Church operations manual template

Free Church Policy Manual (samples of church policies and procedures) with many different types of church policies that you can download, customize and print.

Church Policy and Procedures

Church Policy and Procedures

. you may wish to use as a guide in developing your own policy and procedure manual.

What is a Church Policy & Procedures Manual?

A Church Policies and Procedures Manual is a reference guide to the functions and operations of the church. It lists routine duties and answers questions that arise as duties are performed. The procedure section gives step by step instructions for performing each task.

What is a Policy?

A p olicy is a statement that defines the authority required, boundaries set, responsibilities delegated, and guidelines, established to carry out a function of the church. In other words, policies are "what" a company does or who does the task, why it is done, and, under what conditions it is done. Policies answer questions that arise during unique circumstances.

Policies provide uniform treatment of a situation, thus achieving continuity of operation. Policies take personalities out of the picture. Decisions are based on the church policy not on the individual, and each situation is treated the same.

What is a Procedure?

Procedures tell "how" a task is done. A detailed listing is made of each step taken to complete the process. A step by step description of the process is used to complete the job.

This manual below is a sample which can be used as a guide when developing your own church policy and procedures. Policies cover leadership, management, financial, personnel, general administration and ministry.

Policy and procedures, if properly applied, become very invaluable for identifying and assigning responsibilities, keeping a quality level of performance throughout church ministries, and protecting the congregation and church leaders as a whole.

The church policy and procedures should be kept in a manual available for the church administration to access at any time. If a question arises, the manual should have policies to lead and guide anyone through any crisis.

There is a one page "Quick Start the Policy Manual" below that will help you know what to do to get started.

Here is a sample of one of the policies below:

Baby/Child Dedication Policy and Information

“Children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward!” – Psalm 127:3

It’s our desire that every child be blessed. A Baby/Child Dedication is a commitment by the parents and the church to provide opportunity for the child to know and experience what it means to follow God. For this reason, A Baby/Child Dedication is defined by the following criteria:

Why do we do Baby/Child Dedications?

The dedication of a child is a voluntary act in which believing parents publicly present their child and themselves to the Lord as an outward expression of their commitment to God regarding the raising of this child. The parent(s) are essentially committing themselves to raising this child, with God’s help, in a way that demonstrates an example of Godliness, discipling according to God’s ways and prayerfully training that child in God’s teachings until that child can made a decision on his or her own to follow God. At the time of dedication, the family at [Church Name] is also committing themselves to participate in raising of this child through our children and youth programs as well as to encourage this child in such a way as to be a positive witness and influence so that the child can grow up to one day accept Christ and live for Him. (Download the sample policy below for more information.)

Click on the link to download:

Here are some sample church policy and procedures not included in the Church Policy and Procedure Manuals above:

If you need to modify this form, try the site: Free PDF Services. You can convert this Adobe file into a Word document free of charge and make the necessary changes.

Note: You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to save or open these forms.

You can get Adobe Reader free here (a new window will open so you can download it without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, just click on one of the links above. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As". Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

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Note: These sample forms are meant to serve as example forms and should not be construed as legal documents. Please contact a legal professional for legal language for your specific organization.

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