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The by-laws of Community Christian Church of
Great Bend, Kansas are herewith totally amended and revised, thereby
superseding the present by-laws and all amendments thereto. The
amended and revised by-laws are as follows:
Definitions for this Document
A. Quorum --The minimum number of
members needed to conduct the business of that group.
B. Quorum of Elders --Includes all of
the duly appointed elders, present or providing a written absentee
ballot, for a scheduled or called meeting that can provide a simple
majority vote of the entire Eldership or a super majority vote if
the issue so requires.
1. A Simple quorum for an Eldership of 3 is 2,
for 4 is 3, 5 is 3, 6 is 4, 7 is 4, 8 is 5, etc)
2. A super quorum for an Eldership of 3 is 2, 4
is 3, 5 is 4, 6 is 4, 7 is 5, 8 is 6, etc)
C. Quorum of Members -- Includes those
present or providing written absentee ballots on the date and time
of a duly announced Congregational Meeting..
D. Simple-Majority (voting) -–Greater
than one-half (1/2) of the quorum.
E. Super-Majority (voting) – Greater
than two-thirds (2/3’s) of the quorum.
ARTICLE I -- NAME
A. For business and legal purposes, the
name of this congregation shall be Community Christian Church.
B. This congregation shall be completely
autonomous.
ARTICLE II -- PURPOSE
The purpose of Community Christian Church, a
non-profit corporation created under the laws of the state of
Kansas, is to provide Christian religious instruction and offer
worship services, in accordance with the Holy Bible (Textus Receptus
N.T.) in an organized and decent manner.
ARTICLE III -- MEMBERSHIP IN THE
CONGREGATION
A. Privileges of Membership: We
understand that a Christian is a Christian regardless of where his
or her membership lies. Still, membership in this local Congregation
is required before any office, sponsorship, teaching position,
voting privilege, or any other such position of responsibility is
given. A repentant believer may become eligible for membership in
the congregation in one of the following ways:
1. Through the confession of faith in Jesus
Christ and immersion for the remission of sins.
2. Through a statement that he or she is a
believer who has been immersed as taught in the New Testament.
B. Eligible Voters: Voting at
any regular or special congregational meeting shall be the privilege
of those members at least 16 years of age and older, who are
mentally competent, and have demonstrated an active interest in the
church program during the past twelve (12) months.
C. Removal from membership:
1. Requests for letters of transfer from this
Church shall state the name and address of the Church where the
letter is to go. The letters of transfer will be sent to the Church
office of the new church.
2. The Church office will remove from the
membership roll, members names that are deceased.
3. Removal for unrepentant sin will be done in
accordance with the principles set forth in I Corinthians 5 and
Matthew 18:15-17.
ARTICLE IV THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE
CONGREGATION
A. The eldership is the Governing Body of
the Congregation. It is empowered to transact business in the
name of the congregation. The eldership shall consist of duly
appointed elders. Members of the ministerial staff and deaconate
may be invited to regularly attend the eldership meetings as
resources and for consultation. Governance voting privileges remain
only with the duly appointed elders.
1. Eldership voting -- Quorums can be reached
by attendance at scheduled elders’ Meetings, written absentee
ballots, by telephone participation (serial quorum), or email
participation (serial quorum). All serving but absent elders will
be notified of decisions as soon as possible.
2. Decisions of the eldership are reached by
a simple majority of the quorum, unless otherwise noted in these
By-Laws.
3. Monetary decisions of the eldership under
$1000.00 require a simple-majority amounts over $1000.00 require a
super-majority, excepting regular budgeted expenses (eg: salaries,
utilities, mortgage payments, etc.)
B. Qualification of Elders.
1. An elder must be a male member of the
congregation with voting privileges.
2. The New Testament, including, but not
limited to, 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1, will be used as a guide in
consideration of additional qualifications of an elder.
C. Term of Office
1. Elders are appointed for three (3) year
terms; the terms are to be established on a staggered rotational
basis.
2. A newly appointed elder is appointed for a
term of one (1) year; and if he has proven himself worthy, (during
that first year) will be re-appointed for a term of two (2) years,
by a simple majority vote of the rest of the eldership.
3. All officers will begin duties on January 1st.
D. Removal from the Eldership
1. By voluntary resignation of the elder.
2. By a super-majority vote of the eldership,
that shall be based on New Testament principles that include
doctrinal and personal conduct issues.
E. Duties of the Eldership
1. To conduct the business of the Congregation.
2. Special duties of the elders
a. The elders shall be responsible for the
planning and implementation of the corporate worship.
b. The elders shall be responsible for the
educational program of the congregation.
c. The elders shall be responsible for
disciplinary action within the congregation.
F. Appointment of Elders
1. Nominations for the eldership – During the
Month of October, members will be asked to submit names, in writing,
to the Elders for consideration.
2. Consideration of Nominees – During the first
week in November, the elders will consider the nominees who meet the
qualifications given in Article IV, paragraph B. The qualified
nominee will become a candidate upon approval of the eldership by a
super-majority. The candidate will be announced to the congregation
for three consecutive weeks during November and December. If a
member of the congregation believes there is a reason why a
candidate should not be appointed, that person should present
objections to the elders during this three-week period. In turn,
the elders will meet with the candidate in order to resolve the
issue, if possible. If, at the end of the three-week period, no
substantiated disqualifying reasons are found, the elders will
appoint the candidate to a place of service. Appointments will be
made the last Sunday in December. Terms of service will begin
January 1st.
ARTICLE V OFFICERS
A. The Church shall begin the selection
process for elders in November. There shall be a sufficient
number of elders, not to exceed twelve, to serve for a period of
three years. Nominees for elder are required to have been an active
member of this church at least one year immediately prior to the
election. One-third of the elders shall be selected each year as
nearly as is practical.
B. The following officers shall be
appointed by the Elders for a term of three years or until a
successor is appointed and assumes office.
1. Trustees – The serving elders shall
serve as the legal Trustees of the church. The Trustees act as legal
agents of the Church in all business matters; hold legal title to
all church property (as legal agents of the Church); have
supervision over all endowments and trust funds; perform such duties
as are required by the laws of Kansas; and serve as members of the
Financial Ministry Team.
2. A Chairman of the eldership
shall be appointed and serve for a period of three years. The
Chairman will preside over the eldership meetings and presides over
Congregational meetings.
3. A Vice-Chairman of the
eldership shall be appointed for a period of three years. The
Vice-Chairman will preside over eldership meetings and
Congregational meetings when the Chairman is absent. He will assist
the Chairman in his duties.
4. A Church Secretary shall be
appointed to serve for a period of three years. The Church
Secretary shall have been an active member of this Church at least
one year prior to appointment.
5. A Financial Secretary shall be
appointed to serve for a period of three years. The Financial
Secretary shall have been an active member of this Church at least
one year.
6. A Church Treasurer shall be
appointed to serve for a period of three years. The Church
Treasurer shall have been an active member of this Church as least
one year prior to appointment.
7. Elder Emeritus (Honorary) – The
honorable title of Elder Emeritus may be given to those who have
served faithfully as an elder of this congregation, but due to age
or reasons of health can no longer serve as they once did. The
elders will appoint them. It is suggested that our Elders Emeritus
be held in high esteem as men of God, and that they be looked to for
advice as necessary.
C. Duties of Officers
1. Elders: According to the New
Testament Scriptures, shall:
a. Be devoted in prayer and to the ministry of
the Word
b. Supervise the programs of the local Church
c. Promote the growth and welfare of the church
d. Give spiritual oversight to members with
respect to regular attendance at the Lord’s Supper
e. Visit the sick
f. Show personal concern and offer guidance to
the morally and spiritually indifferent
g. Give thoughtful consideration to policies of
the church that will enable it to fulfill its complete mission
h. Provide oversight for the various church
ministries
i. Encourage by example
j. Oversee the missionary efforts of the church
k. Oversee the evangelical, educational and
stewardship responsibilities of the church
l. Perform such other duties as may be assigned
and necessary.
m. Elders are responsible for all teaching in
the Church, pulpit, in Bible School Classes, and all other
gatherings of the Church.
n. The Chairman of the eldership serves as
Chairman of the Congregation.
o. The Vice Chairman of the eldership serves
when the Chairman cannot be present.
p. All actions of the elders are, if a request
is made as per Article 6, paragraph C, subject to the approval of
the congregation.
2. Trustees – Shall act as legal agents
of the Church in all business matters; hold legal title to all
church property (as legal agents of the Church); have supervision
over all endowments and trust funds; perform such duties as are
required by the laws of Kansas; and serve as members of the
Financial Ministry Team. The Trustees are the elders.
3. Church Secretary – The secretary of
the congregation shall keep record of all regular or called business
meetings of the Church. All records, including a complete record of
membership and such vital statistics such as deaths, births,
baptisms, and weddings shall be kept in the Church office and
managed by the office secretarial staff.
4. Financial Secretary – Shall oversee
the receiving and recording of church funds and shall deposit such
funds in the proper church account; keep an individual account of
each contributor; send out written statements as directed by the
Trustees; present a regular written report of funds received for
each calendar month with fund balances to the treasurer; shall
notify the treasurer of all deposits and supply the treasurer with
copies of all reports to ensure exactness of all records; and shall
serve as a member of the Finance Team. The Financial Secretary may
be bonded with the amount to be determined by the Trustees. A
review of all the records of the Financial Secretary shall be made
annually under the direction of the elders.
5. Church Treasurer – Shall disburse by
check only, church funds in accordance with the duly adopted budget
upon authority designated by the elders; maintain proper records to
account for such disbursements; present a written report of funds
disbursed for each calendar month with fund balances to the Finance
Ministry Team; make an annual Finance Ministry report to the
congregation; and serve as a member of the Finance Ministry Team.
The Treasurer may be bonded with the amount to be determined by the
Trustees. A review of records of the Treasurer shall be made
annually under the direction of the elders.
ARTICLE VI CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
A. The Annual Congregational Business Meeting
shall be held the last Sunday in January or on an alternate date in
January as selected by the eldership and announced at least two
Sundays (14) days prior to the meeting date.
B. The annual budget will be presented and
voted on for approval at the Annual Business Meeting by a
simple-majority.
C. Special meetings, as required, may be called
by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the eldership or by written
petition of 25 or more voting members of the Church, such voting
members being defined in Article III paragraph C.
D. Notice of all regular or special Business
Meetings of the congregation shall be given at regular Sunday
service(s) of the church at least two Sundays (14) days in advance
of the meeting.
E. The Church office, upon request, shall
furnish an absentee ballot to qualified voters unable to attend the
meeting. Such ballots shall be available one week prior to the
meeting and must be returned in time to be counted at the meeting.
F. All business meetings of the Church shall be
governed by Robert’s rules of Order, except as otherwise prescribed
in these by-laws.
ARTICLE VII THE SENIOR MINISTER
A. Duties of the Senior Minister
1. The Senior Minister shall be responsible to
the elders for the performance of the duties of his office and the
character of his doctrinal teaching.
2. The Senior Minister shall be the
administrator of and direct supervisor to all other employees of the
Church.
3. Other duties and relationships shall be
specified in the written contract between said ministerial personnel
and the Church and shall be included in the minutes of the elders.
The contractual year runs from January 1st through
December 31st. The next year’s contract should be agreed
upon and signed by both parties prior to January 1st.
B. Duties and relationships of other
ministerial personnel shall be specified in the written contract
between the ministerial personnel and the Church and shall be
included in the minutes of the elders. The contractual year runs
from January 1st through December 31st. The
next year’s contract should be agreed upon and signed by both
parties prior to January 1st.
C. Selection of Ministers, excluding
ministerial interns, shall be chosen by the Church as herein
provided:
1. The elders shall select a screening
committee to make a recommendation to the elders who in turn will be
responsible for recommending, by a super-majority, a Senior Minister
candidate to the Church Congregation.
2. The Senior Minister shall screen applicants
for other ministerial positions and shall recommend candidates for
such positions to the elders. The elders shall consider such
candidates and shall recommend, by a super-majority, a candidate to
the congregation.
3. The congregation will be presented with the
recommendation of the elders. This recommendation must be accepted
by at least a super-majority of the members’ quorum voting at a
regular or a called congregational meeting. If the candidate does
not receive the necessary super-majority, he will not be offered the
position and the search will continue. Voting is done by secret
ballot.
4. It shall be the policy of the Church for the
congregation to consider only one ministerial candidate at a time.
5. A written contract setting forth the salary
to be paid and other conditions of the position shall be made in
duplicate, one copy for the Minister and one copy for the Church.
The initial contract will be adjusted to fit into the normal January
1st through December 31st contract year.
6. The Senior Minister shall receive a
Performance Review of his duties, service, and obligations each
calendar year. Due to the press and obligations of the last quarter
of the year, the review process is to begin in December with the
pre-review forms going out to the elders. In January, the review
committee (appointed from among the elders) will meet and finalize
the review. The Final Review will be delivered at the first elders’
Meeting in February. Raises and other compensation changes will be
addressed and become effective on February 1st. Any
necessary contract amendments will be added at that time.
ARTICLE VIII OTHER EMPLOYEES
A. The elders upon recommendation of the Senior
Minister shall select all other employees, including ministerial
interns.
B. A written contract covering terms of
employment shall be included in the minutes of the elders, and a
copy given to the employee. The initial contract will be adjusted
to fit into the normal January 1st through December 31st
contract year.
C. The Senior Minister shall present a
Performance Review of the professional staff and employees to the
elders at the first elders’ Meeting in January. He is to consider
their performance of duties, service, and obligations each calendar
year. Raises and other compensation changes will be addressed by
the elders and become effective on February 1st. Any necessary
contract amendments will be added at that time. The Senior Minister
will then present the performance review to the staff
member/employee by February 1st.
ARTICLE IX MINISTRY SYSTEM
A. Community Christian Church functions through
a “Ministry System.” The activities and procedures of each ministry
area are the responsibility of the respective Ministry Team Leaders
and are to be consistent with overall church policy and purpose. It
is the purpose of the Ministry System to encourage every member of
the body to be involved and grow in Christ through service.
B. The number and type of ministries is
determined by the Church’s mission as approved by the elders, the
needs of the congregation, and the availability of servant leaders.
C. Deacons Are appointed servants of the church
and are given areas of specific leadership, service, budgets, and
responsibilities as defined by the eldership.
1. Deacons may be nominated by the membership
of the church, but are appointed by the eldership to serve and lead
over specific areas of service.
2. Requests for nominations and the appointment
of deacons are held as the eldership decides the need.
3. Deacons serve for three (3) years before
being considered for re-appointment.
4. Deacons may resign voluntarily, at any time,
and may be removed by a super-majority vote of the eldership based
on New Testament principles that include doctrinal and personal
conduct issues.
D. The elders, Senior Minister, and others,
whom the elders may choose to include, compose the Management
Ministry Team. The Management Ministry Team appoints deacons, by
preference, and others, as necessary, to serve as Ministry Team
Leaders. Ministry Team Leaders are responsible for recruiting
members for their Ministry teams.
E. While each Ministry Team is free to
function, within the doctrine, philosophy and budget as given by the
Eldership, as it deems necessary to the fulfillment of its mission,
the Management Ministry Team has final authority, provides guidance
and advises in all ministry areas. While counsel of the elders
and/or Ministers may be sought, their approval for each decision is
neither necessary nor expected.
F. The Management Ministry team will appoint
Ministry Coordinators where necessary. A Ministry Coordinator
coordinates activities of various Ministry Teams when they are
engaged in a common project, chairs joint meetings of those Ministry
Teams, and serves as a liaison between those Ministry Teams and the
Management Ministry Team. The Ministry Coordinator may be one of
the Ministry Team Leaders.
ARTICLE X CHURCH YEAR
The fiscal church year shall begin on January 1st
and end December 31st.
ARTICLE XI FUND-RAISING
The Church shall not engage in commercial
enterprises. The elders shall approve all fund raising, offerings,
and special offerings.
ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS
A. These by-laws may be amended by a
super-majority vote of the qualified members of the Church voting,
provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted to the
membership of the church at least two Sundays (14) days prior to the
vote. Said qualified members of the Church being defined in Article
III paragraph C.
B. Every two years a By-Laws Review Committee
will be appointed by the Chairman of the elders to review the
By-Laws and present recommended changes to the elders and the
congregation. Announcements of the committee will be made in the
October elders Meeting and will be in the Church publications
following the elders Meeting to allow all Congregation members to
offer input into the revision process.
ARTICLE XIII ENACTMENT
These by-laws become effective immediately upon
adoption of a super-majority vote of qualifying members voting at
any congregation meeting, provided said By-Laws have been first
approved by the Elders. Said qualifying members of the Church being
defined in Article III paragraph C.
APPROVAL DATE: _______________
by
Congregational Vote.
_________________________________
Current Chairman of the
Eldership
_________________________________
Current Vice-Chairman of the Eldership
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