Church Bylaws/Constitution

Church Bylaws/Constitution

Grace Church Metropolis

John 3:16 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

BYLAWS/CONSTITUTION OF

Grace Church Metropolis

ARTICLE I – NAME

This body of believers will be known by and the corporate name shall be Grace Church Metropolis of Metropolis, IL. This corporation will be further referred to in the Bylaws as the "Church". The Church was constituted October 1, 2017. The Church is sponsored by Life Church/Eastland of Metropolis.

ARTICLE II -PURPOSE

1. Our Guiding Principle

a. A place of second chances

2. Our Purpose Statement

a. To bring people to Jesus and membership in his family, develop them to Christlike maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission in the world, in order to magnify God’s name.

3. Our Five Purposes

a. Magnify: We celebrate God’s presence in worship (temple courts)

b. Mission: We communicate God’s Word through evangelism

c. Membership: We incorporate God’s family into our fellowship

d. Maturity: We educate God’s people through discipleship

e. Ministry: We demonstrate God’s love through service

i. Acts 2:42–47 — 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

4. Our Mission

a. A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission build a great church

i. The Great Commandment

1. Matthew 22:37–40 (NIV) — 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

ii. The Great Commission

1. Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV) — 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

ARTICLE III -DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, and as the only basis of our beliefs. We accept the "The Baptist Faith and Message", a 1963/1998 affirmation of basic Christian beliefs, as a general statement of our faith.

ARTICLE IV -AFFILIATION

This Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control. Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions, this Church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Illinois Baptist State Association, and the Union Baptist Association.

ARTICLE V -MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

This church is comprised of persons who profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, have been baptized by believer's baptism (immersion) according to the New Testament and actively follow the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship.

Each member hereby states:

Having individually received Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized in obedience to Him, I the undersigned, being led as I believe by the Holy Spirit to become a member of Grace Church, do now in the presence of God enter into a solemn covenant with the other members to do the following as enabled by His Spirit and study of His inspired Word:

1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH

a. By acting in love toward other members

b. By refusing to gossip

c. By following my leaders

2. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH

a. By attending faithfully

b. By striving to live in a Christ like manner.

c. By financially supporting the Church through tithes and offerings

3. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH

a. By discovering my individual gifts and talents

b. By being equipped to serve alongside my pastor and leaders

c. By developing a servant's heart

4. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH

a. By praying for its health

b. By inviting the un-churched to attend

c. By warmly welcoming those who visit

ARTICLE VI --MEMBERSHIP

Section A. General

Membership in this Church shall consist of all persons who have met the qualifications for membership and are listed on the membership roll.

Section B. Qualifications for Membership

a. By Profession of Faith -A person who makes a personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation giving testimony of that conversion experience, and is subsequently baptized by immersion before this church family or:

b. By Statement -A person who has been scripturally baptized (by immersion) in a new testament church but who has no transferable church membership yet gives satisfactory evidence and testimony of a personal transforming faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord or, upon giving satisfactory evidence of a personal Christian faith, accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord or: gives testimony to that conversion experience, is subsequently baptized by immersion, and affirms the purpose statement and the covenant of this church shall be considered a member of this church with full rights or:

c. By Letter -Any person from another Southern Baptist Church may be received as a member upon receipt of letter of good standing and transfer from that church and by:

2. Completion of the Church's membership class and by:

3. A signed commitment to abide by the membership covenant and the signing of an annual recommitment covenant.

Section C. Designation of Membership

In an effort to properly reflect the membership of the Church, two rolls shall be maintained. These rolls shall be updated periodically.

1. Active/Resident Members: All members who reside within the Church's ministry area or are currently active in the church. (Membership Covenant must be signed every year.)

2. Nonresident Members: Members who have become inactive as a result of moving out of the Church's ministry area and have not joined another church. (Membership Covenant must be signed every year.)

Section D. Responsibilities of Membership

The responsibilities of membership are described in the membership covenant.

Section E. Voting Rights of Members

Every Active/Resident Member 18 years of age and older shall have the right to vote on the following matters:

1. The annual budget of the Church

2. Affirmation of a Senior Pastor

3. Affirmation of all new Personnel

4. The disposition of all substantial assets of the Church

5. The merger or disbanding of the Church

6. The acquisition of real property

7. Any indebtedness

8. Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Church

Voting by proxy is prohibited.

Section F. Conflict Resolution

Disputes among members should, as much as possible, be resolved in accordance with the principles set out in Matthew 18:15-20.

Section G. Termination of Membership

Members shall be removed from the Church roll for the following reasons:

1. By refusing to sign an annual recommitment covenant.

2. Death

3. Transfer of membership to another church

4. By personal request of the member

5. Dismissal by the Pastor’s Council according to the following conditions:

a. The member's life and conduct is not in accordance with the membership covenant in such a way that the member hinders the ministry influence of the Church in the community.

b. The member declares to the Pastor’s Council that they are no longer in agreement with any portion of their signed church covenant.

The procedures for the dismissal of a member shall be in accordance with the scriptural processes as described in Matthew 18:15-17.

ARTICLE VII --CHURCH MEETINGS

Section A. Place

Meetings of the members shall be held at a building on the Church property or at such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Pastor’s Council.

Section B. Annual Family Forum

An annual family forum (business meeting) of the members shall be held in the Fall of each year at such time as determined by the Pastor’s Council. The purpose of this meeting shall be to adopt an annual budget as presented by the Finance Team, to elect church officers, church clerk report, and any other business needed.

Section C. Special Family Forums

Special family forums may be called at any time by the Senior Pastor or Pastor’s Council for any purpose by giving appropriate notice to the members in accordance with Section D of this article.

Section D. Notice Requirements for Family Forums

Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a special family forum, notice shall be given to members no less than one week prior to a special family forum date. Notification of a special family forum, outlining the subject, date, time, and location of the meeting shall be given in any one or all of the following methods which shall be deemed to be a reasonable method of calling a family forum:

1. Distribution of written notices along with any documented material needed for the meeting can be provided to the congregation in attendance at any regular weekend service;

2. Announcement of the family forum in the Church newsletter, on the churches Facebook Page and the churches website.

3. Delivery of the family forum notice by United States mail to each member identified on the active membership roll.

4. Announcements of the family forum made to the entire active membership roll through the use of the phone and text messaging.

Section E. Quorum

Those members present and voting at a family forum duly noticed and called shall constitute a quorum of the membership for the transaction of business. Any Majority vote of the membership present (18 years of age or older) at such family forum shall constitute an affirmation of the issue being voted upon with the exception of affirmation of a Senior Pastor. Senior Pastor affirmation will require a 75% majority vote.

ARTICLE VIII --ORGANIZATION FOR MINISTRY

Section A. Ministry Leaders

Any ministry must be approved by the Pastor’s Council and must be led by a member.

Section B. Personnel

1. Senior Pastor

a. The qualifications and responsibilities for the position of Senior Pastor of this church shall be according to the teachings of 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy and Ephesians 4:11-16. The Senior Pastor will set the prime vision and direction for the church.

b. Election of a Senior Pastor shall be by an affirmative vote of at least 85% of those members present at the annual or special called Family Forum. Only one pastoral candidate is to be presented to the church for consideration at a time.

c. Unless otherwise so stated in these bylaws the Senior Pastor shall serve as President of the Corporation for legal purposes.

2. Pastor’s Council

A member of the pastor’s council shall be appointed by the pastor and current pastor’s council members. All members are shall serve for a term of one year. Council members may be reappointed. The council shall consist of both male and female members.

3. Deacons

a. Service

In accordance with the meaning of the work and practice in the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the Church. Their task is to serve in the following ways:

(1) Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to believers and unbelievers,

(2) Care for the Church's members and other persons in the community,

(3) Prepare and serve the Lord's Supper.

b. Number

The Pastor’s Council shall determine when there is a need for deacons. Deacons are to be affirmed by the Church according to Acts 6:1-7.

c. Qualifications

Deacons must meet the qualifications of Acts 6:3 and 1 Tim 3:8-13.

4. Clerk

The church clerk, appointed by the Pastor’s Council, shall keep accurate records of all church business, preserve all church documents, and maintain a correct register of the church membership. The church clerk shall be designated as a corporate officer (church secretary) for state legal purposes.

5. Trustees

The trustees will consist of no less than three and no more than five members of the congregation; one of which is to serve as chairman. Each member shall be appointed by the Pastor’s Council for a three year term with special consideration given to assure that continuity is maintained. The trustees shall:

(a) Have the duties designated by the laws of the State of Illinois.

(b) See that all insurable church property is adequately covered by insurance.

(c) See that all required fidelity bonds are maintained in effect.

(d) See that the Church is adequately protected by public liability insurance coverage.

(e) Be responsible for the timely annual licensing of any motor vehicles owned by the Church.

6. Treasurer - Finance Team

This team will consist of no less than three members of the congregation; one of which is to serve as Treasurer. The Finance Team has direct reporting responsibility to the church with general oversight of the team being provided by the Pastor’s Council. The Finance Team’s purpose is to prepare an annual budget, monitor financial integrity, promote stewardship, and deal with any special financial matters that arise. Finance Team members shall serve three year staggered terms.

7. Ministry Teams

Ministry teams shall be selected by the Pastor’s Council for the purpose of sharing responsibilities of the ministry of the Church. Any ministry may be dismissed at the discretion of the Pastor’s Council. No person shall serve on a ministry team that does not attend regular service of Grace Church.

a. Special Task Teams

Special ad hoc task teams shall be selected by the Pastor’s Council as needed and will serve until such time as the particular need is met.

ARTICLE IX -POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Section A. Policies and Operating Procedures

This Pastor’s Council shall approve and oversee the development and publication of all written policies and procedural documents that deal with such things as personnel matters, financial matters and property matters as the need arises for these policies and operating procedures. When policies are written and approved by the Pastor’s Council they immediately become a part of the operating policy of the Church and the Church shall be informed. These bylaws should be changed to reflect any new policy. A simple reference system (index) may be used and the policies should be kept on file in the Church office and accessible to all Church members on proper notice.

Section B. Non-Documented Policies & Procedures

Policies and procedures for this Church may be written documents or generally understood (non-documented) operating policy and procedures. Should they be written, they should be kept on file in the Church office and accessible to all Church members on proper notice. Should a question or dispute arise concerning a non-documented policy or procedure that cannot be resolved, the Pastor’s Council will be responsible for clarifying the policy or procedure. The church shall be informed of any changes and clarifications.

ARTICLE X -AMENDMENTS

Changes in these bylaws shall be recommended by the Pastor’s Council at any family forum of the Church, provided each amendment has been presented in writing at a previous family forum, and that a written copy of the amendment has been made available to all resident members of the congregation a minimum of at least two weeks prior to affirmation. Amendments to these bylaws shall be ratified by a majority vote of all members present and voting.

ARTICLE XI -ADOPTION

These bylaws shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect upon affirmation by the majority of the voting members present.

ARTICLE XII -DISSOLUTION

In the event of any possible dissolution of Grace Church Metropolis, all church assets will be distributed to the Union Baptist Association Baptist Foundation of Illinois (as a legacy fund to help church planters) administered by the church trustees and said distribution will in no way profit any member of Grace Church Metropolis.

ARTICLE XIII – SEVERABILITY & SURVIVAL

Any provision of this document later held to be unenforceable for any reason shall be deemed void, and all remaining provisions shall continue to be in full force and effect. All obligations arising prior to the voiding of any provision of this document allocating responsibility or liability shall survive.

ARTICLE XIV – WEDDINGS, RECEPTIONS, AND REHEARSAL DINNERS

Weddings and/or receptions, including rehearsal dinners at Grace Church Metropolis are limited to that of a man and a woman. Grace Church Metropolis does not recognize same sex marriages.