Church Ownership?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I am currently in a family owned church, but I am growing frustrated in the direction it is going in. The family makes all of the decisions as there is no voting board in place. Is this a healthy church structure?


MY ANSWER:

No, The situation you have described is not a healthy church structure.
In my life I have heard of "Family Chapel's" that were little country churches run by a dominant family.
You are saying a family owns a church? I assume you mean a church building. There are legalities in what is a church. I am not sure a church can be owned. Trustees and officers and other folks are legally responsible for the business of the church according to how a church is governed by it's constitution.
As far a voting it depends on the form of church government. Some churches are congregational with members voting on many issues. Some are Episcopal style with a church network of bishops who make the big decisions. Some have a board of elders like Presbyterians who make the big decisions.

Your main question should be "What is the church supposed to do?" A church is supposed to maintain worship along with the Lord's Supper and baptism. A church is supposed to build up and disciple believers. A church is supposed to help in the evangelism of the world. The church does this by doing ministry with it's people and missions outside the church. Is this church doing these things?
Do members really not have any vote? You can get in bad church situations. Please check to see if they are biblically in error. Make sure your departure has scriptural backing and leaving is not just your preference.


Ephesians 2:19-21
English Standard Version (ESV)
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.