Best Church Practices

BEST CHURCH PRACTICES Constitutions and Bylaws

TABLE OF CONTENTS...... PAGE

Leader’s Guide...... 2 A Constitution and Bylaws: To Guide and Protect...... 3–9

Sample Constitutions and Bylaws Congregational-Style Church Constitution and Bylaws ...... 10–18 Generic Presbyterian Church Constitution and Bylaws ...... 19–25 Pastor-Centered Church Bylaws...... 26–36

Other Guidelines Ethical Guidelines for Christian Living...... 37–38 A Sample Procedure for Biblical Discipline...... 39 Biblical Qualifications for Elders...... 40

Additional Resources...... 41

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Leader’s Guide How to use “Constitutions and Bylaws” by BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS Welcome. You’ve purchased an innovative resource that will help you write or revise the documents that describe the fundamentals of your church’s ministry. With a constitution and bylaws carefully written to reflect the way you plan to govern your ministry, you will be better protected from legal intrusions, better able to constructively work through internal disputes, and better organized to do ministry rather than spin your wheels. Gathered and developed by editors at Christianity Today International, the ideas, counsel, and examples in this resource represent some of the best thinking on church constitutions from churches large and small, prominent and unknown, complex and basic, with a wide variety of church structures, polity, and tradition. They will help you think through and implement the ways you determine God is calling you to govern and operate your church organization. Along with a general how-to briefing on constitutions and bylaws and what to include, we have assembled samples of three representative church constitution and bylaws, to show what other churches have done. The sample constitutions for illustrative purposes are adapted from churches with various leadership patterns, from mainline to independent, with various forms of church governance. You will also find other useful documents you may want to include in your church materials and teaching ministry, plus a listing of additional resources for further study. What you find here will help you begin the painstaking work of putting your model for church governance down on paper in a complete, reasonable, and legal manner that advances your ministry, leads your people toward discipleship, and lowers your exposure to potential problems.

Disclaimer This information is solely for educational purposes. Christianity Today International does not necessarily endorse specific doctrine or polity contained in the enclosed sample constitutions, nor does it intend this resource to constitute legal counsel. Laws concerning nonprofit incorporation and church governance vary state by state. Churches should not rely solely on the ideas expressed in these materials. Be sure to take the necessary step of consulting with an independent and qualified attorney in the state of incorporation concerning all matters pertaining to your church’s constitution and bylaws. Christianity Today International does not assume any liability for reliance on these suggestions.

Need more material, or something on a specific topic? See our website at www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com. To contact the editors: E-mail [email protected] Mail BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS, Christianity Today International 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188

A Constitution and Bylaws: To Guide and Protect Wise is the church with its affairs in order. by James D. Berkley

Not many people get excited about bylaws. Not many pastors relish the task of amending the constitution. Let’s face it: writing or reworking a church’s foundational governance papers is rather tedious, exacting work. But oh, how beneficial it is for your church to have its constitution and bylaws in order! It can mean the difference between panic and security, chaos and order, loss and gain. The church that has a sound constitution knows why it exists, what it is to do, how to get things done, who is responsible, where to turn for answers, and when to meet to celebrate its ministry. The congregation without a constitution, or that ignores its constitution and bylaws, needs to know one thing: it is headed for trouble. Guaranteed. There are few better ways to stumble into calamity than to have no plan or to have a plan and not follow it. So some group of responsible people gets to roll up their sleeves, put on their responsibility caps, and either write or revise your church’s constitution and bylaws. That’s probably you, isn’t it! While it can seem a daunting task, it does take you to the heart of why your church exists and how it will do its work. This constitution effort is a good and necessary task.

What Is a Constitution and Bylaws? Most congregations find it is best to be legally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. The benefits are many: protection of members and officers from lawsuits or personal financial responsibility for church debts, often lower or no property taxes for church property, greater ease in purchasing real property or entering into contracts, charitable deductions for donors, and so on. Thus, most congregations incorporate. A document called the articles of incorporation or articles of agreement is sometimes also called the church charter. It is a legal document that provides the foundational information for constituting the legal entity of a nonprofit corporation, such as name, foundational beliefs, purpose, core officers, and membership. Once a church is chartered, drawing up a constitution is often the next step. A constitution is meant to be the irreducible core of church government. Often the constitution includes the charter, along with further central rules for how the organization will operate. Typically, a constitution is harder to amend than bylaws or policies. Added to the constitution is usually a set of bylaws that provide greater detail and wider scope. The congregation that is founded on a constitution typically produces a set of bylaws soon after incorporation, so it will have an agreed-upon set of rules by which it will operate.

Such aspects of governance as who makes decisions, which group has final authority, how elections are conducted, how nominations are handled, how to become a member—these usually fit into the bylaws. The trick is to be thorough without being burdensome. Churches that are large and more complex still will often add another layer of regulation: manuals of policies and operations. In these manuals goes the real administrative detail, such as how offerings will be counted, or how to handle marriage services for nonmembers. The trick here is to get this kind of detail into a manual of policies or operations, and not to bloat the foundational documents with such items as how many adults must accompany Scouts on campouts.

Plans That Fit Your Polity Churches have discovered a number of ways to organize themselves. Three general categories are episcopal, congregational, and presbyterian—not the denominations, but the form of government. Episcopal polity is top down, such as in the Roman Catholic Church, where authority flows down from the pope through a structured hierarchy. In a congregation, the priest holds much authority. Congregational polity is intended to operate from the bottom up as a pure democracy (although most congregationally organized churches adopt a quasipresbyterian structure). Authority rests in the church body, and decisions flow up. Presbyterian organization is a representative democracy, with governance by an elected set of leaders. All of this is to say that the government spelled out by your constitution and bylaws needs to reflect your congregation’s choice of political organization. Thus there is no one-size-fits-all constitution and bylaws. Bylaws reflect the general scheme of governance in such ways as what role the pastor plays in leading the church or in nominations of officers. Which decisions —such as setting the budget or determining worship hours—need congregational approval? These kinds of determinations need to be made and written into the bylaws. Another decision involves how many decision-making bodies to have. Will your congregation be unicameral, with just, say, a board of elders? Or will it be bicameral, with elders for spiritual business and trustees for other business? Or will it be essentially tricameral, with elders, trustees, and deacons? Add in deaconesses, a council, and an executive board, as some churches have done, and soon things get more complicated. Many of these decisions are already made in a given church, due to tradition or denominational pattern. But most churches enjoy some latitude in what way they will organize themselves for ministry. Generally a unicameral system will produce fewer battles over turf, such as when the elders authorize something the trustees refuse to fund.

Items to Include So what should you consider including in your constitution and bylaws? Here are two annotated lists—one for the charter/constitution and one for bylaws. These lists are intended to be instructive and useful, while neither authoritative nor exhaustive.

Constitution  Name of the organization. What will the church be known as, since as a nonprofit corporation, it will be a legal entity? Usually care must be taken so that the name isn’t identical or substantially similar to any other such organization.  Address of the organization. Where will you be “doing business”?  Duration: For churches, the term is “perpetual.”  Purposes of the corporation: The government wants to know if your purpose is charitable, educational, or religious. While, of course, your purpose is religious, it would probably be useful to specify the charitable and educational aspects of your ministry as well, since courts do not always consider operating a soup kitchen or school, for example, to be necessarily religious activities. And further, do you exist to glorify God? Make disciples? Ameliorate evil? Here is the place to set down for perpetuity your congregation’s reason for being. This is also the document in which to place legal language that limits the corporation to those activities allowed for a non-profit corporation. IRS Publication 557 provides boilerplate wording about how earnings cannot go to individuals, how the corporation cannot campaign for individuals running for public office, and so on.  Denominational relationship (if any): If your congregation is to be part of a denomination, that relationship can be described here. Such matters as polity, beliefs, lines of authority and responsibility, and even property ownership hinge on such relationships, which should be spelled out carefully and clearly from the outset.  Core doctrine: Is there a confession of faith, creed, or other set of doctrines that defines your church? Here is the place to make such a document foundational to the organization.  Information about officers: The names and addresses of the incorporators and directors (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, etc.) are probably required for incorporation.  Assets upon dissolution: The Internal Revenue Service stipulates that a tax-exempt organization’s assets must pass to another tax-exempt organization, should the first organization dissolve. Such language can be found in IRS Publication 557 and should be included in the constitution.  Anything else considered fundamental: If there is some other aspect of belief, governance, membership, creed, or organization that is necessary to the irreducible core of your church’s existence, it should go in here.  Amendments: What process must be followed to amend the constitution? Is there any part of the constitution that should be designated as unamendable? Bylaws  Structures of governance: How will the government of your church generally be structured (episcopal, congregational, presbyterian)? What will be the board structure? How many constituted leadership groups will there be, what will they be called, and how will they relate to each other? Who will be responsible for what, and where does final authority lodge? What authority lodges with the pastor, with individual officers, with a board or boards, and with the congregation as a whole? A clear, unambiguous line of authority in the structure will help prevent or solve disputes. Where does the buck stop?  Membership: Who qualifies? How are members received or acknowledged? Are there various categories of membership, such as active, inactive, or associate, and how are members placed on the various rolls?

What are the privileges of each type of membership and how do they differ? What is your church’s provision for discipline of members? How can members be removed from the roll? (It is important that individuals be made aware of church discipline procedures and give their written assent to them prior to becoming members, due to lawsuits by those who have objected to what they consider invasion of privacy and defamation of character when they have been disciplined.)  Officers and directors: Generally, who will lead your church and in what offices? What leadership positions need to be filled and how will that be done? How do persons get placed on church boards and committees (usually by nomination and election)? What are the term lengths, will they be staggered for continuity’s sake, and are there term limits? What is the process required to remove a leader from office? How is a vacancy filled upon the death, resignation, or removal of a leader? What are the general requirements for officers and what is expected of them (responsible involvement, prudent judgment, seeking the good of the church, no inurement of private benefit, no conflict of interest, etc.)? If a nominating committee is to be used, how is that committee constituted or elected, and what rules govern its composition and operation? What is the extent of the power of individual officers and board members? If such information is not spelled out, usually courts will revert to boilerplate language found in state nonprofit corporation law, which may or may not be what your church would intend.  Pastoral leadership: What is the process for calling a pastor? How are other pastors and key program staff members called? What are the basic requirements and expectations for pastoral office? What is the leadership role and the extent of authority vested in the pastor? What is the role and authority of associate pastors and/or key program staff members? How will pastors and program heads be supervised and evaluated? What is the process to remove the pastor? What is the process to remove associate pastors or program staff heads? Who has the authority to make personnel decisions for other program- and support-staff members?  Meetings: When and where do regular, stated meetings of the congregation take place? What notice for the regular meeting is required, who gives it, and is it to be written, oral or both? What business can be considered and how is it properly brought to the meeting? What, exactly, constitutes a quorum? Who can call special meetings of the congregation and how are such meetings called? What kind of notice is required? What business can be brought up in a special meeting, and by what process? What business cannot be considered? What rules govern the conduct of meetings? (If you specify Robert’s Rules of Order, be sure to note which edition or stipulate the latest edition.) What records of the proceedings are to be kept, and who keeps them? Can meetings ever be held or decisions made by mail, conference call, or on-line conference? Are business meetings open to members, and what is the provision, if any, for executive session (closed meetings) of boards or committees?  Voting: Who can vote? Do any particular kinds of votes require secret written ballots? Are absentee or proxy votes ever allowed, and what rules regulate their use? What level of majority is required for various kinds of decisions (such as 75% for calling a pastor, or two-thirds to change the constitution)? Is the majority specifically a majority of members, those present, or those who cast votes?  Property and finance: Who has the authority to make decisions about the purchase or sale of property? How are construction or renovation decisions made? Who can authorize mortgage or line-of-credit debt? Who authorizes special fund-raising campaigns? What will be the church’s fiscal year? If there is to be a budget process, what is that process, who approves the budget, and how can the budget be revised or adjusted during a fiscal year? Who authorizes expenditures, and what level of expenditure requires special authorization? Who sets salaries and benefits for employees? What will be the annual

auditing method to insure the integrity of financial records? Will church officers and employees who handle money be required to be bonded? How will the church manage endowments and designated giving?  Dispute resolution: Many churches include a clause that points members, officers, and employees to Matthew 18 as a biblical method for resolving differences. Many also require that disputes of all kinds be subject to resolution through arbitration or mediation, rather than by resort to secular courts. Since conflicts do arise in any organization, the inclusion of such a clause can avert many difficulties.  Amendments: What process must be followed to amend the bylaws?

Notes for Writing Teams As you set out to write or revise a constitution and bylaws, here are a few more tips you might find helpful.  Seek legal counsel within your state. Please do not construe this article as legal advice. It is meant for instructional purposes only. Any general advice on legal documents ought to include such a proviso, since each church is different, but even more so, because each state has different nonprofit incorporation laws. Some states grant nonprofit status only for a year, and it must be renewed; others have longer terms or other reasons before renewal is required. Some states or jurisdictions waive taxes; others don’t. While there is some similarity in nonprofit law among states, it is imperative that a given church in a given state have an attorney at least review its constitution and bylaws for local compliance. Again, one size does not fit all.  Check out the Revised Model Nonprofit Corporation Act (available on the Web: http://www.muridae.com/nporegulation/documents/model_npo_corp_act.html). Or, better yet, get a copy of your state nonprofit corporation law. There are three good reasons for wading through this boilerplate language: First, these wordy, exhaustive sample statutes provide generally agreed-upon legal language for just about any clause you would want to add to your constitution. You are free—even encouraged—to plagiarize all you want, rather than construct your own parallel legalese. Second, its exhaustive nature points out many topics you might not think to cover. You may still want to skip many subjects, but you can do that consciously, rather than by omission. Third, should your congregation fail to cover a given subject and a dispute arises, secular courts are likely to apply state law to the situation. Thus, especially if you want to stipulate something different than the model act or state law, you will need to write that into your constitution. Otherwise, the state law probably will apply by default, like it or not.  Aim for unambiguous precision and clarity. Let’s say your constitution reads: “All meetings shall be open to any member. Meetings may be closed by a two-thirds vote.” That would be ambiguous and imprecise. If “all meetings shall be open,” why a provision to close them? Which conflicting provision does one follow? And what exactly is a “two-thirds” vote—two-thirds of those present, two-thirds of those eligible to vote, or two-thirds of those actually voting? You don’t know, and such ambiguity and imprecision becomes a seedbed for disputes. Clear, logical provisions that aren’t in conflict make for good constitutions.  Test your draft documents to see if you can “break” them. Software testers try to “break” a new program to find the bugs in the software, so they can be fixed before release. Testers want to know where it would break down in use. You can do the same with your draft constitution by coming up with “What if?”

questions: What if the elders authorize an evening service and the deacons refuse to support it with ushers and greeters? What if the treasurer wants to serve as general contractor for the church building project? What if the pastors want to preach on the Old Testament and the elders want the New Testament? And so on. In each case, would the constitution and bylaws provide a clear path to determine authority, responsibility, policy, and conflict resolution? The constitution and bylaws are meant to order church life properly and effectively. When you vigorously envision questions that could arise, do the documents prove a help or hindrance to good order? When you go to the documents for counsel, do they provide the clear instructions you need?  You may want to provide separate incorporation for some church entities. While churches usually desire a united government for all the church activities, some activities may threaten too much liability to the mother organization and would be best incorporated separately. A church camp, a halfway house for released sexual offenders, a free medical clinic for the poor, a day school, or any number of other ministries might be best incorporated separately from the church itself. This is a case where legal counsel about the pros and cons of joint incorporation is recommended. Having everything under the same umbrella may not make good legal sense if the umbrella itself could be imperiled.

The Final Tests When you are just about ready to roll out your proposed constitution and bylaws for adoption, here are three final hurdles to cross. First, are these documents and all they stipulate consonant with what the Bible teaches us about our life together and therefore pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ? The Church is like no other organization, and it must march first to the beat of a Holy Drummer. Do these documents lead your church toward the model of church life and holy living that God has called us to through the biblical witness? God’s vote should be the overriding one. Second, do these documents further the ministry God calls you to perform as a congregation, rather than encumber or hinder it? God is a God of order and justice. Do these documents reflect those qualities and help you do the work of ministry? If they needlessly entangle you in red tape or if they lead you into rancor and dispute, they are less than useful. But if they help you accomplish God’s purposes and do so appropriately without division and misunderstanding, then they have been well worth the effort. Third, will the congregation approve the documents, and is it willing to live within their bounds? People will not be governed for long by regulations they don’t believe in. So are the provisions of the constitution and bylaws not only approved by vote but actually embraced and followed by the congregation? People vote most conclusively with their actions. Since we are fallen people, there will never be trouble-free ministry. However, the ultimate confirmation of a fine constitution and bylaws is in how these documents prove useful for effective and trouble-minimized ministry, to the glory of God.

—James D. Berkley is interim rector of Presbyterian Action for Faith and Freedom, a committee of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, located in Washington, D.C. Formerly senior associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, WA, editor of Your Church magazine, and senior

associate editor of Leadership journal, Jim now ministers out of an office in Bellevue, WA.

Congregational-Style Church Constitution and Bylaws

This is an excellent example of both a constitution, which fulfills the legal requirements for incorporating as a nonprofit corporation, and a set of bylaws, which sets up a modified congregational style of government. The document presents a clear, concise, and complete illustration of one way to prepare foundational church documents. While this example limits the leadership roles of women, churches affirming women pastors and elders can easily adapt this model.

Constitution

ARTICLE I Name

1.1 The name of the Corporation is “Congregational-Style Church.”

ARTICLE II Purpose

2.1 This corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law) including the following: The purpose for which this corporation is formed are:

2.2 To promote public and private worship; to encourage Christian fellowship; to preach and teach the Word of God through a program of Christian Education; to administer the ordinances of Baptism and this Lord’s Supper; to engage in personal and public evangelism; and to support missionary endeavors at home and abroad.

2.3 To otherwise promote and develop any other type of religious or charitable work within the limits and restrictions provided by or under the laws of the State of [name state] or any other lawful authority not in conflict therewith.

ARTICLE III Doctrinal Statement

3.1 We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 14:26; 16:12–15)

3.2 We believe in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19)

3.3 We believe that Jesus Christ is true God (John 1:1) and true man (Hebrews 2:14), having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:34, 35). He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3; 20:24–29), and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:1–9), where he is

at the right hand of the Majesty on High (Colossians 3:1). He now is our High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 7:25, 26; 1 John2:1; Philippians 2:5–7).

3.4 We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14) and during this age to convict men (John 16:8), regenerate the believing sinner (John 3:5–8), indwell (1 Corinthians 12: 13), guide, instruct (John 14:26), and empower the believer for godly living and service (Ephesians 5:18–21).

3.5 We believe that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) but fell into sin (Genesis 3) and is therefore lost (Romans 5:12–21), and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (John 3:5–8).

3.6 We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and his Resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe (Hebrews 9:22–28; Romans 4:25), and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God (John 1:10–13; 3:5–8).

3.7 We believe that Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age (Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

3.8 We believe that the true church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which he is the Head (Colossians 1: 18–22).

3.9 We believe that only those who are thus members of the true church shall be eligible for membership in the local church (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:47b).

3.10 We believe that Jesus is the Lord and the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18) and that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs (Matthew 18: 17; 1 Corinthians 6:4, 5).

3.11 We believe in the personal (Acts 1:11) and pre-millennial (Revelation 19:19–20:6) and imminent (Mark 13:33–37; Revelation 22:20) coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (Titus 2:11–14).

3.12 We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead: of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:7–15).

ARTICLE IV Period of Existence

4.1 The period during which the Corporation shall continue is perpetual.

ARTICLE V Resident Agent and Principal Office

5.1 Resident Agent. The name and address of the Corporation’s Resident Agent for service of process is: [name of person], [street address, city, state, ZIP].

5.2 Principal Office. The Address of the Principal Office of the Corporation is [name of church, street address, city, state, ZIP].

ARTICLE VI Membership

6.1 Classes. There shall be three classes of membership: Active, Inactive, and Youth. “Inactive members” shall be all members who have not attended at least twelve (12) weekly worship services in any calendar year. “Youth members” shall be all members who have not as yet reached their eighteenth (18th) birthday.

6.2 Rights, Preferences, Limitations, and Restrictions of Classes. All members of the church shall have the same rights, preferences, limitations, and restrictions, except Inactive and Youth members shall have no voting privileges.

6.3 Voting. Each Active Member shall be entitled to one vote at all meetings of the members. There shall be no proxy or absentee votes.

6.4 The membership of this church shall be composed of those individuals who:  Have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior.  Have given evidence of this acceptance by public confession.  Have attended a membership class as approved by the Board of Elders.

6.5 Applicants shall be received into membership by the congregation after being affirmed by the Board of Elders regarding:  Their acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior.  Their acceptance of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church.

6.6 Further matters regarding transfer and removal from membership shall be enumerated in the Bylaws and Policy Manual.

ARTICLE VII Trustees of the Corporation

7.1 The exact number of Trustees shall be prescribed from time to time in the Bylaws of the Corporation. However, the maximum number shall be twelve (12) and the minimum number shall be seven (7). The Board of Elders shall be the Trustees of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII Provisions for Regulation and Conduct of the Affairs of the Corporation

8.1 This church shall be organized under a congregational form of government, and the membership shall have the right of final review of all church affairs.

8.2 No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Articles of Incorporation.

8.3 In case of division, the property of this church shall belong to the body of members who adhere to this Constitution and Bylaws.

8.4 In the event of dissolution of the Corporation, the property of this church shall revert to [name of denomination or other charitable organization].

8.5 Other provisions for the conduct and regulation of the affairs of the Corporation shall be further prescribed in the Bylaws and Policy Manual of the Corporation.

ARTICLE IX Amendments

9.1 The doctrinal Statement and Constitution, with the exception of Articles I and V, and paragraph 8.4 of Article VIII of the Constitution, shall not be changed or amended.

Bylaws

ARTICLE X Officers of the Corporation

10.1 The officers of the Corporation are the officers of the elder board, namely the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. The officers are elected by the board at its organizational meeting prior to the beginning of each ministry year, typically the August meeting.

ARTICLE XI Elders/Elder Board

11.1 The elder board consists of up to twelve (12) voting elders, nine (9) of which have been elected by the church membership and are not pastors or other members of the ministry staff. The other voting members are the Senior Pastor and up to two Executive Pastors. Senior staff is also welcome to attend elder board meetings, but have no voting privileges. Other staff may also be invited to attend meetings from time to time. Elders who have served in the past, but are not currently serving, are still considered elders and are welcome to attend regular elder board meetings, but do not have voting privileges.

11.2 The elder board provides leadership to the congregation by overseeing the affairs of the church. It is ac - countable to the church membership for the spiritual welfare of the congregation, the oversight of its discipleship and operational ministries, and the well-being of the staff and their families.

11.3 An elder must be male and a member of the church. His character will be governed by the biblical standards specified in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. He shall have served at least one term on a church ministry team (or have equivalent ministry experience) and have an approved form of advanced discipleship training and experience.

11.4 At the annual organizational meeting of the elder board, the board shall appoint committees to oversee appropriate ministries of the board or consider special issues and bring recommendations regarding those issues for action by the full board during the coming year. Other committees or task forces may also be appointed by the elder board as special needs arise.

11.5 The elder board shall meet regularly to conduct business. A quorum for conducting business at any meeting consists of 67% (2/3) of the current board voting membership. Executive sessions of the elder board may be held from time to time, with attendance by other than elected elders and executive staff by invitation only.

ARTICLE XII Deacons/Ministry Teams

12.1 Ministry teams shall assist the elder board by overseeing specific ongoing ministries. Each team shall be composed of four deacons (male) and/or deaconesses (female) elected by the congregation and led by a member of the church’s senior staff. Each team may also include appointed members and other staff members, as needed and appropriate. These teams are accountable to the elder board for the various ministries, including all disciple-making and operational ministries.

12.2 Each member of the senior staff shall lead a ministry team. Creation of new ministry teams shall be approved by the congregation.

12.3 A deacon or deaconess is to be a member of the church. His or her character will be governed by the biblical standards specified in 1 Timothy 3. He/she shall have had some form of discipleship training.

12.4 The function of the ministry teams, in cooperation with the team leaders, is to initiate, develop, implement, and evaluate programs and activities within their unique scope of responsibility.

12.5 Each ministry team is empowered and encouraged to establish sub-teams to help carry out the responsibilities of that area of ministry.

ARTICLE XIII Staff

13.1 The staff levels are:  Executive  Senior  Associate  Support

13.2 The executive staff consists of the Senior Pastor, along with up to two executive pastors. Individuals may join the executive staff only by vote of the congregation, upon recommendation of the Elder Board. Executive

staff members shall serve as voting elders.

13.3 The senior staff consists of ministry team leaders. Individuals may join the senior staff only by vote of the congregation, upon recommendation of the Elder Board. An individual may be a member of the executive and senior staffs simultaneously, if desirable and the individual is duly qualified. Senior staff shall serve as nonvoting elders.

13.4 The associate staff consists of ministry associates that provide assistance to the senior or executive staff. It shall consist of those positions deemed necessary to effectively carry out the ministry of the church. The executive staff, in consultation with the senior staff, may hire an individual for an associate staff position as needed, provided the position has had prior approval by the congregation.

13.5 The support staff consists of those administrative, clerical, and custodial positions that are necessary to effectively support the ministry of the church. Each member of the support staff reports to a member of the executive, senior, or associate staff. The senior staff, in consultation with the executive staff, may hire an individual for a support staff position as needed, provided the position has had prior approval by the congregation.

13.6 The Senior Pastor shall:  Preach/teach the Word of God.  Be an elder of the church.  Be accountable to the elder board.  Oversee the work of the executive pastor(s).

13.7 The Executive Pastor(s) shall:  Teach the Word of God.  Be an elder(s) of the church.  Be accountable to the senior pastor.  Oversee the work of the senior staff.

13.8 The Senior Staff shall:  Teach the Word of God.  Lead ministry teams.  Be accountable to the appropriate executive pastor.  Manage their areas of ministry, including the work of any associate or support staff assigned to them.

13.9 The Associate Staff shall:  Be members of the church.  Participate on ministry teams.  Be accountable to the appropriate senior or executive staff member.  Implement the ministry to which they are assigned.

13.10 The Support Staff shall:  Participate on ministry teams as appropriate.  Be accountable to the appropriate senior or associate staff member.  Perform their assigned duties in support of the ministry.

13.11 A current personal profile and position focus shall exist for each of the above staff positions. These documents shall be reviewed and revised by the elder board from time to time. A review must take place each time a position is vacated and a new person is to be employed for that position.

13.12 The employment relationship of any of the paid staff to the church is at will and may be terminated at any time by one of the following means:  The staff member resigns or is determined to be incapable of carrying out his/her duties.  The congregation dismisses a member of the executive or senior staff.  The executive staff, in consultation with the senior staff, dismisses an associate or support staff member.

ARTICLE XIV Nominations and Elections

14.1 A nominating team meets during the month of January each year to select candidates for the coming ministry year. The team is to consist of one (1) person from each ministry team, one (1) person from the elder board, and a member of the executive staff. Each nominating team member shall be selected by the group he or she represents.

14.2 The following offices are elected by the congregation annually:  Three (3) of nine (9) elders. Elders may serve a three-year, nonconsecutive term.  Two (2) of the four (4) deacons or deaconesses on each ministry team. Deacons or deaconesses may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms.

14.3 The nominating team solicits and prepares a slate of candidates for these offices, to be voted upon at the annual congregational meeting. The slate of candidates may also include replacements for any vacancies that have occurred for any reason other than completion of term. (These may be presented and voted upon at any congregational meeting that has been called according to the provisions stated in section 15.1.)

14.4 Nominations for these offices may also be made from the floor at the congregational meeting, provided the nominee is duly qualified and has given prior consent.

14.5 To be duly qualified, a nominee must be an active church member in good standing. Nominees for the elder board must also meet the requirements of section 11.3.

14.6 An elected leader is to be removed from office if he/she fails to uphold the qualifications or responsibilities of his/her ministry. This removal from office shall be by vote of the congregation at a duly called congregational meeting.

ARTICLE XV Congregational Meetings

15.1 The congregation meets annually to approve the ministry plans, including the budget, for the coming year and to vote upon a slate of candidates for the elder board and ministry teams. Other congregational meetings may take place as needed, provided they have been called by the Board and the meeting is announced at least

two (2) Sunday mornings prior to the meeting. A congregational meeting shall be scheduled to deal with any specific issue or set of issues if a formal request is made to the elder board by at least ten (10) church members.

15.2 The annual congregational meeting shall be set at least three months prior to the start of the ministry/fiscal year. This will typically be on the first Sunday of the month of May.

15.3 The ministry year and the fiscal year run concurrently. They begin on September 1 and end on August 31.

15.4 A quorum to conduct business at congregational meetings is 20% of the voting-eligible membership. This quorum is to consist of those members who indicate their attendance at the beginning of the meeting. To be “voting-eligible,” a person must be an active member in good standing.

15.5 A “vote for action” shall be by simple majority of the quorum, unless determined as in section 15.6.

15.6 Action shall be taken on certain issues only if the affirmative vote is at least two-thirds (66.67%) of the quorum. These issues are to be decided by secret ballot and shall include:  Calling or dismissing a member of the executive or senior staff.  Approval of the budget or capital items (see 16.4).  Purchase or disposal of real property.  Amending the bylaws (see Article XVII).

ARTICLE XVI Protocols

16.1 The Chairman of the Corporation (or Vice Chairman in the Chairman’s absence):  Presides at all meetings of the elder board.  Presides at business meetings of the congregation.  Sees that the meetings are conducted in an appropriate manner.  Signs legal documents for the church.

16.2 The Secretary of the Corporation:  Records all minutes of meetings of the elder board.  Records all minutes of business meetings of the congregation.  Signs legal documents for the church.  Is a secondary signer of church checks.

16.3 The Treasurer of the Corporation:  Serves as chairman of the Elder Finance Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee.  Works with executive staff to see that financial records are maintained for the corporation (but does not actually keep or alter the books, to maintain separation of responsibilities for internal control).  Signs legal documents for the church.  Is the primary signer of church checks.

16.4 The Elder Board shall appoint an audit committee from the board membership at its annual organizational meeting. 16.4.1 The Audit Committee will recommend an independent auditor to the Elder Board for approval by

the Board, to be engaged for the fiscal year beginning the following September. 16.4.2 The Audit Committee will oversee the audit process, with cooperation from appropriate staff. 16.4.3 The Audit Committee will receive the audit from the independent auditor and report the findings to the Board of Elders for approval.

16.5 The elder board may approve additional expenditures of funds, beyond the approved budget, of up to 1 % of the approved total annual budget. They shall notify the congregation of such action in an appropriate manner.

16.6 The officers of the Corporation shall not execute any legal documents that obligate the church, such as mortgages or contracts pertaining to the real property of the church, without the express consent by vote of the congregation.

16.7 The signatures of at least two of the officers of the Corporation are required to execute most legal documents that obligate the church, such as contracts, mortgages, or other documents pertaining to the purchase or sale of real property. Exceptions to this requirement include signing for titles or registrations for church- owned vehicles and contracts for less that $25,000. In these cases, the elder board may delegate this authority to the appropriate staff or elder board member.

16.8 The elder board and each ministry team are responsible for development and implementation of policy within their areas of ministry. These policies, along with other documents, such as church procedures, business papers, and financial records, are filed in the church records center and made available to any member of the congregation upon request.

16.9 All church policy is to be approved by the elder board.

ARTICLE XVII Amendments to the Bylaws

17.1 These Bylaws (Articles X through XVI) can be amended by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote of the congregation at a meeting as described in section 15.1, provided there has been at least a one-month period between the introduction of such an amendment and the congregational vote.

Adapted, with permission, from the Constitution and Bylaws of Liberty Bible Church, Chesterton, Indiana.

Generic Presbyterian Church Constitution and Bylaws

This is an example of a presbyterian form of unicameral government under the authority of a denominational constitution (Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order). Although there is a board of elders (session) and a board of deacons, the deacons operate under the authority of the elders. This model relies on the governance detail supplied in the denominational constitution.

Constitution: Articles of Incorporation

Know all men by these presents: That we the undersigned, [set of names of incorporators], all of whom are residents of [name of state,] and citizens of the United States of America, do hereby associate ourselves together for the purpose of forming an Ecclesiastical Corporation under and by virtue of the laws of the State of [name of state], and for that purpose do hereby make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver these Articles.

ARTICLE I

1.1 The name of this Corporation is and shall be [legal name of church.]

ARTICLE II

2.1 The purposes for which this Corporation is formed are to receive, accept, acquire, own, hold title to, care for, manage, sell, dispose of, or mortgage according to law, all of the real and personal property which has been or may hereafter be given to, contributed for, or otherwise acquired by or for that certain religious organization known as [legal name of church], which was organized on [date of organization] by authority of the Presbytery of [name of presbytery] for the worship of the Almighty Triune God, and for religious teaching, biblical training, Christian educational work, and acts of charity and service incidental hereto, according to the government, doctrine, discipline, law, and usages of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).1

ARTICLE III

3.1 The place where the principal place of business of said Corporation will be is [church address].

ARTICLE IV

4.1 The term for which said Corporation is to exist is perpetual.

1 In today’s legal climate and with difficulties within denominations, such a statement in the Articles of Incorporation could lead a court to award the church property to the denomination, should the church desire to leave the denomination, since the denomination’s Book of Order includes a clause about churches holding title to land in trust for the denomination. Churches wanting to retain title to their property upon changing denominational affiliation need to spell that out clearly in their Articles of Incorporation. Articles of Incorporation normally may be amended at a later date, and if the trust is not an irrevocable trust, an amendment could revoke any implied ownership by the denomination.

ARTICLE V

5.1 The members of said Corporation shall consist of all those who are now and may hereafter become and continue to be members in full communion of said [church name], according to the government, doctrine, law, discipline, and usages of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

ARTICLE VI

The affairs of this Corporation shall be managed as follows and by the following boards:

6.1 This Corporation shall have a Board of Elders to consist of not less than fifteen members, who shall do and perform all the duties required of the Board of Elders, according to the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and who shall manage the temporal affairs of the Church, govern, and control in all matters pertaining to the spiritual and material welfare of said Corporation.

6.2 This Corporation shall have a Board of Deacons to consist of not less than twelve members, whose duty it shall be to look after the poor, protect the widow and orphan, administer to the distressed, and perform all the duties outlined by the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

6.3 This Corporation shall have a Board of Trustees of not less than three members, whose duty it shall be to hold title to property and convey title when instructed by the congregation so to do and sign the Corporation name of this Corporation to official papers when instructed so to do by the congregation.

6.4 The Trustees are the officers of this Corporation.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and souls this [date, such as “eleventh day of March, 1957”].

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the presence of [name] Notary Public. [signatures of incorporators]

Bylaws

ARTICLE I Statement 0f Principles

Section 1. As used herein, “Church” refers to the Presbyterian Church (United States of America), and “church” refers to Generic Presbyterian Church.

Section 2. The Generic Presbyterian Church consists of a number of professing Christians, with their children, voluntarily associated together for divine worship and godly living agreeable to the Holy Scriptures.

Section 3. This church exists under and by virtue of the authority of the Presbytery of [local presbytery’s name] of the Presbyterian Church (United States of America).

Section 4. The members of Generic Presbyterian Church do hereby covenant and agree to walk together as disciples of Jesus Christ in a church relation according to the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (United States of America), (herein referred to as the “Constitution of the Church,”) and further to maintain the church by our attendance at its services, our support of its work, our gifts, our efforts, and our prayers, and to seek in its fellowship to glorify the name and further the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Section 5. The ordinances of the church are the worship of God; prayer; singing praises; reading, expounding, and preaching the Word of God; administering Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; thanksgiving; catechizing; making collections for the poor and performing other acts of charity; exercising discipline; and blessing the people and the community in which we are located.

ARTICLE II Church Members

Section 1. The members of the church consist of those who profess faith in Christ, promise obedience to his laws, accept the church’s ordinances, and have been received into the communion of the church upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or upon presentation of satisfactory certificate of church membership for persons coming from other churches, or, in the absence of such certificate, upon reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Section 2. The children of believers are, through the covenant and by right of birth, part of the universal Church. Hence they are entitled to baptism and to the pastoral care and nurture of the Church, to the end that they embrace Christ and claim the benefits of the covenant.

Section 3. Members of the church are under obligation to make diligent use of the means of grace, to share faithfully in the worship and service of the church, to give of their substance as the Lord may prosper them, to render wholehearted service to Christ and his Kingdom throughout the world, and to continue in the peace and fellowship of the people of God.

Section4. All baptized persons, even though they are adults and have made no profession of their faith in Christ, are entitled to the pastoral care and instruction of the church, and are proper recipients of its loving admonition and correction.

ARTICLE III Meetings

Section 1. The session shall prepare and maintain a list of all communicant members of the church. Only communicant members of all ages are eligible to vote. There shall be no voting by proxy or in absentia.

Section 2. All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer.

Section 3. A quorum shall consist of the moderator, secretary, and 10 per cent of the membership of the church.

Section 4. There shall be two annual meetings of the congregation in the church edifice for the transaction of

any business that may properly be brought before it. The annual meeting for reporting on activities and financial matters shall be held in January. The annual meeting for the election of officers shall be held in May, with officers assuming their duties July 1.

Section 5. Special meetings may be called by the session or by the Presbytery. Such calls shall state clearly the purpose of such meeting, and no other matter, except that specified in the call, may be considered.

Section 6. Public notice must be given from the pulpit on at least two Sundays next preceding all annual and special meetings, giving the time and place of such meeting.

Section 7. The senior pastor shall preside at all meetings, except should there be a vacancy in the pastorate, or if the pastor and the session agree that the subjects to be considered require it, or if the pastor is ill or otherwise unable to attend. In the event another minister serves this church, the session may invite that person to preside, or the session may invite a minister of the Presbytery to preside. This letter of invitation shall be cleared through the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery.

Section 8. The clerk of session shall be the secretary of all meetings of the congregation. In the clerk’s absence, the session shall designate an alternate.

Section 9. Meetings of the congregation shall be conducted in accordance with the Book of Order, so far as it applies, and when it does not apply, then according to the most recent version of Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IV Ministers

Section 1. As the Lord has given different gifts to the ministers of the Word, and has committed to them various works to execute, the church is authorized to call and appoint them to labor as pastors, teachers, and evangelists, and in such other works as may be needful to the church, according to the gifts in which they excel.

Section 2. The office of the ministry is the first in the church in both dignity and usefulness. The persons who fill this office have, in Scripture, obtained different names expressive of their various duties. As they have the oversight of the flock of Christ, they are termed bishops. As they feed them with spiritual food, they are termed pastors. As they serve Christ in the church, they are termed ministers. As it is their duty to be grave and prudent, they are termed presbyters or elders. As they are sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled to God through Christ, they are termed ambassadors. And as they dispense the manifold grace of God and the ordinances instituted by Christ, they are termed stewards of the mysteries of God. Both men and women may be called to this office.

Section 3. When a minister is called to labor as a pastor, it belongs to the office to pray to God for and with his or her flock; to feed the flock by reading, expounding, teaching, and preaching the Word; to cultivate in the congregation the singing of the praises of God; to administer the sacraments; to instruct the children and youth; to lead in the educational program of the church; to visit the people, devoting special attention to the poor, the sick, the afflicted, and the dying; and, with the ruling elders, to exercise the joint power of government.

Section 4. When there is a vacancy in the pastorate of the church, the session shall call a congregational

meeting to convene at the regular place of worship to elect a nominating committee representative of the whole congregation, whose duty it sl1all be to nominate a minister to the congregation for election as pastor. Required public notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be given. The nominating committee shall confer with the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. When the committee is ready to report, it shall notify the session, which shall call a congregational meeting at the regular place of worship for the purpose of acting on the report of the nominating committee. Required public notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be given. When the congregation is convened for the election of a pastor, the moderator of the session (or some other minister of the Presbytery appointed by him or her) shall preside, and the clerk of the session shall act as secretary. The pastor shall be elected by majority vote of all the communicant members of all ages in the church, but no others. The same procedure shall be followed in the selection of an associate pastor.

ARTICLE V Ruling Elders: Session

Section 1. As there were elders of the people in Old Testament times for the purpose of government, so in the New Testament Church, Christ has provided others beside the ministers of the Word with gifts and the commission to govern. These officers are given the title of ruling elders.

Section 2. Those who fill this office ought to be blameless in life and sound in the faith. They should be persons of wisdom and discretion, and in their walk and conversation should be examples to the flock.

Section 3. Ruling elders, the immediate representatives of the people, are chosen by them, that, in association with the minister or ministers, they may exercise government and discipline, and take the oversight of the spiritual interests of this particular church, and also of the Church generally, when called thereunto. It appertains to their office, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to their charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. Evils that they cannot correct by private admonition, they should bring to the notice of the session.

Section 4. Ruling elders should instruct the seekers, comfort the mourner, and nourish and guard the children of the church. All those duties that private Christians are bound to discharge by the law of love are especially incumbent upon elders by divine vocation, and are to be discharged as official duties. They should pray with and for the people. They should be careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock and should inform the pastor of cases of sickness, affliction, and wakening, and of all others which may need the pastor’s special attention. They should, moreover, cultivate zealously their aptness to teach the Bible and should take every opportunity to do so, to the end that destitute places, mission points, and churches without pastors may be supplied with religious services.

Section 5. The session shall consist of the pastor (or co-pastors), associate pastors (if any), and the ruling elders in active service.

Section 6, Ruling elders shall be divided into three equal classes, one class of whom shall be elected each year at the annual meeting for a three-year term. Ruling elders may not be elected to serve another term without a break of at least a year, although ruling elders who have been elected to fill a vacancy may subsequently be elected to a full term without a break.

Section 7. One-third of the ruling elders, with a properly designated moderator, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 8. The pastor (head of staff) of the church shall be the moderator of the session. When for prudential reasons it may appear advisable that some other minister should be invited to preside, or in the case of the sickness or absence of the pastor, or when the church is without a pastor, the selection of a moderator shall be according to the Book of Order.

Section 9. The session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation, for which purpose it has power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church; to call before it offenders and witnesses, being members of its own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue and when they can be procured to attend; to instruct parents who are communicants to present their children for baptism; to decide who shall be members of the church and to receive them into the communion of the church upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ, upon presentation of satisfactory certificate of church membership, or, in the absence of such certificate upon the part of persons coming from other churches, upon reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ; to grant certificates of dismissal to other churches, which when given to parents shall always include the names of their baptized children; to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend or exclude from the sacraments those who are found to deserve censure; to determine the best measures for promoting the spiritual interest of the congregation; to supervise the church school, the work of the deacons and the trustees of the church corporation, and all the groups or agencies of the congregation; to participate with the minister in the examination, ordination, and installation of ruling elders and deacons on their election by the congregation; and to appoint representatives to higher judicatories of the Church.

Section 10. The session shall exercise exclusive authority over the times and places of religious services, the uses to which church properties shall be put, financial affairs of the church, and the apportionment of offerings. The session may from time to time delegate administrative responsibilities in respect to the financial affairs of the church to a board of trustees or a financial committee, subject always to the superior authority and direction of the session.

Section 11. The session shall have also those other duties, responsibilities, authority, and privileges specified in the Book of Order.

Section 12. The session shall hold stated meetings. The moderator may convene the session when he or she may judge it requisite, and shall always convene it when requested to do so by any two of the ruling elders. The session shall open and close its meetings with prayer. It shall keep a legible and accurate record of its proceedings, of those persons admitted to membership, of the deaths and removals of church members, of marriages, and of baptisms.

ARTICLE VI Deacons: Board of Deacons

Section 1. The Scriptures clearly point out deacons as distinct officers in the church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus.

Section 2. To the office of deacon should be chosen persons of spiritual mind, exemplary life, friendly spirit,

and sound judgment.

Section 3. The board of deacons shall minister to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress, in accordance with the scriptural duties of the office. There may be delegated to the board of deacons, under the direction of the session, certain specifically designated responsibilities relating to the development of the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to the devising of effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to its evangelistic, missionary, and educational programs. The board of deacons shall assume such duties, not limited to the foregoing, as may be delegated to it by the session.

Section 4. Deacons shall be divided into three equal classes, one class of whom shall be elected each year at the annual meeting for a three-year term. Deacons may be elected to successive terms.

Section 5. The board of deacons shall consist of the pastor (or co-pastors) and the deacons in active service. If more than one minister serves the church, the session may name, with the consent of the pastor, another minister or other ministers to membership on the board of deacons in place of the pastor.

Section 6. One-third of the board 0f deacons shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7. The designated pastor shall be the moderator of the board of deacons. However, upon the request of the pastor, the session may either (1) designate as moderator of the board another minister who has been named to membership thereon, or (2) authorize the board to elect a moderator from its membership.

Section 8. The board of deacons shall hold stated meetings. Special meetings shall be held whenever requested by two of its members or by the session or by the pastor. The board shall keep a record of its proceedings and furnish a copy to the Clerk of Session. The board shall keep a record of all funds at its approval and shall report such record to the session at least once a year, and at other times upon the request of the session.

Section 9. The board shall have also those other duties, responsibilities, authority, and privileges specified in the Book of Order.

ARTICLE VII Amendments

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members voting at any annual meeting or at a special meeting properly called for that purpose. In all cases, a complete written transcript of any and all proposed changes shall be made available to members at least four full weeks prior to such vote being taken, and notice of the meeting shall be as specified in these bylaws.

Adapted, with permission, from the Constitution and Bylaws of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Washington.

Pastor-Centered Church Bylaws

This church, which we’ll call “Pastor-Centered Church,” has a mixed episcopal– congregational model of church government, although it is an independent charismatic church. Its government revolves around a strong pastor figure, given considerable authority. Cell-group ministry is also central to its structure and mission.

ARTICLE I Church Organization and Government

1.1 General. The name of this church is “Pastor-Centered Church” (the “Church”). As set forth in the Constitution, the Church shall be a congregational church, not subject to the control or jurisdiction of any ecclesiastical body or organization.

1.2 Governance. Except as otherwise provided in the Church Constitution, these Bylaws shall govern the organization and governance of (and other matters relating to) the Church. Except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Constitution, the management, policies and operation of the Church shall be subject to the direction of the Pastor or Senior Minister. The Pastor may appoint elders (“Elders”), as the Pastor shall deem necessary or appropriate, whose role shall be to oversee the flock of God (Acts 20:28–31). The pastor may nominate associate minister(s) who will be elected by the congregation. Their primary responsibility will be to serve and to minister to the spiritual needs of the congregation. There shall be a group of deacons (the “Deacons”), nominated by the pastor and elected by the Church congregation, who shall report and be responsible to the Pastor and whose principal purposes shall be to serve and to minister to the physical needs of the congregation. It is expected that much of the work and ministry of the Church will be carried out in and through home cell groups (“Cells”) consisting of less than approximately twelve members, and that the members of the Church will participate in the activities of Cells. A Cell Leader will be approved by the Pastor for each Cell to continue the ministry of the Church in a home-fellowship setting, following the model set forth in the second chapter of the Book of Acts. In addition, the Pastor, subject to the approval of the congregation, may appoint one or more officers and staff members (collectively, the “Staff”). All Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Cell Leaders, and Staff members shall be members of the Church and shall be elected or appointed as set forth herein.

1.3 Society Membership. No Minister, Elder, Deacon, Cell Leader, or Staff member will be personally affiliated in membership with any organization, brotherhood, commune, or “secret society” that directly or indirectly opposes the doctrines of Jesus Christ as set forth in Holy Scripture.

ARTICLE II Membership

2.1 Members. The term “Member” will denote a person who has decided to unite with the Church as an active participant in attendance (Mark 6:39, 40; Luke 15:1; Acts 1:15; Acts 10:27), service (Luke 9:62; Luke 12:34–35; Romans 15:7; 2 Corinthians 9:12; Revelation 2: 19), and giving (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 1: 17). Any individual who has repented of his sinful state, confessed Jesus Christ publicly as Savior and Lord, and followed him in baptism, both by immersion and the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, shall be qualified to become a member of the Church, subject to the provisions set forth herein. As provided in Article III hereof, active members who are sixteen (16) years or older shall be entitled to vote on all matters that require the approval of the congregation.

Nonmembers and inactive members shall not be entitled to vote.

2.2 Membership Rolls. The Church shall maintain a roll of all individuals who have been received as members of the Church. The membership roll shall distinguish between “active” members and “inactive” members. Upon being received into the congregation, an individual shall be included on the roll as an active member. Any member who has failed to attend any Cell Group meeting or Celebration Service for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be designated as an inactive member. Inactive members shall not be entitled to vote. Every effort shall be made to restore inactive members to an active participation in the Church. If a member remains an inactive member for three consecutive years, the Church shall cause such person’s name to be removed from the membership roll and he (or she) no longer shall be a member of the Church.

2.3 Reception of New Members. Individuals may be received as members of the congregation by (i) baptism, (ii) letter of transfer, or (iii) statement. Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and desiring to unite with the Church congregation shall be received as a candidate for baptism. Any person who has a membership in a church of like faith and desires to unite with the Church congregation shall be received on the promise of a letter of transfer of membership from such other church, provided that such person also meets the qualifications for membership set forth in Section 2.1 above. Any person who desires to unite with the Church congregation and who is unable to provide a letter of transfer of membership shall be received by an oral or written statement of salvation experience and acceptance of the Church Constitution, including the Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant. Any person who is received for membership, whether by baptism, letter of transfer, or statement, shall come under the watch care of a Cell in the Church. Persons under watch care shall participate in the Celebration Service and prepare for active participation in the ministry of the Church. Any person desiring to become a member of the Church shall be presented to the Church body by his Cell Leader at any Celebration Service. The Cell Leaders shall be responsible for integrating new members into the fellowship and ministry of the Church.

2.4 Transfer of Members. When application is made for a letter of transfer to join another church of like faith and order, it shall be granted, and the name of the person requesting transfer shall be removed from the membership roll. All letters of transfer shall be addressed to the leadership of the church with which the member expects to unite. Letters of transfer constitute recommendations from the Church to another church and shall not be deemed to be individual property. The name of any member who unites with a church of another denomination shall be removed from the membership roll. Members leaving the Church are expected and earnestly urged to unite promptly with a church of like faith. If any leaving member does not obtain a letter of transfer, he or she will be expected to correspond with the Church leadership at least twice a year and contribute regularly to the support of the Church as long as his or her name remains on the membership roll.

2.5 Discipline of Members. Any member who may be found not living in accordance with the Church Covenant and who may be bringing reproach upon the testimony of the Church shall be reported to the Cell Leader for counsel and/or admonishment. If he or she will not heed to the Cell Leader’s advice, he or she shall be brought before the Ministers, and if he or she still does not heed, his or her name shall be brought before the Church for action at a Regular or Special Business Meetings (1 Corinthians 5:1–5). The Church may expel such a member from fellowship by majority vote of the membership in accordance with Article III hereof, and thereupon such person’s name shall be removed from the membership roll. A person who has been expelled may be restored as a member by confession of his or her errors and giving satisfactory evidence of repentance.

The Church body shall restore, forgive, and demonstrate love toward any such repentant person (2 Corinthians 2:5–11).

2.6 Duties of Member. The duties of the members of this Church shall be such as are outlined in the New Testament and expressed in the Church Covenant (as set forth in the Constitution, particularly Article IV, The Articles of Faith, sections (f) through (i), and (k) through (0); as well as Article V, Church Covenant). Members are urged to resolve any disputes among themselves peaceably and in harmony with Scripture.

2.7 Dedication of Children. Parents who are members of the Church, desiring publicly to acknowledge their child as a gift from God, may have their child dedicated at a Cell service or a Celebration Service at the discretion of the leadership. Such service will also serve as a pledge on the part of the parents to bring up the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and for the congregation of saints to provide watch care for the child.

ARTICLE III Meetings of Church Congregation

3.1 Worship Services. Regular worship services for the entire membership shall be held every Lord’s Day in the Celebration Service, which shall be a time of celebration, praise, and worship. Home Cells shall meet weekly in such manner as their members determine to be most suitable. Guests and members will be encouraged to attend the weekly Celebration Services and Cell meetings.

3.2 Regular Business Meetings. Regular meetings for the transaction of the business of the Church shall be held during the third week in January, April, July and October (“Regular Business Meetings”), if needed. Regular Business Meetings may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Ministers. The Pastor may designate any Regular Business Meeting for the purpose of electing Ministers, Deacons, or Trustees. Notice of each Regular Business Meeting shall be given publicly from the pulpit on the Lord’s Day preceding the meeting, such notice to specify the place and time of such meeting.

3.3 Special Business Meetings. The Pastor shall call meetings for the conduct of special business (“Special Business Meetings”) as he considers necessary or appropriate, or when requested to do so in writing, signed by twelve (12) members who are entitled to vote. Notice of any Special Business Meeting shall be given publicly from the pulpit on the preceding Lord’s Day. No business shall be transacted at a Special Business Meeting other than such business as shall have been publicly announced and specified in the notice given for that meeting. The Pastor shall give or cause to be given all notices of Special Business Meetings, and each notice shall specify the place, time, and purpose of the meeting.

3.4 Quorum and Voting. At least ten percent (10%) of all active members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Regular or Special Business Meeting. Each active member who is sixteen (16) years or older shall be entitled to cast one vote on all matters presented to the congregation for a vote. If a quorum exists, action on a matter by the Church congregation is approved if the votes cast by members present at the meeting favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the Constitution or any provision hereof requires a greater number of affirmative votes. Members may vote in person, but may not vote by proxy.

3.5 Procedure. Any Minister or other member designated by the Pastor shall preside over Regular or Special

Business Meetings. The customary parliamentary rules as set forth in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the conduct and procedure of all business meetings, when not in conflict with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV Church Leadership and Administration

4.1 Pastor (Senior Minister). (a) Qualifications. The qualifications of the Pastor shall be based on, but not limited to, two main criteria: (1) the Pastor’s relational ties with the congregation to be shepherded, and (2) the Pastor’s calling by God in regularly exercising at least one of the five supernatural gifts as noted in Ephesians 4: 11–13. The Pastor should display exemplary spiritual maturity in keeping with the doctrinal standards of the Church and shall maintain membership in the Church.

(b) Election and Ordination. The Pastor shall be elected by the Church membership at a Special Business Meeting called for that purpose. Any vacancy shall be filled by election by the church membership.

(c) Duties and Authority. Except as provided herein, the pastor shall be the spiritual leader of the Church and represent the Church:

(i) The Pastor shall be responsible for leading the Church to function as a Spirit-filled church. The Pastor shall lead the congregation, the Church organizations, and the Staff to perform their tasks. The Pastor shall direct and lead all ministerial activities in the Church. The Pastor shall work with the Elders, Assistant Ministers, Deacons, Staff, and Cell Leaders to: proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; lead the Church in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application; lead the Church in achieving its objectives; and care for the Church’s members and other persons in the community. (ii) The Pastor or his designee shall be responsible for management of Church property. (iii) The Pastor shall have charge of all cases involving the discipline of members, grievances between any member and the Church leadership, or grievances between or among members. The Pastor and Assistant Ministers shall confer freely with one another about all matters pertaining to Church discipline, all of which matters shall be handled privately. In case of grievances involving members that tend to threaten the peace and harmony of the Church, the Ministers shall use as their guide the rule for offenders in Matthew 18: 15–17, 1 Corinthians 5 :9–13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12–14. (iv) The Ministers shall assist in overseeing the Cells. They will act to appoint sufficient supervision and oversight for the cells as increases through multiplication occur. (v) Ministers may serve as ex officio members of all ministries, committees, and organizations within the Church.

(d) Termination. Each Minister shall serve until (i) he resigns, (ii) he becomes incapacitated such that he no longer can perform his designated ministry, or (iii) he is removed as provided herein. A Minister may resign and terminate his ministry by giving not less than two weeks’ written notice prior to the effectiveness of the resignation. A Minister’s incapacity to perform his designated ministry may be determined by the other Ministers (but not less than two) then in office. Each Minister shall be responsible for being faithful to the scriptural qualifications under which he was ordained. Any Minister who fails in his faithfulness to the

qualifications shall be examined by the other Ministers and, if he fails to practice the requirements, he may be asked to resign. If he is not in agreement with the other Ministers’ decision, the other Ministers may, if they consider it appropriate, (i) make a recommendation to the Members for removal action by the Church congregation at a Special Business Meeting, or (ii) remove such Minister from office by majority vote of the other Ministers (but not less than two) then in office without action by the members. A Minister may be removed from office at a Special Business Meeting by the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all votes cast by active members present at the meeting. Any proposal for removal of a Minister by action of the members, whether the proposal is initiated by the other Ministers or members of the Church, must be presented at a Special Business Meeting, and the affected Minister shall be allowed an opportunity to rebut the charges made. The proposal shall be voted upon by members at a subsequent Special Business Meeting called for that purpose.

4.2 Elders (Overseers). a) Number and Appointments. From time to time, the Pastor may appoint one or more individuals as elders or overseers of the Church (“Elders”) as the Pastor considers necessary or appropriate (Titus 1:5). b) Tenure and Qualifications. Each Elder shall serve for such period of time as may be determined in the sole discretion of the Pastor. From the scriptural perspective, an “Elder” can be almost any spiritual leader over a body of believers. Hence, Pastors, Zone Pastors, Zone Supervisors, and even some Cell Leaders can be considered “Elders.” As the Church grows, a system of relational hierarchy will take shape to provide vision, support, and direction to those being led. They may have different ages and be called by different titles. They may carry different responsibilities. However, they are still considered “Elders” within the Church. In this regard, each Elder shall be a member of the Church and an individual who meets or exceeds the following scriptural standards. He shall:

(i) Be called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), (ii) Be above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:7–8), (iii) Be able to exhort and refute with sound doctrine (Titus 1 :9), (iv) Be sober, gentle, uncontentious, and free from the love of money (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1 :7), (v) Have a well-managed family under control with dignity, and children who are not rebellious (1 Timothy 3 :4, Titus 1 :6), (vi) Have genuine faith (1 Timothy 3:6), (vii) Have a good reputation with those outside of the church (1 Timothy 3:7), and (viii) Be with one living wife (a person who has repented of a prior divorce and remarried shall not be deemed to have more than one wife) (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6). c) Duties of Elders. The role of the Elders shall be to oversee the Church congregation and render such assistance and service as shall be requested by the Pastor.

4.3 Deacons. a) Number and Qualifications. From time to time, members shall elect one or more individuals as deacons of the Church (“Deacons”). There shall be such number of Deacons (but not less than three) as the Pastor considers necessary or appropriate from time to time. Each Deacon shall be an individual who has been a member for at least one year and who regularly participates in the Celebration Service and Cell meetings. In accordance with scriptural standards, each Deacon shall be a person who:

(i) Is reputable and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3), (ii) Is worthy of respect, sincere, sober, honest and above reproach (1 Timothy 3:8–9), (iii) Is tested and of proven character (1 Timothy 3:10), (iv) Is with one living wife (a person who has repented of a prior divorce and is married shall not be deemed to have more than one wife), (v) Is temperate and worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:12), and (vi) Has a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:12). b) Election and Tenure. The Pastor shall be responsible for nominating and recommending to the members for election persons to serve as Deacons, based on the needs of the Church. Deacons may be elected at any Regular or Special Business Meeting by action of the members. A Deacon shall serve until he resigns by giving written notice of resignation to the Ministerial Board, he becomes incapacitated, or he is removed by action of the members or the Pastor. Any Deacon may be examined by the Pastor, and, if he fails to practice the requirements, may be asked to resign. Any Deacon who is not faithful to such qualifications may be removed from office at a Special Business Meeting by action of the members. c) Duties of Deacons. The primary purposes of the Deacons shall be to serve the Church body, to minister to physical needs. The Deacons shall respond to Church members in need of financial and other assistance and use funds available to them for benevolent relief. The Deacons shall assist the Ministers and Elders as requested, shall assist the sick and needy, and shall support the spiritual welfare of the Church. Deacons shall be faithful to the Scriptural qualifications set forth in Section 4.3 (a) above. d) Meetings; Quorum; Vote. Meetings of the Deacons shall be held at times fixed by resolution of the Pastor or upon the call of any two (2) Deacons. The Pastor may, but shall not be required to, attend all meetings of the Deacons. Notice of any meeting shall be given to each Deacon at least two days in advance. Any such notice shall contain the time and place of the meeting. Meetings may be held without notice if all the Deacons are present or those not present waive notice before or after the meeting. The Deacons present at the meeting may elect one of their number to preside over any meeting. A majority of the number of Deacons then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the Deacons participating in any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Deacons.

4.4 Cell Leaders. a) Appointment. The pastor shall be responsible for ensuring that each Cell has a Cell Leader. Each Cell Leader may designate any member within his Cell to serve as an intern to be trained to become a new Cell Leader. With the approval of the Pastor, such person may, upon becoming qualified, be appointed to serve as Cell Leader for a new or established Cell. Each Cell Leader shall serve until he resigns by giving notice of resignation to the Pastor, he becomes incapacitated, or he is removed. Any Cell Leader may be removed at any time by action of the Church Membership. b) Qualifications. Each Cell Leader shall be a person who displays exemplary spiritual maturity in keeping with the doctrinal standards of the Church and is a member of the Church. To remain qualified to serve as a Cell Leader, a person must have an approved Cell officially recognized by the Church. c) Responsibilities. The principal responsibility of Cell Leaders will be to pray for those in their care and to obey

God’s commands upon their lives. One foremost area is in carrying out the command of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples..., teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded us (Matthew 28: 19–20). Secondary responsibilities of a Cell Leader shall be to:

(i) Arrange the worship and teaching for the Cell meeting, (ii) Stimulate spiritual growth and development, (iii) Maintain accurate records and information concerning individuals participating in the Cell, (iv) Furnish to the Financial Secretary or Treasurer accurate records showing the financial giving of individuals in the Cell, and (v) Develop and train interns to become future Cell Leaders.

Cell Leaders shall not constitute a governing body, nor shall they be considered an authority representing the Church. However, Cell Leaders and the Cell participants do certainly represent the Church in many ways, as an example of Christianity in general and as partners of the Church specifically. They regularly represent the Church in their day-to-day actions, business dealings, family matters, neighbor relationships, school contacts, and other community affairs—a representation not to be taken lightly. In this regard, Cell Leaders are expected to exercise spiritual authority over the immediate and extended families within their Cells and provide for both their physical and spiritual well-being. Each Cell Leader must be willing to promote the growth of the Church by multiplying his Cell at least every year, or sooner when suitable leadership is in place. This will be necessary to keep the Cell small enough for personal ministry and also to maintain the freshness and zeal that new members will bring. Cell Leaders shall assist the Ministers in selecting future leaders from within their Cells.

4.5 Church Staff. a) General. The Pastor shall call or employ such Staff members as the church shall need. A job description shall be written when the need for a Staff member is determined. Staff should display exemplary spiritual maturity in keeping with the doctrinal standards of the Church and should maintain membership in the Church. Staff members may include (without limitation) associates and ministers of education, music, and youth; secretary; musicians; nursery workers; and custodian. The Staff shall be under the general supervision of the Pastor. Staff members shall be selected by the Pastor, and their appointment and employment shall be subject to approval by the Church membership at any Regular Business Meeting. Each paid Staff member shall be under contract and shall give at least two weeks’ notice prior to resignation. b) Clerk; Assistant Clerk. The Clerk shall record and maintain the minutes of all Regular and Special Business Meetings and keep a record of all the actions of the members of the Church. The Clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of the names of members, with dates of admission, dismissal, or death, together with a record of baptisms. The Clerk shall issue letters of transfer or dismissal voted by the Church and preserve on file all communications and written reports. The Ministers may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a Church secretary. All Church records shall remain property of the Church and shall be maintained in the Church files. The Assistant Clerk, if one is appointed, shall perform the duties of the Clerk in his absence or in the case of his inability to serve, and shall otherwise assist the Clerk whenever necessary. c) Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall pay out or cause to be paid out all approved disbursements, upon receipt of signed vouchers or other required authorizations. The Treasurer shall render to the Ministers and the Deacons, upon request but not less than quarterly, a report of receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer’s report shall be audited annually by two or more deacons or an outside agency. After the

Treasurer’s annual account at the end of each calendar year is approved, the Treasurer shall deliver the financial records to the Church Clerk, who shall keep and preserve the same with the records of the Church. The Assistant Treasurer, if one is appointed, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer in the Treasurer’s absence or in case of his inability to serve, and shall assist the Treasurer whenever necessary. d) Financial Secretary; Assistant Financial Secretary. The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for collecting and depositing all funds received by the Church and shall keep and maintain accurate records of giving by members and others who contribute tithes and offerings. The Financial Secretary shall supervise the Cell Leaders, tellers, and others in accounting for all funds received and shall provide for the deposit of the same in the Church’s approved accounts, receiving receipts to be given to the Treasurer. The Financial Secretary shall ensure that personal contributions remain confidential. The Assistant Financial Secretary, if one is appointed, shall assist the Financial Secretary and assume his duties in his absence or inability to serve.

4.6 Trustees. Three Trustees shall be elected by the Church at a Regular Business Meeting and duly approved by the appropriate court action to the extent required by applicable law. The Trustees shall hold in trust the Church property and be responsible for the safekeeping of all legal documents. Trustees shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property without a specific vote of the Church membership authorizing such action. The Trustees shall execute and deliver legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or lease of property or other legal documents where the signatures of Trustees are required. Trustees shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Church membership.

ARTICLE V Financial Matters

5.1 Annual Budget. In October of each year, the Treasurer shall prepare and propose to the pastor and Deacons for their approval an annual Church budget for the ensuing calendar year, including (i) the receipts expected to be received by the Church each month during the year, and (ii) the proposed expenditures for the year set forth by line item or aggregated under general categories. Before January 1 of each year, the approved annual budget for that year shall be presented to or made available for inspection by the members for their information. The approved annual budget may be amended from time to time by action of the Pastor and Deacons.

5.2 Receipts. All funds given to or received by the Church shall be collected by or under the supervision of the Financial Secretary, who shall establish such procedures as may be necessary to ensure proper security, accountability, and confidentiality with respect to all tithes, offerings, and contributions. a) Deposits. The Financial Secretary shall ensure that all funds are deposited to the approved Church accounts and shall obtain receipts thereof. The Financial Secretary will maintain accurate records of funds received and delivered to him/her by Cell Leaders. The Financial Secretary also will maintain accurate records of individual giving. b) Receiving Tithes in Cells. Cell Leaders shall receive tithes and offerings in their Cells. The person’s name and amount given (with check number or “cash” also designated) will be documented on the Church Cell form. Verification of the amount given, even when no monies are received, must be made as a means of accountability. Verification will be made by signatures on the Cell form by the Cell Leader and an intern (who is not related or a

family member to the Cell Leader).

5.3 Disbursements. The Treasurer shall establish appropriate procedures governing the expenditure of funds for items included as part of an approved annual budget. Proposed expenditures that are not included as part of an approved annual budget must be (i) presented to the Pastor and deacons for review and, (ii) if approved by the Pastor and deacons, submitted as an amendment to the approved annual budget. The Pastor may establish reasonable procedures for authorizing emergency expenditures and cash expenditures as necessary for the efficient operation of the Church. Except as otherwise provided in procedures adopted by the Deacons or Pastor, expenditures shall be paid by check, signed by either the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI Church Organizations

6.1 General. All organizations of the Church shall be ministries of the church and subject to the control and supervision of the Pastor. Officers of Church organizations shall be members and shall be approved by the Pastor. Each organization shall submit a report of its activities to the Church membership upon request of the Ministerial Board. The Scriptures shall be the basic text for all teaching. Teachers participating in Church organizations are encouraged to use resource materials that are in harmony with the doctrinal position of the Church in the preparation of lessons or devotional comments. Teachers and leaders may purchase, or accept as a gift, literature or materials for distribution to their pupils, classes, or departments when approved by the Pastor.

6.2 Cell Groups. Cells shall constitute an important part of the overall ministry of the Church. To the extent practical, the Ministerial Board shall establish Cells based on and reflecting the relational ties that members will have with each other. The priority of Cells will be as an evangelistic arm of the church to reach out to the new and existing relationships that partners will have and will make within their communities. Cells will also exist for studying God’s Word, educating the Cell members about the importance of church membership, and developing meaningful Christian spirituality, which means having healthy relationships with the Lord and each other. The Pastor shall appoint or designate, or approve the appointment or designation of, Cell Leaders to supervise individual Cells and, if necessary, persons to supervise groups of Cells within a foundation of already-established relationships. The Ministers shall provide overall leadership for Cells, teacher training, and promotion of outreach and pastoral development programs. Zone Pastors and Zone Supervisors will provide more direct leadership as the number of cells and church size dictates.

6.3 Church Music and Arts Ministry. There will be a Church Music and Arts Ministry under the direction of a Music Minister. All music, dance, and drama shall express Scriptural doctrine. Such officers, actors, dancers, musicians, and choirs may be included as needed. The Music and Arts Ministry objectives shall be to bring back the creative talents of our minds, voices, and bodies to the Glory of God. This will include teaching music; training persons to lead, sing, and play music; providing music to the Church and community; and providing other forms of praise and worship to God in the disciplines of the dance and acting, as well as other forms of creative expression.

6.4 Other Ministries. The Ministers may, from time to time, appoint and establish such ministries as the Ministers shall consider necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and functions of the Church. Upon request of the Ministerial Board, each ministry within the Church shall submit to the members at a Regular Business Meeting a brief written report of its activities.

ARTICLE VII Ordinances

7.1 General. The ordinances of the Church shall be water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

7.2 Baptism. The mode of water Baptism shall be by immersion and is a requirement of every member. This ordinance of Baptism shall be administered as a necessary act of obedience by each convert.

7.3 Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed at least once a month within the context of the Cell meeting or Celebration Service. Visiting baptized believers shall be invited to participate in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

ARTICLE VIII Offerings

8.1 Tithes and Offerings. Tithes and offerings shall be received regularly in Cell meetings and then forwarded to the Financial Secretary. For the weekly Celebration Services, a receptacle shall be made available and constructed in such a manner as to distinguish tithes and offerings.

8.2 Tithe. This is generally considered ten percent of an individual’s gross financial income, a minimum of giving for all Members, although other types of giving with material goods or other resources could also be designated as a tithe.

8.3 Offerings. An offering is generally considered an amount of money given beyond the amount of the tithe and is used as determined by the needs of the Church.

ARTICLE IX Ordination and Licensing of Ministers

9.1 Qualifications. To be ordained as a minister of the Church, a candidate must be a member in good standing, one who has:

(i) Contributed to the general welfare of the Christian body in general, (ii) Met the qualifications for a Minister, and has been (iii) Approved as a minister by a board of his ordained colleagues.

9.2 Licensing and Ordination. Any candidates for ordination must be licensed by and with the approval of the Pastor for at least one full year before they can be ordained. A candidate’s license will be valid for a one-year probationary period. During the one-year probationary period, the candidate shall study the Bible and any classes or lesson plans deemed appropriate by the Pastor. During such one-year period, the candidate must be involved in ministry within and outside the Church, in visitation, and in preaching, as well as other duties deemed appropriate by the Pastor. To be approved for ordination, the candidate shall take and pass a written and/or oral exam and face other clergy for interview and approval. Upon his being approved, the candidate may be presented to the Church congregation for ordination.

An ordained minister transferring from another church may transfer to and be ordained as a minister of the Church, provided that his candidacy is approved by the Pastor, which will be strongly based on a longstanding or well-known relationship with this candidate. If not, then the one-year probationary period will be enforced.

ARTICLE X Amendments

10.1 Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended only by the Church membership as provided herein. Amendments shall be submitted at any Regular Business Meeting, with voting on the amendment to occur at the next Regular Business Meeting. To be adopted, an amendment must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all votes cast by active members present at the meeting.

Adapted, with permission, from the Constitution and Bylaws of Fellowship Study Group Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Ethical Guidelines for Christian Living

It is good for churches to help members understand what their expected responsibilities are as Christians and as members of the Body of Christ as manifested in a particular congregation. Church discipline, although perhaps written into a church constitution, is becoming somewhat perilous in an independent age with litigious people. The more members know, understand, and give their assent to the ideas and processes of church discipline, the greater the likelihood that it will be successful when applied and that members will not respond with indignation and lawsuits. This resource is adapted, with permission, from a guideline in a booklet for members of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The booklet also contains the church constitution and other policies and guidelines.

Every Christian believer being freed from the Law is both privileged and obligated under God to enter into a new and dynamic way of living. By yielding ourselves to God’s Spirit within, we are to “walk in him,” thus experiencing the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance that he alone is able and desirous to produce in our lives (Gal. 5:16, 22). In contrast to the “Fruit of the Spirit,” there are those things enumerated in the Scripture as the “works of the flesh,” hated by God and to be mortified (deadened) by the Christian believer. The following are typical, though not exhaustive: pride, envy, coveting, anger, wrath, hatred, lying, sowing discord, strife, blasphemy, filthy talking, heresy, stealing, drunkenness, extortion, fornication, reveling, and adultery (Prov. 6:16–19; Gal. 5:19–21; Col. 3:5–9). We live in a society where moral relativism has supplanted truth; where material gain is not achieved by hard work and thrift, but by dreams of lottery and casino winnings; where alcohol and drugs wreak havoc with individuals and families; where human sexuality is degraded and debased in films, television, videos, magazines, and in some instances through the Internet. It is a society where wisdom and the Holy Spirit are set aside in favor of horoscopes and psychic services. As a result of this maelstrom of confusion, and because there are many practices that, although not specifically addressed in Scripture, could nevertheless be detrimental to believers’ spiritual growth, their families, or even the church, the following principles or guidelines are offered to help in determining the biblical response to disputable matters.

Guidelines with Reference to God 1. Is it forbidden or commanded in the Scriptures? (Mt. 4:4; 1 Jn. 5:3) a. The actual precept b. The potential principle 2. Can God’s blessing and help be sought in it? (Ps. 66:18; Isa. 59:1–2; Phil. 4:6–7) 3. Is it to the glory of God? (1 Cor. 6:19–20; 10:31) 4. Can I give thanks to God for it in my life? (Col. 3:17) 5. Is it being done to please God (Col. 3:23; 2 Tim. 2:4)

6. Can this be done, or can I go there, knowing God is watching me? (Zech. 4:10; Heb. 13:5) 7. Does it show my love for God? (1 Jn. 4:20)

Guidelines with Reference to Others 1. Does it advance the cause of Christ? (Rom. 14:16: 1 Cor. 10:30) 2. Does it hinder my ministry and influence for Christ in the lives of others? (1 Cor 9:19–22) 3. Does it demonstrate love to others? (Jn. 12:34–35; Rom 13:8, 10; 1 Jn. 3:14) 4. Could it cause a weak Christian to stumble? (Rom. 14:13) 5. Does it unite me with unbelievers in an unequal yoke? (2 Cor. 6:14–18) 6. Does it help in drawing others to the Lord Jesus? (1 Cor. 9:22) 7. Does this have any appearance of evil? (1 Th. 5:22)

Guidelines with Reference to Myself 1. Will it hinder or hurt my Christian life? (Gal. 5:25; Heb. 12:1) 2. Does this edify me or does it bring me down? (1 Cor. 10:23) 3. Will the practice of this enslave me in its bondage? (Rom. 14:7–9; 1 Cor. 6:12) 4. Do I have any doubts about doing this? (Rom. 14:22–23) 5. How will this act or plan be viewed by Christ at the judgment seat of Christ? (2 Cor. 5:10) 6. Would I be ashamed before him at his coming if I were doing this? (2 Pet. 3:14; 1 Jn. 2:28) 7. Does it conform me to the image of the Lord Jesus? (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:21) 8. Would I be misusing my liberty in Christ? (Gal 5:13, 16; 1 Cor. 8:9; 1 Pet. 2:16) 9. Do I now have or might I later have a guilty conscience from this? (Rom 14:5) 10. Am I walking in the Spirit as I do this? (Gal. 5:23) 11. What are my true motives? (1 Cor. 4:5) 12. Might this harm my body in any way? (1 Cor. 6:19)

A Sample Procedure for Biblical Discipline Jesus stipulated a way to do discipline redemptively. The purpose of any church disciplinary procedure is the restoration of the erring member to a spiritually healthy condition and full participation in the life of the church as a member. However, should a member (including an elder; see 1 Tim. 5:19–20) consistently conduct him- or herself in a manner that is in direct violation of clear biblical commands and remain unrepentant at the end of the following steps of discipline, that member is subject to loss of membership privileges through removal from the membership roll.

The Steps of Discipline (Following Matt. 18:15–17) In progressing through these stages of church discipline, ample time for repentance must be allowed at each step. 1. Private confrontation. The erring member should be directly approached in private by the concerned and informed fellow Christian and confronted with his or her sin. If repentance does not follow this step, the second step should be followed. 2. Private conference. If the erring member is unrepentant, then he or she should be confronted about his or her sin by two or three believers. If repentance does not follow this step, the third step should be followed. 3. Public meeting. After step two, the elders of the church should be made aware of the situation and should ensure that the biblical ideals of discipline, love, and concern have been communicated to the erring member. Care must be taken that fairness, evidence, and a right to be heard imbue all proceedings. If the elders determine that the erring member is guilty and remains unrepentant after being given ample evidence, warning, and time, the elders shall present the matter at a meeting of the church members (members only should be in attendance, since discipline is a family matter within the Body of Christ2). If the erring member refuses to listen to the church, step four should followed. 4. Public exclusion. After the elders and members have made clear, fair, and consistent efforts to bring the erring member to repentance without results, they may then disassociate the erring member from church fellowship. The erring member will thus lose his or her membership in the church and will be asked to stay away from any church activity. After a period of time, the elders shall attempt at least once more to bring the disfellowshipped member back into repentance, discipline, and fellowship.

Adapted, with permission, from the Constitution and Bylaws of Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church in Madison, Wisconsin.

2 It is important in a litigious society that church members fully understand their exposure to church discipline as a member of the congregation. Many churches ask members and those seeking membership to sign a statement that indicates their willingness to subject themselves to the authority of the church through church discipline, should the occasion arise. In order to reduce the possibility of frivolous lawsuits by indignant members claiming defamation of character or invasion of privacy, “public” meetings concerning church discipline ought to be open to church members only.

Biblical Qualifications for Elders Elder qualifications are summarized in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9.

Above reproach Elders must lead by example and demonstrate a lifestyle free of patterns of sin.

Husband of one wife Elders, if married, must be devoted husbands [or spouses].

Temperate Elders must be self-controlled, enslaved to nothing, free from excesses.

Prudent Elders must be sober, sensible, wise, balanced in judgment, not given to quick, superficial decisions based on immature thinking.

Respectable Elders must demonstrate a well-ordered life and honorable behavior.

Hospitable Elders must be unselfish with their personal resources.

Able to teach Elders must be able to communicate truth and sound doctrine in a nonargumentative way.

Not addicted to wine Elders must be free from addictions and willing to limit their liberty for the sake of others.

Not pugnacious or Elders must be gentle, patient, and able to exercise self-control in difficult quick tempered situations.

Uncontentious Elders must not be given to quarreling or selfish argumentation.

Free from the love of Elders must not be stingy, greedy, or preoccupied with amassing material things. money

Manage own household Elders must have a well-ordered household and a healthy family life.

Not a new convert Elders must not be new believers. They must have been Christians for long enough to demonstrate the reality of their conversion and depth of their spirituality.

Good reputation with Elders must be well respected by unbelievers and free from hypocrisy. outsiders

Not self-willed Elders must be servants, not forcing opinions on others or abusing authority.

Loving what is good Elders must desire the will of God in every decision.

Just Elders must desire to be fair and impartial. Their judgments must be based on scriptural principles.

Devout Elders must be devoted Christ followers, seeking to be conformed to his image. They must be committed to prayer, worship, the study of Scripture, and guarding their own walk.

Holding fast the Word Elders must be stable in the faith, obedient to the Word of God, continually seeking to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Adapted, with permission, from the Constitution and Bylaws of Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church in Madison, Wisconsin.

Additional Resources Further sources of help for working on constitutions and bylaws.

ChristianityTodayLibrary.com: A web storehouse of articles from Christianity Today International magazines.  http://www.ctlibrary.com/13221 “When the Wineskins Start to Rip” by Gordon MacDonald  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/008/17.34.html “Keeping the Lawyers at Bay” by Ken Sande http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2005/cln50418.html “Taking Church Membership Seriously” by Ken Sande http://www.ctlibrary.com/9956 “Breakaway Church Can Keep Property”

Other web articles: http://www.muridae.com/nporegulation/documents/model_npo_corp_act.html “Revised Model Nonprofit Corporation Act (1987)”  http://www.hispeace.org/html/ris_by.htm http://www.ctlibrary.com/13221 “Model Bylaws” by Peacemaker Ministries  http://www.startchurch.com/2002/constitution_and_bylaws.asp “How to Write the Constitution and Bylaws” by Raul and Genel Rivera

Books: Pastor, Church, & Law: Third Edition by Richard R. Hammar (Christian Ministry Resources, 2000; ISBN: 1880562421) Ministry and the American Legal System by Richard B. Couser (Fortress, 1993; ISBN: 0800626036) Accountable Leadership by Paul Chaffee (ChurchCare Publishing, 1993; ISBN 1883200067) Zondervan 2004 Church and Nonprofit Tax & Financial Guide by Dan Busby (Zondervan, 2003; ISBN 0310254388)