CHURCH CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Transcription

1 CHURCH CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS of CROSSROADS CHURCH OF LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 1350 State Route 137 Grayslake, Illinois As Approved on October 13, 1996 Revised and Amended April 18, 2004 Revised and Amended October 23, 2005 Revised and Amended August 5, 2007 Revised and Updated January 10, 2013 (supersedes: 5/23/12 & 12/2/12 drafts) 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Preamble 3 Article 1 Name, Location, Purpose, and Incorporation 3 Article 2 Articles of Faith 3 Article 3 Church Covenant 3 Article 4 Church Character 4 Article 5 Membership 4 Article 6 Church Government and Structure 5 Section 1 Church Government and Structure 5 Section 2 Pastoral Staff 6. Senior Pastor. Other Pastoral Staff Section 3 Administrative Employees 7 Section 4 Board of Elders 7 Section 5 Women in Ministry 9 Section 6 Standing Offices and Ministry Teams 10 Article 7 Church Finance 12 Article 8 Meetings 12 Article 9 Constitutional Rule 14 Article 10 Constitutional Amendments 14 2

3 PREAMBLE For careful and certain preservation and security of the principles of our belief, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner, consistent with good behavior, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church, and for the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches, we do declare and establish this Constitution and Bylaws. ARTICLE 1 Name, Location, Purpose, and Incorporation. Section 1. This body shall be known as the Crossroads Church of Lake County, Illinois. Section 2. As of August 2003, the house of worship and principal place of business is at 1350 State Route 137, Grayslake, Illinois Section 3. The purpose of Crossroads Church is to spread the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19; to carry on divine worship of our Lord; and to provide growth and discipleship in the Christian lives of its members. To better carry out its purposes, this church affiliates itself with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Illinois Baptist State Association, and the Lake County Baptist Association. Recognizing the interest and activities of these organizations as being proper, this church pledges to them its cooperation. Section 4. Crossroads shall be incorporated according to the laws of the State of Illinois governing the incorporation of religious organizations. The handling of properties shall be in accordance with said laws. ARTICLE 2 Articles of Faith The official statement of faith of Crossroads Church will be The Baptist Faith and Message, adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on June 14, A copy of the Faith and Message may be obtained from the church office. ARTICLE 3 Church Covenant Having been led by the Spirit of God to trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and on the public profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, the angels, this assembly, and the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, both voluntarily and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We seek, with the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, to glorify God through all aspects of the life and ministry of Crossroads Church. To that end we commit, with the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of Crossroads Church in wisdom and holiness; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship and ordinances; to submit to the discipline of the church; to adhere to and teach the Crossroads Statement of the Faith (Baptist Faith & Message, 2000); to contribute cheerfully, regularly, and generously from our income to the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel to all nations. 3

4 We also commit, with the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in biblical truth; to seek the salvation of our relatives and acquaintances; to live to the glory of God in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our commitments, and above reproach in our behavior; to avoid all gossip, spitefulness, and excessive anger; to live sober, righteous and godly lives, using food and drink with gratitude and in a manner which glorifies God; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior. We further commit, with the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, to bear one another s burdens; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness, sorrow, and need; to cultivate compassion in our attitudes and courtesy in our speech; and to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation, seeking it without delay. We moreover commit, with the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, that when we move from this church, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s word. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14). Section 1. Policy ARTICLE 4 Church Character 1. The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches. 2. The church shall be dedicated to God and His worship, and it shall not be used for any purpose out of harmony with its sacred character. Section 2. Doctrine This Church receives the Old and New Testament Scriptures as its only absolute authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is in essential accord with other Baptist churches as indicated in the articles of faith we have adopted. Section 1. Membership ARTICLE 5 Membership The membership of this church shall be composed of people who have credibly confessed Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, who have been baptized as believers by immersion, who willingly enter into the church covenant, who do not come to Crossroads under the legitimate discipline of any other church, and who have completed the Crossroads Church membership class. Section 2. Reception of members 1. This church will receive members from other Baptist churches by church letter if they are recommended to be in good and regular standing. 4

5 2. This church will receive by statement of fact and avowal of their faith and love of Christ any believer who has been baptized by immersion and who has not been dismissed from another church for violation of Christian principles. 3. This church will receive any person who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, publicly declares intent to follow Him as his disciple, and who submits to baptism by immersion. 4. The applicant will be received into membership by a simple majority vote of members present and voting at any regularly scheduled worship service of the congregation. Section 3. Membership termination (See procedure 525 on membership) Membership in the church may be terminated by transfer, voluntary removal, or death. Any member, who is absent for 12 months, may be automatically removed from church membership. Section 4. Church Discipline The church will carry out cases of discipline, including excommunication from fellowship within Crossroads Church, as follows: 1. Church Discipline. In all matters of discipline the Board of Elders is to be guided by Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, and 1 Timothy 5:19-21 in determining the appropriate actions necessary. In cases of persistent immorality or gross reflection against Christ and this church by a member, a committee selected by the Board of Elders will call upon the person in an effort to seek to persuade the member to repent of their sin. If the member fails to respond to the request of the selected committee, then the Board of Elders will consider the appropriate form of discipline to administer and make a recommendation to the congregation. In order for any form of congregational discipline to be imposed, the congregation must approve the recommendation of the Board of Elders by a two-thirds majority vote of the eligible members present at any business meeting. 2. Restoration. A desire to return to fellowship within the church will be initiated by the previously disciplined member by means of notice to the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders is then responsible for reconsidering the matter. If the Board of Elders agrees that the person has in fact repented of and demonstrated evidence of godly sorrow for their sin, then the Board of Elders will recommend to the congregation the restoration of the individual to the full privileges of membership within Crossroads Church. Section 5. Record Keeping of Membership Actions Records of all new memberships, deaths, transfers, and voluntary and/or involuntary termination shall be kept by the church office noting the date and reason for the action. Section 1. Church Government and Structure ARTICLE 6 Church Government and Structure 1. Jesus Christ alone is the Head of His Church. As Head, He has ordained that individual churches should be blessed with the spiritual rule and ministry of special office bearers. Therefore, it is the duty of the church to seek to discover those whom Christ the Lord has imparted the necessary gifts for Office bearing and Committee membership. The Lord's appointment is recognized both by inward conviction of the individual involved and by the approval of the church observing the possession of those gifts and graces required. 5

6 2. The local church government and structure shall be: A. Pastoral Staff and Administrative employees; B. Board of Elders; C. Standing and Select Offices, Committees and Ministry Teams. The role of the congregation in approving church actions shall be for those matters indicated in Article 6, Section 4, Paragraph 1. K. 3. Policies and Procedures which outlines the functions of each Office and ongoing Ministry Teams, will be a part of the church government and structure. Every Office and Ministry Team shall determine their functions in accordance with Article 6, Section 6, Paragraph 2. D., and have these activities on file in the Policies and Procedures. Policies and Procedures shall be made available to all members upon request. They will be located in the church office under the control and direction of the appropriate pastor. Section 2. Pastoral Staff 1. Senior Pastor A. It shall be the duty of the Senior Pastor to give special attention to the spiritual needs of the members; to preach explicitly to the church; to administer the ordinances of the church; to watch tenderly over the flock of God; to be the executive leader and officer of the church in its local and denominational relationships and to perform any other duties that he and the church may agree as incumbent upon his office. B. He shall serve at the pleasure of the church, with the privilege reserved to him of giving up the Pastorate at any time deemed by him to be in the best interest of himself or the church. He is to be a minister of good report, who shall be required to subscribe to the Doctrinal Statement and Covenant of the church, being in agreement with the policies of the church as stated in this document. C. In the event Crossroads has no Senior Pastor, the Board of Elders shall form a Senior Pastor Search Team. The Search Team will be presented to the church and affirmed by a simple majority. The Elders will oversee the search team, and they will assume the responsibilities of the Pastorate as deemed necessary. The Elders may choose to select a member of the pastoral staff to serve in an Interim Senior Pastor role. If it is necessary to hire an Interim Senior Pastor for a period of time from outside the Pastoral Staff, the Elders will present the person to the congregation and the congregation must approve the person by a simple majority. The duties of the Interim Senior Pastor will be determined by the Board of Elders. D. The Search Team will present a candidate to the Elders. The Board of Elders must have approved any Pastoral candidate by at least a three/fourths majority vote of the total number of Elders before presentation to the church. E. The Senior Pastor of this church shall be called by an affirmative vote of three/fourths of eligible voters present at a business meeting. The vote shall be by secret ballot. F. A Senior Pastor may voluntarily relinquish his office upon 30 days written termination notice to the Board of Elders. The Elders will notify the church of the resignation. The Congregation shall reserve the right, in all cases, to reject the 30 days termination notice and if deemed desirable, vote for immediate termination by a three/fourths majority vote of those eligible members present at a business meeting called by the elders. G. Non-voluntary termination of a Senior Pastor from their position shall be by three/fourths majority vote of the eligible voters present at a business meeting called by the Elders. In an emergency situation as determined by the Board of Elders, the Board of Elders may suspend the Senior Pastor until such time that 6

7 a business meeting is called. The business meeting must be called within two weeks of the date of suspension. H. In all cases the administrative requirements necessary for the employment termination shall be concluded by the Board of Elders. 2. Other Pastoral Staff A. The other pastoral staff shall be called and employed as determined by the Elders. The Board of Elders will oversee the writing of job descriptions. B. A potential pastoral candidate shall be recommended to the church after first having been approved by a three/fourths majority vote of the Board of Elders. The pastoral candidate shall be called by an affirmative vote of two thirds majority vote of eligible voters present at a Business Meeting. The vote shall be by secret ballot. C. A pastor may voluntarily relinquish his office upon 30 days written termination notice to the Elders. The Elders will notify the church of the resignation. The congregation shall reserve the right, in all cases, to reject the 30 days termination notice and if deemed desirable vote for immediate termination by a two/thirds majority vote of those eligible members present at a Business Meeting called by the Elders. D. Non-voluntary termination of a Ministerial Staff member from their position shall be by two/thirds majority vote of the eligible voters present at a Business Meeting called by the Elders. In an emergency situation as determined by the Board of Elders, the Board of Elders may suspend a Staff Member(s) until such time that a Business Meeting is called. The Business Meeting must be called within two weeks of the date of suspension. E. In all cases the administrative requirements necessary for the employment termination shall be concluded by the Board of Elders. Section 3. Administrative Employees 1. Administrative employee(s) shall be employed as the Board of Elders determines the need for such positions. 2. A job description shall be written, and enforced thereafter, by the appropriate Pastor when the need for an employee is determined. Employment is confirmed by the Board of Elders after review. 3. An employee may voluntarily relinquish their position upon written notice to the appropriate Pastor. 4. Immediate non-voluntary termination of an employee from their position can be made by the appropriate Pastor. 5. In all cases, the administration requirements necessary for the employment termination shall be concluded by the appropriate Pastor. Section 4. Board of Elders 1. Qualifications, Membership and Duties A. The Board of elders will oversee the spiritual care of the members of the church (John 10:14; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). The Board of Elders will be made up of a minimum of four (to enable a three/fourths majority vote to be possible) and a maximum of seven members (six plus the senior pastor) who meet the qualification of 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9 and who are otherwise qualified to serve as Elders. The Senior Pastor will be a permanent member of the Board of Elders and the Elders will choose their own officers. No more than two members of the Pastoral Staff, including the Senior Pastor, will serve on the Board of Elders at the same time. 7

8 B. The Board of Elders will encourage the congregation by the teaching of sound doctrine, and the Board will seek to refute doctrinal error when it arises. The Board of Elders will approve nominees for Adult Discipleship Teacher which are submitted by the appropriate pastor. (Titus 1:9) C. The Board of Elders will oversee the teaching, preaching and worship ministries of the church. (Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 3:2, 5:17) D. The Elders will lay hands on and help commission those whom God sets apart for special ministry, such as candidates for pastoral ordination or the mission field. (1 Timothy 4:14) E. The Board of Elders will govern and shepherd the church. The Elders will review and approve all motions to be made by any Office or individual member or group of members to the congregation. No main motion, as described in "Robert's Rules of Order", may be presented to the congregation without prior approval by the Board of Elders. (Acts 15:6; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 5:17; 1 Peter 5:2-5) F. The Board of Elders will approve all Elder nominees and submit those nominees for election to the congregation. G. The Board of Elders will develop long-term strategic plans for the ministry of the church. H. The Board of Elders will oversee the Pastoral Staff and insure that they operate in compliance with Scripture and the constitution of the church. The Board of Elders will make recommendations to the church body concerning the church Staff, Standing and Select Offices and all ministries of the church. (Acts 6:1-7) I. The Board of Elders will develop and propose to the congregation policy concerning church discipline. The Board of Elders will administer all cases of church discipline and make recommendations to the congregation for final disposition of cases of discipline. (1 Timothy 3:4-5) J. The Board of Elders shall authorize an audit of the financial records at the end of each fiscal year and/or at any time deemed necessary. K. Nothing in this Article is to be read to nullify or undermine the congregational nature of the church government of Crossroads. Every member of Crossroads remains equally responsible to vote their conscience, before God, in matters of church government and/or policy. In particular, the congregation will vote to approve or disapprove the following: 1) Election of Elders; 2) Annual budget as proposed by the Finance Ministry Team and the Board of Elders; 3) Any recommendation by the Board of Elders to call, discipline, or dismiss any church member; 4) Any major programs which would require the borrowing of funds, leasing of additional real property or in any way create a significant obligation for the church; 5) A final step in church discipline matters; 6) The admitting of new congregational members; 7) Amendments to the church Constitution. Unless otherwise stated in the Constitution, congregational approval of any matter shall be by simple majority vote of those eligible members present at the meeting at which these matters are voted on. The Moderator will determine whether the vote shall be by a secret ballot. 8

9 L. The Board of Elders will appoint messengers to the annual meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention, Illinois Baptist State Association and Lake County Baptist Association. 2. Election and Term of Service. A. Elders will serve terms of three (3) years, with the exception of the Senior Pastor. Newly elected Elders will begin serving their term starting January 1 of the following year (unless they are filling a vacancy). The terms of the Elders will be staggered. B. After receiving congregational input, the Board of Elders will present to the congregation, the individual(s) they believe are qualified to serve as Elders. The Board of Elders will establish the method for presenting candidates to the congregation. C. The Board of Elders will first approve the individual(s) by a three/fourths majority vote of the total number of Elders on the Board of Elders. D. Election of elders will take place at a Business Meeting and those candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. E. After an Elder serves his term, he is precluded from serving again for a period of one year. F. In the case of any vacancy, the Board of Elders will determine if the vacancy will be filled. 3. Qualifications. A. An Elder must meet the qualifications for that Office as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9. B. An Elder must be a man who is a member of the Church in good standing. 4. Meetings. The Board of Elders will set its own regular meeting dates. 5. Dismissal from the Board of Elders. A. An Elder may become disqualified and have to be removed from office. The Elders themselves may perceive the reason(s) for and initiate the removal. Any accusations against the Elder must be confirmed by "two or three witnesses". Doctrinal instability, moral lapse or inattention to duty will constitute reasons for disqualification and removal. (1 Timothy 1:6-7, 18-19, 4:16, 5:17-22, 6:3-5, 11) B. Dismissal of an Elder can be accomplished by the Board of Elders by a three/fourths majority vote of the total number of serving Elders without congregational approval. C. An Elder can also be dismissed by a secret ballot three/fourths majority vote of those eligible congregational members present at a meeting called for such purpose. Section 5. Women in Ministry Crossroads Church will strive to utilize, honor, and affirm the appropriate and valuable ministries of women according to their spiritual gifts. 9

10 Section 6. Standing Offices and Ministry Teams 1. The ministry structure of the church shall include Standing Offices and Ministry Teams. A. Standing Officers are those whose role, responsibilities, and need are deemed to be perpetual and those who will be actively functioning to enable the work of the church to proceed in a manner that glorifies God. Standing officers of the church shall be the following: Church Clerk, Moderator, Treasurer, and Trustee. Pastors shall oversee the work of the Standing Officers. B. The Board of Elders and Pastors shall create and oversee Ministry Teams to carry out the ministry specified in the Mission Statement. The Board of Elders shall determine the nature, identity, job description, size, and membership requirements for each Ministry Team. 2. General Operating Guidelines. All Standing Offices and Ministry Teams shall be subject to the following general operating mandatory guidelines: A. All Standing Officers and Ministry Team Leaders shall be members of the church in good standing. B. The Board of Elders shall nominate, and the congregation shall approve, candidates for Standing Officer. 1) The congregation may approve a nominee for Standing Officer at any Business Meeting. 2) The term of any Standing Officer or Team Leader may not exceed three years, except that the Board of Elders may vote to extend the term of the Standing Officer or Team Leader by an additional term not to exceed three years. C. The Pastoral Staff will nominate and Elders approve the Ministry Team Leaders. D. Dismissal of a Standing Officer, Ministry Team Leader, or Ministry Team member. 1) A Standing Officer or Ministry Team Leader may become disqualified from office. The Elders shall initiate and oversee this process and it shall be for a serious moral or doctrinal failure or inattention to duties. E. Policy and Procedures Manual. 1) The Pastoral staff shall maintain and Elders approve a Policy and Procedures Manual with updated information which describes the operations and responsibilities of the Standing Officers and Ministry Teams. The Policy and Procedures Manual shall be made available to all members of the church through the church office. The church office shall maintain the manual. 2) Amendments to the Policy and Procedures Manual shall be approved by the Board of Elders. F. All Standing Officers and Ministry Teams shall submit proposed budgets at the time designated by the Finance Ministry Team. 3. Standing Offices Basic Functions. The function of each of the Standing Offices is as follows: (Ref.: Article 6, Section 6, Paragraph 2. D. for Dayto-Day functions in the "Policy and Procedure Manual") A. Office of Clerk 1) The Clerk shall keep and record the minutes of all the Business Meetings in which actions were taken by the Congregation which, according to the Constitution, need recording, and shall keep a correct and current record of the membership of the church in accordance with ARTICLE 5, Membership; 10

11 2) The Clerk shall preserve and report to the church all communications, minutes of reports, and materials related to the Office of Clerk at the business meetings and at any other time the church requires. B. Office of Moderator 1) The church Moderator will moderate all business meetings using "Robert's Rules of Order" in a manner which provides for a meeting atmosphere of orderliness, fairness, and organization thereby allowing each member the opportunity to become involved in business of the church; 2) In the absence of the Moderator, this duty can be assumed by an officer of the Board of Elders. C. Office of Treasurer 1) The Treasurer, in conjunction with the appropriate pastor, shall supervise all expenditures and shall be the custodian of all funds of the church; 2) The Treasurer shall keep separate accounts of various funds as designated by the church. All books, records, and accounts kept by the Treasurer are the property of the church; 3) In any case of absence of the Treasurer, the appropriate pastor shall assume the Treasurer's duties with responsibilities remaining the same, but the Board of Elders shall immediately assign another Officer or Elder or create another Officer such as Assistant Treasurer, or Elder to assume the responsibility to have oversight responsibilities until such time as a Treasurer is assigned or returns to Office. 4) The Treasurer shall provide a quarterly detailed report to the church of all receipts and disbursements. D. Office of Trustee 1) Trustees shall be the legal representatives of the church. They shall be empowered to negotiate the sale, purchase, mortgage, lease, or transfer of real property with the specific vote and authorization of the Board of Elders for each transaction. The Board of Elders shall approve each negotiated transaction prior to the matter being taken to the church for final approval if necessary. Any personal property valued at more than $10, will be voted on by the Trustees, Elders and Finance Ministry Team. 2) The Trustees shall have supervision over all deeds, bonds, insurance policies, and important documents of the church. They are authorized to receive and disburse funds in accordance with the terms of wills, bequests, and special instruments in which the church is named beneficiary. If the church is named beneficiary through any of these documents and there is no designation as to a particular program, the Trustees may bring a recommendation to the Elders as to which program the proceeds can be designated; 3) The Trustees shall be subject at all times to the direction of the church and shall have no authority to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any real property of the church without a specific vote of the church authorizing such action; 4) The Trustees can authorize an audit of the financial records at the end of each fiscal year and/or at any time deemed necessary. 11

12 ARTICLE 7 Church Finance The Church recognizes the Scriptural method of church finance to be voluntary tithes and offerings. This Church accepts that plan as its program of finance. Section 1. Crossroads shall subscribe to a unified budget to allocate the funds of the Church. Section 2. All other funds received by the Church shall be considered undesignated and applied to the annual budget. Designated funds shall be used as they are designated. Section 3. Special Offerings 1. Special non-cash offerings may be received only by approval of the Trustees or Finance Ministry Team. 2. The church strongly supports the Cooperative Program and missionary support systems of the Southern Baptist Convention. Regular financial support for missionaries will be channeled through these Southern Baptist Programs. 3. The church realizes that some individual members may go into mission work that is not under the sponsorship of the Southern Baptist Convention. The church recognizes the importance to the Lord s service of all missionary work. However, prior to church endorsement for solicitation by individuals for private financial support outside the church budget, the individual must make application to the Missions Ministry Team who must then bring a favorable recommendation to the Board of Elders for endorsement. 4. Private donations outside the church program or the Southern Baptist Convention may not be contributed through the church treasury for control and tax purposes without the approval of the Finance Team. 5. General solicitation of the members for a private use love offering for any individual(s) or programs requires prior approval of the Board of Elders. Section 4. All donations will be handled in a trustworthy manner. Section 5. Contributions will be properly recorded and an annual giving report sent to each donor. ARTICLE 8 Meetings Section 1. Church Activities Year 1. The normal ministry cycle begins September 1 and continues through August 31 of each year. 2. The church fiscal year shall begin April 1 and continue through March 31 of the following year. Section 2. Worship 1. Public services shall be convened each Lord s Day. 2. Other services, meetings, and celebration of ordinances may be convened as determined by the Board of Elders. 12

13 Section 3. Business 1. Annual Business Meeting. The Elders will convene an annual meeting of the church body, at a time to be decided by the Elders. 2. Business Meeting. The Moderator and/or Senior Pastor shall, when deemed necessary, or when requested by the Board of Elders or Trustees, call a Business Meeting. The particular reason for the meeting must be clearly stated in the notice, and the announcement must be made one week prior to the meeting. 3. Application for presenting a motion to the Congregation by a member or group of members. In the event an Office, Ministry Team, individual member or group of members [herein referred to as "Applicant"] does not agree with a Board of Elders decision to disallow a motion to be presented to the congregation, (as specified only in Article 6, Section 4, Paragraph 1 E), the Applicant can request that the motion be presented to the congregation only under the following guideline and in the following sequence: A. The Applicant will submit a written application to the Board of Elders, citing Article 8, Section 3, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution, and in which the Applicant states the reason(s) for both the application and the original motion, and also requesting that the previously disapproved request for motion by the Board of Elders be considered by the Congregation at a Business Meeting. B. The Board of Elders will notify the congregation of the need for a Business Meeting in accordance with Article 8, Section 3, Paragraph 2, and, then notify the Applicant in writing of the date and time which the request for motion will be considered by the Board of Elders and the congregation. C. At the Business Meeting for that purpose, the Board of Elders will be responsible to: 1) Read to the congregation the written application; and 2) State the reason(s) why the Board of Elders previously disapproved the request for the motion. D. The congregation will then be asked by the Moderator to vote on whether to consider further debate on the application. At that time, further consideration of the application will only be allowed if the Congregation votes to approve such consideration by a one/third vote of the eligible voters present at the Business Meeting. E. Only if there is a one/third vote approval of the consideration of the application for the motion can the Applicant then have the opportunity to present the motion under normal Parliamentary Procedure. 4. Ten (10%) of the members resident to the locality of the church shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Business Meeting or a Regularly Scheduled Assembly of the congregation. 5. In all parliamentary matters, "Robert s Rules of Order" shall govern. (Latest version) 6. The Church Moderator will moderate all business meetings. In their absence this duty can be assumed by either the Chairman or designate of the Board of Elders. Section 4. Qualified Voters All members are equally entitled to one vote in any business meeting. A member must be present to vote, make a nomination, or preapproved motion. No absentee vote(s), nomination(s), or motion(s) will be allowed. 13

14 ARTICLE 9 Constitutional Rule This Constitution and Bylaws, are the rule of order for Crossroads Church. It shall replace all other rules and regulations heretofore in effect. ARTICLE 10 Constitutional Amendments Additions, deletions, or alterations to the Constitution and Bylaws requires a two/thirds majority vote of the eligible members present and voting at a business meeting convened to consider such additions, deletions, and alterations, provided that the Elders must give notice of the proposed constitutional changes and make them available to the church body at least six weeks prior to the business meeting. 14