By Laws

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

1. A candidate may be admitted to membership by meeting the following qualifications:

A. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and Baptism by immersion as a testimony of salvation.

B. Testimony of Salvation and Scriptural Baptism which must be verified by a letter from a Church of like faith.

Two rolls of members will be maintained and updated periodically:

• Active/Resident Members: All members who reside in the Church's ministry area and are currently active in the life of the Church.

• Nonresident Members: Members who have become inactive as a result of moving out of the church's ministry area and have not joined another church. Such members must communicate their desire to the church to remain on the roll in writing or by contribution at least once each year.

SECTION 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP

The responsibilities of membership are described in the Church Covenant located in Article III of the Church Constitution.

SECTION 3. VOTING RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP

Every Active Member of the church has the right to vote on the following matters:

• The monthly budget of the church.

• The calling and removing of the Senior Pastor.

• The merger or dissolution of the church and the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the church.

• The termination of membership of those who are to be excluded as a result of the process of church discipline.

• The acquisition of real property and related indebtedness.

• Adoption of and amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of the church.

Additionally, the Active Members of the church shall have the right to resolve any issue that may be delegated to any other official body of the church, should they find it necessary to do so.

SECTION 4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Members shall be removed from the church roll for the following reasons:

• Transfer of membership to another church.

• By a personal request of the member.

• By non-participation of the member in the life of the church for a period of 6 months.

• By exclusion when their life and conduct is not in accordance with the membership covenant in such a way that it may hinder the ministry or reputation of the church in the community.

• By death.

SECTION 5. RESTORATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Members dismissed may be restored when their life-styles are judged to be in accordance with the membership covenant.

ARTICLE II: CHURCH GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1. THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST

The Government of this church shall be focused on seeking and maintaining the Lordship and direction of Jesus Christ over His Body. All members and those in positions of delegated authority shall continually seek His mind and will in all actions and decisions.

SECTION 2. THE MEMBERSHIP BODY

The body of active members of this church is the ultimate governing authority. They are the final court of appeal for local church matters. In that role they serve to resolve any problems that may arise from any authority that is delegated to any other authorized body within the church structure. They carry out their responsibility in the spirit of the church covenant under the Lordship of Christ.

SECTION 3. THE DEACON BODY.

The Deacons are members who have been appointed to the task of serving the church in the areas assigned to them. They are primarily concerned with the physical and financial needs of the church. They serve under the supervision of the church.

1. AREAS OF DIRECT MINISTRY include but are not limited to:

a. The providing of assistance to the finances of the church.

b. The benevolent ministry to the needy.

c. The providing of assistance to the Treasurer and Financial Secretary in the development of the monthly budget of the church.

d. The providing of assistance to the church in the search for a candidate for Senior Pastor to nominate to the church, should the need arise.

e. The performance of other duties as may be assigned by the church.

2. THE DEACON'S QUALIFICATION: The general qualifications for Deacons are given in I Timothy 3:8-13 KJV

3. THEIR APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE: Deacons likewise sense a call by the Holy Spirit. When such a call is evident, it should be evident to the member so called, to the Pastor, and to the members. When this call is evident, the candidate is nominated by the Pastor and confirmed by the congregation.

SECTION 4. THE SENIOR PASTOR

The Senior Pastor is the spiritual leader of this church. As such, he will lead the congregation and the staff, supervising directly or indirectly the activities of the church, toward the fulfilling of the purposes of the church. His invitation to serve as Senior Pastor is the church's acknowledgement of his authorization to serve as shepherd of this local assembly of Christians. The Senior Pastor is the chief Teaching Elder of this church, giving considerable time to the ministry of the Word of God (Acts 6:2, 4 KJV).

1. His Appointment, term and removal from office

In the event of vacancy, the Deacons/Appointee, with the assistance of the Church, shall seek out a candidate for the office of Senior Pastor. A Senior Pastor shall be confirmed by a three-fourths majority vote of the active members at a special business meeting called for this purpose. The recommendation of the Deacons/Appointee shall constitute the nomination for Senior Pastor. He shall serve without term. A Senior Pastor may be removed from office by his own resignation or by action of the church with a majority vote of the active members at a special business meeting called for this purpose. Upon either action the Senior Pastor will receive a two weeks severance pay. If the Senior Pastor must be removed for some scriptural reason, he will be relieved immediately in which there will be no severance pay.

2. The Senior Pastor's Qualification: The Senior Pastor must meet the general qualifications for elders as given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. He must have a definite, specific call to the ministry of Pastor (Ephesians 4:11 KJV), be ordained to the ministry (Romans 10:15 KJV), and have an adequate preparation (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

3. Duties

a. The Senior Pastor shall perform all the functions and duties of a Pastor/Elder of a New Testament Church during the pleasure of the church, or until such time as he shall be led to accept a call in another field of labor.

b. As the leader and elder of the church, he shall chair the Deacon Body, and the general congregational meetings of the church.

Article III: Meetings

Section 1. Worship

1. Public worship services shall not be limited to, but shall regularly held on the Lords Day of every week.

2. The Lords Supper shall be observed on a regular basis.

3. The ordinance of Baptism shall be observed at such times as is necessary.

4. Other religious services/meetings may be scheduled by the Senior Pastor and Deacons.

Article 1V: General Provisions

Section 1. Licensure And Ordination To The Ministry

1. Any member who may, in the judgment of the church , give evidence of his piety, zeal, and fitness to preach, and who is called to the work of the ministry , may be licensed and/ or ordained to preach the Gospel upon recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, and approval of the Church.

2. Approval to issue a license or ordination to the ministry requires a three-fourths majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or called business meeting.

Section 2. Church Finance

1. General

a. All funds for any and all purposes collected through any organization of the Church shall be deposited to the appropriate church account maintained by the Church Treasurer, and will be properly reflected on the financial records of the church.

b. All funds raised by the church for satisfying the church's budgeted expenses shall be from the free will of members and friends. Any special funds raised for non-budgeted activities must be approved by the church.

c. The expenses of all organizations, as approved by the church through adoption and/or modification of the annual, unified church budget, shall be paid for by check from funds collected by the church. An exception to this requirement is disbursements made by the Pastor and Deacons in emergency situations for benevolent purposes.

2. Expenditure Authority

a. No contract for supplies, materials or services pledging the credit of the church, nor procurement of supplies, materials or services, anticipating reimbursement by the church, shall be made without a properly approved voucher, unless such action is authorized by the Pastor, Deacons, or Congregation.

b. No special offering will be taken except upon approval of the Senior Pastor , or Deacons, or Congregation.

Section 2. Business

1. A monthly business meeting will be conducted the 1st Wednesday of each month. The purpose of this meeting is to accept the Churches monthly budget and handle such other business as may be specified in the call or authorized by the Church By-Laws.

2. A Special called Business meeting may be conducted at any time to transact any urgent, important matter of business. Special business meetings may be called by the Senior Pastor, or Deacons. They may also be called at the written request of thirty (30%) of the Active Members. The subject of the called meeting shall be limited to the subject stated in the notice.

3. Notice of all Church business meetings including the, date, time and place of the meeting must be given to the church, in writing, at least one week in advance of the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum

1. A quorum for all regular and called business meetings of the church, except when changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, the purchase or selling of property, or the calling or removal of the Senior Pastor are being considered, will consist of those Active Members present at the meeting.

2. Twenty percent of the Active Members must be present to constitute a quorum to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws.

3. Thirty-five percent of the Active Members must be present to constitute a quorum when the Church votes to buy or sell church property (land or buildings), or to appoint a paid ministerial employee.

4. Forty percent of the Active Members must be present to constitute a quorum to call or terminate the Senior Pastor.

5. Voting by proxy or by absentee ballot is prohibited.

Section 4. Rules Of Procedure

In handling the business of the church, an informal procedure of open discussion will be used, with every attempt made to maintain an open and courteous meeting leading to consensus. Should the need arise, Roberts Rules Of Order will be used to govern all business procedures, except where they are in conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws, in which event the Constitution and By-Laws will govern.