"For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one
body: so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12)
PURPOSE
The
purpose of
A.
To Worship and
glorify the Lord in all that we
do.
B.
To proclaim the
whole counsel of the Word of
God.
C.
To
edify the body of Christ by encouraging all believers to use their
gifts and
talents that the Lord has given them.
D.
To
reach out with the Gospel and encourage people to trust the Lord Jesus
Christ
as personal Savior.
E.
To support missions
both at home and in the
field.
A.
B.
The Church
Congregation – Membership:
Members of
the Church Congregation are defined as those individuals who have, by
God’s grace.
That the following are met:
1. Giving
testimony of having personally trusted Christ as his or her
personal savior.
2.
Agreement with the
Believers
Baptism (that is baptism by immersion after salvation in obedience to
the
lord’s command to be baptized).
3.
Agreement
with the Church
Doctrinal Statement.
4.
Supporting
the Ministry and
Leadership of the Church.
C. Members of
the Church Congregation shall vote at the Annual and
Semi-Annual Corporate/Congregational Meetings. Voting members shall be
at least
eighteen (18) years of age.
D. The Active
Membership Roll shall be made up of those Believers who
actively support and participate in the Ministry of the Church. The
Roll shall
periodically be reviewed to reflect the current status of the Church. A
letter
shall notify the person removed from the Active Membership Roll by the
Elder
Board.
E. A
member shall be removed from Church Membership for the following
reasons:
1. By the
personal request of the Member.
2.
Upon
joining another church
(Elder Board discretion).
3.
By
not supporting the Church
by consistent attendance. Exceptions for physical or geographical
incapability,
etc. (Elder Board discretion).
4.
By
not supporting the Church
after Matthew 18, the Elder
Board has exercised 15-22.
5.
Upon
the death of the
Member.
F. A
member who has been disciplined according to Matthew 18:15-22
may be restored to the Fellowship and Membership of the Church upon
giving
evidence of genuine repentance. The
member must first be examined by the Elder Board and then recommended
to the
Church for restoration to Fellowship and Membership.
G. The Annual
and Semi-Annual Corporate/Congregational Meetings:
1. The
Annual Corporate/Congregational Meeting of Grace Bible
Fellowship Church shall be held the third (3rd) Wednesday of January at
2.
The following is
the
recommended order of business for the Annual and Semi-Annual
Corporate/Congregational Meetings. The Corporate business shall be
completed in
accordance with Article B of the Religious Corporations Law of the
State of
a. Church Clerk
calls meeting to order.
b. Opening with
Scripture
c. Reading of
Minutes (if necessary).
d. Election of
Presiding Officer and two (2)
inspectors.
e. Treasurer
presents Financial Report.
f. Vote on
Yearly Budget, including Pastor’s
salary (Annual meeting only).
g. Vote on Trustees (Annual
meeting only).
h. Vote on any other
officers and/or recognition of Ministry Leaders appointed
i. Reports
from various Ministries.
j. Old
business.
k. New business.
l. Challenge
from the Pastor and closing Prayer.
3.
Special Meetings:
Special
Corporate/Congregational Meetings shall be called throughout the year
by the
Trustee Board, the Elder Board, the Pastor, or at the written request
of ten
(10) or more Members of the Church.
These Meetings shall be announced two (2) weeks prior to the
Meeting,
except for an emergency Meeting (Elder Board or Pastor discretion).
ARTICLE II - THE
PASTOR-ELDER
A. When the
Church is in need of a Pastor and/or an Associate Pastor,
the Elder Board shall form a Search Committee to seek God’s Will in
calling a
new Pastor and/or an Associate Pastor.
1.
The
Pastor and/or Associate
Pastor shall be in complete agreement with the Doctrinal Statement of
the
Church.
2.
The
Congregation shall be
able to hear the Candidate speak at least two (2) times.
3.
The
Congregation shall have
the opportunity to ask any questions of the Candidate.
4.
The
Elder Board shall be
responsible for calling a vote at a specially called Corporate/
Congregational
Meeting.
B. The call or
removal of the Pastor and/or Associate Pastor shall be
confirmed by a seventy five percent (75%) secret ballot vote by the
Congregation.
C. The called
Pastor and/or Associate Pastor shall be required to be a
Member of the Church.
D. The Pastor
and/or Associate Pastor shall serve with the Elders and
shall be a joint Member of the Elder Board.
The Pastor and/or Associate Pastor shall be accountable to the
Elder
Board.
E. The
responsibilities of the Pastor:
1.
He
shall preach and teach
the Word of God.
2.
He
shall minister together
with the Elder Board to ensure that the spiritual matters of the Church
are
met.
3.
He
shall minister to the
spiritual needs of the Congregation.
F. The
Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees and
Ministries of the Church.
ARTICLE III – ELDERS
A.
The
Elders shall be Spirit
filled men who are Members of the Church and meet the guidelines
established by
the Scriptures, 1 Timothy 3:1-7,
Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
B.
The Elders shall
minister as
Servant-Leaders in the Congregation.
C.
The Elder Board shall be
responsible for extending a call to qualified men to serve as Elders. The call shall be confirmed by a 75% secret
ballot vote by the Congregation. There
is no definite number of men required to fill this position.
D.
The Elder Board
shall meet
regularly for a time of spiritual encouragement, Bible study, Prayer,
and to
discuss the spiritual ministries and needs of the Church.
E.
The
Elders shall be
responsible for the following:
1.
Oversee
the spiritual life
of the Church (Hebrews
2.
Establish
the time for the
regular Worship Services and any other special Worship Services of the
Church
(Hebrews
3.
Establish
the purposes and
objectives of the Church ministries.
4.
Provide
Believers with
discipleship and opportunities to serve by using their spiritual gifts
and
talents.
5.
Ensure
that provision is
made for administering Believer’s Baptism and administering the Lord’s
Supper.
6.
The
Elder Board shall
constitute the standing Nominating Committee of the Church.
7.
Administer
appropriate
Church discipline (Matthew
F.
The
term of office of the
Elder shall be terminated upon:
1.
His
resignation.
2.
Termination
of his
Membership in the Church.
3.
His
removal from Membership.
4.
His
death.
ARTICLE IV – DEACONS
A.
The Deacons shall
be
spirit-filled, mature men who are Members of the Church and meet the
guidelines
established by the Scriptures in 1 Timothy 3:8-18 (only 16 verses),
and Acts 6:1-8.
B.
The
Deacons shall minister
with the Elders as Servant Leaders in the Congregation.
C.
The Elder Board shall be
responsible for extending a call to qualified men to serve as Deacons. The call shall be confirmed by a 75% secret
ballot by the Congregation. There is no
definite number of men required to fill this position.
D.
The
Deacons shall meet with
the Elder Board regularly for a time of spiritual encouragement, Bible
study,
Prayer, and to discuss the spiritual ministries and needs of the Church.
E.
The
Deacons shall minister
with the Elders and shall be responsible for the following:
1.
Establish
the time for the
regular Worship Services and any other special Worship Services of the
Church
(Hebrews
2.
Establish
the purposes and
objectives of Church ministries.
3.
Provide
Believers with
discipleship and opportunities to serve by using their spiritual gifts
and
talents.
4.
Ensure
that the practical
needs of the Church are met.
F.
The term of Deacon
shall be
three (3) years. The term of the Deacon
shall terminate upon:
1.
Expiration
of the term.
2.
His
resignation.
3.
Termination
of his
membership in the Church.
4.
His
removal from Membership.
5.
His
death.
ARTICLE V – TRUSTEES
A.
The requirements
for
Trustees:
1.
The
Trustees shall be
Spirit-filled, mature men who are Members of the Church and who have
been
nominated by the nominating committee and approved by the Elder /
Deacon Board.
2.
The
Trustees shall be
confirmed by a 75% secret ballot vote by the Congregation.
3.
The
Trustees shall consist
of no more than one third (1/3) from the Elder Board.
B.
The Trustees shall be twelve
(12) in number. One third (1/3) shall be
confirmed at the Annual Corporate/Congregational Meeting.
The term of office shall be three (3) years.
C.
The Trustees shall be
responsible for the following: legal and financial matters, buildings
and
property. The Trustee Board shall be
responsible for counting and banking the weekly Offerings and special
Offerings
to the Church. They are to notify the
Treasurer of the total Offering, which has been banked.
D.
The
Chairman of the Trustees
shall be elected by the Trustee Board at the first (1st) Trustee
Meeting after
the Annual Corporate/Congregational Meeting.
The Chairman of the Trustees shall be responsible for the
following:
chair the monthly Trustees Meeting; chair or designate another member
of the
Trustee Board to lead the Annual, Semi Annual, and any other
Corporate/Congregational Meetings in the absence of the Church Clerk.
E.
The
Secretary of the
Trustees shall be elected by the Trustee Board at the first (1st)
Trustee
Meeting after the Annual Corporate / Congregational Meeting. The
Secretary
shall be responsible for the following:
1.
Record all the Minutes of
the Trustee Meetings and at each Trustee Meeting present them to the
Trustees,
Elders, and Pastor.
2.
Record the Minutes of the
Annual and Semi-annual and all other Corporate / Congregational
Meetings.
F.
The
Trustees shall appoint
two (2) Members of the Congregation to audit the financial books of the
Church. The names of the two (2) Members
shall be mentioned at the Annual Corporate/Congregational Meeting and
the work
shall be completed and reported to the Trustee Board before the end of
March,
following the Annual Corporate / Congregational Meeting.
G.
The term of Trustee shall
terminate upon:
1.
Expiration
of his term.
2.
His
resignation.
3.
Termination
of his
Membership of the Church.
4.
His removal from Membership.
5.
His
death.
H.
If the Trustee can no longer
serve on the Trustee Board, his office shall be vacant.
The vacated office shall be filled at the
next Annual Corporate / Congregational Meeting.
ARTICLE VI - TREASURER & ASSISTANT TREASURER
The Treasurer and Assistant
Treasurer shall be Members of the church in good standing. They shall
be
nominated by the nominating committee and approved by the Elder /
Deacon
Board. They shall be elected by at the
Annual Corporate Congregational Meeting.
The terms of Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be three
(3) years.
A.
The
requirements for
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer:
1.
They
shall be Spirit-filled
Believers who are Members of the Church and who have been nominated by
the
Elder Board.
2.
They
shall be confirmed by a
75% secret ballot vote by the congregation.
B.
The
Treasurer shall be
responsible to:
1.
Draw
up the annual budget
with Trustee Board approval.
The budget shall be
presented to the Congregation one (1) month prior to the annual
Corporate /
Congregational Meeting.
2.
Present
a financial report
at the Annual and Semi-Annual Corporate / Congregational Meetings.
3.
Manage
the overall Budget
and distribute the funds to the appropriate ministry leaders.
4.
Pay
all incurred bills.
5.
Present
statue to the
Chairman of the Trustee Board to be presented at the monthly Trustee
Meetings.
C.
The
Assistant Treasurer
shall assist the Treasurer at the direction of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall assume the
responsibilities of the Treasurer if the Treasurer is not able to
fulfill the
given responsibilities of the Office of Treasurer.
D.
The
term of Treasurer and
Assistant Treasurer shall be terminated upon:
1.
Expiration
of the term.
2.
Resignation.
3.
Termination
of Membership in
the Church.
4.
Removal
from Membership.
5.
Death.
A. The requirements
for Church Clerk:
1. The Church Clerk shall be a
Spirit-filled, mature man who is a Member of
the Church and nominated by the
nominating committee and approved by the Elder / Deacon Board.
2.
The
Church Clerk shall be
confirmed by a 75% secret ballot vote by the Congregation at the Annual Corporate/Congregational Meeting.
B.
The
Church Clerk shall chair
the Annual, Semi-Annual, and any other Corporate/Congregational Meetings.
1.
Expiration
of the term.
2.
His
resignation.
3.
Termination
of his
Membership in the Church.
4.
His
removal from Membership.
5.
His
death.
ARTICLE VIII - PRESIDING OFFICER AND INSPECTOR
1.
The
Presiding Officer and
two (2) Inspectors shall be Spirit-filled, mature men who are Members
of the
Church and shall be nominated at each Corporate/Congregational Meeting
at which
a secret ballot vote is to be taken.
2. The Presiding Officer and
the two (2) Inspectors shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the
Congregation. The term shall be one (1)
Meeting.
B. The
Presiding Officer and two (2) Inspectors
shall judge the qualifications of the Voters (Members qualified to
vote), pass
out and receive the ballots and declare the results of the ballots to
the
Congregation.
A.
The Deaconesses
shall be
Spirit-filled mature women who are Members of the Church and meet the
guidelines established in the Scriptures for godly Christian women.
B.
The Nominating
Committee
shall be responsible for appointing qualified women to serve as
Deaconesses. The appointments must be
approved by the Elder / Deacon Board.
There is no definite number of women required to fill this
position.
C.
The
Deaconesses shall elect
a Chairperson from their number. The
Deaconesses shall meet regularly for a time of spiritual encouragement,
Bible
study, Prayer, and to discuss the practical needs of the Church.
D.
The
Deaconesses shall
minister as Servant Leaders in the Congregation by assisting in the
practical
ministries of the Church and in the counsel and discipleship of women
and
children.
E.
The
Deaconesses shall be
responsible for the following:
1.
Counsel and provide
spiritual direction for the women of the Church.
2.
Visit shut-ins and nursing
home residents, and other needy people.
3.
Ensure that provision is
made for the Believer’s Baptism and preparation of the Lord’s Supper.
4.
Assist the Deacons in the
distribution of food to the needy.
F.
The term of
Deaconess shall
be three (3) years. The term of
Deaconess shall terminate upon:
1.
Expiration
of the term.
2.
Her
resignation.
3.
Termination
of her
Membership in the Church.
4.
Her
removal from Membership.
5.
Her
death.
A.
Missions
shall be a vital
part of the overall ministry of the Church.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave the mandate to the Church in the
Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20;
Acts 1:8).
B.
The
Elder Board shall
establish a Missions Committee for the purpose of keeping the Church
body
informed about Missions. The nominating
committee shall appoint qualified people to serve for three (3) years. The appointments must be approve by the Elder
/ Deacon board.
C.
The
Missions Committee shall
be responsible for the following:
1.
Review
yearly status of
Church supported Ministries.
2.
Review
and recommend new
Missionary candidates to the church.
3.
Provide
the Church with
communication on currently supported Missionaries and Missionary
activities.
4.
Present
a Missionary Budget
to the Trustees and Elders.
ARTICLE XI - OTHER CHURCH
MINISTRIES
A.
The
Elder Board shall be
responsible for appointing Members to Leadership positions, as the need
arises
within the Church: Missions Leader, Music Ministry Leaders, Minister of
Christian Education, Superintendent of Sunday Bible School, Teen and
Children
Ministry Leaders, Junior Church Leader, Nursery Leader, Daily Vacation
Bible
School Director, Fellowship Leader, Evangelism and Outreach Ministry
Leaders
and any other Leadership positions required for effective overall
Ministry of
the Church.
B.
The
Members appointed to
Leadership positions at the Church shall be acknowledged at the Annual
Corporate / Congregational Meeting, The Semi-Annual Corporate /
Congregational
Meeting and at another scheduled Corporate / Congregational Meeting.
C.
The
Elder Board shall be
responsible for describing the ministry responsibilities to the Leaders
of each
given Ministry.
D.
All
Ministries of Grace
Bible Fellowship Church are accountable to the Elder Board. Every Ministry is considered part of the
Church and is not an independent Ministry.
E.
Every
Ministry shall keep
its purpose in harmony with the overall purpose of the Church.
F.
Ministry
Leaders shall
adequately staff all Ministries. The
Elder Board shall assist the Ministry Leaders in encouraging Believers
to come
forth and serve the Lord and His Church by using their spiritual gifts
and
talents. The Elder Board must approve
every worker for every Ministry of the Church.
ARTICLE XII - SPECIAL
COMMITTEES
A.
The Elder Board
and/or
Trustee Board shall be responsible for appointing Members to Special
Committees
as the need arises to perform a special task within the Church. It may be for a special project, a Ministry
survey, or any other task requiring people, time, and/or funds over and
above
the regular operating Ministries of the Church.
B.
The
Elder Board and/or
Trustee Board shall be responsible for describing the Ministry
responsibilities
to the Committee. All Special Committees
of Grace Bible Fellowship Church are responsible to the Elder Board
and/or
Trustee Board.
C.
The
Elder Board and/or
Trustee Board shall adequately staff the Special Committees. The Elder Board must approve all workers
and/or participants for any given Special Committee of the Church.
D.
The
Special Committees shall
be acknowledged at Annual or Semi-Annual Corporate / Congregational
Meetings or
at another scheduled Corporate / Congregational Meeting.
E.
Each
Special Committee shall
have a stated purpose and shall be formed for a stated period of time. A Chairperson shall be chosen to lead the
Special Committee. The Chairperson shall
provide the Elder Board and/or Trustee Board with periodic status
reports. The Chairperson shall also
present status and
survey reports to the Congregation at Corporate/Congregational Meetings
as
requested by the Elder Board and/or Trustee Board.
When the purpose of a Special Committee has
been completed the Committee shall be dissolved.
A.
The Church shall be
entirely
supported by free will Offerings of God’s people. This
policy includes every ministry of the
Church. This has the support of the
Scriptures and has proven to be the method by which the Lord has
blessed His
work.
B.
The
Annual Budget shall be
drawn upon the Trustee Board with the assistance of the Treasurer. The various Ministry Leaders may be asked to
present proposed budget needs for their Ministries.
The proposed Annual Budget shall be presented
to the Congregation one (1) month prior to the Annual Corporate /
Congregational Meeting the second (2nd) week of December.
C.
The
proposed Annual Budget
shall be voted on by secret ballot at the Annual Corporate /
Congregational
Meeting. A 75% vote is required for
confirmation. The Pastors salary shall
be confirmed when the Annual Budget is confirmed.
D.
The
Budgeted items shall not
exceed the given amount by more than 20%.
If there is a need beyond this amount a special Corporate /
Congregational Meeting shall be called to discuss the item in question. Over-Budgeted Emergencies shall be at the
discretion of the Trustee and/or Elder Boards.
A Corporate / Congregational Meeting shall be held as soon as
possible
following the emergency need.
A.
The
By-laws shall be adopted
or amended as the need arises for change.
The Elders and/or Trustees shall propose the changes at their
regularly
scheduled Meetings. The proposed
Amendment (s) shall be presented to the Congregation at any time
throughout the
year. The proposed Amendment (s) shall
be presented to the Congregation one (1) month prior to a call of
confirmation
by the Congregation at the Annual, Semi-Annual or another special
Corporate /
Congregational Meeting.
B.
The
proposed Amendment(s)
shall become part of the By-laws by a 75% secret ballot vote by the
Congregation.
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Frank Cirone by clicking here
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