BY-
It is the expressed desire of fulfilfulfill
our corporate purposes.
We believe that the ultimate governing of the church is from
God. We affirm that the church is a theocracy. Although God is Sovereign over
His church, nevertheless, he requires prayer from His people as a means for
performing His highest good. Through the agency of God’s grace and the prayers
of His people, He has raised up gifted leadership through which His dominion is
exercised. We do recognize ourselves as a local a places
for the worship of the triune God; to assume our share of responsibility and
privilege of propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ by all available means;
both at home and abroad; by operating Bible training schools and other formal
Christian Missionary endeavors; and church planting, through the training,
licensing and ordaining of ministers. We adopt the following By—Laws and agree
to be governed by them.
ARTICLE I - OFFICERS
Oversight
of this local church is vested through delegation in a plurality of mutually
submitted elders.
Officers in this local church shall consist of a Lead
PastorPresiding Elder/Elder,
Elders, SmallHome
Group Leaders, Deacons, Trustees and others as set in this local church by the
guidance of the Holy Spirit and as authorized by these By-Laws.
Section A: Elders
Because of the key role of this office, great
attention has been given to this composition and function. This
church recognizes those ministries described in Ephesians .
Local Elders pertain to a Church body in a specific locality, who may or may
not function as one of the five gift ministries mentioned above.
We understand the biblical terms “pastor”, “overseer”,
“elder” and “bishop” to describe essentially the same function. The function of the elders
is to: feed the flock;
help those who are sick; guide the overall direction of the flock; protect the
flock from predators and appoint and ordain
servant leaders.
Qualifications for the office job
of Elder shall be as set forth in I Tim. 3:1—7 and Titus 1:5—9. As
the Scriptures further teach, they shall be regenerated, full of the Holy
Spirit, men who have proven their oversight by their function, expressing a
strong sense of responsibility for the unity, welfare and care for this local
church. They must also demonstrate an openness and responsiveness to the needs
of the people of this congregation.
We recognize that God ordains a head or leader for each of
His institutions, both in families and churches. Therefore, there will be a Lead
Pastor who will Presiding or Head Elder
who will serve in this capacity in this local church. The Presiding
Elder, also called Senior Lead
Pastor,Pastor
shall be an elder and have special charge
of the pulpit ministry, along with the general oversight for the entire church. .
He will pastor the other Elders, who shall not usurp the authority of the
Senior Pastor but shall assist him in the oversight of the church.The
Lead Pastor’s relationship with
regard to the other elders is one of
pastoral oversight, primary visionary, agenda setter and tie-breaker.
Item 1: Appointment and Terms of Elders
The initial Elders shall be appointed by the Senior
Lead Pastor with the consultation of
the other leadership functions listed herein, and the congregation. Additional
Elders shall be ordained and set into office by the existing Presbytery. We
understand “Presbytery” to mean all the presently functioning Elders.
The number of Elders shall be determined by the Presbytery.
Elders are to serve for an indefinite term. Elders may resign from their
responsibilities if for any reason they are not able to continue functioning in
a general oversight capacity. They may, of course choose to assume a position
of less responsibility if their personal obligations prohibit their oversight
involvement. Elders must resign if they are unable to fulfilfulfill
Item 2 of this section and/or they terminate their relationship to this local
church. An Elder may be removed from office by a majority of the remaining
Elders, if there are biblical grounds for his dismissal. The SeniorLead
Pastor may also be removed by the unanimous consent of all other Elders and the
consensus of the Leadership Council.
If the LeadSenior
Pastor resigns, is removed from office, or dies, The Presbytery will select
through prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit and consultation with the
Leadership Council, a godly and gifted man, possessing the qualities of an
Elder, as set forth in these By-Laws and will install this man into the office
of Presiding Elder/SeniorLead
Pastor. This installation will occur with the cooperation of the Pastors of
Grace NetworkPresbytery
and any other ministers invited to participate.
Item 2: Relationship of Elders
Since God has brought us into a covenant relationship with
Himself, and this covenant is sealed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our
Lord, we are made brothers in Christ and are so bound in every attitude toward
each other. Elders are to be an example to the church of this covenant
relationship by being joined together in one accord by love and commitment to
one another. Thus they become the pattern of a “building fitly framed together
growing into an.. .habitationa habitation
of God through the Spirit”.
Unity among Elders shall be considered of such importance
that, should an Elder be considered guilty of violating or breaking the spirit
of this covenant relationship, he may be disciplined or dismissed as an Elder
by the rest of the Presbytery.
Item 3: Resolution of conflict and appealing a termination
In the event that an issue, conflict, or misunderstanding
between Elders cannot be resolved, by the initiation
of the Presiding Elder, a reconciliation team will arbitrate the
matter. The decision of the
arbitration team shall be binding upon all persons involved. The arbitration team
shall consist of three men recognized to have
gift ministries (Eph. of these members will
be chosen out of and by The Leadership Council to hear the matter and offer an
opinion. If the Presbytery does not accept the opinion, then the Presbytery by
mutual agreement shall choose three men, outside of this local church from a list
of men previously recognized to have
gift ministries (Eph. 4:11) and who are familiar with Christ Community Church,
to arbitrate the matter. This list will be compiled by the Presbytery and regularly
updated and kept on file. If the Presbytery
cannot agree on which three to select, each side of the controversy shall each
select one mediator. These two men are then to select one additional man from
the existing list. The decision of this arbitration team shall be binding upon
all persons involved.
If the Lead Pastor or another Presiding
Elder or an Elder is removed from office and he believes the
decision to be unfair or improper, he may appeal that decision by requesting a
hearing. An arbitration team of three people will be chosen by and out of The
Leadership Council, who will review the reasons for dismissal and render a
decision. If either party does not accept that decision then the Presbytery
shall choose an arbitration team according to the proceeding paragraph. The
decision of this arbitration team shall be binding and final.
Item 4: Other Responsibilities of the Elders
Operational policies and guidelines, membership
requirements, discipline, and other procedures not covered by these By—Laws
shall be decided by the Presbytery. The Elders shall appoint SmallHome
Group Leaders, Deacons, Trustees, and other positions or ministries as deemed
necessary for the proper functioning of the local church. The terms of office
and the powers delegated are at the discretion of the Presbytery.
It is the intent of the presbytery to make
decisions out of a unified consensus. If the Presiding Elder renders a decision
that is supported by one or more Elders then that decision shall be accepted.
Should the Presiding Elder be opposed by the unanimous consensus of the elders,
the Presiding Elder shall submit to their decision.
The Elders shall be responsible for the determination of
need, selection and supervision of salaried positions. They shall set salary,
benefits and other compensation of said personnel. However, if a majority of the
Presbytery is salariedmay appoint an,
then the Administration
Salary Review Committee who
will made up of other than church salaried personnel
shall be appointed by the Presbytery to recommend salaries,
benefits and other compensation to the Presbytery for their approval.
Section B: SmallHome
Group
Leaders
This church recognizes that the New Testament pattern of
church life include some type of SmallHome
Group fellowship. Therefore, at the discretion of the Elders, SmallHome
Groups may be established and leaders appointed. The SmallHome
Group Leaders will serve the Elders as under—pastors in
looking after and ministering to the portion of the congregation assigned to
their charge. Qualifications for SmallHome
Group Leaders shall be as set forth in I Tim. 3:1—7 and shall be born again,
Spirit filled members of this congregation. The SmallHome
Group Leaders shall be publicly installed to their tasks by the Elders. They
shall serve an indefinite term, until voluntary retirement or removal by the
Eldership. The SmallHome
Group Leaders shall serve on the Leadership Council.
Section C: Deacons
To assist the Elders in ministering to the needs of the
local congregation, Deacons shall be chosen from the local body for specific
tasks of ministry in service. They shall
then be and publicly installed to their tasks
by the Elders. Qualifications of Deacons shall be set forth in I Tim. 3:8-13.
They shall be born again, and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They shall
minister to the needs in the congregation, look after the property as directed
by the Eldership, and assist in administration and shall do works of service at
our corporate meetings. They shall serve an indefinite term, until voluntary
retirement or removal by the Eldership. Deacons shall serve on the Leadership
Council.
Section D: Special Gifts and Ministries
Those who have special gifts and ministries (eg.e.g.
Worship Leaders, etc.) which are edifying to the church may be appointed and/or
ordained to a position or office by the Eldership as deemed necessary to the
proper functioning of the local church. They shall serve an indefinite term,
until voluntary retirement or removal by the Eldership and shall be members of
the Leadership Council.
Section E: Trustees
There shall be three to five Trustees who may also be
Elders. The Trustees shall be active members of
Section F: Secretary and Treasurer
There shall be a Secretary and a Treasurer each of whom
shall be an Elder and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Treasurers, to be
appointed by the Elders for an indefinite term, until voluntary retirement or
removal by the Eldership. The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes and
shall perform any other duties related to the office. The Treasurer shall be
entrusted with the finances of this church, and shall keep an itemized account
of all the receipts and disbursements of all monies received. He and/or his
assistants shall make all disbursements and reports as directed by the
Eldership. He shall present his records once a year for examination or audit.
He shall establish bank accounts requiring the signature of the Treasurer or
assistants or other authorized persons. The Treasurer or any others who are
authorized to sign checks may not approve or sign checks made out to himself or
to his benefit other than normal and regular disbursements (salary,
reimbursements, etc.)
Section G: Leadership Council
There shall be a Leadership Council consisting of all
Elders, SmallHome
Group Leaders, Deacons, special appointed ministries, the Trustees and others
as appointed by the Eldership. The moderator of the Leadership Council shall be
the Lead PastorPresiding Elder.
This Council shall serve the Eldership in giving input and suggestions,
researching matters as directed and reporting the finding or recommendations,
confirming directions, plans, and appointments, and providing reconciliation or
arbitration teams to help if conflicts arise. The Leadership Council shall meet
as directed by the Eldership.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
Section A: Qualifications
The membership of the church shall be composed of persons
who name Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; who have received water baptism;
who subscribe to the Constitution and By-Laws of this church; who
believe God has called them to be members of Christ Community Church and who
will submit their lives in covenant relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, the
leadership, the other members and the vision of this church. The Eldership will
set the requirements and expectations of membership and validate membership
into
Section B: Responsibilities
Members are expected to share in the life of the local Body
in a covenant of love, unity, fellowship, and mutual encouragement to each
other. They shall pursue duties and privileges essential to the Christian life
according to the Word of God, including a life style of holiness, worship,
service, and support of the church.
Section C: Discipline, Termination and Restoration
Should a member fail to meet the responsibilities outlined
in Article II, Section A & B, the Elders may discipline the member. If the
member still fails to respond and follow the commitments of membership the
member may be excommunicated by the Eldership. Since excommunication is always
for the good of the church and the person excommunicated, the restoration of
the person is desired once true repentance is realized. At that time the person
may request re—admission to the church and this may be granted by the
Eldership.
Other membership termination may be by voluntary transfer of
membership to another church at which time this church shall issue a letter of
transfer of membership, if requested. Voluntary withdrawal from the fellowship
of this church and its activities and life may also precipitate termination of
membership by the Eldership.
ARTICLE
This church shall hold a variety of regular meetings for
worship, teaching, and fellowship. There shall be at least one annual business
meeting. The business meeting(s) shall be called by the Elders and shall
include annual reports of finances and other pertinent information.
ARTICLE IV DIVISION
In case of a major division of the church membership, the
church property shall belong to those who abide by the Constitution and
By—Laws. If this cannot clearly be determined and agreed upon, the following
provision is made: In case of conflict or dispute arising between or among any
two or more groups of persons who are members of this church, including those
in leadership in the church, the disputing persons shall first undertake to
resolve the matter in personal and private confrontation(s), as commanded in
the 5th and 18th Chapters of Matthew, seeking to be reconciled to one another.
If resolution and reconciliation do not result, then the matter will be handled
as outlined in Item 3 of Section A of Article I of these By-Laws. The decision
of the Arbitration Team will be final and binding.
ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS
Amendments of these By—Laws may be made by unanimous consent
of the Eldership after such proposed action has been submitted to the
Leadership Council and the congregation for their comment. A period of not less
than one month shall be given for review. In the event that unanimity cannot be
achieved, and the majority of Elders believe that an amendment to these By—Laws
is necessary, then the process outlined in Item #3 of Section A of Article I of
these By—Laws, may also be employed to resolve such an impasse.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have subscribed our names this
_____day of , 20081987.
|
Bill Copeland Jim Dillenbeck Gary Lafferty Jim Smith |
Bruce Bannan Dan Gritsko John Manzano William Washington |
Don Brubaker Bob Hutchison Jeff Shane Jim Witkower |
John Manzano
Senior Pastor/Elder
Bruce R. Wardell
Elder
George H Ainsworth
Elder