would stay for the meeting, but if they chose to leave after the meeting was open, we could at least conduct business.

Because of our size, we conduct business in a very orderly manner. Bylaws are moved by the board of directors. Discussion takes place at a forum (on a day prior to the meeting) so that it won’t be rushed, allowing thorough and unhindered discussion. Then, at the congregational meeting, all we do is vote. This process is fairly common among churches our size, and still allows full participation from members. Of course, business meetings aren’t very sexy, which is why we only do them once a year. If you didn’t attend, you were in good company. Most people don’t (which is why we needed to lower the quorum).

The proposed bylaws were on the website and in the foyer for a month before the meeting, and discussed at the open forum. In church announcements, Sun Burst articles, and emails we let everyone know how the meetings would be conducted. And now, the updated bylaws have been submitted to a denominational authority for final approval (as you see, we have many layers of accountability). And that’s the story.

We have an annual, informational meeting. On rare occasions when we have to take a vote, we need a quorum. In order to assure a quorum, we may open the meeting during a worship service and invite everyone to stay after; if they choose not to, at least we can still conduct business. We always announce the meeting weeks in advance. And in the event of bylaw changes, we submit them to the denomination for final approval. That’s our polity.