A. REGULAR MEETINGS.  For public worship, preaching, instruction and evangelism, the Church shall maintain and foster meetings as follows:

       1)  Regular meetings shall be held each Sunday morning and evening and each Wednesday evening.  Each of these meetings shall be under the direction of the Senior Pastor or his appointee.  The time and place of regular meetings may be modified upon recommendation of the Senior Pastor and approval of the Church.

      2)  For study and instruction of God's Word, there shall be a Sunday School divided into departments and classes for all ages, to be conducted under the supervision of a Director, meeting each Sunday. 

      3)  The Church shall conduct evangelistic meetings and opportunities at such time and of such nature as recommended by the Senior Pastor and approved by the Board of Trustees. 

      4)  Occasional enrichment opportunities of the Church and its various ministry programs can be recommended by the Senior Pastor and approved by the Board of Trustees.

B. CONFERENCE MEETINGS.  For the transaction of the business of the Church, the following is provided:

      1)  The annual meeting of the Church shall be held at the time of a church conference during the fourth calendar quarter of each year, at which time the annual ministry reports shall be presented and any other business pertaining to the closing of the Church year shall be conducted.  Public notice of this meeting shall be given at least ten days prior thereto and in the preceding weekly publication.

      2) Regular church conference meetings for the transaction of any and all business except the call of a Senior Pastor shall be held at such time as recommended by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Deacons.  Such meetings shall be held at least quarterly.  The schedule of these meetings shall be presented to the Church for approval at the annual meeting.

      3)  The Senior Pastor or the Trustee Chairman may call from the pulpit special conference meetings, the particular object of the meeting being clearly stated in the notice.  Public notice of such special conference meetings shall be given at least seven days in advance. The Trustee Chairman shall call a special conference meeting upon the written request, submitted to the Board of Trustees, of not less than ten (10) percent of the resident membership specifying the object thereof.

      4) At any of the regular meetings for worship, the Church may, without special notice, act upon the appointment of messengers to meetings or conventions. 

      5) A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting shall be not less then twenty (20) percent of the active resident membership of the church, except for the call of a Senior Pastor when it shall be not less than forty (40) percent.

      6) A majority of those members voting shall determine any matter voted upon, except as otherwise provided.

      7) The Trustee Chairman or his designee shall preside and act as moderator at all conference meetings of the Church. If all the above are absent the Church shall select a temporary moderator to preside at such meetings. 

      8) In the absence of the Church Clerk or the Clerk’s assistant, at any conference meeting of the Church the moderator shall appoint a Temporary Clerk in addition to audio recording the action of the Church at such meetings.

      9) In all questions of procedure at any conference meeting, the Church shall be governed by ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.  Procedural questions shall be determined by the moderator or by a parliamentarian appointed by the Trustee Chairman.   

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP AND PRIVILEGES

A. REQUIREMENTS.  The membership of this Church shall consist of such persons who have:

      1)  Confessed Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord;

      2) Been baptized by immersion in this Church, or been accepted upon promise  of letter from another Church, or been received upon statement of Baptism by immersion in a church of like faith and order;

      3)  Successfully completed an orientation program for new members as prescribed by the Church;

      4) Entered into the Church Covenant; and

      5) Been accepted by vote of the Church.

      6) None of these membership requirements shall be waived without the recommendation of the Senior Pastor and approval of the Trustees.

B. WATCH CARE MEMBER.  Candidates for membership who have joined by Profession of Faith or by Transfer will remain under Watch Care Member status until their baptism or receipt of a letter of recommendation from their former church.  Watch Care Members are given all the privileges of church membership except the rights to hold leadership offices (ex. Deacon, Sunday School Director, etc…) and to vote in matters of the church.

C. PRIVILEGES.  Members shall have and avail themselves of the privilege to:

      1) Gather together and experience fully all opportunities of worship and ministry provided by the Church;

      2) Vote on all matters to come before the Church;

      3) Hold office and service positions; and

      4) Represent the Church as a messenger to meetings and conventions.

D. RESPONSIBILITIES.  Members shall be expected to: 

      1) Be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life;

      2) Regularly to attend the services of this Church;

      3) Give regularly for its support and its causes; and

      4) Share in its organized servant ministries.

E. MEMBERSHIP STATUS (Active or Inactive)

      1) Active Resident Member. These are members who take an active part in the life of the church and participate in the Church’s programs and ministries. They attend on a regular basis and support the work and mission of the church.  Members who are home bound, active military, or college students shall retain active resident member status.

      2) Inactive Resident Member.  Members who have not attended the church within a year’s time and/or have broken contact with the church will be assigned this status.  Their name will be placed upon the inactive list until they have chosen to reactivate the membership either in this church or at another church.  Members who are assigned inactive status will not be counted as part of the total membership.  If they request a letter of transfer to another church without reactivating their membership here, the church will send a letter of recommendation noting their inactive status.

F. TERMINATION.  The termination of membership shall be subject to the following provisions:

      1) Letters of transfer for any member shall be granted upon written request to any church of like faith.

      2) If a member requests in writing to be released from membership in this Church, the church shall, after having patiently and kindly endeavored to secure continuance in its fellowship, grant such request and terminate membership.

      3) Any member becoming offensive to the Church and its good name by reason of immoral conduct or unchristian acts or creates dissention within the church may be disciplined by the Church to the extent of termination of membership. The Senior Pastor and Board of Deacons will decide if a member’s behavior warrants a vote by the church body for possibly revocation of membership. Our guidelines are based on the following scripture:

“¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”  Matthew 18:15-17 (King James Version)  

^“1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  ²And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.  ³For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  ⁴In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  ⁵To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  ⁶Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  ⁷Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  ⁸Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  ⁹I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  ¹⁰Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  ¹¹But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  ¹²For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  ¹³But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (King James Version) 

      4) In the event it is established that a member has united with another church, membership in this Church shall be terminated by the recommendation of the Deacons and approved by the Senior Pastor. 

      5) Any Person whose membership has been terminated may be restored to full fellowship by a vote of the Church upon evidence of his/her repentance and reformation.  Before voting to restore such member, the Church may refer such matters to the Deacons for consideration and report back to the Church with recommendations thereon.

ARTICLE III - CHURCH STAFF

A. CHURCH STAFF.  The Staff of this Church shall be a Senior Pastor and all additional ministry staff, secretarial staff, and other clerical staff as deemed necessary to properly meet the objectives of the Church.  The Staff shall be subject to and governed by the personnel policies and procedures as defined by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Church.

B. SENIOR PASTOR’S SELECTION.  The Senior Pastor shall be selected and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs.  His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose of which at least one week's public notice shall be given.  A pulpit committee shall be selected by the Church to recommend a suitable Senior Pastor.  Such committee shall consist of at least five (5) members of the Church, selected by the Deacons and the Board of Trustees and presented to the Church for approval.  The Committee shall bring to the consideration of the Church for approval only one person at a time and their recommendation shall constitute a nomination.  Election shall be by private ballot with the appropriate quorum participating, and affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of those members voting being necessary to elect.  The Senior Pastor, thus elected, shall, if he accepts the election and call, serve indefinitely at the will of the Church, and/or until the relationship is terminated, both the Senior Pastor and the Church seeking at all times to follow the will of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit in reference thereto.

C. SENIOR PASTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES. The Senior Pastor shall be in charge of the welfare and oversight of the Church; shall minister unto the Church at all regular and appointed times for worship and service, and to the individual members whenever possible.  He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Church, and shall be ex-officio member of all committees of the Church.

 ARTICLE IV – CHURCH OFFICERS

A. CHURCH OFFICERS.  The Church Officers shall consist of the Senior Pastor and Church Administrator (Clerk).

B. CLERK.  The Church Administrator (Clerk) shall be nominated by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Church. The Church Administrator (Clerk) shall keep an accurate record of all actions of the Church, shall attend all conference meetings, and shall keep a register of the names of the members, with the dates of admission and dismissal or death, together with a record of baptisms.  The Church Administrator (Clerk) shall issue letters of dismissal voted by the Church, preserve and file all communications and written official reports and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary in these By-Laws.

C. TERMS OF SERVICE.  Church Officers, Deacons, committees, councils, and ministry teams shall operate on a calendar year beginning September 1.

 ARTICLE V - CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

A. SUNDAY SCHOOL.  There shall be a Sunday School to provide Bible teaching and outreaching in the Church.  At the regular Church conference meeting during the second calendar quarter Deacons shall bring to the Church their nomination for Director of the Sunday School for the ensuing year. The Director of the Sunday School shall then serve as a member of the Nominating Committee. At the regular Church conference meeting during the third calendar quarter the Nominating Committee shall bring to the Church nominations for general officers, departmental officers, teachers and workers necessary to complete the Sunday School organization.  After the annual election of workers the Nominating Committee shall bring to the Church at its regular conference meetings nominations to fill any vacancies that have occurred.  Following the election of the Church elected officers, teachers and workers, a public installation service may be held at the morning worship period.  The duties of these officers, teachers and workers shall be in accordance with approved Biblical standards together with such other duties and qualification for service as the church may adopt.

B. DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM.  There shall be a Discipleship Program to provide for the maturing of Christians in doctrine, in faith, in Christian leadership and in service.  At the regular Church conference meeting during the second calendar quarter the Deacons shall bring to the Church their nomination for Director of the Discipleship Program for the ensuing year.  The Director of the Discipleship Program shall then serve as a member of the Nominating Committee.  Programs and leadership shall be planned, selected and conducted by the Director upon approval of the Senior Pastor.

C. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.  No organization, organized class, or group of individuals which is a part of this Church shall institute or form any organization under the auspices of this Church upon any plan or ideal contrary to these By-Laws unless expressly authorized to do so by vote of the Church.

D. PROGRAM SCHEDULE.  All other Church programs, committees, councils and ministry teams shall operate on a calendar year beginning with September 1.

ARTICLE VI – TRUSTEES

The Trustees will serve as the business decision-making body of the Church.

A. SELECTION – TERMS.  The Trustees shall be composed of six men of the Church.  They shall be elected by vote of the Church upon the recommendation of the Senior Pastor.  Trustee terms of office shall be based on the system of four-year terms, with three (3) members’ terms ending every second year. Trustees are allowed to repeat consecutive terms upon re-nomination by the Senior Pastor and the church’s vote of approval. A Trustee shall be limited to two (2) consecutive four-year terms. He shall become eligible for nomination again after two years.

B. TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS

      1)       A Trustee must meet the standards set forth in the Scriptures to be eligible for nomination.  While I Timothy 3:1-7 sets forth guidelines for Elders and Deacons, the church expects those who serve in this leadership role to live according to the Word of God.  

 “¹This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  ²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  ³Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  ⁴One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  ⁵(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  ⁶Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  ⁷Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (King James Version)

       2)       A Trustee must be a member of Nazareth Community Church at least one year to be eligible for nomination.  This will enable the Church Member to demonstrate the character qualities and reputation required by Scripture of those who serve as Trustees.   

      3)       A Trustee must be a male of at least 25 years of age to serve.  

C. OFFICERS. The Trustees shall elect one of their members to serve as Chairman and one to serve as Vice Chairman.  The Chairman shall coordinate communications between the Trustees and the Church. The Trustees shall also elect one of their members to serve as Treasurer. The Treasurer shall also serve as a member of the Financial Council and serve as a liason between the Board of Trustees and the Financial Council.

D. POWERS.  The Trustees shall hold title to the Church property and arrange for and keep in effect such insurance as is wise and in keeping with sound business procedure.  They shall execute all deeds, debentures, mortgages, liens, transfers, leases and other legal documents for and on behalf of the Church, but shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or encumber any property of the Church without specific vote of the Church authorizing such action.

E. REMOVAL.  In the event of gross misconduct, or in case of acts involving moral turpitude or unchristian-like conduct on the part of any Trustee during his term of office, he may, upon written complaint made to the Trustees and after investigation and confirmation of such conduct, be removed from office by vote of the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees, acting as representatives of the church body, by a 75% vote of all members present.  The Church may then proceed to elect another Trustee according to the nomination from the Senior Pastor.

F. WITHDRAWAL.  In case of voluntary withdrawal, death, or resignation of any Trustee from office, he shall cease to be an Active Trustee, whereupon the Church may then proceed to elect another Trustee according to the nomination from the Senior Pastor.

G. QUORUM – A quorum of two-thirds of its members being present is required for the Board of Trustees to vote on matters affecting the church body.

ARTICLE VII- DEACONS

A. MISSION - The mission of the Deacons is to provide Christ-like care for our members.

B. DEACONS - There shall be at least one (1) deacon for every 20 members of the church.  They shall be elected for a term of three years. 

C. DEACON QUALIFICATIONS

       1)       A Deacon must meet the standards set forth in the Scriptures to be eligible for nomination.  While I Timothy 3:1-13 sets forth guidelines for Elders and Deacons, the church expects those who serve in this leadership role to live according to the teachings of Jesus throughout the New and Old Testaments.  

 “¹This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  ²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  ³Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  ⁴One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  ⁵(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  ⁶Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  ⁷Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  ⁸Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  ⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  ¹⁰And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.  ¹¹Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  ¹²Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses weG.ll.  ¹³For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 3:1-13 (King James Version)

      2) A Deacon must be a member of Nazareth Community Church at least one year to be eligible for nomination.  This will enable the Church Member to demonstrate the character qualities and reputation required by Scripture of those who serve as Deacons.

      3) A Deacon must be a male of at least 25 years of age to serve.    

D. DEACON NOMINATIONS.

      1) On the first Sunday of July, the Deacons will call the church to a season of prayer for the Deacon Nomination process.  Each Sunday School class will be encouraged to begin praying daily about people they would nominate to serve as Deacons.  This season of prayer would be for two weeks. 

      2) On the first and second Sunday of July, Sunday School classes will study a special lesson on the ministry and qualifications of Deacons.  The Pastor will write these two lessons for the Sunday School classes and have them ready for the teachers to study on the last Sunday of June.  These Sunday School lessons can be used each year or new lessons can be written or selected by the Pastor each year. 

      3) On or around the third Sunday of July, the church members of the youth and adult Sunday School classes of the church will take time to nominate at least one person, but no more than ten members from the whole church body to appear on the Deacon Ballot in August. 

      4) There will be a Teachers Meeting on or around the third Sunday of July.  All nominations will be turned in at this Teachers Meeting.  For the benefit of our adults who teach children’s Sunday School Classes, there will be a time during the Teachers Meeting when these Teachers can make nominations for the Deacon Ballot.  These Teachers will be given the privileges of the other Sunday School classes and allowed to nominate up to ten people. 

      5)  The Deacons will meet on or around the third Sunday of July to review the nominations and make assignments for contacting those nominated.  Each person nominated will be asked to pray for three days about their willingness to accept this role of leadership should they be elected.   They will then be contacted again for their permission to place their name in nomination.

      6) There shall be one year between the time a Church Member completes a term of service as a Deacon and the time when their name is eligible to appear on the Deacon Election Ballot.  The only exception to this rule is when a Church Member serves as a substitute for less than two years, when another Deacon is unable to complete his term of service as a Deacon.

      7)  The names of those who agree to be nominated will become the official Deacon ballot for that year.

      8) Should the number of those who agree to being nominated not meet the number of Deacons needed for the next term; the active Deacons will nominate enough names to fill out the ballot.  The number of people nominated should be at least three more than the number needed to fill the positions needed for the next term.

      9) The Deacon Ballot will be published in the church newsletter for two weeks prior to the election.   

E. DEACON ELECTIONS.

      1) Deacon Elections will occur on the third Sunday of August each year during the church’s morning worship services, without discussion.

      2)The Deacons will meet on that afternoon to count the votes and prepare the results of the election to be announced at the Evening Worship Service.  Only the names of those elected shall be announced in alphabetical order.  All numbers of votes will be kept confidential by the Deacons and will not be considered public information.  A record of the vote will be recorded and given to the Pastor to keep on file. 

F. UNFULFILLED DEACON TERMS.

•  
  • Should a Deacon be unable to fulfill his term of service, the active Deacons will be responsible for finding someone to fulfill that term in the following manner. 

•  
  • If a new person is needed to fulfill a term on or before February 1 of the current church year, the active Deacons will refer back to the previous year’s election and ask the person with the most votes who was not elected, to fulfill that term of service. Should he decline the opportunity to serve, each successive candidate from the list will be asked to serve until such time as the vacancy has been filled or the list has been exhausted. In the event no one from the list was willing or able to fulfill the remainder of the term, the current Deacons will share in serving the families until the next Deacon election is held.

•  
  • If a new person is needed to fulfill a term on or after February 2 of the current church year, the active Deacons will share in serving the families of that Deacon until the next Deacon election on the third Sunday in August. 

•  
  • Anyone completing another Deacon’s term of service, shall be eligible for re-election on the ballot following the completion of their partial term of service if their term of service is less than two years.   

G. Deacons retiring from active participation by rotation shall retain their title of deacon and may be called upon for service by the church at any time, but shall be ineligible for reelection to the active deaconate until at least one year has elapsed following their retirement from this service. 

H. REMOVAL.  In the event of gross misconduct, or in case of acts involving moral turpitude or unchristian-like conduct on the part of any Deacon during his term of office, he may, upon written complaint made to the Deacons and after investigation and confirmation of such conduct, be removed from office by vote of the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees, acting as representatives of the church body, by a 75% vote of all members present.  The Church may then proceed to elect another Deacon to fill such vacancy at the time of the next Deacon elections as described in ARTICLE VII-F. Unfulfilled Deacon Terms”.

I. WITHDRAWAL.  In case of voluntary withdrawal, death, or resignation of any Deacon from office, he shall cease to be an Active Deacon, whereupon the Church shall proceed to elect another Deacon to fill such vacancy.  Such election to fill an unexpired term shall take place at the time of the next Deacon elections as described in ARTICLE VII-F. Unfulfilled Deacon Terms”.

J. ORDINATION ELSEWHERE.  Deacons coming into the fellowship of this Church from time to time, having been previously ordained in other Churches as Deacons shall not be considered Active Deacons within the fellowship of this Church unless elected by the Members.

K. DEACON SERVICE. Deacons shall at all times regard themselves as servants of the church.  With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make recommendations to the church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress, including oversight of the discipline of the church and establishment and maintenance of spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church.  They shall assist the pastor in the observance of the ordinances. They shall arrange for regular meetings as are necessary to the discharge of their duties.  The Pastor, or the Chairman of the Deacons may call the deacons into special session whenever need for such arises.

L. QUORUM – A quorum of two-thirds of its members being present is required for the Board of Deacons to vote on matters affecting the church body.  

ARTICLE VIII – POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Church shall create and maintain written policies and procedures concerning the various aspects of the ministries and operations of the Church.  These policies and procedures shall be prepared and submitted to the Church for approval by the committees, staff or persons responsible for their particular content.  The approved policies and procedures shall be maintained in a manual and made readily available to all affected parties.  The policies and procedures will include, but are not limited to, those relating to personnel, receipts and disbursements, building use, kitchen use, Christian Life Center, preschool, weddings and vehicle use.  Additionally, a list of all approved committees and councils stating purpose, responsibilities, membership and duration shall be included in the manual.  This list shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees and the Deacons and approved prior to the policies and procedures being effectively practiced.     

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS

A. ESTABLISHMENT.  There shall be committees, councils and/or ministry teams to perform the tasks deemed necessary for the good operation of the Church.  Committees, councils, and ministry teams may be created by these By-Laws or by the Church in conference.  Committees, councils, and ministry teams shall have such authority, members, duties and duration as set forth in the By-Laws or resolution of the Church.  Unless directed otherwise by the Church or by the By-Laws, committees, councils and ministry teams shall operate on a calendar year basis, beginning September 1.  Special committees, councils, and ministry teams may be created by the Senior Pastor or Trustees with the approval of the Church.

B. STANDING COMMITTEES.  The following shall be referred to as the Standing Committees:

1. FINANCIAL COUNCIL.   There shall be a FINANCIAL COUNCIL consisting of five (5) church members nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Church, preferably one of whom shall also be a currently serving Deacon.   In addition, this Council shall also include the Church Administrator and Treasure of the Trustees.  It shall be their responsibility to establish appropriate procedures for handling Church finances; to verify the adherence to such procedures; to prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees a proposed budget for the Church's expenditure of money, both local and outside causes, such budget to be presented to the Deacons for prior review and discussion before presentation to the Church; to also explain any questions relating to Church Finance. It shall approve upon request of the Trustees any special offering not mentioned by the budget, or drive for money in the name of the Church or any of its organizations.  It shall annually review Church financial records.
2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE.  There shall be a  NOMINATING COMMITTEE consisting of the Sunday School and Discipleship Directors (for the coming year), three (3) Deacons and four (4) at-large members of the Church, nominated by the Senior Pastor and Board of Deacons and elected by the Church in the second quarter conference meeting each year.  The head of each organization shall serve in enlisting officers and teachers for their organizations.  This committee shall recommend for election all teachers and leaders for the Church and its organizations and committees as approved by the Church, unless specific instructions appear in the Constitution and By-Laws as to nomination.  They shall fill vacancies during the year.
3. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.  There shall be a PERSONNEL COMMITTEE consisting of the Board of Trustees and the Chairman of the Deacons. This committee shall establish policies and procedures for the management of personnel issues related to the mission of the Church.  A primary purpose of the committee is to assist and enable the ministerial staff, the general staff and the lay members in their joint and cooperative service. The Senior Pastor will serve as ex-officio consultant for all matters except those pertaining to the performance and conduct of the Senior Pastor.  The committee shall ensure compliance by the ministerial staff, the general staff and lay members with all personnel policies and procedures.

ARTICLE X - CHURCH FINANCES

A. BUDGET.  The finances of the Church shall operate on a Unified Budget Plan from January 1 to December 31, which shall include all the expenditures for all objects fostered by the Church.  The budget shall be made up each year, item by item and submitted to the Church for consideration.  The budget may be adjusted in part, or as a whole, at any time upon recommendation of the Finance Council and approved by the Board of Trustees and the Church. 

B. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.  The Church has no assessment plan or compulsory method of Christian giving.  Each member shall be encouraged in Christian giving according to the teachings in I Corinthians 16:2 and Malachi 3:10:

1 Corinthians 16:2 (King James Version)

Malachi 3:10 (King James Version)

C. REGULAR OFFERINGS.  Members and visitors shall be given the opportunity each Sunday worship service to give to the Lord through the Church.

D. SPECIAL OFFERINGS.  Special offerings may be sought by the Church or by any of its organizations, only after approval of the Senior Pastor.  This shall not preclude individuals from making special offerings at any time as the Spirit may move them.

E. MISSIONS.  It shall be the policy of this Church to contribute a minimum of 10% and as much of its gross receipts as possible to spreading the Gospel through missions.

F.EXPENDITURES.  No contract for supplies, materials or services, whereby the credit of the Church is pledged, shall be made except upon recommendation of the Finance Council and the approval of the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE XI - ORDINANCES

A. LORD’S SUPPER.  The ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be observed by the Church at least once every calendar quarter.  It may be served to the homebound or hospitalized by the Pastor and the Deacons as deemed necessary.  The Pastor is responsible for scheduling and the Deacons are responsible for preparing and serving this ordinance. All members of the Church may participate therein, as well as other Christians present at such time. 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (King James Version)

 ²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  

²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  

²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  

²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 

B. BAPTISM.  The ordinance of Baptism may be administered at any worship service for the benefit of all persons upon public profession of faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord who will be uniting with the Church.  The Senior Pastor is responsible for scheduling and administering this ordinance.  All others requested to administer Baptism shall do so only with the approval and under the direction of the Senior Pastor.

Acts 2:38-44 (King James Version)

 ³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

³⁹For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.  

⁴⁰And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  

⁴¹Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  

⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  

⁴³And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  

⁴⁴And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And following the example of Jesus:

Matthew 3:13-17 (King James Version)

 ¹³Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  

¹⁴But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  

¹⁵And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  

¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  

¹⁷And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.