BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Preamble
Whereas our Sovereign God has preordained and called out for Himself a body of believers, the head of whom is Jesus Christ Himself, to be in an active relationship with Him, to be involved with His Word, to be in agape fellowship with other believers, and to share His love with non-believers, we have established this local church and declare and establish these bylaws.
ARTICLE II - Name
The name of this church shall be Christ Community Church of Springfield, Missouri, the same being a General Not-For-Profit corporation under the laws of the state of Missouri.
ARTICLE III - Membership
The membership of this church shall consist of those persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, who have been led to this church by the Holy Spirit, and who are actively pursuing the same goals, and accept the Statement of Faith. Participation and ministry with this church are the fundamental evidences of membership. However, because the need exists to identify members, all those desiring to be members will be required to sign a Membership Covenant. Those members in teaching or leadership positions will be expected to support the Statement of Faith and to defer to the interpretations of the Elder Board regarding doctrines not presented in the Statement of Faith. Members agree to be governed by the bylaws of this church, as may be amended from time to time.
The elders shall have the right and authority to determine the eligibility and acceptability of all applicants for membership. Those approved for membership will be received into the church upon their names being added to the church membership and being presented to the church body. Members requesting to be removed from membership are to do so in writing.
ARTICLE IV - Government
The church of Jesus Christ is not a democracy but a theocracy. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "I will build My church." Therefore, we believe that Jesus is the head of the Church and gives guidance to its leadership through scripture, prayer, and spiritual wisdom.
This church shall be governed by a plurality of elders (I Timothy 5:17; I Peter 5:1-5). The elders are God's provision for the care of the church's total welfare. They have been entrusted by the Lord with the authority to lead the church, and they will seek the will of the Lord Jesus Christ as found in the Scriptures.
There will be, however, a practice of involving the membership in decisions, which need input and discussion. The elders will give periodic reports to the membership.
ARTICLE V - Leadership
I. ELDER (presbuteros), meaning overseer, is used interchangeably with pastor (poimen), meaning shepherd. Elders were established in the N.T. from mature Christians in a local church (I Peter 5:1-5; Titus 1:5). The elders' primary responsibilities are for general spiritual oversight, and they are to model what all participants of the church are trained to accomplish in evangelism and discipleship. A church is to have a plurality of elders who lead the church by a unified team effort. It is recognized that God uniquely gifts individuals for leadership roles who serve under the authority of the elders. These include pastor-teachers and evangelists (Ephesians 4:11-13).
A. Qualifications The qualifications for elders are established by God through the apostle Paul and shall be those listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Therefore, an elder must have experienced the new birth, being a new creation in Christ Jesus, and living out that new life in Him. His reputation must be above reproach. He must be the husband of one wife. He must be temperate. He must be sober-minded. He must be a lover of hospitality. He must be a capable teacher. He must not be given to wine. He must not use violence. He must not be a lover of money. He must be patient. He must not be contentious. He must rule his household well, keeping his children under control. He must not be a new convert, but spiritually mature. He must have a good reputation with those outside the church. He must not be self-willed. He must not be quick-tempered. He must be a lover of goodness. He must be a just and devout man. He must hold fast to the sure Word of God and be a defender of the faith.
B. Selection New elders shall be selected by the existing elders. The elders shall confer with the church before making a final decision regarding selection of any men as elders.
C. Term The elder shall serve for a minimum of three years. An elder may serve for consecutive terms indefinitely. Every three years, the elder, along with the remaining elders, will be asked to evaluate his commitment and willingness to serve. After six years, the elder will undergo a formal review that includes submission of a new elder questionnaire and an interview with the existing elders. If he is married, his wife will be included in the interview with the elders. The CCC body will also be invited to provide input in the formal review process. At any point in his term, an elder can be relieved of his responsibilities and/or office voluntarily or by unanimous consent of the remaining elders, wherein he can resume elder responsibilities and/or office by unanimous consent of the remaining elders.
D. Function The elders shall be overseers of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church, being responsible for its total welfare. This includes, but is not limited to practicing church discipline, maintaining doctrinal purity, managing financial matters, and recognizing and implementing church related ministries.
The church elders, as trustees, shall have the power to buy, own, and sell real and personal property in the name of Christ Community Church.
Title to all real property now owned or hereafter acquired by the church shall be held in trust in favor of Christ Community Church, a General Not-For-Profit corporation. In the event that the church membership shall be divided over doctrinal or other issues secular or spiritual in nature, all property of this church shall remain with those members, whatever their number, desiring continuing affiliation with this church and adhering to its statement of faith. The determination of which group of members desires continuing affiliation with this church, and adheres to its statement of faith shall be decided by the elders of the church, and their decision shall be final and binding.
Any official action by the elders will be by unanimous consent. The only exception to this would be the removal of an elder as discussed in Section I-C above. Minutes will be taken of all elder meetings and shall be kept as a permanent record.
E. Number The number of elders shall be as many as deemed necessary by the elders.
F. Remuneration The elders may financially support an elder, part or full-time, who functions in a capacity that serves this church where time and work demands make it necessary (I Timothy 5:17,18). Salaried elders could be those who serve, for instance, as a pastor/teacher. Financial compensation will not be made without consultation with the church. A salaried elder shall not be viewed as having any special authority except that which is delegated to him by the remaining elders. A salaried elder shall be subject to the same qualifications and selection as all elders. A salaried elder's position as elder and his remuneration are understood to be subject to the same terms as stated in Section I-C above.
The elders may financially support any deacon or staff member for his or her service to this church. Full-time salaried positions will not be established without prior consultation with the church. Full-time salaried people will be given a job description and a written statement outlining his/her financial package and benefits.
II. DEACON (diakoneo), meaning to be an attendant or one who serves.
A. Qualifications Deacons shall be spiritually mature men or women who meet the qualifications set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13. See also Romans 16:1,2.
Deacons must be Christian men or women of dignity. They should not be given to double-talk, addicted to wine, or fond of sordid gain. They should hold to the faith with a clean conscience. Their lives should be beyond reproach, after they have been tested. The men should be husbands of one wife. They should manage their children and households well. The women must also be faithful in all things. They should not be malicious gossips, but temperate and dignified. Those who serve well as deacons obtain a high standing and great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
B. Selection Deacons are gifts of God to the church, appointed by the elders to serve in areas of special ministry. As a need arises, the elders shall appoint as deacons those persons who are qualified and willing to meet the need.
C. Term A deacon may be asked to relinquish his/her office for any of the following reasons.
1. The need or ministry to which he or she was originally called no longer exists.
2. The need or ministry to which he or she was called is no longer consistent with the goals of this church.
3. The deacon's behavior or conduct are inconsistent with the scriptural qualifications of a deacon.
4. The deacon no longer fulfills the responsibilities of his/her duty.
D. Function The deacons shall assist the church by carrying out the various ministries and services needed under the direction of the elders.
E. Remuneration The elders may financially support any deacon for his or her service to this church. Full-time salaried deacons will not be established without prior consultation with the church.
III. OTHERS
The elders may select certain individuals for ministry functions. These individuals may include, but are not limited to, people who minister in the areas of youth, music, children, counseling, secretarial, maintenance, etc.
A. Qualifications Any member shall have the necessary skills and character commensurate with his or her position.
B. Term The term of any member will be until the elders determine the member no longer meets the qualifications and/or job description or there is no longer any need for the ministry function.
C. Remuneration The elders may financially support any member for his or her service to this church. Full-time salaried positions will not be established without prior consultation with the church.
ARTICLE VI - Church Discipline
A. Grounds Discipline is an exercise of scriptural authority for which the church is responsible. (Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 16:4; I Corinthians 5:1-13; II Thessalonians 3:6-15; I Timothy 5:17-21; Hebrews 13:17.) The purpose of discipline is to promote repentance and restoration through exposing habitual unrepentant behavior. It is redemptive in nature as well as corrective. Any member of the church is subject to discipline on the basis of unscriptural conduct or doctrinal departure from the statement of faith of this church.
B. Procedure The church will follow the disciplinary procedure set forth in Matthew 18:15-18. The procedure consists generally of the following steps. (1) The Pastor or a designated member appointed by the elders discusses the charges with the member in an effort to resolve the matter privately; (2) if the first step does not resolve the matter, then the member shall meet with the elders or with a designated committee appointed by the elders in an effort to resolve the matter privately; (3) if the first or second steps do not resolve the matter, then the elders will submit the matter to the church. A member who is habitually unrepentant and continues in the rebellious behavior after the first three disciplinary steps are taken may be dismissed from membership in the church by a public announcement to the body. (Matthew 18:17; I Corinthians 5:9-13; I Timothy 5:20.) However, lesser sanctions may be imposed as appropriate, depending on the circumstances of each case.
C. Resignations Members who are under discipline by this church forfeit and waive the right to resign from membership in this church. Resignations from membership are possible only by those members in good standing who are not under any disciplinary action.
ARTICLE VII - Divorce and Remarriage
A. Position Christ Community Church adheres to the sanctity of marriage. Biblical standards are to be applied in the cases of divorce and remarriage. The Bible teaches that only in the case of adultery or in the case of desertion/abuse by a non-believing spouse will the “innocent” spouse be granted a divorce and allowed to remarry in the eyes of God. (Matthew 19:1-12; I Corinthians 7:7-16). A non-believing spouse is described as one who does not claim to be a follower of Christ. A person who has claimed to be a follower of Christ can also be considered in the arena of nonbelievers when in an unrepentant state for their continual sin (Matt. 18:15-20). CCC staff will not participate in weddings that violate the biblical standard.
B. Participation CCC members are requested to prayerfully seek discretion and wisdom when asked to attend or participate in weddings that violate the biblical standards on divorce and remarriage. Decisions to support such weddings in any manner will not adversely affect the standing of any member of this body. Furthermore, those persons who are presently partners in marriages that fail to meet these biblical standards are welcome to participate in activities of this ministry.
ARTICLE VIII - Ordinances
A. Baptism (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Mark 16:16) This church shall baptize only those persons who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior of their lives, and who have chosen to follow Him in baptism. The method of baptism shall be by immersion.
B. Communion (The Lord's Supper) (I Corinthians 11:23,24; Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-21)
ARTICLE IX- Not-for Profit Organization
A. No Stocks Issued This church is not organized for pecuniary profit, and it shall not have any power to issue certificates for stock or declare dividends.
B. Inurement of Income No part of the net earnings of the church shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, elders, trustees, Directors, officers or other private persons except that the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.
C. Benevolent Fund This church will have a benevolent fund whose purpose is to assist in meeting the material needs of the members of this church. This fund will be called the II Corinthians Fund. Suggestions by donors to the II Corinthians fund shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. The administration of this fund, including all disbursements, is subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the church elders.
D. Handling of Offerings All cash offerings shall be counted by at least two authorized persons before the funds are removed from the church building. A cash receipts form shall be signed in duplicate by those counting the offering. A record shall be kept of all receipts and disbursements of the local assembly and of all individual giving. All funds shall be deposited in federally insured accounts.
E. Legislature or Political Activities No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the church shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
F. Operational Limitations Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles, the church shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
G. Dissolution Clause Upon the dissolution of the church, none of its funds or assets shall be distributed to any officer, deacon, elder, trustee, or any other individual. The elders shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all of the funds and assets of the assembly by conveying the same to an organization agreed upon by the elders in an official meeting and provided that said organization at the time qualifies as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Any such funds or assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principle office of the organization is then located, to such organization as said Court shall determine, which is organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes.
ARTICLE X - Amendments
These bylaws can only be amended by the unanimous consent by the elders.