Bylaws
ARTICLE I
Membership
Article 1.01 Requirements
Membership within
- Members shall have completed all of the requirements of membership as defined by the elders; and
- Members shall have signed the church Membership Covenant committing themselves with agreement to the responsibilities assigned.
Article 1.02 Responsibilities
The responsibilities of church members are outlined within the church Membership Covenant.
The covenant members of the church shall vote on the matters of (a) the annual operating budget; (b) indebtedness associated with the purchase or construction of real estate; (c) cumulative indebtedness for all other aspects of church business that exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the annual church operating budget; (d) acceptance of an amended or restated constitution or bylaws; (e) disposition of substantially of all of the church’s assets; (f) merger or dissolution of the Church; and (g) other actions deemed major and extraordinary by the elders.
All items above will be communicated to the church not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the vote. Comments received from the church will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Article 1.03 Removal
Members of the church will be removed from membership for reasons of (a) death; (b) the member’s request for removal; (c) a transfer request of membership to another church; or (d) the elders’ decision based upon the process of Church Discipline Guidelines for the cause of unrepentant sin.
ARTICLE II
Church Directors, Officers, Staff and Deacons
Article 2.01 Directors-Elders
Article 2.01.a Definition
The elders are entrusted with the governance of
Article 2.01.b Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for elders shall not be less than those listed in 1Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. In addition to the minimum qualifications given in the Scriptures, elders must be male Covenant Members, as described in Article 1, who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith , Elder Affirmation of Faith, and be actively involved in the ministry of the church. The elders may at any time create, alter, amend, repeal or restate the resolutions establishing additional qualifications outside of those listed in the above scriptures.
Article 2.01.c Powers
The oversight of the church’s ministry, operations and finances shall be vested in the elder body. The elders are designated as the directors of this corporation as the term is defined and used in the Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act. Subject to the provisions and limitations of the Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act, any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation, the Constitution or these Bylaws, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the elders.
Article 2.01.d Duties
The duties of the elders shall include, but not be limited to, leading the church to fulfill the purposes of the church. They are empowered to govern the ministries and business of the church subject to the limitations of the law, the Articles of Incorporation, the constitution or these bylaws. The elders shall supervise all employees of the church and may delegate to them any and all duties and responsibilities they deem reasonable, subject to the rights, if any, of a person under contract of employment. The elders of the church shall vote on the matters of (a) appointment of any elder; (b) doctrinal issues; (c) removal of an elder; (d) the annual review of the status of inactive covenant members using the standards set forth in our church discipline guidelines; and (e) other actions deemed major and extraordinary by the elders. All items above will be communicated to the church at the discretion of the elders, except the appointment of any elder which shall be communicated not less than twenty-one (21) days before the elder vote. Comments received from the church will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Article 2.01.e Selection and Term of Office
The elders shall have the sole authority to appoint new elders. A man shall be appointed as an elder by a passing vote of the elder body after he has been tested and proven to meet the qualifications stated herein. The members of the church will be allowed to raise concerns, in accordance with Article 2.01.d, before any prospective elder is confirmed. However, confirmation of the elder will be at the final discretion of the elders. The elders may appoint a committee or group to examine qualified elder candidates to the elders. The elders may also receive recommendations for elder candidates from the Covenant Members. Once a man is appointed to the elder body as a lay elder, as defined in Article 2.01.i., he is expected to serve in this capacity for a minimum of five years, but no more than eight years per term. Elders may be re-appointed after a one-year absence from the elder body. If the elder body determines that an elder needs an extended Sabbath for a season because of a legitimate need (e.g., illness, tragedy), then that elder can transition to being an inactive and non-voting elder for a set period of time as determined by the elder body. To resign from the elder body, an elder must notify, in writing, the officers of the church who are also members of the elder body. These officers will determine the most fruitful and edifying way to notify the remaining elders and the church. A vacancy on the elder body because of death, resignation, removal or any other cause shall be filled only in the manners prescribed in these bylaws. Such vacancies may be filled as they occur.
Article 2.01.f Removal
Any elder may be removed from the office of elder for valid cause. Discipline of elders must be consistent with the standards set forth in Matthew 18:15-20 and I Timothy 5:17-19. The elder body will determine specific procedures for removal. These procedures may be altered, amended, repealed or restated by an elder resolution. The elders shall have the sole authority to remove another elder. A written notice of proposed removal of any elder shall be given to such elder at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which an action to affect such removal is to be taken to ensure that the elder is given a reasonable opportunity to defend himself. The elder shall have the opportunity to answer the charges in the presence of his accusers, but shall not be present during the discussion and vote on his removal. Such removal shall take place only upon and after a passing vote of the elders at such meeting. The elder under consideration for removal shall not have voting rights.
Article 2.01.g Elder Meetings
Regular meetings of the elders shall be held in a location that the elders deem from time to time.
Any meeting may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, as long as all the elders participating in the meeting can hear one another. All such elders shall be deemed present at such meetings.
Article 2.01.h Definition of Quorum and Passing Vote
A quorum is required for voting matters. A passing vote must be equal to or greater than seventy-five percent (75%) of the elders present.
Article 2.01.i Definition of Lay Elders and Vocational Elders
Lay elders are defined as those elders who are not employed by the church as a regular part-time or full-time staff member. Vocational elders are defined as those elders who are employed by the church as a regular part-time or full-time staff member.
Lay elders shall not receive compensation or salaries for their service. Vocational elders may receive reasonable compensation for fulfilling their vocational responsibilities as employees of the church. A vocational elder shall not vote on nor determine his own personal salary or benefits or designate his personal housing allowance.
Article 2.02 Officers
Article 2.02.a Officers
Officers of the church shall be members of the elder body. The officers shall consist of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and such other officers as deemed necessary by the elders. The teaching pastor of
Article 2.02.b Election
The officers of the church shall be elected by a passing vote of the elders, and shall serve terms of at least two (2) years. Officers may be re-elected.
Article 2.02.c Removal of Officers
Any officer may be removed from office for valid cause. A written notice of proposed removal of any officer shall be given to such officer by the secretary or by an elder appointed by the chairman at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which an action to affect such removal is to be taken to ensure that the officer is given a reasonable opportunity for defense. The officer shall have the opportunity to answer the charges in the presence of his accusers, but shall not be present during the discussion and vote on his removal. Removal of an officer requires a passing vote of the elders. The officer in question will not have voting rights.
Vacancies in the officers of the church by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, shall be filled by election of the elders as soon as is reasonably possible. Until such time, an elder may be appointed by the remaining elders to serve in such vacancy as an interim.
Article 2.02.e Duties
Article 2.02.e.1 Chairman
The chairman shall perform such duties as are incumbent on such officer, including making certain that all orders and resolutions of the elders are carried into effect. The chairman shall also serve as the overseer of the financial operations of the church. The chairman shall have oversight of the elder meetings as defined in Article 2.01.g. The chairman’s duties shall include, but not be limited to: establishing meetings, setting the agenda, presiding over the meetings, etc.
Article 2.02.e.2 Vice Chairman
The vice chairman shall record or cause to be recorded in a minute book of the church minutes of all meetings of the elders and all votes taken at such meetings. The vice chairman shall, in the absence of a duly appointed chairman, or in the event of the chairman’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairman and shall perform other duties as the elders shall from time to time prescribe.
Article 2.03 Church Staff
Article 2.03.a Leadership Team
Article 2.03.a.1 Definition
Members of the Leadership team shall be elders of the church in accordance with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Members of the Leadership Team shall serve as overseers of a significant segment of the church ministry or business operations.
The Leadership Team will function as a team for the protection of the church, representing the best interests of the entire church and not simply interests of a particular part of the church. This team will make wise and efficient decisions as leaders trusted by the elders and church members.
The elders will determine the size and composition of the Leadership Team.
The Leadership Team will be comprised of paid vocational elders.
As granted by the elders, the Leadership Team shall have authority to hire and terminate church personnel, except for members of the Leadership Team. The elders retain the authority to hire or terminate a member of the Leadership Team in accordance with the removal of an elder stated in Article 2.03.a.5.
As granted by the elders, the Leadership Team shall have authority to transact business, execute contracts and legally bind the church in its respective ministry and business affairs.
Article 2.03.a.2 Qualifications
The Leadership Team shall be men who meet the qualifications of an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. In addition, they shall fully subscribe to the church’s Statement of Faith.
Article 2.03.a.3 Duties
The duties of the Leadership Team shall include, but not be limited to, creating cohesion around church strategy, consolidating church-wide teaching, unifying ministry leadership and leveraging ministry services. They shall lead the church to fulfill its purposes. They shall be empowered to oversee and direct the ministries and business of the church subject to the powers expressly reserved for the elders, and subject to the limitations of law, the Articles of Incorporation, the constitution and these bylaws. The Leadership Team shall supervise, directly or by delegation all employees of the church, and may delegate to them any and all duties and responsibilities they deem reasonable, subject to the rights, if any, of a person under contract of employment.
Article 2.03.a.4 Election
The elders will be responsible to select candidates for the Leadership Team. Communication of the call of and appointment of the individual members of the Leadership Team are subject to the provisions in Article 2.01.d stated herein.
Article 2.03.a.5 Removal
A member of the Leadership Team shall serve until his respective tenure is terminated by his or the elder’s request, or by his death or disqualification. In the event a member of the Leadership Team resigns or the elders desire his resignation, a minimum thirty-day (30) written notice shall be given by the party desiring the change unless other arrangements can be made by mutual agreement of both parties. A passing vote of the active elders, excluding the member of the Leadership Team being removed, shall be necessary to remove any of the lead pastors from office. This vote must be taken at a meeting that has been called for that specific purpose.
Article 2.03.a.6 Vacancy
When a vacancy in the pulpit, exists, the elders shall make arrangements to fill the position.
All personnel employed by the church shall be covenant members and act in accordance with the current elder approved Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
Article 2.04 Deacons
Article 2.04.a Number
The elders shall have the sole authority to appoint the number of deacons to meet the permanent and short-term needs of the church.
Article 2.04.b Qualifications and Definition
Deacons may be men or women, who meet the qualifications as specified in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Article 2.04.c Election Term
Deacons will serve a minimum term of three years and no more than five years with a year off between terms.
Article 2.04.d Responsibility
The responsibility of the deacons is not explicit within the biblical text. The overall responsibility of the diaconate is to assist the elders in their service and equipping functions.
Article 2.04.e Vacancies
If a deacon is removed from service, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the appointment of a successor deacon is under the sole authority and discretion of the elders.
Article 2.04.f Appointments and Confirmation
The elders shall have the sole authority to appoint deacons. The elders shall communicate prospective deacons to the church no less than twenty-one (21) days prior to an elder vote. Comments received from the church will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Confirmation of deacons will be at the final discretion of the elders and requires a passing vote.
Article 2.04.g Removal of Deacons
Any deacon may be removed from office for valid cause. A written notice of proposed removal of any deacon shall be given to the secretary and chairman of the elders at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which an action to affect such removal is to be taken to ensure that the deacon is given a reasonable opportunity for defense. The deacon shall have the opportunity to answer the charges in the presence of his or her accusers, but shall not be present during the discussion and vote on his or her removal. Removal of a deacon requires a passing vote of the elders.
Vacancies in the deacons of the church by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, shall be filled by election of the elders at their discretion in accordance with Article 2.04.e.
ARTICLE III
Church Discipline
Discipline within the church will be enforced following the general outline of Matthew 18:15-17. View the Church Discipline Guidelines for more information.
ARTICLE IV
Annual Independent Financial Audit
The church will engage an independent certified public accountant to conduct an annual audit, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
ARTICLE V
Amendments to the Bylaws
Article 6.01 Notice Required and Voting Procedure
These bylaws or any provision contained herein may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted in accordance with the provisions of Article 2.01.d contained herein.
