Bylaws

Article 1. Church Membership

Section 1: Membership

The Membership of the church shall consist of persons who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, having given public testimony to their Christian faith through believer’s baptism by immersion as set forth in the New Testament (NT). All candidates will be required to complete the membership profess, affirm the church covenant by signature, affirm the church’s core beliefs, and be in sympathy with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message statement.

For these Bylaws, membership is defined as covenant members who have met the above requirements, and the terms “covenant members,” “members” and “membership” are used interchangeably herein.

Section 2: Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

  1. Proof of Membership in another church

  2. Exclusion of the member by action of the church

  3. Death of the member

  4. As a result of non-disciplinary meeting with an elder.

A member who is inactive in the church for one-year man be considered for termination of membership.

Section 3: Discipline and Restoration

Members of the church are expected to conduct their lives in accordance with the biblical standards of holiness as they grow to become more like Christ. When a member knowingly, blatantly and publicly ignores the direct commands and prohibitions of Scripture, principles of discipline and restoration will be applied. These principals are found in passages such as Matthew 7:1-5, 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-

13; Galatians 6:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. Corrective discipline will be handled by the elders who will determine whether a matter should be brought before the covenant membership for action.

Article II. Elders

Section 1: Responsibilities and Qualifications

As used in Scripture, the term “elder” is synonymous with “pastor” and “overseer.” The elders will be responsible for the oversight of the church and its ministries. They will meet regularly for prayer, personal accountability and encouragement, and the fullfilment of their ministry responsibilities. The elders are responsible for leading the church to function as a NT church. Elders shall be covenant members of the church.

Elders will be men of prayer and the Word. Their qualifications are defined by specific Scripture passages in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 5:17, and 1 Peter 4:1-4. If at any time an elder is not fulfilling his role, fails to meet the Biblical qualifications, or no longer desires to serve, the other elders along with the covenant members will evaluate the situation. If necessary, the elders will recommend steps be taken and ask the membership for affirmation. The membership may provide input about an elders lifestyle and performance according to biblical qualifications at any time in accordance with 1 Timothy 5:19-20.

The elders shall serve as Directors of the Corporation. When signatures of the Directors of the Corporation are needed to transact business, the signatures of at least two active elders reflecting the unity of the elders shall represent the Corporation.

Section 2: Selection

Should the need for additional elders arise, there will be an active search initiated by the elders for men who meet the biblical qualifications. The elders will examine each candidate to determine if they meet the biblical qualifications. The number of candidates presented to the membership for affirmation will depend on the needs of the church. There is neither a present number of elders, nor a preset term of service.

Article III. Deacons

Section 1: Responsibilities and Qualifications

As used in Scripture, the term deacon means minister or servant. The deacons, under the leadership of the elders, will serve in areas where ministering to the needs of the church is of primary importance.

Deacons will be believers of spiritual maturity and wisdom, who demonstrate a servant spirit. Their qualifications are defined by specific Scripture passages in Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. If at any time a deacon is not fulfilling his or her role, fails to meet the biblical qualifications, no longer desires to serve, or whose specific area of service is no longer needed, the elders will evaluate the situation. If necessary, the elders will recommend steps be taken and ask the membership for affirmation.

Section 2: Selection

As the need for deacons arises, there will be an active search initiated by the elders for men and women who meet the biblical qualifications and who have been active members for a minimum of one year. The covenant membership may also recommend names of potential candidates. The elders will examine each candidate to determine if they meet the biblical qualifications and present them to the membership for affirmation. There is neither a preset number of deacons, not a preset term of service.

Article IV. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Section 1: Administrative Staff

The administrative staff shall consist of those employees who assist the elders. The administrative staff shall be under the direction of the elders. Compensation for administrative staff shall be determined by the active elders in accordance with Article VII, Section 1.

Section 2: Membership

All administrative staff personnel shall be covenant members of the church as defined by Article 1.

ARTICLE V. MINISTRY TEAMS

Section 1: Responsibility

Selected ministries of the church will be carried out by ministry teams that allow members to exercise their spiritual gifts. The ministry teams will be coordinated by the elders and empowered by the church to fulfill their mission.

Section 2: Ministry Team Members

The elders will assign an elder for oversight of each ministry team leader (this includes DNA and MC groups). The team leader and assigned elder will bring recommendations for team members to the elders for approval. There will be no preset term for team members, but the team leader and/or assigned elder can recommend rotation or sabbatical years for team members. The ministry team may then enlist members to help carry out their mission. Elders can at any point remove a team leader form their area of responsibility or a ministry team as a ministry of the church. Budget and cost expenditures for each ministry team shall be determined by the appointed elder of oversight, along with the ministry team leader.

ARTICLE VI. CHURCH SERVICES AND ORDINANCES

Section 1: Worship Services

The church shall meet for worship each Sunday or at other times authorized by the elders.

Section 2: Baptism

Baptism shall be of believers by immersion in water. An elder will oversee the administration of this ordinance.

Section 3: The Lord’s Supper

The church shall observe the Lord’s Supper regularly. An elder will oversee the administration of this ordinance.