Church By-Laws

ARTICLE I – BUSINESS MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Business Meetings
An annual business meeting shall be held at least two weeks before the new budget goes into effect.

Section 2 – Special Business Meetings
Special business meetings may be called by majority of the Elder Board members, by pastor, by the chairman of the church, or upon a written request of at least ten members to the Elder Board.

Section 3 – Meeting Administrative Requirements

A. At least ten percent (10%) of the voting membership must be present for a meeting to be constitutionally binding.
B. All meetings, unless of an extremely urgent nature as determined by the Elder Board, will be announced on two consecutive Sundays in advance.

ARTICLE II – OTHER QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

Any officer qualification other than those mentioned in Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution will be determined by the Elder Board.

ARTICLE III – FUNCTIONS OF OFFICERS

Section 1 – Elder Board Members
The function of the Elder Board is to:
1. Shepherd and oversee the flock (Acts 20:28);
2. Manage (I Timothy 3:5);
3. Rule (I Timothy 5:17);
4. Exhort and refute (Titus 1:9);
5. Keep watch over souls (Hebrews 13:7);
6. Pray for the sick (James 5:14,15);
7. Shepherd by example (I Peter 5:1-4);
8. Appoint and designate Deacons as the need arises in accordance with Acts 6:1-7, Romans 16:1-2, and I Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13, to help carry out various phases of the church’s ministries;
9. In the absence of the pastor(s), the Elder Board members will assume the duties of the pastor(s);
10. Establish and provide such committees as the Elder Board may deem necessary in order for the church to function.
11. Be Responsible for all valuable papers and legal documents of the church.
Therefore, the Elder Board members shall be responsible for overseeing and shepherding all ministries of the church, and shall oversee the finances of the church in establishing of financial policies and transactions as authorized by the membership. The Elder Board shall provide a report to the congregation at the annual business meeting regarding their activity during the past year and their plans for the upcoming year.
12. Be the final authority of interpreting Scripture in matters of doctrinal, relational disputes.

Section 2 – Administrative Officers

A. Chairman. In addition to his duties as Chairman of the Elder Board, the Chairman shall:
1. Preside over business meetings of the church;
2. Insure that all decisions of the church are fully carried out; and
3. Have the power to address and vote in all Elder Board Committee and affiliated organizations.

B. Vice Chairman. In the absence of the Chairman, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman, and when so acting, shall hold all the powers of, and be subject to, all the restrictions upon the Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall perform such duties and have such other powers as the Elder Board may from time to time prescribe by standing or special resolution, or as the Chairman may from time to time provide, subject to the powers and the supervision of the Elder Board.

C. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for providing fiscal oversight and reporting to the Elder Board and the church in accordance with financial policies and procedures of the church, and in general, shall perform all duties customary to the office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be a member of the church Finance Committee.

D. Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for preparing and maintaining custody of all minutes of all meetings of the Elder Board and church business meetings, and for authenticating the records of the church, and shall give or cause to be given all notices in accordance with these By-Laws or as required by law, and in general, shall perform all duties customary to the office of Secretary.

Section 3 – Deacons
The function of Deacons is to assist the Elder Board in works of service and ministry to the church body so that the elders might devote themselves to prayer and to ministry of the word, and to oversee, guard and shepherd the flock. (Acts 6:2-6, 20-28)

Section 4 – Pastors
The pastors’ functions shall be determined by the Elder Board and shall be presented to the pastors as a written position description. The Elder Board shall yearly (or sooner if required), review, provide feedback to the pastors, and alter the description based upon changing church needs. Pastors designated by the Elder Board may serve as ex-officio members of church committees and organizations. The Senior Pastor shall have the right to attend all Elder Board meetings as a voting member, except on issues affecting his office, duties, salaries, or benefits. All other pastors will serve as ex-officio (non-voting) members of the Elder Board.

ARTICLE IV – PROVISIONS FOR AMENDING BY-LAWS

Amendments to the By-Laws may be introduced through formal motion at any regular business meeting but shall not be acted on until the following regular or special called business meeting. At least two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast at the meeting shall be required for acceptance. Proper prior notice of the meeting and the proposed amendments shall be given in accordance with the By-Laws.

Section 1 – Safe Environment

A. An annual background check is required for everyone who works/volunteers in any capacity within the body of Communion Chapel.
B. Any person, organization using Communion Chapel property is required to consent to and pay the cost of the annual background check by a service selected by Communion Chapel

By-Laws: PDF / Word