LAKE COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 LC LAKE COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

2 Versin (13) 10/18/2015 CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS f LAKE COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH Amended Octber,

3 CONSTITUTION AND STATEMENT OF FAITH OF LAKE COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH PREAMBLE Resting n ur faith in the Lrd Jesus Christ fr ur salvatin, believing in the teachings and practices f the Hly Scriptures as ur sle and perfect rule f faith and practice, we therefre band urselves tgether as a bdy f believers in Jesus Christ and adpt fr ur gvernment the fllwing Cnstitutin and Statement f Faith and accmpanying Bylaws. ARTICLE I: NAME The name f this cngregatin is Lake Cuntry Baptist Church, Lake Stevens, Washingtn [Als referred t in this dcument as LCBC]. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE T preach the gspel; t administer the rdinances f the New Testament; t minister t the spiritual needs f the bdy; t train Christian wrkers fr the Lrd's wrk; and t further the evangelizatin f ur cmmunity and the wrld t a living faith in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH Origin: The Bible is the written revelatin f Gd made up f the sixty-six bks f the Old and New Testaments. The Bible des nt just cntain the wrds f Gd but rather is the very Wrd f Gd prclaiming the message f Jesus Christ rdained since befre the fundatin f the wrld [Luke 24:44-49; Jhn 5:39-40; 1 Peter 1:18-21]. Infallibility: The Bible cnstitutes the nly infallible rule f faith and practice given t mankind; it is Gd's mind cncerning everything He wants man t knw abut Himself and His relatinship with His creatin [Matthew 5:18; Jhn 10:35; 17:17; 1 Crinthians 2:3-13; Hebrews 4:12]. The Bible is Gd's wrd preserved withut errr fr every generatin [Psalm 12:6-7; Isaiah 5:18, 40:8]. It is cmplete in its presentatin and nt t be taken away frm nr added t [Revelatin 22:18-19]. Gd's wrd has the pwer t reveal and discern the thughts and intents f the hearts f men [Hebrews 4:12]. Inspiratin: Gd gave His written wrd thrugh a prcess f dual authrship in which the Hly Spirit inspired the human authrs. Thrugh their individual persnalities and different styles f writing, Gd's wrd was given t mankind withut errr in whle r in part [Isaiah 30:8; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timthy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16]. Interpretatin: While there may be several applicatins t any given passage f Scripture, there is but ne interpretatin. A crrect interpretatin begins with a prper understanding f the cntext f any given passage and is t be guided by the ministry f the Hly Spirit f Gd [1 Crinthians 2:7-15], and thrugh the ministry f Gd's gift t His Bdy f pastrs and teachers [Ephesians 4:11-16]. This interpretatin is t be fund by searching the scriptures [Acts 17:11], and by rightly dividing the wrd thrugh study [2 Timthy 2:15]. 2

4 Gd There is nly ne living and true Gd [Deuternmy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Crinthians 8:4] Wh is an infinite, intelligent Spirit [Jhn 4:24], perfect in all His attributes, ne in essence. He has chsen t reveal Himself t His creatin as a Trinity, eternally existing in three persns; Father, Sn and Hly Spirit, and revealed as the Gdhead. [Acts 17:29; Rmans 1:20; Clssians 2:9] He is the Creatr and Sustainer f all things [Genesis 1:26; Deuternmy 4:35; Jhn 1:1-4; 10:30-31]. Gd the Father: As the first persn f the Trinity, the Father pssesses all the divine attributes. His Fatherhd dentes a spiritual relatinship within the Trinity. He has life in Himself [Jhn 5:26]. He rders and dispses all things accrding t His wn purpse and grace, [Psalm 145:8-9] rdained in Christ befre the fundatin f the wrld [Jhn 17:24; 1 Crinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-12; 1 Peter 1:18-21]. As a Father, He lveth the Sn and hath given all things int his hand [Jhn 3:35]. Gd the Sn: As the secnd persn f the Trinity, Jesus Christ pssesses all the divine attributes and is c-equal with the Father [Jhn 1:1-4, 14; 10:27-39; 14:9]. He is the Lamb slain frm the fundatin f the wrld [Revelatin 13:8; Jhn 1:29-36]. He was Gd manifested in the flesh and presents t man all the fullness f the Gdhead in bdily frm [Exdus 3:14; Jhn 8:58; Clssians 2:9; 1 Timthy 3:16]. He was virgin brn [Matthew 1:23], and perfectly sinless [Hebrews 4:15]. As a man He made Himself f n reputatin and became a servant t the full purpses f the Gdhead t the glry f the Father [Philippians 2:5-11]. He died fr the sin f all mankind and is man's nly pathway t Gd [Jhn 14:6; 2 Crinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9]. Thrugh His death He became the prpitiatin (ttally sufficient atning sacrifice) fr the sins f the whle wrld [1 Jhn 2:2]. Thrugh His resurrectin He was declared t be the Sn f Gd with pwer, [Rmans 1:1-4] cnfirming the sufficiency f His sacrifice fr sin and man's hpe f eternal life [1 Crinthians 15:12-17]. As the resurrected Christ, He nw has an unchangeable priesthd and is therefre able t save all that cme unt Gd by Him [Hebrews 7:25]. He cntinues t remain at the right hand f Gd making intercessin fr us [Rmans 8:34]. He will ne day return [Acts 1:11] t fulfill all Gd's prmises t the natin f Israel and His church [Rmans 9-11; 1 Thessalnians 4:13-18; 5:1-10; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelatin 19:11-16]. After the purpses f the Gdhead are fulfilled in the creatin thrugh Him, He Himself will be subject unt the Father, that Gd may be all in all [1 Crinthians 15:28]. Gd the Hly Spirit: As the third persn f the Trinity, the Hly Spirit pssesses all the divine attributes and is c-equal with bth the Father and the Sn [Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35]. His present ministry is t reprve the wrld f sin, f righteusness and f judgment [Jhn 16:8]. His presence tday is fund in all believers t enlighten them t the glries f Christ thrugh an understanding f the written Wrd f Gd. He edifies, cnvicts, empwers and cmfrts the believer. He indwells and seals all believers t Gd upn their belief in the gspel [Ephesians 1:13-14]. Evidence f His indwelling is cnfirmed in the Christian thrugh an internal witness and fruitfulness [Rmans 8:16; Galatians 5:22-23]. NOTE: Gd, thrugh the ministry f the Hly Spirit, is svereign in the bestwal f spiritual gifts t every believer. Gd uniquely uses evangelists, pastrs and teachers t equip believers in the church fr the wrk f the ministry [Rmans 12:3-8; 1 Crinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12]. We believe that the sign gifts f the Hly Spirit, such as speaking in tngues and the gift f healing, were temprary gifts particularly fr the benefit f unbelieving Israel [Acts 2:8-11; 1 Crinthians 1:22, 13:8, 14:22]. Speaking in tngues is nt a necessary sign f the baptism r filling f the Hly Spirit. The ultimate deliverance f the bdy frm sickness r death awaits the cnsummatin f ur salvatin in the resurrectin [Rmans 8:23]. The healing f physical infirmities tday in the individual believer is a direct result f the grace and mercy f Gd thrugh His svereign will and the prayers f intercessin [Philippians 2:27; James 5:14-15]. 3

5 Satan Satan is a created being and because f man's disbedience, and accrding t the purpses f Gd, hlds the psitin f the [g]d f this wrld, blinding the minds f them which believe nt the gspel [Genesis 3:1-14; 2 Crinthians 4:4]. He is the authr f sin in the creatin [1 Jhn 3:8], and bth the father f lies and the father f all wh have nt received the truth cncerning the persn f Jesus Christ [Jhn 8:31-59; 10:30-33]. His desire has always been t displace Gd as the final authrity in the creatin. His wrk will always challenge the authrity f Gd, particularly cncerning the wrd f Gd and will include this thught: yea hath Gd said? [Genesis 3:1]. His tempral authrity will be crushed at the return f the Christ [Genesis 3:15; Rmans 16:20]. Man Man is a direct creatin f Gd. He was made in Gd's image [Genesis 1:26-27], but lst that image thrugh disbedience, bringing the penalty f death upn the human race. Man is nw brn in the image f Adam [Genesis 5:3], and as a natural man having a sinful nature [1 Crinthians 2:14], must be brn again t see and enter the kingdm f Gd [Jhn 3:3-7]. Man, in his natural state, is ungdly and the enemy f Gd and ttally withut strength t recncile his relatinship t Gd withut the prvisin f the gspel f Christ [Rmans 1:16-17; 3:10-18; 5:6-10; 2 Crinthians 5:17-21]. Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender Identity Marriage is sanctined by Gd and jins ne man and ne wman in a single, exclusive unin as defined in Scripture. We believe that Gd intends sexual intimacy t nly ccur between a man and a wman wh are married [Genesis 2:24]. We believe that Gd has cmmanded that n intimate sexual activity be engaged in utside f marriage [1 Thessalnians 4:3-4; Hebrews 13:4]. Gd wnderfully and immutably creates each persn as male r female. These tw distinct, cmplementary genders tgether reflect the image and nature f Gd. [Genesis 1:26-27] Rejectin f ne s bilgical gender is a rejectin f the image f Gd within that persn. Sanctity f Human Life All human life is sacred and created by Gd in His image. Human life is f inestimable wrth in all its dimensins, including pre-brn babies, the aged, the physically r mentally challenged, and every ther stage r cnditin frm cnceptin thrugh natural death. We are therefre called t defend, prtect, and value all human life. [Ps 139] NOTE: Every persn must be affrded cmpassin, lve, kindness, respect, and dignity. [Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31] Hateful and harassing behavir r attitudes directed tward any individual are t be repudiated and are nt in accrd with Scripture nr the dctrines f the Lake Cuntry Baptist Church. Gd ffers redemptin and restratin t all wh cnfess and frsake their sin, seeking His mercy and frgiveness thrugh Jesus Christ. [Rmans 10:9-10; 1 Crinthians 6:9-11] Salvatin Biblical salvatin means t be eternally delivered frm the wrath f Gd and the judgment f sin [Jhn 3:36; 1 Timthy 1:15]. Gd's pwer unt salvatin is fund in the gspel f Christ alne [Rmans 1:16]. Jesus, the Christ, came t seek and save the lst and t take away sin [Luke 19:10; 1 Jhn 3:5]. He paid fr the sins f the wrld thrugh His death n the crss and resurrectin frm the dead. His precius and perfect bld was sufficient t prvide the needed redemptin f man, and t pay fr the penalty f sin and its cnsequences f eternal death and ultimate separatin frm Gd in Hell [1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelatin 20:13-15]. Gd has prvided, by His grace, this gift f salvatin [Rmans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9] t all wh will, by simple faith, cnfess with their muth the Lrd Jesus and believe in their heart that Gd has raised Him frm the dead [Rmans 10:9-10]. We believe that the 4

6 wrd f Gd is clear cncerning the security f this salvatin nce received [Jhn 3:16-18; 10:27-30; 1 Jhn 5:11-13]. The brn again child f Gd has been sealed t Gd fr all time thrugh the indwelling presence f the Hly Spirit [Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 1:6]. Heaven and Hell Physical death is nt the end f ur existence. We believe heaven and hell are real places. They are nt a state f mind. The saved g t heaven t live eternally in the presence f Gd. The lst are dmed t hell and ultimately the lake f fire, eternally separated frm Gd [Luke 16:22-24; Revelatin 20:14-15]. The Church We believe that all believers are part f the Bdy f Christ [1 Crinthians 12:13]. This bdy presents itself visibly tday thrugh lcal cngregatins [Galatians 1:2] as they assemble and wrk tgether [Hebrews 10:24-25] fr the testimny f the gspel f Christ in the wrld as His ambassadrs [Acts 1:8; 2 Crinthians 5:20]. Each lcal cngregatin is autnmus [free frm any external authrity r cntrl f man] with the right f self gvernance, and thrugh its elders' interpretatin and applicatin f Scripture, determines matters f membership, plicy, discipline and benevlence. We believe the Scriptures recgnize tw ffices in leadership, that f elder and deacn [Acts 20: 17-28; Philippians 1:1]. Baptism We believe that baptism is ur identificatin with the death, burial, and resurrectin f Jesus Christ, and is primarily spiritual in its presentatin [Rmans 6:3-5; 1 Crinthians 12:13]. We teach and practice baptism by immersin in water as an utward expressin and testimny f the inward spiritual change which ccurs in the believer's life when they accept and embrace the gspel as the nly hpe fr salvatin [Acts 8:36-38]. This baptism is symblic f the fact that we are buried with Christ in death and have risen with Him in life [Rmans 5:10]. Water baptism is nt a prvisin fr salvatin, but rather a depictin f the Christian's identificatin with Christ and His gspel [Matthew 28:19; 10:47; Rmans 6:11]. The Lrd's Supper We believe the Lrd's Supper is t be practiced in the lcal church and demnstrates the unity amng believers as the bdy f Christ. It is t be cnsidered as a remembrance f the death, burial, resurrectin, and imminent return f Jesus Christ. The elements f the Lrd's Supper are symblic f the brken bdy and the shed bld f the Lrd Jesus Christ. Partaking f the elements tgether leads us twards a greater unity in ur relatinships ne with anther as we examine ur lives in light f the sacrifice f Christ fr ur sin [1 Crinthians 11:23-26]. Final Events Our understanding f final events [eschatlgy] finds its fundatin n the literal prmise f the return f the resurrected Christ [Acts 1:9-11]. We believe that His return will be tw-fld in its presentatin accrding t Gd's prmises t the natin f Israel and t His church. We are bth pre-tribulatin and pre-millennial in ur understanding f the Scriptures and the return f the resurrected Christ. A basic timeline f events might be understd accrdingly: The Rapture f the Church [1 Thessalnians 4:16] The Tribulatin Perid [Jeremiah 30:7; 2 Thessalnians 2:7-12] The Millennial Kingdm [Isaiah 11:1-11; Revelatin 20:1-7] 5

7 The Final Judgment [Revelatin 20:11-15] The New Heaven and New Earth [Revelatin 21-22] NOTE: Knwing that Gd has given particular gifts t His church t bring unity f the faith and increase f the bdy unt the edifying f itself in lve [Ephesians 4:11-16], we chse t enjy a spirited dialgue cncerning the subject f eschatlgy as we wait fr the fulfillment f Gd's purpses in these final events. We als believe that we can agree t disagree as t the final timing and unveiling f these events. ARTICLE IV: COVENANT MEMBERSHIP Sectin 1: Qualificatins fr Cvenant Membership T qualify fr membership, a persn must be at least eighteen (18) years f age, and have attended the public services f LCBC fr a minimum f six (6) mnths. They must give verbal testimny as a believer in Jesus Christ and shall have been baptized by immersin fllwing his r her cnfessin f faith. Each prspective member will give assurance f a willingness t abide by the Cnstitutin and agree t the teachings f scripture as expressed in the Statement f Faith and Membership Cvenant f LCBC as detailed in the Bylaws f the church. SECTION 1: Summary ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT With Christ as the head f the church, the membership f this church shall wrship and labr tgether accrding t the discipline, rules, and fellwship set frth by this Cnstitutin and Statement f Faith, and accmpanying Bylaws. The crprate membership f this church shall be autnmus; that is, shall be the sle and final authrity in all matters f membership, dctrine, gvernment rganizatin, prperty, and affiliatin. Lake Cuntry Baptist Church is incrprated and chartered under the laws f the state f Washingtn as a nn-prfit rganizatin. SECTION 2: Officers (A) The biblical ffices f the church shall be elder and deacn. The primary functins f the fficers are t gvern, care fr, and equip the bdy f believers fr the wrk f the ministry. The tw ffices f elder and deacn represent Christ s lving prvisin fr structure and rder within His church. (B) The elders shall be rganized as a Cuncil fr the purpses f church gvernance and decisin making. Individual elders n the Cuncil shall be equal in authrity but may be specialized in functin. The Cuncil f Elders (hereafter referred t as the Elders) shall be respnsible fr the teaching f the Wrd and caring fr the needs f the flck. They shall be the executive bdy f the cngregatin in all its dealings. The Elders shall have supervisin ver the business transactins and general wrk f the church and its rganizatins. (C) The deacns shall assist the Elders in any service t the church as needed, but especially in the areas f caring fr physical needs f the cngregatin, administratin, and implementatin f ministry plans. SECTION 1: Meeting Guidelines ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS 6

8 In every meeting tgether, members shall act in a spirit f mutual trust, penness, and lving cnsideratin, which is apprpriate within the bdy f ur Lrd Jesus Christ. SECTION 2: Wrship Meetings The church shall meet regularly fr wrship and the study f the Wrd. The Elders shall set times and schedules accrding t the spiritual needs f the bdy. SECTION 3: Members Meetings There shall be a regular members meeting at least annually at sme time apart frm a public wrship service as scheduled by the Elders. An elder shall preside as Mderatr at all members meetings. Sectin 4: Qurum Prvided all cnstitutinal prvisins fr ntificatin have been met, a qurum shall be understd t be met by thse members present. All vtes shall be tallied based n the number f vtes cast by members present. Each member is entitled t vte in cngregatinal members meetings. Sectin 1: Distributin f Assets ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION All prperty f Lake Cuntry Baptist Church is irrevcably dedicated t religius and charitable purpses. In the event f disslutin, the assets f the crpratin shall be distributed t a recipient r recipients, (a Christian rganizatin), t be selected by the Cuncil f Elders, that wuld qualify fr exemptin as an rganizatin described in Sectin 501 (c)(3) f the Internal Revenue Cde. SECTION 1: Statement f Faith ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS The Statement f Faith may nt be altered r amended t weaken the Scriptural and evangelical standards. SECTION 2: Cnstitutin The cnstitutin may be revised r amended by tw-thirds f the membership present at any regular r special meeting f the cngregatin called fr that purpse, prvided the amendment has been reviewed by the Elders. Prpsed changes must be prvided t the cngregatin, alng with ntice f the vte n these changes, at least tw weeks prir t the meeting at which the revisin r amendments will be presented fr apprval. Written ntice f the change must be given in the bulletin a minimum f tw cnsecutive weeks prir t the meeting. The recmmendatin f the Elders either fr r against the prpsed amendment shall be presented by the Mderatr prir t any vte. 7

9 BYLAWS OF LAKE COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH ARTICLE I: COVENANT MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1: General Receptin f new members, r reinstatement t membership fllwing disciplinary actin, shall be by a vte f cnfirmatin f the members upn the recmmendatin f the Elders. The church may act upn these membership issues withut prir ntice at any regular r specially called wrship r members meeting. SECTION 2: Receptin f New Members Any persn meeting the qualificatins f Article IV f the Church Cnstitutin may be received int the membership upn cnfessin f faith, r restatement f faith, subsequent t a satisfactry interview with designated members f the Elders f the church. The Elders shall have the authrity t make the final decisin as t qualificatin fr membership and will recmmend the prspective member t the cngregatin fr membership. Candidates recmmended by the Elders shall be accepted int the membership f LCBC thrugh a vte f cnfirmatin by the existing members present at any regular r special meeting. SECTION 3: Respnsibility f Members Members are encuraged t participate in, give t and supprt the ministries f the church, and t jyfully supprt, encurage, edify, pray fr, and fellwship with ther members and regular attendees f the bdy. They shuld accept encuragement, teaching, supprt, and discipline frm ther members f this bdy. Each member is privileged t participate in and cntribute t the ministry and life f the church. This cntributin is understd t be cnsistent with the gifts, time, and material resurces each has received accrding t the prmise f Gd [Rmans 12:3-13]. All members shall give assent t the fllwing Membership Cvenant: (A) LCBC Membership Cvenant: As a cvenant member f LCBC I agree with the qualificatins fr Cvenant Membership as stated in Article IV f the Cnstitutin f LCBC. I will recgnize the authrity f the Scriptures as the final arbiter n all matters f faith and practice. I will cntribute t the ministry and life f this church as I surrender my time, talents, spiritual gifts, and material resurces accrding t the grace I have received in Christ. I will jyfully supprt, encurage, edify, pray fr and fellwship with the existing cmmunity f LCBC, endeavring t submit t the indwelling life f Christ in all f my persnal relatinships. I will recgnize the biblical authrity f the elders f LCBC and diligently pursue unity and peace within the LCBC cmmunity. 8

10 SECTION 4: Inactive Members Inactive members shall be defined as thse wh vluntarily remve themselves frm the church services fr a perid f six mnths r mre. Inactive members shall be ntified, and then remved frm the membership rll. Inactive members may be reinstated by actin f the Elders upn the written request f the inactive member. Thse wh are absent because they are sick, in the Lrd s service, in the Armed Frces, in schl, r therwise physically hindered frm being in the regular church services shall nt be classified as inactive. SECTION 5: Church Discipline (A) The purpse f church discipline: T prvide fr the versight f the church: [Acts 20:27-30] T maintain unity in the church, bth in dctrine and attitude accrding t the admnitin f the Scriptures: [Rmans 16:17-18; 1 Crinthians 5-6; 2 Crinthians 2:5-11; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Thessalnians 3:14-15; 1 Timthy 5:19-20; Titus 3:10-11] T encurage biblical repentance [2 Crinthians 7:8-10], recnciliatin [Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-16], and restratin [Galatians 6:1-3] (B) The Lrd revealed bth the principle and the prcess fr church discipline [Matthew 18:15-17]. If in this prcess it becmes necessary t tell it t the church [V17], any cmmunicatin t the crprate bdy f LCBC will be revealed at the discretin f the Elders. (C) Discipline, when necessary, may include any r all f the fllwing: admnitin by the Elders remval frm ffice suspensin f vting rights excmmunicatin NOTE: Disciplined individuals in need f restratin t the cmmunity f LCBC may apply fr restratin by meeting with the Elders and presenting evidence f biblical repentance. The Elders shall have sle discretin t make any determinatin twards restratin. Excmmunicated individuals wh have cme thrugh the restratin prcess shall be recmmended fr membership by the Elders and cnfirmed in accrdance with Sectin 2 f this Article. SECTION 1: Officers - General ARTICLE II: GOVERNMENT (A) The fficers f the church shall be elders and deacns. (B) The prcess fr fficer nminatins and cnfirmatins shall be interpreted and carried ut t fulfill the fllwing principles: (1) Substantial prayer, bth individually and crprately, must be an integral part f the cnfirmatin and/r electin prcess. 9

11 (2) All candidates fr church ffice shall be treated with the grace, kindness, and hnesty apprpriate in evaluating fellw members. (C) The Elders will seek invlvement frm the general membership in the nminatin prcess f elders and deacns. Names f nminees t serve as elders and deacns shall be presented t the membership f LCBC at a regularly scheduled r specially called members meeting at least fur weeks prir t any final cnfirmatin vte. NOTE: Any member with reasn t believe that a nminated candidate is unqualified fr an ffice shuld express such cncern t the Elders as far in advance as pssible befre the relevant church members meeting. (D) The cnfirmatin shall prceed as directed by the Mderatr (see Sectin 3, (E)(1) in this Article). The Mderatr shall declare cnfirmed all persns receiving a simple majrity f all vtes cast; abstentins will nt be cnsidered as vtes cast. The persns cnfirmed shall assume their respective ffices upn cnfirmatin, unless anther date has been specifically designated. (E) An fficer may be remved fr ne f the fllwing reasns: (1) Resignatin: An fficer may resign his ffice at any time if he is n lnger able t perfrm the duties f the ffice. (2) Grievance: Where a grievance exists against an fficer either due t the adherence t and prpagatin f beliefs cntrary t the beliefs f the church as set frth in Article III f the Cnstitutin r t alleged cnduct n his part calling int questin his qualificatins t cntinue in ffice, such grievance may be brught befre the Elders by any tw active members f the church. If the Elders, after thrugh investigatin and cnsideratin, believe the grievance t be accurate and substantial, the fficer may underg discipline as utlined in Article I, Sectin 5 f these Bylaws, keeping in mind the scriptural mandate regarding bringing an accusatin against an elder [1Timthy 5:19]. SECTION 2: Vcatinal Pastrs (A) Definitin: Vcatinal pastrs f the church are men wh, in respnse t Gd's call upn their lives, have devted their vcatinal lives t the ministry f the Wrd and prayer in service t the church. Vcatinal pastrs are typically, but nt necessarily supprted financially by the church in return fr their labr. Vcatinal pastrs may include a lead pastr (teaching/preaching elder), r assciate pastrs (elders ver varius functinal ministries), r ther titles apprpriate t their ministries, and will be assigned functins and duties as described in paragraph (G) f this sectin. (B) Vcatinal Call by the Church: The Cuncil f Elders, r a cmmittee appinted by the Elders, will be charged with making a recmmendatin t the cngregatin t call a vcatinal pastr. The vcatinal pastr candidate will be called by a cnfirmatin vte f the cngregatin at a duly annunced members meeting [LCBC Cnstitutin, Article VI, Sectin 3] and in accrdance with Article II, Sectin 1 f the Bylaws. A super majrity [tw thirds vte] f the ballts cast must be affirmative in rder t extend a call. This call shall als serve as cnfirmatin f membership and shall include his wife if he is married. (C) Qualificatins: All vcatinal pastrs shall meet the qualificatins f an elder as defined in Sectin 3, (B) f this Article, and shall autmatically be appinted t the Cuncil f Elders. 10

12 (D) If at any time a vcatinal pastr s persnal belief, practice, preaching r teaching is nt in full accrd with the Statement f Faith and Cnstitutin f this church, his services as pastr shall be terminated. It is the respnsibility f the elders f the church t hld pastrs accuntable and t take steps t terminate the services f a pastr, if necessary, accrding t established church plicy. A pastr s tenure f ffice is fr an indefinite perid f time, but may be terminated fr cause at any time by super majrity vte f the cngregatin at a specially called members meeting. In the event a vcatinal pastr s services are terminated, the Elders shall determine, with due cnsideratin f the circumstances f the terminatin, what severance pay r ther financial supprt, if any, shall be rendered. (E) A vcatinal pastr wh resigns r retires shall give a minimum f thirty days ntice befre terminatin f his services unless a shrter r lnger ntice is negtiated with the Elders. (F) In the absence r incapacity f the lead pastr, the Elders shall assume respnsibility fr his duties, any f which can be delegated. (G) Duties: Vcatinal pastrs shall perfrm functinal ministerial duties determined by the Cuncil f Elders. The duties shall be dcumented in a jb descriptin at the time f his call t service. Vcatinal pastrs shall als assume all respnsibilities and duties f elders as defined in Sectin 3 (C) and elsewhere in these bylaws. SECTION 3: Cuncil f Elders (A) Cmpsitin: The Cuncil f Elders shall be cmpsed f nt less than three men, bth nnvcatinal elders and vcatinal pastrs, with the ttal number as determined by the needs f the church and the availability f qualified men t serve. There shall be a majrity f nn-vcatinal elders appinted t the cuncil. An elder may cntinue t serve as lng as he remains qualified and willing t d s; hwever, terms f service may be defined fr sme specific respnsibilities defined in paragraph (C) f this sectin. (B) Qualificatins: Elders and candidates fr the ffice f elder shall be members in gd standing meeting the qualificatins f Scripture, specifically 1 Timthy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. The Elders shall prvide the interpretatin f Lake Cuntry Baptist Church fr each characteristic. (C) Respnsibilities: The primary respnsibility f elders is t prvide versight f the church membership and t shepherd the flck f Gd. [I Peter 5:1-2]. Such versight includes, but is nt limited t: Teaching, prtecting, leading, disciplining, equipping, and caring fr the crprate church bdy Managing all ministries, peratins, and finances f the church. Ensuring the dctrine f the church remains bedient t scripture Establishing the verall visin f the church. Recmmending new elders r deacns fr affirmatin (D) Elders Cvenant t the membership f LCBC: As an elder f the Lake Cuntry Baptist Church, I cvenant t: 11

13 Faithfully fulfill the duties and respnsibilities f an elder as fund in Scripture and detailed in the Cnstitutin and Bylaws Aspire t live accrding t Biblical principals a life that is abve reprach [1 Timthy 3:2] Prayerfully and scripturally cnsider every decisin made n behalf f the church Supprt all decisins made by the Cuncil f Elders (E) Organizatin: The Cuncil f Elders shall rganize itself as it determines best t shepherd the flck and accmplish the missin f the church and shall review the way it is rganized at least nce each year t ensure the needs f the church are being addressed prperly. The Cuncil f Elders shall select fficers annually frm amng its members at the first meeting f the fiscal year. An fficer may serve tw cnsecutive terms. The fllwing fficers shall be selected fr administrative purpses: (1) Mderatr: Respnsible fr establishing agendas, and calling and cnducting meetings. (2) Vice-Mderatr: Shall assume the duties f the Mderatr whenever the Mderatr is unable t fulfill his duties. (3) Clerk: Respnsible fr the dcumentatin f all fficial meetings f the Cuncil f Elders. He shall assure that all fficial actins and decisins f the Cuncil are recrded. (F) Authrity: The authrity f the Cuncil f Elders shall be cllective. Elders interactin with pastrs r staff must recgnize the lack f authrity vested in any individual except when explicitly authrized by the Cuncil. Elders interactin with the public, press, r ther entities must recgnize the same limitatin and inability f any elder t speak fr the Cuncil except t repeat explicitly stated Cuncil decisins. (G) Vacancies: In the event f a vacancy n the Cuncil f Elders requiring immediate reslutin in rder t cnduct business, the Cuncil may temprarily fill the vacancy with a willing deacn until such time as an elder may be called in accrdance with Article II, Sectin 1 f these Bylaws. (H) Legal Trustees (Officers f the Crpratin) (1) The Cuncil f Elders shall appint three r mre legal trustees frm amng its members, as the need demands. Their names shall be filed with the State f Washingtn annually as the fficial trustees f Lake Cuntry Baptist Church. Tw f the trustees shall be designated as President and Treasurer f the crpratin fr the purpse f meeting the rganizatin requirements fr a crpratin perating in the State f Washingtn. (2) Legal trustees shall have an indefinite term f service. Terminatin f this psitin shall be effective immediately in the event f remval frm church membership (death, mve frm the cmmunity, change f church, etc.) r disciplinary actin by the church. The Elders shall appint a replacement and ntify the State during the annual declaratin f fficers. (3) The legal trustees shall hld in trust the prperty f the church, sign such mrtgages and ntes as the church may require, see t the insurance f the church prperty and fulfill all the requirements f civil law respecting the church, subject always t the instructins f the Elders, t which they shall make annual reprt. 12

14 SECTION 4: Deacns (A) The Elders shall ensure that all nminees fr deacn are men wh meet the qualificatins f paragraph (B) f this sectin, are members in gd standing with the church, and are willing t serve. A deacn shall cntinue t serve as lng as he remains qualified and willing t d s; hwever, terms f service may be established fr sme specific respnsibilities defined in paragraph (C) f this sectin. (B) Qualificatins: Deacns and candidates fr the ffice f deacn shall meet the qualificatins f Scripture, specifically 1Timthy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-3. (C) Respnsibilities: The New Testament wrds which refer t a deacn simply mean servant and service. The rle f a deacn is ne f serving. In that regard: (1) The primary rle f deacns is t assist the Elders s that they can devte their time t the versight and shepherding f the church [Acts 6:1-6]. (2) The deacns shall have charge f a benevlence fund, and shall ensure that funds are dispersed in accrdance with established plicy t relieve the pr, needy, sick and distressed. (3) The deacns, with the agreement f the Elders, may establish jb descriptins, unpaid administrative psitins r cmmittees t assist them in fulfilling their respnsibilities t LCBC. Sectin 1: Guidelines ARTICLE III: SUPPORT STAFF The supprt staff (that is, pastral assistants, secretaries, custdian, etc.) shall serve under the directin f vcatinal pastrs as assigned by the Elders. Supprt staff members may be appinted and/r hired accrding t prcesses set by the Elders. Such hiring shall nt exceed the apprved budget, unless a budget change is apprved by the Elders and then cnfirmed by a vte f the cngregatin at a duly called meeting. 13

15 SECTION 1: Cmmittee Membership General ARTICLE IV: COMMITTEES (A) The Cuncil f Elders has the authrity t create cmmittees and psitins t which it may delegate any aspect f its respnsibility. The Elders may als disslve any cmmittee r psitin which it created. The Cuncil f Elders als has the authrity t appint members f the church t serve as members f such cmmittees and t act as its agents in such psitins. The Elders shall determine the term f service, if necessary. (B) Tw Permanent (Standing) Cmmittees are established by these Bylaws; a Finance Cmmittee, and a Missins Cmmittee as defined in Sectin 2. (C) It shall be the respnsibility f the Elders t versee the cmpsitin and size f each cmmittee. The Elders shall versee the appintment f the chair f each cmmittee. The chair may be an elder, a deacn, r a member at large frm the cmmittee. The chair f a Permanent Cmmittee shall be subject t cnfirmatin by the cngregatin. Each cmmittee shall elect all ther fficers and make rules fr its wn gvernment cnsistent with the church cnstitutin r ther plicy as established by the Elders. (D) A cmmittee member must a member in gd standing f Lake Cuntry Baptist Church. Members are encuraged t participate in cmmittees as their gifts and available time allw. (E) Cmmittee members may be nminated by any member f the church. Appintment t a cmmittee may be made by the cmmittee chair as apprved by the Elders. (F) Each cmmittee shall make reprts f its activities t the Elders and the cngregatin as needed, but at a minimum annually r at the cmpletin f its task. (G) If a cmmittee member is n lnger fulfilling his/her apprpriate respnsibilities, he/she shall be remved by actin f the Elders. Cmmittees may recmmend such actin t the Elders by a majrity vte f cmmittee members. SECTION 2: Permanent (Standing) Cmmittees and Respnsibilities (A) Finance Cmmittee Respnsibilities: (1) Preparing the annual church budget and submitting it t the Elders at least ne mnth prir t the new fiscal year as defined belw. a. The fiscal year f the church shall begin n the first (1 st ) day f September and end n the thirty-first (31 st ) day f August. (2) Overseeing the receiving and dispensing f all church mnies, making mnthly reprts t the Elders, and making reprts t the cngregatin as needed, but at least annually. (3) Insuring that all funds and securities f LCBC are prperly secured in such banks, financial institutins, r depsitries as apprpriate and that adequate cntrls are implemented t guarantee that all funds belnging t LCBC are apprpriately handled by any fficer, emplyee, r agent f LCBC. 14

16 NOTES: 1. Certain respnsibilities f the Finance Cmmittee may be delegated with the apprval f the Elders. 2. The chair f the Finance Cmmittee shall be recgnized as the Treasurer f the crpratin. (B) Missins Cmmittee Respnsibilities: (1) Tgether with the Elders, defining and implementing strategies and plicies that affect the invlvement f the church in missins. (2) Prmting an awareness f ur missins activities and a sense f being c-labrers with ur missinaries. (3) Prmting missins educatin at the church. (4) Establishing and administering an annual budget fr missins. SECTION 1: Members Meetings ARTICLE V: MEETINGS (A) There shall be a regular members meeting at least annually at sme time apart frm a public wrship service as scheduled by the Elders. The Elders are respnsible t see that the stated meetings f the church are regularly held and that necessary reprts are submitted t the church. An elder shall preside as Mderatr at all members meetings f the church. (B) In additin t the annunced agenda, any new business t be discussed at any regular r specially called members meeting shall be submitted t the Cuncil f Elders in writing, at least ne week prir t that meeting. The Elders will determine if the tpic is t be added t the agenda r addressed by ther means. (C) Any regular r specially called meeting f the cngregatin may cnstitute a meeting fr the transactin f business prvided annuncement f said meeting be given tw cnsecutive Sundays (all services) preceding said meeting. Sunday mrning and evening services shall be cnsidered regular meetings f the church. Upn the written request f ten percent (10%) f the vting members f the cngregatin and the determinatin by the Elders that it be beneficial t the unity and cntinuing ministry f LCBC, the Cuncil f Elders shall be required t call a special meeting f the cngregatin accrding t the prcedure described abve. SECTION 2: Elders Meetings (A) The Elders shall have regular meetings at least mnthly upn the call f the Mderatr. Ntice f regular meetings need nt be given. A simple majrity f the Elders shall cnstitute a qurum t transact business f the church. Special meetings f the Elders may be called by the Mderatr, r in his absence, by the Vice-Mderatr, r at the request f a majrity f the serving elders. The Mderatr shall make every reasnable effrt t ntify each elder in sufficient time fr him t make an appearance at any special meeting. Vting shall be dne by vice vte, r, at the discretin f the acting Mderatr, by a shw f hands. A simple majrity f the elders in attendance at any meeting with a qurum is required t pass any mtin, but all decisin making shuld cnfrm t the fllwing: (B) Decisin Making: All Cuncil decisins shall be arrived at thrugh careful cnsideratin, applicatin f scripture and biblical wisdm. Having a written agenda prir t meetings is essential t allw fr 15

17 prayerful cnsideratin, especially fr ptentially divisive issues. Cuncil decisins may be made with a simple majrity f the elders present, but when there are multiple elders wh strngly dissent with the majrity, the decisin shuld be pstpned until the next Elder Cuncil meeting. During this perid the dissenting elders shall be allwed t make their psitin clear t individual cuncil members. If they are unsuccessful in changing the majrity pinin, the decisin may mve frward. Hwever, the dissenting elders shall supprt the cnsensus decisin f the Cuncil f Elders, bth publicly and privately. Majrity decisins must be embraced by all members and supprted as Gd s prvisin fr wise cunsel and leadership in His church. SECTION 1: Insurance ARTICLE VI: INDEMNIFICATION LCBC will purchase and maintain liability insurance n behalf f any and all persns wh are r were a directr, fficer, leader, emplyee, cmmittee member r vlunteer f the ministries f LCBC (while serving in their capacity as such). Such insurance will be purchased fr the purpse f prtecting such persns frm cvered lss resulting in liability asserted against the abve individuals in cnnectin with their activities n behalf f the ministries f LCBC. SECTION 2: Indemnificatin Requests Shuld any directr, fficer, leader, emplyee, cmmittee member r vlunteer f the ministries f LCBC incur any liability as a result f their affiliatin with r service t LCBC that is nt cvered by the afre mentined insurance plicy, and shuld such liability result in any ut-f-pcket cst t such individual, then such individual may request indemnificatin frm the Elders. The granting f full r partial indemnificatin shall be at the recmmendatin f the Elders and upn a tw thirds vte f the LCBC membership at a specially called members meeting fr this purpse. SECTION 3: Indemnificatin Decisins In relatin t any indemnificatin request that is made pursuant t Sectin 2 herein, if such request is made by an individual wh is nt currently serving as an elder f LCBC, then the indemnificatin decisin (whether t indemnify the requesting individual, and the dllar amunt f such indemnificatin), will be recmmended by the Elders and presented t the LCBC membership fr cnfirmatin. If the indemnificatin request is being made by a persn wh is currently serving as an elder, then the indemnificatin recmmendatin (whether t indemnify the requesting party, and the dllar amunt f such indemnificatin), will be made by the remaining disinterested elders. NOTE: If a majrity f the Cuncil f Elders is nt available fr an indemnificatin recmmendatin because f the number f elders seeking indemnificatin, the indemnificatin recmmendatin and decisin shall require a super majrity (tw-thirds) vte f the membership present and vting at a regular r specially called members meeting. 16

18 ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS Sectin 1: Bylaws The Bylaws may be revised r amended by simple majrity (51%) f the membership present at any regular r special meeting f the cngregatin called fr that purpse. Prpsed changes must be prvided t the cngregatin at least tw weeks prir t the meeting at which the prpsed revisin r amendments will be presented fr apprval. Written ntice f the change must be given in the bulletin a minimum f tw cnsecutive weeks prir t the meeting. The recmmendatin f the Elders either fr r against the prpsed amendment shall be presented by the Mderatr prir t any vte. 17

19 ADDENDUM TO THE NEW CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS Adpted in 2014 by Lake Cuntry Baptist Church. Purpse: The purpse f this addendum is t prvide fr cntinuing church gvernance and decisin making during the time perid immediately fllwing adptin f the new versin f the cnstitutin and bylaws being cnsidered fr apprval. The prvisins f this addendum will cme int effect fllwing adptin f the new cnstitutin and will remain in effect until frmal seating f a fully cnstituted Cuncil f Elders in accrdance with the prvisins f the new cnstitutin and bylaws. If the prpsed new cnstitutin and bylaws is nt adpted, this addendum will als nt be adpted, and has n independent purpse. ARTICLE 1: INTERIM CHURCH COUNCIL (A) Fr the purpses f seamless transitin, a special cmmittee currently advising the vcatinal pastral staff at LCBC, alng with the tw current vcatinal pastrs shall serve as an interim church cuncil. This interim cuncil shall have authrity t carry ut church gvernance as needed during the transitin perid. (B) The current vcatinal pastrs, having met the qualificatins f an elder as defined in the scriptures and having been previusly vetted by the membership f LCBC, shall, in accrdance with the prvisins f the new cnstitutin and bylaws, perfrm the task f evaluating and recmmending men fr the ffice f elder t the membership f LCBC. (C) After a full Cuncil f Elders has been vetted in accrdance with the new Cnstitutin and Bylaws, this interim cuncil shall disband. Any and all decisins made by the interim cuncil may be reviewed and revised if necessary nce the full Cuncil f Elders is in place. ARTICLE 2: REMOVAL OF THIS ADDENDUM Once a full Cuncil f Elders is in place, this addendum shall be rendered null and vid, and shall be remved frm the Cnstitutin and Bylaws withut any further actin n the part f the Elders r ther leadership. 18