Legal Definitions - polity approach

The polity approach is a method used to resolve disputes over church property. It involves a court examining the structure of the church to determine whether it is independent or hierarchical. The court then makes a decision based on the proper church-governing body.

For example, if a dispute arises over who owns a church building, the polity approach would involve examining the church's governing structure. If the church is independent, meaning it has no higher governing body, the court would make a decision based on the church's own rules and regulations. If the church is hierarchical, meaning it has a higher governing body, the court would defer to that body's decision.

Another example would be if a group of members wanted to leave a church and take the property with them. The polity approach would involve examining the church's governing structure to determine who has the authority to make decisions about the property. If the church is independent, the decision would be made by the members themselves. If the church is hierarchical, the decision would be made by the higher governing body.

These examples illustrate how the polity approach is used to resolve disputes over church property by examining the church's governing structure and making a decision based on that structure.