How can a church congregation amend its bylaws using Robert's Rules?

Short answer

First, follow the amendment article in your church's own bylaws. Most bylaws have one. If yours say nothing about amendments, Robert's Rules lets the congregation amend them at a regular business meeting in one of two ways: a two-thirds vote after advance notice, or a vote of a majority of the entire membership (RONR §57).

What to do

1. Read your amendment article. Look for who may propose changes, how much notice is needed, and what vote is required. Those rules control (RONR §56, §57).
2. Draft the exact wording. Many churches have a bylaws committee prepare it (RONR §50). Show the current text, the proposed text, and what is being struck out or added.
3. Give proper notice. "Previous notice" means members are told ahead of time what change is coming. It can be announced at the prior business meeting or sent with the call (the official meeting notice) for the meeting where the vote happens. Include the actual wording, not just the topic.
4. Hold a properly called meeting with a quorum. A quorum is the minimum number of members who must be present to do business (RONR §40).
5. Present the amendment as a motion. Someone moves to adopt it. A second is needed unless it comes from a committee (RONR §4, §10).
6. Debate and allow amendments. Members may change the proposal, but only within the scope of the notice. They cannot make a bigger change than members were warned about (RONR §12, §57).
7. Vote and announce the result. A counted vote, a rising vote, or a ballot helps when a two-thirds vote is needed (RONR §45).
8. Record it. The secretary puts the exact adopted wording in the minutes and updates the official copy of the bylaws.

What the chair says

Notice of this proposed bylaw amendment was given in the call to this meeting. The chair recognizes the chair of the bylaws committee.

It is moved to amend Article ___, Section ___, as printed in your notice. Is there any debate?

The question is on adopting the amendment. A two-thirds vote is required. Those in favor, please stand. Be seated. Those opposed, please stand. Be seated.

There are ___ in the affirmative and ___ in the negative. There being two-thirds in the affirmative, the amendment is adopted.

The motion

• Needs a second? Yes, unless it comes from a committee.
• Debatable? Yes, fully.
• Amendable? Yes, but only within the scope of the notice.
• Vote needed? Whatever your bylaws say. If they are silent, two-thirds of votes cast with previous notice, or a majority of the entire membership (RONR §44, §57). Abstentions do not count as votes cast.
• Can it interrupt a speaker? No.

Common mistakes

• Skipping notice. Without proper notice, a two-thirds vote of those present is not enough under Robert's Rules. Without notice, you need a majority of the whole membership, which is hard to reach.
• Stretching the amendment. If the notice proposed raising dues from $10 to $20, members cannot amend it to $50. That goes beyond what absent members were warned about.
• Confusing "present" with "votes cast." Two-thirds of votes cast is not the same as two-thirds of members present. Know which one your bylaws require (RONR §44).

When your own rules say otherwise

Your church's own documents come first (RONR §2). Check the amendment article in your bylaws, your articles of incorporation or charter, and any denominational constitution or book of order. Some of these require approval by a higher church body, set membership voting rules, or limit who may vote. State nonprofit or religious corporation law may also set notice periods or vote thresholds. Where these differ from Robert's Rules, they win. This page is general information, not legal advice.