Returning Decisions

Looking at what is happening in FIFA at the moment, there is a simple rule in Church administration, namely -- if a certain Church body takes a decision, that decision may only be reversed (or altered) by the  same body. There may be one exception. Decisions taken elsewhere, by a (constitutional) committee, may have temporary effect, until they are referred back to that same body. I myself have had one further, unwritten rule: refer decisions back as fast as possible. Here's an example. The Church Meeting elects a group leader. But something happens which makes it a matter of urgency to remove the group leader. However, the next Church Meeting lies three months away. If the constitution (or precedent) honestly allows it, suspend the group leader pending a decision by the next Church Meeting. My own practice, again: bring it to the next Church Meeting as fast as you can -- which is, move the Church Meeting forward as far as possible. OBSERVATION: In the Congregational Church, this dynamic basically rests on the view that common decisions are sacred. Historically, this view had an influence on the sacredness of national constitutions today. It is surprising how often, in the Church, people will seek reasons to change decisions without first going back to the same body.