Crossroads Christian Fellowship AC

Transcription

1 Essentially, a Church Covenant and Bylaws are made to: 1. Define, preserve, and protect the Biblical principles regarding God s intent for His Church as God has revealed them to us. 2. Preserve, protect, and empower the God given place of each individual member within the church. 3. Clarify this Church s place in the universal Body of Christ. 4. Provide Biblically based guides and standards for the orderly conduct of internal affairs, the governance of Church members, and dealing with external influences. This covenant is established in agreement with each other and before our Lord Jesus On this day, Year. We shall therefore, as a body of Christ, purpose ourselves in unity to live by grace, in a manner that is worthy of God s calling, and for His glory as his church in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is our constant prayer that this binding of hearts and wills on earth should faithfully reflect and aspire to God s Kingdom as it is in heaven. To this covenant we the following unify ourselves by God s design as Crossroads Christian Fellowship AC 1

2 Charter Members Name Date 2

3 ARTICLE I Name The Official, legal name of this Church is Crossroads Christian Fellowship AC. It is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. 3

4 ARTICLE II Values, Mission and Vision The purpose for which Crossroads exists is the worship of God, the ministry of care for one another, the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the making of disciples into a community of faith, and fellowship. We understand God s mission for Crossroads in La Paz is to be a source of the Living Water of Jesus Christ. We are to faithfully share this life-giving spiritual water in worship, care, study, proclamation, and fellowship (John 4:7-14). As a community we should regularly revisit our understanding of purpose and mission in order to remain faithfully compliant with God s desire for his church. Section 1. Values: Crossroads Christian Fellowship aims to be a Christian Community which values: A. The Bible -- Recognizing the scriptures of the Old and New Testament as God s truth and the authoritative truth for the beliefs and practices of Christ followers, we aim to be biblical in orientation. We shall therefore seek to think about and live life on scriptural principles and teach each other everything Jesus has commanded. (2 Tim. 3:16; Matt 28:20). B. Evangelism -- Understanding that God s Great Commission pertains to all believers and all churches, we aim to be evangelistic in nature. We are called to make disciples by baptizing and teaching. We shall therefore actively seek to share with all those who do not know God s amazing love or the gift of eternal life, expressed in Jesus dying for the forgiveness of sin (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). C. Relationships Following God s Great Commandment that we love God with all our being and love our neighbors as ourselves, we aim to be relational in character. We shall therefore seek to have meaningful Christfilled relationships with one another in an atmosphere of genuine love, friendship, trust, care and concern. In so doing we become participants in God s Spirit filled and led Koinonia (Fellowship) of believers (Matt. 22:37-40). D. Relevance Believing the relevance of God and His Word must be communicated to people in ways that attract and hold their attention and are understandable to them, we aim to be relevant in style. We shall therefore seek to employ the best of both traditional and contemporary resources to effectively communicate God s good news. (Acts 17:22-24). 4

5 E. Unity in Mission Acknowledging that the nature of God, God s kingdom and His one global body of believers (the church) is transcendent beyond all barriers of race, ethnicity, gender, and nationality, we aim to be international and multi-cultural in scope. We shall therefore seek to welcome all people and engage our members in personal involvement in God s worldwide mission to make disciples among the nations. (Gal. 3:28). F. Worship We believe that everything we do as individual Christ Followers and as his church should be considered as an act of worship (Romans 12) therefore, we aim to be a worshiping community. Worship is the activity of glorifying God with our lives by obeying everything he has commanded (Matt 28:20) and in His presence as his church we worship with voice and music consciously adoring God with unified hearts (Col 3:16). G. Service, Unity, and Community We believe that God has given all Christ Followers the gift of the Holy Spirit so that God might supernaturally manifest himself through spiritual gifts in each believer for the common good therefore, we aim to serve God in God s power. The church is made up of many members but functions as one complete and whole body. As members of God s church, placed in his church according to His desire and purposes, each member must faithfully live out their gifts so that the body will serve God s purposes and glorify God with its full potential and power. As a church we are completely interdependent on each other understanding that these gifts, as manifestations of the Holy Spirit, are meant to unify the body in function, purpose, and glory. (1 Corinthians 12; 2 Peter 1:3-11) 5

6 Section 2 Mission and Vision: Mission Statement of Crossroads Christian Fellowship To live in such a way that those far away from God will want to come near and those near to God will seek to grow toward maturity in Christ, desiring to serve and care for each other in such a way that out of our hearts and out of those who witness our love will flow thanks, praise, and glory to God. We shall therefore seek individually and as a church to inspire and empower Christ followers to experience fulfilling and spiritually productive lives For God s glory. (Jn. 10:10, 15:4-8; Gal. 5:22-23). Vision: Crossroads s vision for ministry, through which our mission is expressed, is to share the living water of Jesus Christ with a thirsty world. We shall therefore seek to accomplish this through five primary ministry objectives... Glorifying God by worshipping and living in obedience to His will and direction (Exalting and Magnifying); Serving those who do not know God s love by demonstrating and communicating God s love and presenting the good news of Jesus (Evangelizing); Building believers by providing emotional and spiritual support (Encouraging), communicating biblical truth (Educating), and training for Christian living and ministry (Equipping). Mobilizing ministers by involving believers in ministry (Engaging Spiritual Gifts), supporting and facilitating each other s involvement in ministry (Empowering). Creating Community by creating opportunities to know each other better, care for each other (Fellowship) and encourage faithfulness to God s calling in our lives. 6

7 Article III Statement of Faith This is what we believe. We believe that being a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ is not a matter of affirming a detailed doctrinal statement or living by a list of rules and regulations, but the experience of a growing, real, personal, and intimate relationship with God made possible by Jesus Christ. We believe that it is God s intention for believers to be united with (submitted to) God and with God s kingdom community, the church. While we come from many faith traditions, we do hold to a basic consensus on essential theological issues. This Statement of Faith expresses the core understandings that shape our life together as a Christian community. Within these guidelines for Crossroads Christian Fellowship we seek to reflect God s sovereignty, eternal kingdom, truth, and supreme authority as we understand the purpose of the Church through his word. By no means shall this document or any other document ever be considered as authoritative over Scripture. These statutes shall always yield if and when they are shown to be in contradiction to God s Word. Furthermore, these guidelines are meant to grow as God matures his church. The inherent nature of God in each believer and in his church is to grow toward maturity. Growth elicits change. Change, though challenging and often resisted, is to be seen as inherently good. The need for change often indicates growth. Let Crossroads Christian Fellowship always seek growth toward maturity in Christ. A. The Bible: We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, Word of God and contains no error in regards to God s truth. We will hold to it as our supreme authority for what we believe and what we practice in all the aspects of our lives as followers of Christ. As individual believers and as a church, we enjoy both the right and the responsibility to read, interpret, and apply the scriptures under the discernment of the Holy Spirit. (2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Jn. 4:1). B. God: We believe there is one true and living God who is manifested in three eternal and coequal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). C. Jesus Christ: We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine. Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of humanity, was raised from the dead in victory over death and sin, and ascended to take his place at God s side. He will one day return to bring to 7

8 fulfillment the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 1:3). D. The Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit works in individuals lives in such a way that they may acknowledge their sin and turn to God for salvation. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer at the moment of salvation, fills every believer as he or she yields to the Spirit s guidance and instruction, and empowers every believer through spiritual gifts for effective living and ministry according to God s calling in their lives. (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:7,13; Gal. 4:6, 5:16,25; Ephesians 2:8-10, 4:1-3). E. Humanity: We believe humanity was created in the image of God and that all human life, therefore, has value and dignity. However, humanity has rebelled against God and fallen into sin, so that all persons are by nature and by choice separated from God, are powerless over sin, and are in need of personal reconciliation with God. (Gen. 1:26-27, 3:1-19; Rom. 3:23, 7:5). F. Reconciliation with God: We believe that individuals may be reconciled with God only by turning to Him for the forgiveness of their sins and being justified through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. This experience is a gift of God s grace which cannot be earned, but is received by grace through faith as a gift as a person trusts in Jesus Christ for reconciliation. (Jn. 1:12, 14:6; Rom. 3:23-25; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 Jn. 2:2). G. Christian Life: We believe that the Holy Spirit s indwelling, filling, and empowering of believers makes it possible for every Christian to experience a life fully determined and defined by growth toward spiritual maturity and service to God. Every believer can relate directly and personally with God, and can also have the privilege of helping others relate to God. (Jn. 10:10, 15:1-8; Rom. 8:29-30; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 2:10, 4:13; 1 Tim. 2:5). H. The Church: We believe the Church is the world-wide fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, commissioned by Jesus to make disciples throughout the world. A local church is a community of believers characterized by love and unity, is committed to worshipping God and making disciples through evangelism, education, encouragement, and the empowerment of believers for ministry and service. (Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 13:34-35, 17:11; Heb. 10:24-25). 8

9 I. Human Destiny: We believe that all persons will one day be judged by God. Those whose sins have been forgiven through faith in Christ will enjoy a blessed eternal state of right relationship with God in Heaven, and those who never believe in Christ for the forgiveness of sin will experience eternal separation from Him in Hell. (Jn. 3:16,18; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27; 1Jn. 5:11-12). J. Ordinances: We believe Jesus ordained that the church observe two practices on a regular basis: Baptism and the Lord s Supper (Holy Communion). Baptism is an initiatory observance through which a believer publicly professes his or her identification with Christ and His church. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:4-5). The Lord s Supper (Communion) is a recurring ceremony through which believers remember the sacrifice of Jesus body and blood and look forward to His return. (Matt. 26:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). 9

10 Article IV Church Membership Section 1 - Church Membership: People become members of the world-wide Church of Jesus Christ at the moment they believe in and commit their lives to Him as Savior and Lord. Membership in a particular local church is first determined by God (1 Cor 12:18). Secondly, membership is an interdependent covenant relationship between believers in which they choose to obey God s will and join together as a community of Christ followers. As a faith community we will support and encourage one another toward personal spiritual maturity and unite our gifts in carrying out God s Great Commission and God s Great Commandment. Membership involves active participation in the ministry of the church (1 Corinthians 12); so that every member having received the living water of Jesus is also a minister who shares the living water with others. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:11-16 ; 1 Peter 2:1-10). The Bible clarifies that there is just one global church and all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior are members (Ephesians 4:1-6). We believe God builds the global church by intentionally placing people in a specific local church according to God s desire and purposes for that specific fellowship (1 Corinthians 12:18). Each member is personally responsible to seek to develop and express their gifts if the church is to maximize its potential local and global impact in Christ. Section 2 - Responsibilities of all Members : Members will be personally and actively engaged in carrying out the mission of Crossroads Christian Fellowship as expressed in the Crossroads Membership Covenant: As believers in Jesus Christ and seeking to conform ourselves to Him in every aspect of our lives, and by joining together in a Christian community we call Crossroads Christian Fellowship, we pledge to the best of our ability, as the Holy Spirit enables us, to glorify God by... Loving God: by practicing public and private worship; by living obediently unto Christ as instructed by the Bible; by returning to God a regular portion of the resources He gives us. Loving Others: by cultivating healthy relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers; by demonstrating the love of God through intentional acts of kindness and service; by sharing the good news of God s loving offer of forgiveness of sin and relationship with Him. 10

11 Building Believers: by loving fellow Christians in spite of personal differences; by sharing with others as our resources match their needs; by modeling personal growth in relationship with Jesus Christ and encouraging others in their spiritual growth. Building the Church: by using our gifts (the manifestation of God s Spirit for the common good), talents and abilities in ministry; by providing opportunities for others to develop and use their gifts and abilities in ministry; *by supporting ministries locally and globally through prayer and personal involvement. Section 3 - Criteria/Qualifications for Church Membership: Any person professing saving faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, who is in agreement with the faith and practices held by Crossroads, and who agrees to sign the Church Covenant, may be admitted into active membership. A person may initiate membership in Crossroads Christian Fellowship by speaking to any Leadership Team member or one of the Pastor(s). BYLAW: Process for Admission to Church Membership Crossroads Christian Fellowship welcomes a person into active membership by one of the following ways: 1. Have personally committed their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and have publicly professed their commitment. 2. Have shared their Christian experience with a representative group of Church leaders (as long as there are at least three leaders in attendance), and upon recommendation of the leaders, have been welcomed by majority vote of Crossroad s members. New member vote may take place at any Sunday service without prior notice to the church. 3. Have signed the church covenant. BYLAW: Process for release from Church Membership We are to be very careful about releasing any believer from fellowship because we believe that it is God who has placed them in the church just as he wanted them to be. 11

12 1. By Letter: members may, upon written request, be released to unite with another church. All letters will be sent by the Leadership Team Leader to the Pastor or leadership of the designated church. 2. By Request: If a member wishes to withdraw from the church, his/her name, upon recommendation to the church by the Leadership Team, shall be removed. 3. By Inactivity: When a member has been inactive for a period of one year, without demonstrating any interest in the church by attending services, participating in a ministry, communicating with the church, Crossroads may, upon recommendation by the Church Leadership Board, transfer his/her name to the Inactive Membership List. Consideration for such action shall only be made after a reasonable number of calls have been made to encourage and assist in a renewal of the covenant relationship. This procedure shall have no application if the lack of participation is excused by the Pastor and the Board on account of sickness, or other reasonable cause. a. Inactive Membership List: Persons whose names are on the Inactive Membership List shall not be counted or reported as active members, and although are welcome to attend, may not have vote in church business meetings and may not hold an office. b. Restoration: Any person whose name has been placed on the Inactive Membership List, who renews his/her active walk with Christ and the church and commitment to the Membership Covenant, may be restored to active membership by vote of the Church Leadership. Section 5 - Discipline of Members: We believe that we are not to judge those outside the Body of Christ, but within the church body we have a biblical responsibility to build each other up and, in love, to hold each other accountable. Discipline shall be done carefully and only when necessary. If the need arises, the procedure outlined by Christ in Matthew 18 shall be followed in all cases and only when at least two members become aware of clear cut, ongoing sin in the life of another member. If anyone sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17). 12

13 The process of discipline will be carried out in the spirit of Paul s instruction in Galatians 6:1-2: Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. BYLAW - Process for Church Discipline 1. When sin is observed, a one-on-one meeting should be arranged as soon as possible to lovingly confront the member. Remembering that God seeks to reconcile all the world to himself (2 Cor. 5:19) and we shall dedicate ourselves to continuing God s work. God disciplines those he loves as proof of his love so that we may all produce a harvest of righteousness. Church discipline is always to be exercised with this in mind (Hebrews 3:12-14, 12:4-15) 2. If the member refuses to listen, then one or two witnesses shall be taken along to attempt to restore the member. Whenever possible at least one of these witnesses should be a member of the Church leadership. Our desire is to keep the process of restoration in as limited a circle as possible, and to provide good counsel to the troubled member. All parties concerned shall exhibit a spirit of gentleness and a desire to bear the burdens of the troubled member (Gal. 6:1-2). 3. If the member refuses to listen to the two or three, a leadership member or the Pastor should be informed concerning the situation. The Church leadership must then determine if it is appropriate to call a meeting and request in writing that the member in question be present along with all parties involved to discuss the matter further. If the Church leadership votes not to meet, then the matter shall end and all parties shall put the matter behind them unless new reason is discovered or new events occur. 4. If a meeting is called, and the member fails to appear before the Church Leadership Team and to heed its counsel, the leadership shall determine the actions to be taken, which only in the most severe cases, may include removal from membership in the church (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:11-13;2 Thess. 3:6-14). 13

14 5. The Church Leadership Team shall determine whether or not its counsel has been properly heeded or whether the member must be dismissed from membership. If the Team determines that dismissal is appropriate then the matter shall be discussed and voted upon by them in open session, with two week s notice given in worship services. 6. If the person under consideration for discipline is serving in a leadership role within the church, the leadership function will be suspended until the issue is resolved and appropriate action is decided. If the person chooses to not submit to the disciplinary action/process the person will be removed from his/her leadership role. 14

15 Article V Meetings of the Church Membership Section 1 - Worship Services: Worship services shall be held each Sunday and at such other times as the Pastor and/or Leadership Team may direct. The ordinance of the Lord s Supper will be observed regularly in the worship services of the church. Section 2 - Regular Business Meetings: Regular business meetings shall be held a minimum of twice a year, in January, and June. Any business may be conducted at such meetings, provided only that the transaction of such business is not in conflict with any other provision of these Constitution and Bylaws. Notice of the time, place, and location of the meeting shall be made to the membership through worship service announcements and for at least two Sundays prior to the meeting. Section 3 - Special Meetings: Special meetings of the membership may be called at any time by the Pastor or the Leadership Team or upon the written request of seven members. Notice of the time, place, location, and purpose of the meeting shall be made known to the membership through worship service announcements and for at least two Sundays prior to the meeting. Transaction of business at special meetings shall be limited to the stated purpose for which the meeting is called. Section 4 - Quorum: Except where otherwise specified in these Constitution and Bylaws, a quorum, for making church decisions by vote at any regular or special business meeting (except pastoral search and adding pastors), shall consist of at least twenty-five percent (25 %) of the church s active membership currently in La Paz. Section 5 - Eligible Voters: Active members shall be eligible to vote on any question presented at a business meeting. Wherever action is called for by the church or congregation, such term shall mean action by the active members of the church. Section 6 - Voting: The affirmative vote of a majority of eligible members at any meeting will constitute a favorable action of the church on any matter of business other than questions affecting the hiring/dismissal of a pastor. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. 15

16 Article VI Leadership Section 1 - Church Leaders: The Leaders of the church consist of The Pastor (s), and the Leadership Team The Leadership Team consists of: *The Team Leader (Moderator) *Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Administrative Secretary Ministry Leaders (Worship, Missions, Christian Education, Hospitality, etc.) Pastors are always ex officio members of the leadership team *Indicates minimum participants of leadership team Section 2 - Election of Leaders: All leaders, with the exception of the Pastor, shall be elected by ballot at the first meeting of each new year and will assume responsibilities at the close of the meeting. Election shall be from a slate presented by the Leadership Team. Nomination from the floor shall be permitted provided the nominee is present and agrees to accept the position. Vacancies in Leadership position may be filled at any regular meeting of the Church, however, notice must be been given of this need and intent two weeks prior to the meeting. (see Article VIII regarding Nominating Committee.) Section 3 - Terms of Service: The Team Leader, Administrative Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a period of one year, and shall be eligible for re-election unless it is noted otherwise in another section of these Constitution and Bylaws. Election of the Leadership Team is set forth in Article VI, Section 7. Section 4 - Duties of the Leaders: Build up the Body. a. Team Leader: The Team Leader shall act as moderator for the church. He/she shall preside at meetings of the Leadership team and church meetings unless otherwise arranged. He/She will advise newly elected leaders and committees of their duties; be responsible for the proper transfer of records and equipment (such as keys) between successors in office during his/her tenure of office and at its close. He/she shall be limited to three consecutive years of office. He/she shall be an ex officio member of all committees and ready to assist in all decisions. b. Administrative Secretary: The administrative secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the membership and of the Leadership Team unless otherwise arranged; shall maintain accurate 16

17 membership rolls; and shall perform such other duties as the Pastor and/or leadership may direct. c. Financial Secretary: The Financial Secretary, always with one or more persons present, shall receive and record all offerings and all monies from all sources for church purposes. He or she shall make a report of all income for Leadership team and church meetings. He/she shall direct the deposit of the receipts to the credit of the church each week. The deposit is to be made by the Treasurer or an appointed Leadership team member. If the deposit cannot be arranged the receipts will be placed in the safe until arrangement can be made. d. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. He/she shall have custody of all monies of the church and shall disburse same only upon authorization of the Leadership Team, or by vote of the church. He/she shall keep an account of receipts, expenditures, and all of the transactions as Treasurer in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles/SAT. e. Ministry Leaders: Ministry Leaders are those who coordinate specific ministries within the church such as worship, mission projects, hospitality & fellowship events, Christian Education, Youth Group Facilitators, etc. They do not always have to be in attendance at each Leadership Team Meeting, but the Moderator should be aware of anything in these areas that needs to be reported about or approved by the Leadership Team. Written reports may be required by the Leadership Team. 17

18 Article VII The Leadership Team and Ministry Teams Section 1 - Duties of the Leadership Team: The Church Leadership Team shall be responsible for the management of both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church in accordance with the Civil Association (aka Articles of Incorporation). The Leadership Team shall be and act, in all respects, as the governing board of the church. Section 2 - Responsibilities: All matters pertaining to, or affecting the work and policy of the church shall be subject to the supervision and direction of the Leadership Team. Decisions by the Leadership Team affecting matters of policy shall be reported to, and ratified by, the church membership before becoming effective. Section 3 - Term of Service and Classification: The Leadership Team shall consist of duly elected Leadership Team Members. The title Leader is understood to include women and men. a. The elected Leadership Team Members shall number at least five and shall be chosen from the men and women of the church in good standing. b. They shall be elected by the church membership for terms of one year and not more than three consecutive years. c. The Pastor, Team Leader, Administrative Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and all Ministry Leaders shall have full voting privileges. Section 4 - Vacancies in Office: Should any Leader fail to perform the duties pertaining to the position for a period of three consecutive months, the Board is empowered to recommend to the Church that the office be declared vacant. Section 5 Ministry Teams: The Leadership Team shall carry out the work of the Church, as far as possible, through Ministry Teams (some of which are standing and some organized as needed). Leaders of the Ministry Teams will be presented by the Nominating Committee at the first meeting of the new year. Members of these ministry teams are to be selected from the church membership or participants at large. Areas of Ministry that may be addressed are missions, Christian education, worship, hospitality, fellowship, women & men s ministries, youth, etc. 18

19 BYLAW: Meetings of the Leadership Team The Leadership Team shall meet regularly (preferably monthly but at least quarterly) to hear issues concerning Crossroads, ministry and financial reports, and recommendations requiring decisions. Only members of the Leadership Team are eligible to vote on reports and recommendations. As far as possible, all decisions require the vote of all members of the Leadership Team ( and SKYPE votes included). Two or more dissenting votes shall constitute a failure to pass (if there are 8 Leadership Team members a passing vote is 7). In event of an emergency: as many Leadership Team Members as possible will be consulted with a minimum of 50% of current Leadership team. A passing vote will constitute the total number consulted minus 1. As soon as possible following the decision in the case of either a passing or failing vote, all members of the Leadership Team will be advised of an emergency decision (using or phone calls). Additionally, the action will appear in the agenda and minutes of the following Leadership Team meeting. The vote will be revisited if necessary. a. Executive Session: The Leadership Team may be called into Executive Session (special session) at the call of the pastor, Team Leader or, in his/her absence, by any Team Member and may include others by invitation of the Team. b. Appeals to the Leadership Team: Any member of the church may make the leadership team aware of a need, in person or in writing, at any time. c. Appeals to the Membership from Decisions of the Board: Any member, aggrieved or duly concerned by any decision of the Church Board, shall first bring his/her appeal to the Leadership Team in writing and then, if necessary, providing two weeks notice, to the church membership at a special meeting of the church. 19

20 Article VIII Church Committees Personnel and Nominating Committee: It shall be their responsibility, in conjunction with the Pastor and Leadership Team, to prepare and present at the first meeting of the year a slate of candidates for the offices under consideration to be filled during the meeting. The names on the slate of candidates shall be announced two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. The Leadership Team may appoint other committees as it deems advisable. 20

21 Article IX Pastoral Search Committee Section 1 - Qualifications: The Pastor(s) and/or youth pastor shall be an ordained minister whose credentials are recognized by an association of churches (denomination, or region) or a person qualified by calling and experience who is then ordained to the ministry by Crossroads. Section 2 - Duties: The Pastor(s) shall be the spiritual leader(s) of the church. His/her responsibilities generally fall into the main areas of preaching, teaching (Ephesians 4:11) and leadership in guiding the church to fulfill its vision, mission, and purposes according to God s word. However he or she may also have received gifts such as pastoral counseling, administration, music, strategic planning, etc and should faithfully express them as God has determined for the common good. The pastor shall approve, with care, all those who will preach from the pulpit. The pastor(s) shall be an ex officio member of all church standing committees, except the Pastor's Selection Committee. Section 3 - Maintenance of Relationship: The Pastoral relationship shall continue for an indefinite term, so long as such relationship is mutually satisfactory to the Pastor and the congregation. If applicable, his/her salary or honorarium shall be paid at least monthly, and he/she shall have an annual vacation of four weeks. Section 4 - Dissolution of Relationship: The Pastor may resign from office with one month s advance notice. It shall be considered at any regular or special meeting of the church, and upon recommendation of the Leadership Team. Request of Dissolution of Relationship: The church, at a duly called meeting and upon recommendation of the Church Leadership Team, may dissolve the pastoral relationship provided that a notice of such intended action shall have been sent or given to each active member (except those on the Inactive Membership List) at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. The termination of the pastoral relationship shall be validated by a majority vote of those present and voting, and a quorum of Ninety (90%) of the active membership currently in La Paz will be required. When such action has been taken by the church, and written notice has been given to the Pastor, there shall be a 90-day termination period. 21

22 Section 5 - Establishment of New Relationship In the event of a vacancy in the pastorate or need to call a youth pastor, a Pastoral Search Committee shall be formed (as outlined in succeeding paragraphs) with the expressed purpose of recommending a prospective pastor to the church. A. The Pastoral Search Committee shall be composed of: the Church Leadership Team leader, two elected members of the Leadership Team (appointed by Leadership Team), and two church members (appointed by vote of the Leadership Team). B. The Committee shall be convened by the Leadership Team leader and shall elect its own chairperson and secretary. C. When the Committee is ready to propose a prospective pastor or youth pastor, it shall send to each active member and participants of the church (except those on the Inactive Membership List) the following information: 1. The name and qualifications of the candidate. 2. The date of the visit (candidate visiting Crossroads) 3. The date and time of the meeting of the Church Membership at which the proposal of the Pastoral Search Committee will be acted upon. This information shall be sent at least two weeks before the Committee formally presents the prospective pastor to the Church membership for its consideration and action. D. The Leadership Team shall make arrangements for interim pastoral service. E. The calling of a pastor shall be by secret ballot. The calling of a new pastor shall be validated by a 90% vote of those present and voting. A quorum of ninety (90%) of the active membership currently in La Paz will be required to validate a new pastoral calling. 22

23 Article X Ministry and Support Staff Section 1 - Creation of Staff Positions: Upon recommendation of the Leadership Team, additional Ministry Staff Positions (Music Ministry, Youth Ministry, etc.) and Support Staff Positions (Secretaries, Custodians, etc.) to meet specific mission goals and ministry needs of the church. The establishment will require a simple majority vote by the active church membership currently in La Paz. Specific job descriptions will be developed and approved by the Leadership Team. A. Section 2 - Calling / Hiring of Staff: Persons may be recommended to fill support staff positions by the Leadership Team. The hiring of a new staff member shall be validated by a seventy (70%) vote of those present and voting. A quorum of seventy (70%) of the active membership currently in La Paz will be required to validate a new staff position. Section 3 - Termination of Staff: Staff relationships may be terminated by a majority vote of the Leadership Team. The active members may call upon the Leadership Team to consider termination of a staff relationship by presenting a petition requesting termination signed by twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members of the church currently in La Paz. 23

24 Article XI Construction and Interpretation It is intended that the ecclesiastical and temporal power of the church and Civil Association be positively integrated into one unit, having a single membership and governed by a single Leadership Team. This Article shall be controlling, and all other provisions of these Constitution and Bylaws shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with this expressed intention. Therefore, whenever used in these Constitution and Bylaws, the term church shall include the Civil Association as well as the ecclesiastical body, and the term Civil Association shall include the term church. 24

25 Article XII Amendments This Constitution may be amended, modified, or rescinded, or a new Constitution may be adopted, at a special business meeting of the membership, provided that due notice is given that such action is to be introduced at such meeting. For the purposes of this Article, due notice shall consist of a written notice given to the membership (not including those on the inactive member list) approximately fifteen (15) days prior to the date of such a meeting and of public announcement from the pulpit at each regular worship service on not less than two (2) successive Sundays immediately prior to the date of said meeting. On a matter pertaining to the amendment, modification, rescinding, or adoption of a new Constitution, such action shall be validated by a ninety (90%) vote of active members and a quorum of seventy five (75%) of the active membership currently in La Paz will be required. When such action has been taken by the church, the changes shall be presented in writing to the entire membership within fifteen (15) days. 25

26 Bylaws may be amended, modified, rescinded, or created by majority vote of the Leadership Team and must be approved by member vote of the congregation. We hereby unify ourselves to uphold these Articles of Faith as a Community in Christ Jesus Always dependent upon His Grace and His Sufficiency Dedicated first and ever only to His Kingdom and His Glory And in so doing may this well of living-water in Christ never run dry! 26