FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH OF BREVARD, INC.

CONSTITUTION, STATEMENT OF FAITH AND BY-

LAWS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONSTITUTION AND STATEMENT OF FAITH:

PREAMBLE

ARTICLE I. NAME AND AFFILIATION

ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND AUTHORITY

A. MEMBERSHIP
B. QUALIFICATION FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
C. AUTHORITY

ARTICLE IV. STATEMENT OF FAITH

ARTICLE V. GOVERNANCE
A. OFFICERS
B. GENERAL BOARD
C. PASTORAL

ARICLE VI. PROVISIONS FOR BY-LAWS

ARTICLE VII. PROPERTY, DIVISION AND DISSOLUTION

A. PROPERTY
B. DIVISION WITHIN THE CHURCH
C. IF THE CHURCH WOULD NEED TO BE DISSOLVED

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

1
BY-LAWS:

ARTIC
MEMBERSHI
LE P AND CONS
TITUENCY
A. CHURCH CON
STITUENTS
B. VOTING MEMB
ERS
C. RESPONSIBILI
TIES OF CHURCH
MEMBERS
D. METHOD OF A
DDING TO MEMB
ERSHIP
E. WITHDRAWAL
AND TERMINATI
ON FROM MEMB
ERSHIP
F. ACCOUNTABIL
ITY/DISCIPLINE
OF MEMBERS

ARTICLE II. PAS

TORAL AND MINI
STRY LEADERSH
IP STAFF
A. PASTORAL ST
AFF
B. MINISTRY ST
AFF
C. OTHER CHUR
CH STAFF
D. APPROVALS T
O HIRE
E. PASTORAL C
ALL
F. ADDITIONAL P
ASTORS
G. TERM OF OFFI
CE
H. ACCOUNTAB
ILITY
ARTICLE III. GO
VERNANCE
A. AUTHORITY
B. OFFICERS
C. GENERAL BO
ARD
D. PASTORAL A
ND STAFF POLICI
ES
E. VACANCY OF
OFFICERS
F. OFFICER’S D
UTIES
G. ELDERS
H. FINANCIAL O
PERATIONS
I. OTHER ORGAN
IZATIONS
J. NOMINATION
S

ARTICLE IV. CHU

RCH MEETINGS
A. WORSHIP SER
VICES
B. BUSINESS ME
ETINGS
C. MEMBERSHIP
DECISIONS
D. OTHER MEETI
NGS

ARTICLE V. AM
ENDMENTS

2
CONSTITUTION, STATEMENT OF FAITH AND BY-LAWS
Faith Fellowship Church of Brevard, Inc.
An Evangelical Free Church of America
Brevard County, Florida

CONSTITUTION AND STATEMENT OF FAITH

PREAMBLE

As people gathered out of the world by the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as
believers commissioned by the Holy Spirit to reach the world with the Good News of Christ, we
respond to the Lord in agreement around this Statement of Faith to establish this Constitution
and these By-Laws for the orderly governance of the local expression of the Body of Christ
called Faith Fellowship Church of Brevard.

ARTICLE I. NAME AND AFFILIATION

This organization is incorporated and shall be known as Faith Fellowship Church of Brevard,
Inc., an Evangelical Free Church of Brevard County, Florida. This organization, hereinafter
referred to as the church, shall be affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America.

ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of Faith Fellowship Church shall be to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every
way prescribed or approved by the Holy Scriptures, to engage in such religious, educational,
charitable and benevolent work as the Constitution and By-Laws may determine.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND AUTHORITY

A. MEMBERSHIP: Church members form the basic governing body of Faith Fellowship
Church. The church members are eligible to serve on the General Board.

B. QUALIFICATION FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: The church may add to its

membership any person who is at least twelve years of age, who confesses with the
assurance of salvation, personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and who subscribes to
the Statement of Faith and the Constitution and By-Laws of the church and who give
evidence by their confession and their conduct that they are living in fellowship with
the Lord Jesus Christ. Children younger than twelve years of age, who request
membership and show adequate knowledge of doctrine and confession of faith, may
be received into membership at the discretion of the Senior Pastor.

C. AUTHORITY: The membership, at its regular and special business meetings, is the
legislative and governing body of Faith Fellowship Church.

3
ARTICLE IV. STATEMENT OF FAITH

Faith Fellowship’s Statement of Faith will be the curr

ent approved Statement of Faith approved
by the Evangelical Free Church of America. This ca
n be found at:

ARTICLE V. GOVERNANCE

A. OFFICERS: Officers of the church shall be the S

enior Pastor, Church Chairperson,
Vice chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and other offic
ers as deemed necessary by the
church membership. Aside from the Senior Pastor,
who is an officer by virtue of
position, all officers must be elected by the church a
nd be drawn from the voting
membership. The Church Chairperson, Vice-
chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer
shall serve as officers of the corporation. Officers of
the corporation shall carry out
and execute the decisions and will of the body that ha
s elected them or will have
vacated their office. All officers and board members
must be voting members of the
church.

B. GENERAL BOARD: There shall be a General B

oard composed of the officers of the
church, the pastors and other persons. The General
Board is responsible directly to
the membership of the church to see that the decision
s of the church, as expressed in
its business meetings, are carried out. The executive
functions shall be concentrated
and organized within the General Board. It shall act a
s overseer to all organizations
established by the General Board and may, if necess
ary, overrule the decisions of any
particular organization when such action reflects the
expressed will or best interest of
the church.

C. PASTORAL: From earliest times, God has bless

ed His people with the gift of
spiritual leadership and established in the early churc
h a pastoral leadership model
which is a blessing of the Holy Spirit. Thus we seek
to identify, call and ordain as
our pastors whom God has called as overseers of th
e flock which He bought with His
own blood (Acts 20:28) that they may fulfill the mini
stry of the Gospel among us.
Persons in Pastoral leadership must be person who g
ive public testimony to the
saving grace of God and are of established and plain
ly evident Christian character (I
Timothy 3:1-11). They must have the desire and a
bility to fulfill the area of pastoral
assignment to which they are called and to watch ov
er the spiritual welfare of the
church the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Su
pper to believers, and by teaching
and example lead the members and constituents of th
e church in practical Christian
living in response to the Gospel and the Word of Go
d. They must subscribe to the
Statement of Faith above and give enthusiastic suppo
rt to the mission, vision and
purpose of the church and support the constitution a
nd By-Laws of the church.

4
ARTICLE V. PROVISON FOR BY-LAWS.

This Constitution recognizes the existence and force of i

ts By-Laws, a supplemental document
providing specific rules, procedures and requirements fo
r membership, pastoral staff,
government and meetings of the church.

ARTICLE IV. PROPERTY, DIVISION AND DISS

OLUTION

A. PROPERTY: This church shall have the power to re

ceive, either by gift or purchase,
and to hold such real, personal, or mixed property as is a
uthorized by the laws of the
State of Florida and as is deemed necessary for the busin
ess by mortgage, deed, or
otherwise. All such property shall be held in the name o
f the church.

B. DIVISION WITHIN THE CHURCH: In the case wh

ere there is an irreconcilable
division within the church, which threatens its unity or ex
istence, the Senior Pastor or
the General Board may enlist competent and knowledgea
ble resources and assistance
to pursue every effort for reconciliation of the ministry e
stablished for the church. To
determine such a case is necessary, the Senior Pastor, th
e General Board or 20% of
the voting members of the church may request interventi
on. Contact with
Peacemaker Ministries, Inc. or equivalent mediation ser
vices, shall be pursued. If
that is not possible, the Superintendent, along with the i
ndividuals of the Evangelical
Free Church District Board of which the church is a part,
or their designees, shall be
requested to mediate in the situation. To determine such
a case is necessary, the
Senior Pastor, the General Board or 10% of the member
s of the church in good
standing may request intervention. In the case where re
conciliation has not been
reached after great prayer and good faith attempts, the D
istrict Board shall have
authority in such a case to decide which group will remai
n as an Evangelical Free
Church, and therefore retain title to all the name, rights a
nd assets which the church
owns.

C. IF THE CHURCH WOULD NEED TO BE DISSOL

VED: In case of dissolution of
the church organization, the assets shall be assigned to t
he District Conference of the
Evangelical Free Church of America of which the church
is a part to enable said
conference to renew the work or use the values thereof f
or further Gospel enterprises.
The church shall be considered dissolved if so decided
by two-thirds of the
membership, or when the remaining membership canno
t financially support the
necessary expenses of the church or when they cannot c
arry out the purpose of the
church, or when the church has not held an annual meeti
ng for three years or when
less than six members remain.

5
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The constitution may be amended upon me

mbership approval at two successive busine
ss
meetings of the congregation at least 60 da
ys apart provided that written copies of the p
roposed
amendment are available and public announ
cement of such meetings has been made to
the
membership at least thirty (30) days prior to
such meetings. A quorum of 20% of the ch
urch
membership is required for approval at suc
h meetings with a two-thirds majority voting
in favor
of change.

Amended December 5, 2012

6
BY-LAWS
Faith Fellowship C
hurch of Brevard, I
nc.
An Evangelical Fre
e Church of Ameri
ca
Brevard County, F
lorida

ARTICLE I. MEM
BERSHIP AND C
ONSTITUENCY

A. CHURCH CONS
TITUENTS: Constit
uents shall include a
ny person who desir
es to
be affiliated with Fai
th Fellowship Churc
h for purposes of w
orship, fellowship, st
udy
and Christian growth
without regard to ag
e, gender, race, colo
r or creed. Constitue
nts
will be treated with o
penness and all Chri
stian care. Constitu
ents are urged to att
end
worship and study o
pportunities as they
grow in their faith an
d understanding of
God’s Word. They
may also be invited
to participate in min
istry and service
opportunities approp
riate to their spiritual
maturity and gifts at
the discretion of
ministry leadership
and staff.

B. VOTING MEMB
ERS: Members are
eligible to vote in ch
urch business meeti
ngs if
they are at least eigh
teen years of age an
d have attended wor
ship services at Faith
Fellowship Church 5
0% of the Sundays f
or the prior three mo
nths. An exception t
o
the requirement of at
tendance can be ma
de by the Church Ch
airman for either an
individual or group w
ho has legitimate re
asons for not being
able to attend worshi
p
such as a severe he
alth problem, military
or missionary deploy
ment, seasonal
residency, or reside
ntial college educati
on at a college or un
iversity that is out of
town.

C. RESPONSIBILI
TIES OF CHURCH
MEMBERS: While t
here are many facet
s of
service within the ch
urch and many varie
ties of gifts expresse
d, we believe that all
members of the chur
ch share basic respo
nsibilities in personal
, home, church, and
community life.

1. PRESENCE: M
embers are called to
be responsible in att
ending to both the
private and public w
orship of God as wel
l as small group lear
ning opportunities
(Hebrews 10:25). M
embers are called to
not be conformed to
this world, to be
transformed by the r
enewing of the mind
that they might disco
ver the good,
acceptable, and perf
ect will of God (Rom
ans 12:2). We urge
every member to
practice the disciplin
es of daily Bible rea
ding, private and fa
mily prayer, and the
giving of public test
imony to one’s pers
onal experience of
grace.

2. FAMILY: It is th
e sacred responsibil
ity of parents to pro
vide Christian
instruction for their c
hildren. The Christi
an family is to embo
dy the ideals of
mutual submission a
nd service which the
church is called to m
odel in the world
(Ephesians 5:21-
6:4).

3. PRAYER AND C
ARE: Members are
encouraged to reme
mber each other in
prayer; to aid each ot
her in sickness and d
istress; and to be co
urteous in speech,
slow to anger and to
maintain the unity of
the church (Romans
12:18).
4. STEWARDSHIP
: Members are urge
d to consider it their
sacred responsibility

7
and privilege to make full use of their talents for the Lord’s service whenever
opportunity affords itself. Members are called to commit themselves prayerfully
to systematic contributions from their income for the support of the ministry of
Christ through the church according to the principles laid down in Malachi 3:10
and I Corinthians 16:2.

5. LIFE: Toward the world, each member should seek to be an example in speech
and conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (I Timothy 4:12). Each member is
encouraged to prayerfully consider their lifestyle and abstain from any act or
practice they are convinced may be harmful in its influence or a stumbling block
to the weak (Romans 14:13, 21).

D. METHOD OF ADDING TO MEMBERSHIP

1. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a membership class. Requests for
membership will be submitted to the pastoral staff.

2. Candidates for membership receive a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and
then meet with the one of the pastoral staff to discuss their faith experience and
their understanding and agreement with Statement of Faith and the Constitution
and By-Laws. Upon approval by the pastor, membership in the church is
established.

3. The names of new members shall be published to the congregation when

approved. At such times of approval it is desirable for all members to review the
duties of members as outlined in the Constitution, Statement of Faith and By-
Laws and to thankfully and publicly proclaim their prayerful support of new
members.

4. Pastors and their spouses, upon accepting a call and beginning ministry in this
church, are members of the church for the duration of their ministry.

E. WITHDRAWAL AND TERMINATION FROM MEMBERSHIP

1. Anyone may withdraw his or her membership by communicating such intent to
the pastor(s). In such a case, the staff secretary will officially communicate the
withdrawal of membership to the (former) member in writing.

2. An accurate and up-to-date list of the constituents and membership is maintained

by the staff secretary. Accordingly, the secretary periodically reviews the
membership role in order to identify those who remain on the role in spite of the
fact that they have moved away or, for other causes, no longer attend regularly.
As appropriate, a reasonable effort is made to contact such persons and ascertain
their intentions regarding membership. If such persons cannot be contacted or are
clearly not a part of the local fellowship any longer, they may be removed from
the membership role at the discretion of the Senior Pastor. Such persons may also
be restored to membership at a later time if they reconnect with the congregation
as members.

8
F. ACCOUNTABILITY/DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

1. PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE PROCESS: Faith Fellowship C

hurch shall use
every loving and pastoral effort to provide ministries of reconcili
ation to
encourage and restore those members and constituents who may
have fallen away
from their Christian lifestyle and commitment (2 Corinthians 5:1
7-19). The
purpose of discipline is established (1) to guard and preserve the
honor of God;
(2) to protect the purity and very purpose of the church and to gu
ard other
Christians from being tempted, misled, divided, or otherwise har
med; and (3) to
restore fallen Christians to usefulness to God and fellowship with
His church. The
ultimate goal of all discipline is to train Christians to be self-
disciplined so that
they may share in the holiness of God. Mutual accountability wit
hin the church is
commanded by God in Scripture and is one of the most importan
t responsibilities
of a true church of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15-17 and
Galatians 6:1).

2. DISCIPLINE PROCESS:
a. If members refuse to listen to initial pastoral or other private,
informal
correction, church leaders are called to get directly involved to ho
ld members
accountable to Scripture and to promote repentance, justice, peac
e and
forgiveness. This process is to give full protection to any membe
r who may
be accused of conduct not befitting a Christian and is to be acco
mplished with
discretion and confidentiality.

b. A Discipline Committee shall be appointed by the General Bo

ard composed
of three or more persons of spiritual maturity, each uninvolved in
the situation
of immediate concern, and at least one of whom is a member of t
he pastoral
staff unless the person accused is a pastor. In such a case, the Bo
ard shall
select a pastor of respected reputation and belief from outside the
congregation.

c. We take the procedure outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 and Gal

atians 6:1 as a
guide for the committee to establish the facts by two or three witn
esses and to
make every effort to bring repentance, healing and restoration. A
n accused
person may bring with them a spiritual advocate to such meetings
and
proceedings if they so desire.

3. INVOLVEMENT OF THE GENERAL BOARD:

a. Should the matter not be settled by the Discipline Committee,
the committee
brings a confidential recommendation to the General Board. The
General
Board may then accept the recommendation without any further
action or it
may institute specific actions as follows: (1) Make additional eff
ort for
reconciliation; (2) Rebuke setting forth the serious character of th
e offense,
reproving the offender, and exhorting him to repentance and to
more perfect
fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ; or (3) Suspension by which one i
s deprived
of the privileges of membership in the church, of office, or of bot
h. It may be
for a definite or indefinite time.

9
b. If an accused leaves the church during the disciplinary process or while a
censure is still in effect, and if the Board learns that he/she is attending
another church, the Board may inform that church that the person is currently
under church discipline and may ask that church to encourage the accused to
repent of his sin and be restored to the Lord and to any people whom he has
offended. Details are not to be revealed.

c. This discipline process does not negate any requirement to report violations of
state and federal laws to appropriate authorities.

4. RESTORATION: If a person who has been rebuked or suspended comes to

repentance, and asks for and receives forgiveness then he or she shall be warmly
and lovingly restored to the church and its fellowship.

ARTICLE II. PASTORAL AND MINISTRY LEADERSHIP STAFF

A. PASTORAL STAFF

1. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Senior Pastor, as called to this position in Section E of

this article, shall have primary responsibility for Preaching and Worship and
equipping the members and constituents of the church for evangelism and works
of service in the name of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). In addition, the pastor(s)
shall prayerfully seek and articulate the vision of the church and leadership in
ministry.

2. ADDITIONAL PASTORAL STAFF: As God shall bless us with more than one
pastor, we will recognize specific areas of pastoral responsibility (Education,
Youth, etc.) and designate a Lead Pastor. The additional pastors will take their
lead in ministry from the Senior Pastor and will work together with the General
Board to accomplish the mission, purpose and vision of the church. While
working under the guidance and leadership of the Senior Pastor, all pastors are
also accountable to the General Board for their ministry.

3. DUTIES: The duties of all pastors are included in written job descriptions
developed with the General Board. Each member of the pastoral staff shall
submit a written report to the church at its annual business meeting.

B. MINISTRY STAFF

1. Persons in Ministry Staff leadership must be persons who give public testimony to
the saving grace of God and are of established and plainly evident Christian
character (I Timothy 3:1-11). They must have the desire and ability to fulfill the
assignment to which they are called and to watch over the spiritual welfare of the
church, and by teaching and example lead the members and constituents of the
church in practical Christian living in response to the Gospel and the Word of
God. They must subscribe to the Statement of Faith above and give enthusiastic
support to the mission, vision and purpose of the church and support the
Constitution and By-Laws of the church. They are called by the procedure in
Section D of this Article.

10
2. DUTIES: Staff ministers who equip believers for ministry shall be designated in
a way that describes their gift and function in the ministry of the church. Ministry
Staff shall work under the guidance and leadership of the Senior Pastor and are
also accountable to the General Board for their ministry. The pastoral staff shall
develop job descriptions for approval by the General Board for each staff Minister
related to the specific equipping ministry they shall be fulfilling.

C. OTHER CHURCH STAFF

1. Church staff may be added at the recommendation of the Senior Pastor with
approval of the General Board as needed to support the ministries of the church
within budgeted funds and approval of the congregation as noted in other sections
of these By-Laws. All salaries and benefits will be determined and approved by
the General Board.

2. QUALIFICATIONS: Qualifications shall include technical expertise for the

assigned task. Church staff shall also be persons of Christian faith and conviction
and in agreement with the Statement of Faith. Church staff shall also exhibit
relationally the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in their ministry area.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY: All church staff report to and are accountable as assigned

to the pastor(s). The Senior Pastor has the authority to recommend to the General
Board to dismiss church Pastoral, Ministry Staff and supervisory employees for
reasons other than budget/financial constraints. The General Board or an
appointed Personnel Team will approve a list of candidates for staff positions with
the Senior Pastor making a final decision to hire. No staff member shall be hired
or dismissed, unless for reasons of budget constraint, without the concurrence of
the Senior Pastor.

D. APPROVALS TO HIRE: The church membership must approve, by majority vote,

any increase in the number of permanent, paid staff positions (Pastoral, Ministry staff
or church Staff). A permanent position is defined as any position that will continue
more than 6 months, whether full time or part time. The church membership must
approve, by majority vote, the hiring of any person filling a vacant permanent, paid
staff position, whether full time or part time (Pastoral, Ministry staff position), except
for the following positions:

1. Clerical support staff (secretary, receptionist, bookkeeper, maintenance worker,

etc.).

2. Any other non-ministry, non-supervisory position as determined by the Board.

The vote must be conducted at a church business meeting, announced to the
church at least 14 days in advance.

11
E. PASTORAL CALL: The call of a Senior Pastor requires the recommendation of a
Pastoral Search Committee. Such a Committee, appointed by the General Board,
consists of at least five persons: three members of the General Board and two or
more other voting members of the church who are elected at a business meeting. The
committee identifies potential candidates, and after appropriate, careful investigation
and personal interviews, a candidate is invited to minister the Word at a service of the
church and to meet with the General Board and others as necessary to support
assurance of their ability to serve this church. Following this, the committee and
General Board make a recommendation to the church concerning a call to ministry.
Candidates are recommended to the church and voted on one at a time. Such a vote
requires a duly called meeting with written, secret ballot and a two-thirds majority to
carry. The two thirds majority shall be determined by appointed tellers or the Board
itself and affirmed by the church Chairperson. The approval and subsequent
acceptance of this call shall constitute approval for local church ordination if this is
needed. The call shall be issued by the General Board on behalf of the congregation.
Ordination and investiture of a Senior Pastor shall be planned and carried out by the
General Board with the help of the Elders.

F. ADDITIONAL PASTORS: When the need arises to call additional persons as

pastors, the intent to do so is formalized as a motion put to congregational vote at a
business meeting. Unless otherwise directed by the church, passage of such a motion
obliges the General Board, with particular input from the Senior Pastor, to find and
evaluate potential candidates. A suitable candidate identified by the board (or a
committee formed for this purpose) is invited to meet with the General Board,
appropriate other organizations and be introduced to the congregation. Not more than
two weeks after such a visit, a candidate acceptable to the Senior Pastor and General
Board is recommended to the church for a call to ministry. The church members then
vote affirmatively or negatively on one candidate. Such a vote requires a written,
secret ballot and a two-thirds majority to carry.

G. TERM OF OFFICE: All members of the pastoral staff are called for an indefinite
term of ministry. Dismissal from office only occurs by recommendation of a
Discipline Committee to the General Board and approval of membership, providing
an opportunity for due process and consideration of all issues involved. Such a vote
requires a quorum of 20% of the membership and written, secret ballot with a two-
thirds majority to carry.

H. ACCOUNTABILITY: Pastor(s) are responsible for coordinating the activities of all

staff. The pastor(s) are accountable to the General Board in matters of pastoral
ministry and also responsible for approving attendance at conferences and other
professional activities of the staff, as well as submitting a budget for pastoral
ministries.

12
ARTICLE III. GOVERNANCE

A. AUTHORITY: The membership is the

legislative and governing body of the chur
ch.

B. OFFICERS: Officers of the church cor

poration shall be those specified in the
Constitution. They are elected for a three y
ear term at the annual business meeting of
the church.

C. GENERAL BOARD:

1. The General Board has a dual function

which calls for humility in the exercise of
the servant leadership. The board’s prim
ary duty is to carry out the decisions of
the church, but is also called upon to provi
de leadership and clarity of vision for
the membership. Moreover, the board is ex
pected to consider and decide matters
not explicitly addressed by the membership
. These decisions are guided by the
principles we affirm in the Constitution.

2. MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL BOA

RD: The General Board meets monthly,
unless otherwise specified by the church Ch
airperson and must meet at least once
each quarter. A quorum for the conduct of i
ts business is those in attendance at a
duly called and scheduled meeting. The C
hairperson may call a special meeting
at their discretion, or when such a meeting i
s requested by any two members of
the board, or by the Senior Pastor. Meeting
s of the General Board are open to all
members of the church except for meetings
where private personnel matters or
disciplinary matters are discussed, until it i
s necessary for congregational
involvement.

D. PASTORAL AND STAFF POLICIES:

All matters related to the compensation
package, including, but not limited to items
such as insurance, vacation and leave
policy respecting the pastoral staff and othe
r professional staff are approved by the
General Board. These matters should be r
eviewed for each staff member at least
annually.

E. VACANCY OF OFFICERS: Vacancie

s of officers are filled by appointment of th
e
General Board for the remainder of the ter
m.

F. OFFICER’S DUTIES:

1. CHURCH CHAIRPERSON: Prepares t

he agenda for, and presides at, all
meetings of the General Board and all busi
ness meetings of the church. The
Chairperson must faithfully carry out the le
adership of the General Board and be
capable and knowledgeable of the needs of
the congregation, and various
organizations within the church in concert
with the common vision and the
mandates of the church. The Chairperson
is an ex officio member of all
organizations created by the General Board
.

13
2. VICE CHAIRPERSON: Will assist the Chairperson in preparing agendas for all
meetings and will preside in the absence of the Chairperson. The Vice
Chairperson will assist the Chairperson in knowing the needs of the church and
help serve as an ex officio member on various commissions or committees.

3. SECRETARY: Keeps the minutes of church business meetings as well as all

meetings of the General Board. In addition, the secretary determines if a quorum
is present and serves as parliamentarian at all business meetings.

4. TREASURER: Has primary responsibility for oversight for accurate reporting of

the financial matters of the church at each regular meeting of the General Board
and each regular meeting of the church. The Treasurer works with the assigned
members of the church staff for accounting and financing matters according to the
approved annual budget; for accurate and confidential reports to each contributor
to the church; and for keeping historical and demographic trends of income for
use by those charged with the preparation of the annual budget. The Treasurer
and the staff member with primary responsibility for the above activities shall be
bonded.

G. ELDERS: There may be a body of non-ruling elders established for the purpose of
prayer support, consultation and aid to the Senior Pastor. The Elders are chosen by
the Senior Pastor without term or particular job description to serve as an extension of
the ministry of the Senior Pastor. The Elders may serve as in pastoral, teaching and
preaching ministries of the church under the guidance and authority of the Senior
Pastor. They may be called to serve at the direction of the Senior Pastor in hospital or
home visitation, prayer for the sick, or in administration of the ordinances of the
Church.

H. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS:

1. The church budget is developed under oversight of the General Board and
subsequently recommended for approval by the membership at the Annual
Business Meeting of the church members. The budget planning must reflect
priorities established by the church and General Board as well as considering staff
recommendations. The General Board must approve any change in the budget or
any spending that is not included in the approved annual church budget.

2. If changes in the budget are to exceed 20% of the original budget, approval is
required by the congregation in a called meeting to amend the budget.

3. A called meeting of the church membership is required to approve buying or

selling real estate, incurring debt, encumbering any assets owned by the church,
entering into property lease contracts, change of location or any improvement that
exceeds 10% of the value of the church property.

14
 4. Financial oversight is the responsibility of the General Board, including the
Treasurer, but a team may be appointed for regular oversight of all the fiscal
affairs of the church including insuring that accurate records are kept, and timely
reports are presented to the membership and General Board. The team is to
prepare the annual budget in accord with the budgetary proposals of the staff and
the priorities established by the church and General Board. The General Board
shall also prepare a policy to specify who may commit the church to its various
activities including finances.

5. The General Board must arrange for an annual audit. This audit may be done by
qualified persons within the church not involved in current financial activities or
with qualified unaffiliated persons. Those charged with responsibility for the
audit must be approved by the General Board. These audits may be done at the
level of a review of policies and procedures and testing of records, with comments
as to accuracy and reliability of systems or it may be done by professional
accountants qualified to write their opinion per standard public audit policies.

6. In order to coordinate the various financial needs of the church, and maintain
church convictions regarding ministry priorities as expressed in the budget, fund
raising by organizations shall be approved the General Board. No organization or
group within the church may engage in fund raising that may be construed as
gambling; not limited to but including raffles, cakes walks or donation for
drawings.

I . OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: The General Board may appoint various functional

organizations to manage and support the activities of the church as necessary. This
may include such groups as a Personnel, Finance or Stewardship Committee. Each
such organization and their personnel serve at the pleasure of the General Board.
They should be composed of knowledgeable and qualified persons. Key leadership
of such organizations should normally be members of the church. All organizations
bearing the church name must be approved by the General Board.

J. NOMINATIONS: Nominations for the General Board are solicited by the Board fro
m
the congregation and sent to the Pastor. A brief statement about the nominee may be
submitted as well. The eligibility of the nominees to serve on the Board is reviewed
by the Pastor before a list of qualified nominees is submitted to the current General
Board. Those elected to the Board must be active members of the church
participating in worship and in support of the church. Each nominee is then asked by
a member of the Board to prayerfully consider serving. If there is a vacancy opening
for the Chairperson of the Church, a nomination is made for that position. The slate
of nominations, including the position of church chairperson, is published by the
Board to the congregation along with the required notice of the annual meeting. The
election of the new Board members and the Church Chairperson, if that position is
open, is voted upon separately at the Annual meeting of the church membership. The
other officers of the church are elected from within General Board at the first
organizational meeting of the new term of office.

15
ARTICLE IV. CHURCH MEETINGS

A. WORSHIP SERVICES: Regular Sunday serv

ices and other services providing for
worship, fellowship, observance of ordinances, an
d preaching of the Gospel shall be
conducted to effectively fulfill the church’s pur
pose as stated in the Constitution. The
Lord’s Supper shall be observed periodically, typ
ically once a month.

B. BUSINESS MEETINGS:

1. The Annual Business Meeting of the church s

hall generally be held during the
fourth quarter of the year, at such time as may be
decided by the General Board.
At the Annual Business Meeting, annual reports s
hall be received, officers shall
be elected, and necessary business transacted. T
he fiscal year shall end December
31.

2. The Chairperson may call quarterly or special

business meetings at: 1) his/her
discretion; 2) the direction of the General Board;
or 3) the request of ten voting
members in good standing of the church. A busin
ess meeting of the church may
not be called without the knowledge of the Senior
Pastor.

3. A quorum for business shall be those in attend

ance at a duly called and announced
meeting. Business meetings must be scheduled w
ith 14 days advance notice and
materials to be approved must be made available t
he Sunday prior to the business
meeting. If the General Board secretary is absent,
the Chairperson appoints
someone to take minutes of the meeting.

4. All church meetings are open to all church me

mbers with the exception of the
Discipline Committee or of other sensitive person
nel matters.

C. MEMBERSHIP DECISIONS:

1. CONSENSUS: To foster unity in the church,

whenever possible, decisions of the
church body will be made by prayerfully reaching
consensus. Consensus is not
defined as unanimous agreement of those present,
but as a majority agreement
after prayerful consideration of issues and concer
ns that God is leading in a
particular direction. Consensus will be determine
d by the Chairperson. When
there is no consensus, the General Board and con
gregation will enter into a time
of prayer and listening seeking the will of the Lor
d, led by the Chairperson. Any
voting member of the church may call for a vote o
n any issue if consensus is
unclear. When it is judged that there is no consen
sus, the Chairperson may table
the matter for further prayer or call for a vote. A
motion may be made to institute
Robert’s Rules of Order. The motion to institut
e Robert’s Rule must be voted on.
If there is passage on a matter by a split or close v
ote, the Chairperson may ask
for another vote to table the matter until a later da
te.

16
 2. VOTING: As a general practice, voting will be used only when necessary for
legal purposes or when it is clear that voting is the only way to make a decision.
When such votes occur to determine elections or matters of business, unless
otherwise specified, they shall be decided by a simple majority of written ballot
votes cast; abstentions and improperly marked ballots do not count as votes cast.
The Chair is empowered to decide if a ballot is properly marked. Members must
be present to vote. In cases of three (or more) candidates splitting the vote so that
no one garners a majority, the two (or more in case of a tie) with the greatest
number of votes will stand in a run-off election. Votes are counted by tellers who
are appointed as needed by the church Chairperson. In the case of secret ballots,
those counting the vote will not collect the ballots from those voting. Votes are
counted by at least two tellers.

D. OTHER MEETINGS: As necessary when consistent with the church Constitution,

Statement of Faith, By-Laws for furthering the vision of the church. All others must
be approved by the Senior Pastor or General Board.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS

The church membership may make changes in these By-Laws as necessary. Proposed
amendments must be published to the membership at least two weeks before their consider
ation
at a business meeting. At such a business meeting, each member must be furnished with a
written copy of the motion to amend the By-Laws. Passage of an amendment requires a tw
o-
thirds vote of the quorum in attendance to carry.

Amended December 5, 2012

17