Introduction
These Bylaws are enacted for the purpose of providing direction and guidance for the operation, organization, and ministries of this church. Any conflict in interpretation or action between these Bylaws and the Church Constitution shall be resolved in favor of the Constitution.
Article 1: Membership
Section 1--Qualifications: There are five required components before a person may be considered for membership at Grace Bible Church. They are:
A. Explain to an Elder or Pastor their testimony and acknowledge their acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
B. If not already accomplished, understand and fulfill the command to be baptized by immersion.
C. Understand and purpose to fulfill the requirements of a member in Section 2 thru 6.
D. Must read and agree with our statement of faith as found in the "What We Teach" document.
E. If not transferring membership from another elder approved church, have faithfully attended worship, and/or been involved in ministry for six months at Grace Bible Church. (May be amended with elder approval)
Section 2-Admission: Upon application for membership, each applicant shall complete the New Member's Class. After satisfactory completion of the New Member's Class, and being otherwise qualified for membership, the applicant shall be recommended for membership to the Board of Elders, which shall vote on that recommendation.
Section 3-Member Duties: [as amended July 13, 2005]: Members will be faithful to all scriptural duties essential to the Christian life, faithfully attend the services of the church, consistently support it with their giving, as the Lord leads and share their talents and spiritual gifts for the spread of the Gospel and the edification of the body. Members agree to follow the leading of the elders, not be divisive, accept church discipline, and seek the fellowship, prayer and counsel of the elders and other members.
Section 4-Members' Rights: Members of this church shall have no property rights and upon termination of membership, they shall be entitled to no interest in the assets. In the event of the dissolution of the corporation, the property assets of the church shall be distributed according to the vote of the majority of the membership. (See Constitution, Article V)
Section 5- Inactive Member: A member will be considered inactive if they have not participated in a worship service, ministry or giving for a period of three (3) months. Inactive members may be removed from the membership roll by a vote of the Board of Elders. Reinstatement, if desired, will be at the discretion of the Board of Elders on an individual basis.
Section 6- Member Transfer/Dismissal: A member may be dismissed and transferred to the fellowship of another church by letter upon a vote of the Board of Elders.
Section 7-Grievances: All cases of grievances between members shall be dealt with in accordance with the rules laid down in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, and no public complaint shall be heard until this course has been pursued. Charges, when made, shall be in writing, signed by at least two members in good standing, and submitted to the Board of Elders for resolution. Recommendation for dismissal from the membership much be approved by the Board of Elders. Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored by vote of the Board upon evidence of that person's repentance and reformation.
Section 8-Voting Qualification: The right to vote shall be vested in members who ,as well as fulfilling Sections 1 thru 7 above, have been faithful in attending worship services, ministry, or giving for at least six (6) consecutive months and being at least 18 years old.
Inactive members are ineligible to vote.
Article II: Leadership
Section 1-General Qualifications:
A. Any pastor or member of the Board of Elders shall be in full agreement with the Church Constitution and Bylaws and the "What We Teach" document. They shall have the spiritual qualifications of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
B. Other church members serving in a leadership or ministry capacity shall have the qualifications of a Deacon as in I Timothy 3:8-13.
C. All positions of leadership require membership, spiritual maturity and a commitment to following Christ. Recognizing that none are perfect, all should be striving towards Christ- likeness in all areas of living. The fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 should be evident in the lives of all leaders.
Section 2-Staff:
A. Senior Pastor: In order to fulfill our stated purpose, the Elders shall call a Senior Pastor/Teaching Elder. His primary responsibility shall be the teaching and preaching of God's Word, supervision of the pastoral staff, and overseeing the ministries of the church. The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained minister and a man of true Christian commitment and character. He shall qualify for his office according to the standards of I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-16.
He shall become a member of the church and be in full accord with its statement of faith. By virtue of his office, he shall have power of address and be an ex officio member of all boards and committees of the church and be considered as a voting member of the Board of Elders.
The calling, or dismissal, of the Senior Pastor (Teaching Elder) shall be accomplished by the Elder Board. They may utilize any variety of methods, such as interviews, guest preaching, recommendations, member feedback, etc. to find an acceptable replacement. In the event of a dismissal the Elders will call a Special Business Meeting to confirm their decision.
No accusation shall be brought against the Senior Pastor or other Elders except on the testimony of at least two members in good standing (I Timothy 5:19-21). The matter shall then be taken to the Board of Elders for investigation and resolution. If the accusation is not resolved by the Board of Elders or the Senior Pastor, the matter may be presented to the congregation for final decision.
The termination of the Senior Pastor's ministry shall require a simple majority of the votes cast at a regular or special business meeting where at least 35 percent of the church membership eligible to vote is present.
If the Senior Pastor desires to resign, three month's notice shall be given in writing unless waived by mutual consent. A resignation does not require a vote of acceptance.
After the vote is counted or resignation received, normal compensation shall be continued for a three-month period, unless waived by mutual consent, or by the Senior Pastor's acceptance of any other employment.
B. Other Staff: Pastoral staff shall consist of pastors and other professional employees called to maintain effective ministry and equip the members for service. The Senior Pastor or his delegate will assess the staffing needs and make recommendation regarding positions and job descriptions to the Board of Elders. Each minister shall have met all qualifications established by the Board of Elders and shall serve under the direction of the Senior Pastor, or his delegate. The pastoral staff shall be an ex officio member of any committees concerned with their respective areas of ministry and the Board of Elders.
Support staff job descriptions are subject to review and approval by the Senior Pastor or his delegate and do not require Board of Elders approval.
Section 3-Board of Elders
A. Composition, Appointment and Qualifications: The Senior Pastor (teaching elder) is considered an Elder and can, at his option, be part of the Elder Board. Any number of qualified men that God leads into His service may serve on the Elder Board. They shall serve for as long as the remaining Elders, and the individual, desire. It is hoped that there be at least three (3) Elders with a membership up to 150. As membership increases and God raises godly men in our body, it is desirable to maintain the 1 Elder/50 member ratios. In the event of fewer than six (6) Elders being in place, an Elder may temporarily hold more than one corporate office in order to fulfill the provisions of Article VIII of the Constitution.
In the event of resignation, death, or removal of an Elder, the Elder Board shall fill the vacancy with a qualified individual.
An Elder shall be a member of the church for al least a year, not less than 30 years of age, and meet the general qualifications stated in Article II, Section I, of these Bylaws. Either the year minimum of membership or age restriction can be waived by the Elder Board.
B. Responsibilities: The Elders operate under the authority of Scripture and are responsible to God for their actions. In accordance with I Timothy 5:17, James 5:14 and I Peter 5:2-3, the Board of Elders shall oversee all church matters. The Board shall insure the performance of all functions necessary for the operation of this church, spiritual well-being of its congregation, and conduct of its ministries in pursuance of its Biblically and constitutionally mandated purpose.
Specifically, the Board will establish basic church policy, provide general fiscal direction, maintain church discipline, and participate with the pastoral staff in the planning process. Collectively and individually, the members of the Board shall, by prayer and supplication, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's Will for them and the church in all their deliberations.
C. Committees: When deemed appropriate and in order to assist the Board in the discharge of its responsibilities, standing and temporary committees may be formed by resolution of the Board at any Board meeting. Membership on committees may include members from staff, Board, and/or the congregation. The general functions of committees are:
-To develop and have Elder Board approval of standard operating procedures.
-To carry out such duties as may be delegated to it by the Board. -To bring considered recommendations to the Board and/or pastoral staff concerning ministries or functions.
-To provide a wider base of counsel to the Elders and pastoral staff having- of specific ministries or functions.
D. Removal of Elders: Any Elder may be removed from office if he becomes physically incapacitated, spiritually unqualified, or his inability to serve is established by a two-thirds vote of the remaining members of the Board of Elders.
E. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board shall be held without call or notice on the second Monday of each month, unless changed by the Board. Regular meetings shall be open to church members. Portions of a regular meeting may be closed by declaration of the Board.
F. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Boards may be called at any time by order of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, or by a quorum of the members of the Board.
G. Notice of Special meeting: A special meeting of the Board shall be held on 24 hour notice given personally, by telephone, e-mail or similar means of communication.
H. Quorum: A two-thirds majority of the Board membership shall constitute a quorum.
I. Adjournment: A majority of the Board present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
Section 4-Officers: The officers of this corporation shall be Chairman of the Board of Elders, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Elders, Secretary of the Board of Elders, and Treasurer of the Board of Elders, and a Vice-Secretary, and a Vice-Treasurer. These six officers are jointly titled as Trustees of the corporation and, if desired by the Board, can be appointed from outside the Board of Elders.
A. Chairman of the Board of Elders: The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Board of Elders and shall be the official moderator of the church. The Chairman shall be ex officio member of all committees. The Chairman shall act as, and be the President of the Corporation.
B. Vice-Chairman of the Board of Elders: The Vice-Chairman shall act as, and be the Vice-President of the corporation. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman will assume his responsibilities. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Board shall appoint an Elder to act in their place.
C. Secretary: The Secretary shall be the Secretary of the corporation. The Vice-Secretary shall perform the corporate duties of the Secretary only in the absence of the Secretary. A Recording Secretary shall be appointed by the Board to keep an accurate record of the proceedings at meetings of the membership and the Board of Elders
D. Treasurer: The Treasurer will serve as the Treasurer of the corporation. The Vice-Treasurer shall perform the corporate duties of Treasurer only in the absence of the Treasurer.
Article III: Amendments: Amendments to these Bylaws must be made available to the congregation at least two Sundays prior to the Elder Board voting at a regular or special meeting. Opportunity must be made for congregational comment at said Board meeting. A simple majority vote of a quorum of Board members shall be sufficient to approve amendments.
