Church Bylaws

Grace Community: Church Bylaws

ARTICLE I:
MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 1, QUALIFICATIONS. Any person, eighteen (18) years of age or older, who confesses faith in, and has received the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the assurance of salvation, and whose character, conduct, and reputation is in accord with his/her confession, who subscribes to the foregoing Statement of Faith, who accepts the Constitution and Bylaws of this organization, and who is willing to support the Church in attendance (both Sunday worship and midweek home group fellowships), prayers, material means, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, may apply to become a member of this organization, hereafter referred to as the Church.

SECTION 2, MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE.

1. Application for membership shall be made to an elder weeks before further action on the application is taken by the Elders.
2. Applicants shall then meet simultaneously with at least two members of the Board of Elders to give personal testimony of their salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and evidence of their understanding of, and agreement with, the Statement of Faith and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church.
3. Believers baptism by immersion is a prerequisite for membership in the Church. Applicants who establish that they have participated in Believers baptism by immersion through another Christian ministry will be considered to have satisfied this condition.
4. After fulfilling the requirements and preparation for membership set forth by the Elders, membership will be granted after being approved by the Elders.
5. Each new member shall be publicly welcomed into membership at a subsequent regular Sunday service of the Church.
6. For a Pastor, his calling shall constitute both his and his wife's acceptance as members.
7. A membership list shall be kept by the Church Secretary (See Article III, Section 6, A. 1. c.) and shall be divided into active and inactive sections. The inactive section shall consist of only members who have moved "out of area" as determined by the Church Secretary.

SECTION 3, LIFESTYLE.

1. As a part of the body of Christ, members are urged to develop habits that are beneficial for spiritual growth. Examples of such habits would be involvement in a small group Bible study, regular attendance at church services, daily reading of the Bible, private and family devotions, sharing of Christ with others, and use of their spiritual gifts and talents in service and ministry for the building up of the Body of Christ and sharing of the message of Christ to the world. Parents are urged to teach and nurture the spiritual life of their children. (John 10:10, Philippians 2:1-11, I Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:11, Ephesians 6:4, Mark 8:34-35, Mark 10:42-45, I Peter 4:10-11).
2. Members are encouraged to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in illness and times of discouragement, and to be gentle in speech and slow to anger.
3. Members are encouraged to systematically give a portion of their income for the support of the Church according to the principles of I Corinthians 16:2, II Corinthians 9:7, Genesis 14:20(b), and Proverbs 3:9.
4. Members are encouraged to pursue Christ-like living as an "example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (I John 2:15, Romans 12:1,2, I Timothy 4:12). Each member is expected to avoid any act or practice that may be harmful in its influence on other believers (Romans 14:13,21).

SECTION 4, ABSENCE.

Any member, absent more than six months, from whom no communication has been received, may be dropped from the membership by the Church Secretary (See Article III, Section 6, A. 1. c.) upon approval of the Elders.

SECTION 5, WITHDRAWAL. Any member who wishes to withdraw from membership in the Church shall so inform the Elders in writing.

SECTION 6, DISCIPLINE. Any person who becomes a member of the church is voluntarily agreeing to submit to the discipline procedures outlined in Appendix C.

SECTION 7, PROPERTY RIGHTS.

1. CHANGE OF AFFILIATION. If, by a two-thirds majority, the members by Constitutional Amendment vote at an annual meeting to change the Church's affiliation and/or unite with another church, the Church shall not be considered to have dissolved or divided, and the property rights shall be retained by the Church membership.
2. Any member who has withdrawn or who has been excluded from the Church shall lose all rights of the Church.
3. The private property of the individual members of the Church shall be exempt from corporate debt.

ARTICLE II:
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION 1, COMMUNION. The Lord's Supper shall be practiced regularly as established by the Board of Elders. It shall be open to all believers who profess saving faith in Jesus Christ and who are walking in fellowship with Him. A period of personal self-examination before the Lord and confession of personal sin shall precede participation in the Lord's Supper. (I Corinthians 11:27-30, I John 1:19)

SECTION 2, BAPTISM. Believers baptism by immersion is the only mode of baptism practiced by this Church body. Exception due to physical disability will be considered by the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE III:
LEADERSHIP.

SECTION 1, ELDERS.

1. The spiritual leadership of the Church, under the headship of Christ, shall be provided by the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders shall consist of three to eight lay Elders elected by the members of the Church. The number shall be determined by need and available qualified men. The Senior Pastor shall also be a member of the Board of Elders.
2. Elders shall be selected in accordance with the qualifications described in Appendix A (I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). Their selection shall follow the process outlined in Appendix B.
3. The Elders shall collectively be responsible for overseeing and shepherding the people of the Church. These are both accomplished as the Elders model christian living and servant leadership (I Peter 5:1-4) and teach, exhort, and correct according to Scripture (Titus 1:9). Their aims are the spiritual welfare of each individual (Hebrews 13:17) and the growth towards Christ-likeness of the body of believers (Ephesians 4:12-16). Some specific examples of these responsibilities within this Church are:
   1. Provide discernment and direction regarding the goals, priorities, and vision of the body of believers.
   2. Evaluate and approve proposed ministries.
   3. Approve leaders recommended by the Pastoral Staff for new and ongoing ministries.
   4. 4. Provide an Elder liaison to each member of the Pastoral Staff for the purposes of support and enhanced communication.
   5. Further the development of future Elders and develop a slate of Elder candidates each year.
   6. Interview, counsel, and approve prospective Church members.
   7. Approve salaries for all paid staff.
   8. Provide assistance to the Pastor(s) at Church worship services when needed to serve communion and lead services in the absence of the Pastor(s). Perform such other spiritual offices as the Word of God teaches.
4. Elders shall be elected for three-year terms. If more than one-third of the terms expire at the same annual business meeting, one-year or two-year terms for the positions to be filled are acceptable, the objective being that the terms of no more than one-third of the Elders expire each year.
5. An Elder may be removed from office:
   1. By his own decision
   2. By a two-thirds majority vote by members voting at any business meeting of the Church
   3. According to the provisions of Appendix C.

SECTION 2, CHURCH CHAIRMAN. The Church Chairman shall be an Elder, shall be elected by the members in accordance with Appendix B, shall preside at all business meetings, and shall have such additional responsibilities as may be delegated by the Elders. If the Church Chairman is not available to preside at a business meeting, the Elders shall appoint another Elder to serve as Chairman of the meeting. The Church Chairman shall serve as Chairman of the Elders. He shall be an ex officio member of all Church ministries. A paid employee of the Church may not serve as Chairman.

SECTION 3, PASTORAL STAFF.

1. The Pastoral Staff shall include the Senior Pastor and all Associate Pastors.
2. Each member of the Pastoral Staff must be of blameless Christian character according to the qualifications of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 which are summarized under Biblical Qualifications for Elders, Appendix A. Each member of the Pastoral Staff must have a shepherd's heart according to I Peter 5: 1-3, Ephesians 4:12-13, I Thessalonians 5:14, II Thessalonians 3:9, I Timothy 1:3,18, 4:6, 4:12-16, 5:2-3, and II Timothy 2:15, 4:2,5. Each member of the Pastoral Staff must be in agreement with all Articles of this Church's Constitution and abide by this Church's Constitution and Bylaws.
3. Each member of the Pastoral Staff shall be called for an indeterminate period by a three-quarters majority vote of the members voting at a business meeting of the Church.
4. Duties:
   1. The Senior Pastor shall be a member of the Board of Elders and shall be accountable to the Board of Elders.
   2. The Senior Pastor shall be primarily responsible:
      1. To preach the Word of God and administer the ordinances of the Church.
      2. To oversee and supervise the Pastoral Staff, adjunct staff, and operational staff.
      3. To develop and communicate vision.
   3. The Senior Pastor and the Board of Elders shall determine the responsibilities and duties of Associate Pastors. The Associate Pastors are directly accountable to the Senior Pastor unless otherwise specified by the Board of Elders.
   4. The Pastoral Staff shall coordinate and integrate ministries, including such things as initiating ministry planning, solving common problems, and coordinating volunteer leaders and workers. The Pastoral Staff shall be responsible for identifying and developing Ministry Leaders. All Ministry Leaders shall be accountable to one of the Pastoral Staff.
5. Any Pastor may be removed from office:
   1. By his own decision,
   2. By three-quarters majority vote of the Board of Elders. The Senior Pastor, though a member of the Board of Elders, may not vote regarding his own removal from office.

SECTION 4, MINISTRY LEADERS.

1. The term "Ministry Leader" may include, but is not limited to, lay positions such as Building & Grounds Chairman, Deacon Chairman, Deaconess Chairwoman, Men's Ministry Chairman, Women's Ministry Chairwoman, Missions Committee Chairperson, Nursery Coordinator, Youth Program Coordinator(s), and Worship Coordinator. Ministry Leaders shall be recommended by a member of the Pastoral Staff and approved by the Elders. Persons currently serving in such positions are expected to work with their Pastoral Staff representative to identify and train future leadership for their respective ministries. Additional such positions may be recommended by the Pastoral Staff as needed.
2. Ministry Leaders shall be expected to serve in their position for a minimum of one year. Continuing Ministry Leaders shall be subject to annual review by the Board of Elders.
3. Temporary task forces may be appointed by the Elders as needed. These task forces will be accountable to the Elders, and will disband when their mission is accomplished.

SECTION 5, ADJUNCT AND OPERATIONAL STAFF.

1. The term "Adjunct Staff" shall refer to persons specifically appointed or hired by the Senior Pastor, after the prospective Adjunct Staff person(s) has been approved by the Elders, to assist the Senior Pastor and the other Pastoral Staff in the administration of Church operations, programs, or ministries. Examples of Adjunct Staff might be Business Administrator or Director of Women's Ministries. Adjunct Staff may be voluntary, unpaid members of the Church, or may be hired. The hiring of Adjunct Staff shall be allowed if budgeted money has been made available for this specific purpose. Adjunct Staff are accountable to the Senior Pastor.
2. The hiring of Operational Staff (e.g., janitors, secretaries, security, etc.) shall be done by the Pastoral Staff after the prospective Operational Staff person has been approved by the Elders, if budgeted money has been made available for this purpose.

SECTION 6, OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES.

1. OFFICERS. The officers of the church shall be the Church Chairman, the Treasurer, and the Secretary. The Treasurer and the Secretary shall be appointed as officers by the Trustees.
   Duties:
   1. The duties of the Church Chairman are described in Article 3, Section 2 of these Bylaws.
   2. The Treasurer shall oversee receipt and disbursement of funds of the Church in accordance with the annual budget and these Bylaws. The Treasurer shall at the beginning of each fiscal year supply a plan of internal financial accountability to the Elders for approval. This plan must establish procedures for all tithes, offerings, and love gifts to be received and tallied in the presence of another Church member or a member of the Church staff. The Treasurer shall oversee the preparation of a proposed annual budget and, after approval by the Board of Elders, present the proposed budget at the business meeting prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. The Treasurer shall ensure the maintenance of accurate records of the Church's financial affairs, and shall report on its financial standing at regular business meetings. The Treasurer shall supply all records during audits, shall supply all reports required by government authorities, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Elders.
   3. The Secretary shall keep accurate records of actions taken at all business meetings of the Church and shall submit such records for approval at the next business meeting. The Secretary shall preserve, in a safe place, all records of the Church, shall maintain accurate rolls of the Elders, officers, and membership of the Church (showing date of each approval, election, and removal). The Secretary shall complete any periodic reports required by state or federal agencies, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Elders.
2. TRUSTEES. The Trustees of the Church shall be the Elders. This section shall constitute sufficient authority for their designation as such.
3. Officers and Trustees shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws or by the laws of the State of Wisconsin governing non-stock corporations.

SECTION 7, ELIGIBILITY. All Elders, Officers, and Ministry Leaders must be members of the Church. All positions of leadership and authority within the Church shall be literally subject to the scriptural guidance of I Timothy 2:12. The gender role distinctions established by this passage shall apply to Ministry Leaders, Adjunct Staff, all adult teaching positions and ministries, and positions of authority within the Church.

SECTION 8, NEW MINISTRIES WITHIN THE CHURCH. In order for a new ministry to be considered a part of the Church, the following conditions must be met:

1. A brief written plan has been submitted to and approved by the Elders.
2. A leader for the new ministry has been recommended by the Pastoral Staff and approved by the Elders.
3. The Pastoral Staff has agreed upon to whom (among the Pastoral Staff members) the new Ministry Leader will be accountable, and this decision has been communicated to the new Ministry Leader.

ARTICLE IV:
MEETINGS.

SECTION 1, BUSINESS MEETINGS.

1. The annual business meeting of the Church shall be held during the month of November each year. At this meeting, annual ministry reports shall be received, Elders elected, other necessary business transacted, and information communicated. One other business meeting will be held in May. The Elders shall determine the day and time of the meetings.
2. Other business meetings may be called by the Senior Pastor, the Church Chairman, or by two-thirds majority vote of the members voting at one of the regularly scheduled business meetings.

SECTION 2, NOTICE.

1. Notice of the time of a business meeting shall be given by bulletin announcement at the regular worship services of the Church for two Sundays prior to the date of the meeting.
2. None of the following actions may be taken or approved at any business meeting of the Church unless the notice of the meeting includes a statement of the nature of the proposed action:
   1. The calling of a Pastor.
   2. Election or removal of an Elder.
   3. Borrowing of money by the Church.
   4. Amendment of the budget or the expenditure of funds in excess of 5% of the budget.
   5. Amendment of these Bylaws.

SECTION 3, QUORUM. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the active Church membership in attendance at any duly called business meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transacting of the business of the meeting.

SECTION 4, VOTING.

1. All members of the Church have the right to vote at any business meeting. All matters shall be determined by a simple majority vote, except when otherwise specified in these Bylaws. Throughout this document, two-thirds or three-quarters majority vote means a vote equal to or greater than two-thirds or three-quarters of all votes cast.
2. Any member of the Church who is unable to attend a Church business meeting may submit a request to the Church Secretary for a "proxy" ballot or voting document. The authority to approve or deny the request rests solely with the Church Secretary. If approved, the proxy will be prepared and delivered to the absent member by the Church Secretary. To be considered valid, the proxy must be completed and returned by the absent member, and received by the Church Secretary prior to the applicable Church business meeting.
3. The following actions shall require a vote of the members present:
   1. The calling of any Pastor.
   2. The election of an Elder.
   3. Borrowing of money by the Church.
   4. Approval of the annual budget, amendment of the budget, or the expenditure of funds in excess of 5% of the budget.
   5. Amendment of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V:
FINANCE.

SECTION 1, ANNUAL BUDGET. At the business meeting prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year, the members shall adopt a budget for the next fiscal year, and this section shall constitute sufficient notice of that action. Approval of the budget shall constitute authority for the expenditure of funds in the amounts and for the purposes stated in the budget. The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

SECTION 2, QUALITY ASSURANCE. Financial procedures and records shall be reviewed and evaluated at least once every three years by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders will determine the scope of the review. At a minimum, this review will include an evaluation of the Church's internal financial controls.

SECTION 3, PURCHASE OR DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. The Trustees shall have authority to purchase real and personal property for the Church and to sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise convey or dispose of any real or personal property of the Church. Any such transaction involving property with an aggregate fair market value in excess of $50,000 will require prior approval by two-thirds majority vote of the members voting at a business meeting.

ARTICLE VI:
AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended or altered by a two-thirds majority vote of the members voting at any regular business meeting of the Church, provided that notice has been given as required in these Bylaws.