PROPOSED CHANGES TO BYLAWS AND CHURCH CONSTITUTION 

 

YELLOW = New Item 

GREEN = Added 

RED = Removed 

·         All changes are proposed ONLY. Updates will be implemented upon a successful majority vote of active church members 18 yrs and older. Each item is NOT up for vote, but the changes as a whole.  (Vote YES or NO as an entire document) 

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(I.4) The Church: (Pg 3-4) 

 

*OLD: We recognize water baptism and the Lord's Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. 

 

*NEW: We recognize full immersion water baptism and the Lord's Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. 

 

(Q) Divorce and Remarriage: (Pg 6) 

 

*OLD: We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they many not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. 

 

*NEW: We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the biblical grounds of fornication and abandonment. Upon repentance, restoration, as well as counsel and approval of the Pastor, divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service. 

 

(T) Lawsuits Between Believers: (Pg 6) 

 

*OLD: We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander 

 

*NEW: We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. 

 

(U) Giving: (Pg 6) 

 

*OLD: We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. 

 

*NEW: We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe. However, Offerings (above and beyond the tithe) MUST be used for the original designated purpose unless permission is granted from the giver to use it otherwise. 

 

SECTION 3 - COVENANT  (Pg 6-7)

 

*OLD:  (3rd Paragraph) We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from worldly amusements such as movie attendance, gambling, rock music, and dancing; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; to abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.     

          

*NEW: We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.     

          

ARTICLE 3 – Section 3  (Pg 9) 

(A) Privileges of Membership 

 

*OLD: Each member of the church shall be entitled to vote on all matters except those pertaining to the disciplining of members, the purchase or sale of real property, and the dismissal or calling of a pastor, in which matters, only members at least eighteen years of age shall be entitled to vote. 

 

* NEW: Each active member in good standing who is 18 of years or older, shall be entitled to vote on all matters. This includes the biblical discipline of members, the purchase or sale of real property, and this dismissal or calling of a Pastor. 

 

SECTION 4 – DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER  (Pg 9) 

 

*OLD: (D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, the discipline committee, as the church representatives Biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the discipline committee, the committee shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek that member's restoration.  *Removed and nothing added 

 

ARTICLE 4 – Officers 

·         All titles changed from “Minister of” to “Director of” 

 

SECTION 4 – Terms of Office (B)  (Pg 11) 

 

*OLD: The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except the pastor, shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected or re-appointed. 

          

*NEW: The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except the pastor, shall be TWO YEARS, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected. 

 

SECTION 2 - THE BOARD OF DEACONS  (A)  (Pg 13) 

 

*OLD:  (1st Sentence) The Board of Deacons shall assist the pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious services, and in performing all other work of the church.    

      

*NEW: The Board of Deacons (minimum of three and odd in number), shall assist the pastor in such manner as he shall request. promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious services, and in performing all other work of the church.         

 

SECTION 3 - THE DIRECTOR OF RECORDS  (B)  (Pg 14) 

 

*OLD:  Keep at the place where the bylaws or a copy are kept a record of the proceedings of meetings of the Board of Deacons, with the time and place of holding, the notice of meeting given, the names of these present at the meetings.  

       

*NEW: Keep the bylaws and a record of meetings with the time and place of holding, the notice of meeting given, and the names of these present at the meetings.         

 

SECTION 5 - THE MINISTER OF SUNDAY SCHOOL (Pg 15) 

Changed to “THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION” 

*OLD:  The minister of Sunday school education shall supervise the Sunday school. In consultation with the pastor he shall recommend the appointment of the teachers of the Sunday school. He shall preside at the teachers' meetings, and report on the condition of the Sunday school at the annual church administration meeting. 

 

*NEW: The Director of Education shall supervise all educational programs. In consultation with the pastor he shall recommend the appointment of the teachers of the each educational program. He shall preside at the teachers' meetings, and report on the condition of the educational programs at the annual church administration meeting. 

 

ARTICLE 6, SECTION 1 - MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP  (Pg 16) 

 

*OLD: (1st sentence) Unless otherwise determined by the pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. 

 

*NEW: Unless otherwise determined by the pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. 

 

SECTION 2 - MEETINGS FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION (Pg 16-17) 

 

*OLD: A quarterly church administration meeting shall be held on the first Sunday evening of each quarter, at which time the regular church administration shall be considered. A quorum shall consist of the members present. The date for the annual church administration meeting and the annual election of church officers shall be determined at the regular church ministry affairs meeting in September of each year. 

 

*NEW: A yearly church administration meeting shall be held in January of each year, at which time the regular church administration shall be considered. A quorum shall consist of the active members present. The meeting date will be set by the Pastor and there will be a one-week notice. 

 

OLD: (C) The following order shall be observed at the regular church administration meetings: 

1. Devotions & prayer, 2. Reading of minutes, 3. Reception of members, 4. Dismissal of members, 5. Report of officers directors, 6. Reports of standing committees, 7. Reports of special committees, 8. Unfinished matters, 9. Election of officers directors, 10. New matters, 11. Adjournment, 12. Benediction *Removed and nothing added 

 

ARTICLE 8 - UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES  (Pg 18) 

 

*OLD: Any expenditures in excess of $500 and not authorized in the regular annual budget must be authorized by the pastor (or the Board of Deacons if the office of pastor is vacant). 

          

*NEW: Any expenditures in excess of $500 and not authorized in the regular annual budget must be authorized by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. 

 

ARTICLE 12 - DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS  (Pg 22) 

 

*OLD:  From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the pastor and the Board of Deacons. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2. 

           

*NEW: From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. All givers may “designate” uses for their contributions above and beyond tithing. These designated funds shall go directly to the specified ministry or project. In special (or emergency) cases, and with only approval of the giver, may funds be used for other than their intended designation. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2. 

 

 

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