Classis of Central California v. Miraloma Community Church

Opinion

REARDON, J.

This case brings to light a variation on a local church’s effort to disaffiliate from a national denomination. The church’s bylaws confirmed that it was subject to and governed by the constitution of the denomination, and forbade amending or modifying this provision “in any manner” absent the written consent of the entity within the denominational hierarchy that oversaw the church. Seeking to accomplish an end run around these provisions, the governing board of the local church attempted to amend its articles of incorporation and bylaws to sever its denominational ties.…