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Article IV

Offices of Church

Government – The government of this church, under the leadership of the holy Spirit, shall be vested in the church family members, and shall be executed through the Church Council and properly constituted committees under its supervision. The Church Council shall consist of the Elders, Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent, and shall meet monthly.
Pastor
1. Qualifications
  1. The Pastor shall be a man, and one who gives definite evidence of the call of God to the ministry of the gospel and of adherence to the scriptural principles governing church leadership. He shall give unquestioned evidence of a genuine conversion and of a walk with God. His life shall be above reproach. (I Timothy 3:1-7) He shall not be divorced nor shall he be a homosexual.
  2. Any man to be considered as a candidate for the pastorate of this church shall have read its bylaws and shall have signified in writing his unreserved agreement with its provisions and with the nondenominational position which she embraces.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
  1. It shall be the responsibility of the Pastor to "preach the word" and "the whole counsel of God." His office shall be that of spiritual leader and shepherd of the flock, and his duties shall be that of spiritual leader and shepherd of the flock, and his duties shall be those generally associated with his office including the ministry of the word, administration of or supervision of the administration of the ordinances, and the care of the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
  2. The Pastor shall serve in an advisory capacity at Church Council meetings as well as board and committee meetings, except when Pastor's salary and personal benefits are being considered
3. Call
  1. The Church Council shall act as a Pulpit Committee to investigate possible candidates and arrange for them to speak at Sunday services. Investigation of a candidate shall include a questionnaire regarding training, pastoral experience, and qualifications mentioned in paragraph B-1. A visit to his present pastorate by the Church council is advisable when possible and applicable.
  2. When a qualified candidate has spoken at two Sunday services, his name may be presented by Council for a vote at a regularly called congregational meeting. A three-fourths (3/4) majority vote shall be required to extend a call.
4. Termination
  1. The Pastor's term of office shall be indefinite. A notice of thirty (30) days shall be given to terminate, with remuneration and services continuing through this period, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.
  2. A vote may be taken by the congregation at any time to terminate the Pastor's services for failure to properly perform his pastoral functions subject to the following:
    1. A petition of twenty-five (25) percent of church family members has been presented to the Council.
    2. A special meeting may be called for that purpose in accordance with Article IV, E-2, or it shall be placed on the agenda of a regular meeting.
    3. In the event of doctrinal or moral defection, the Pastor's services may be terminated immediately by action of the Church Council, with ratification by a vote of the congregation within thirty (30) days
Associate Pastor
1. Qualifications – Shall be the same as that for Pastor as listed above.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
  1. It shall be the responsibility of the Associate Pastor(s) to work with the Pastor in the shepherding and ministry of the church.
  2. The Associate Pastor shall serve in an advisory capacity at Church Council meetings as well as board and committee meetings, except when Pastor's salaries and personal benefits are being considered.
3. Call
  1. The Church Council shall act as a Search Committee to investigate possible candidates and arrange for them to meet with the congregation. Investigation of a candidate shall include a questionnaire regarding training, pastoral experience, and qualifications mentioned in paragraph B-1. A visit to his present place of ministry by the Church Council is advisable when possible and applicable.
  2. When a qualified candidate has met with or addressed the congregation at two different times, his name may be presented by Council for a vote at a regularly called congregational meeting. A three-fourths (3/4) majority vote shall be required to extend a call.
Elders & Deacons
1. Qualifications
  1. The requirements for church leadership listed in 1 Timothy 3: 1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 will be the standard by which individuals will be considered for the offices of Elder and Deacon.
  2. All Elders and Deacons must be regular worshipers and supporters of this church and be able to subscribe without reservation to these bylaws and the Articles of Faith contained herein.
  3. Before a man's name can be placed in nomination for either Elder or Deacon, he shall have responded affirmatively to the following questions:
    1. Have you publicly confessed Christ as personal Savior and experienced the new birth set forth in John 3:3 and Titus 3:5?
    2. Are you in hearty agreement with the doctrinal statement of this church and her bylaws?
    3. Are you endeavoring to live a surrendered and prayerful Christian life, especially as regards loyal obedience to the moral precepts taught in the Word of God for believers. (1 John 2: 15-17; James 4:4; Titus 2:11-15) Including:
      1. Separation from the world?
      2. Freedom from membership in oath-bound religious or social secret organizations (II Corinthians 6:14, 7:1).
      3. A moral conduct beyond reproach and freedom from carnal indulgence, such as the use of intoxicating liquors, tobacco in all its forms and narcotic drugs, all of which are to a degree harmful to the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit and may become stumbling blocks to growing young Christians and out of harmony with a dedicated life as set forth in Romans 8:12-13,12:1-2,13:14,14:21; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-11; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9?
2. Number & Term of Office
  1. The number of Elders and Deacons shall be as determined by the Church Council, subject to the approval of the congregation.
  2. Elders shall be elected for three (3) years and Deacons for three (3) years, and shall be permitted to succeed themselves. These terms may be adjusted as necessary by action of the congregation, in order to stagger the terms and balance the number going off either board in any particular year.
3. Duties of the Elders
  1. It shall be the duty of the Elders to care for the spiritual life of the church, to guard its purity in doctrine, and to discipline the church in harmony with the Word of God. They shall also be jointly responsible with the Pastor in counseling those who confess Christ as Savior and become children of God.
  2. They shall assist the Pastor in administering the ordinances of baptism and communion, the latter to be held monthly and on certain special occasions and a re-enactment of the upper room event of Jesus with His disciples on Thursday evening prior to Good Friday. Additionally, the Elders shall assist in counseling the needy, comforting the sick and the afflicted, and in supplying for the pulpit in the absence of the Pastor.
  3. They shall meet monthly throughout the year and more often if needs arise.
4. Duties of the Deacons
  1. The Deacons shall administer all business matters of the church, shall function as trustees in all legal transactions, and shall be responsible for the maintenance of all church property. They shall, with the Pastor, minister to the needy and determine what needs the congregation can be effective in alleviating.
  2. They shall be keep themselves in readiness to assist in guiding the spiritual life of the church, administering its ordinances of baptism and communion, and to perform any other necessary calling. They shall endeavor, according to the grace given them by God, to live in full conformity with the standards set forth in these bylaws for their particular office, and especially, as given in God's Word.
  3. They shall meet monthly throughout the year and more often if needs arise.
Other Offices
1. A Clerk (and Assistant Clerk) shall be elected whose responsibility it shall be to keep a record of all business meetings of the church and Church Council. He/she shall be the custodian of all official papers, maintaining an inventory of same; shall be acceptable of the Articles of Faith and live above reproach. The clerk shall be a member of the Church Council by virtue of the position and also be permitted to succeed himself/herself. The term of office shall be for three (3) years.
2. The church shall elect a Treasurer (and Assistant Treasurer)who shall receive, safeguard, disburse and be responsible for all funds of the church and keep an accurate account of same. He/she shall be acceptable of the Articles of Faith and live above reproach. Church money shall be deposited in a bank as soon as possible. Monthly reports shall be made to the Church Council and a quarterly report to the church. All financial records of the church shall be audited annually by an auditing committee of three (3) persons from the church who are elected annually. The treasurer shall be elected by the church in its annual meeting and may succeed himself/herself. The treasurer shall be a member of the Church Council and the term of office shall be for two (2) years.
3. The church shall elect two (2) Cemetery Trustees, each of which shall be church family members of the congregation. Their terms of office shall be for two (2) years and they shall be permitted to succeed themselves. Also, the Deacons shall elect one from their body to serve with the two trustees elected by the congregation. Their duties shall be: the direction, maintenance, and all such matters as pertain to a cemetery.
4. The church shall determine what other officers are needed for the effective working of the body, likewise committees, and determine their terms of office. All officers and committee chairs must have formally joined the church family according to Article VII.
Meetings
1. Annual Meeting
  There shall be an annual meeting of the church at which time reports by the officers, committees, Pastor, etc. shall be presented, election of officers shall take place (with the officers being elected by majority vote) and such other matters as are considered necessary shall be given consideration and acted upon. The annual meeting shall be held the third (3rd) Thursday of January each year. The fiscal year of the church shall be the same as the calendar year.
2. Special Meetings
  Special meetings for transaction of business by the church may be held at any time upon call of the Pastor, the Church Council, or by written request to the Council of ten percent (10%) of church family members. The call of such meetings and the purpose for which the call is made must be announced from the pulpit or by way of a church bulletin on two (2) consecutive Sundays prior to the date of the meeting.
3. Quorum
  No quorum shall be required for the conducting of business since it is the duty and privilege of each church family member to share in the business transactions for the welfare of the whole congregation.
4. Procedure
  The president of the Council or vice-president shall preside at the annual meetings and all special business meetings of the congregation. In the event of the absence of both of these, a chairman for the meetings shall be appointed by the Council.
Election and Appointment of Officers
1. Nominating Committee
  1. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Elders and approved by the Council. This committee will meet prior to the annual meeting to produce a list of candidates for elected offices to be filled.
  2. All nominations from the congregation must be submitted to the Nominating Committee for review six (6) weeks prior to the annual meeting.
  3. The Nominating Committee shall review all potential candidates and nominations for their qualifications and willingness to serve.
  4. Whenever possible, and enough qualified people are willing to serve, the Nominating Committee shall attempt to come up with more candidates for each office than are necessary to fill that office.
  5. The Nominating Committee shall present a list of suggested candidates to the Elders for approval, after which the list will be presented to the Council for approval.
2. The congregation shall then elect officers from the list of approved candidates at the annual meeting by majority vote.
3. Elected officers of the church may include but are not limited to: Elders, Deacons, Cemetery trustees, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary.
4. Committee Chairmen and Members shall be appointed by the Elders with approval from the Council
Removal of Officers – Any appointed officer of the church of Sunday School may be removed from service by action of the Church Council for failure to properly perform the duties of that office, or for doctrinal or moral defection. Any elected officer may be removed for the same reasons by action of the Church Council, with ratification by a vote of the congregation within thirty (30) days.
Vacancies – Any elected office of the church that becomes vacant shall be filled by the assistant to that position, if there is one, or by appointment from the Church Council until such time as a congregational meeting can be called to properly elect a new officer. The replacement officer shall serve until the normal term of the original officer expires, at which time he/she may be re-elected to that position.