Congregations are often in danger of being over managed and under led. This is particularly the case when considering the formal documents of the church. Where congregational polity exists, these may be a constitution or charter, bylaws, and an operational manual. In connectional traditions this may include region, national, and international documents of church organizations.
These documents should provide guidance that affirms the agility needed by congregations in an ever-changing world. They should exist in form and implementation that empowers congregations as centered sets rather than controls congregations as boxed sets. Congregations seeking to transform need great freedom to act.