BYLAWS DECATUR, TEXAS All authority not herein invested in any church or corporation officer pursuant to these bylaws is reserved in and to the church and the church reserves the right, at any time, to amend, modify, supplement or revoke, in whole or in part, these bylaws, pursuant to the requirements of Article XI herein. Adopted: 7/19/00 Last Revised: 2/14/16 BYLAWS Page 1 of 23
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Article I: General, Admission to Membership, New Member Orientation, Rights and Duties of Members, Termination of Membership, Discipline Page 4 Article II: Church Staff, Temporary Administrative Council, Other Ministerial Staff, Support Staff, Church Officers, Corporate Officers Page 10 Article III: Conveyances and Other Instruments Page 11 Article IV: Church Committees-Standing & Special Page 12 Article V: Church Ordinances-Baptism, Lord s Supper Page 13 Article VI: Church Meetings, Worship Services, Business Meetings, Fiscal Year, Church Year, Church Audit Page 14 Article VII: Educational Ministries-Sunday School, Christian Equipping, Women s Missionary Union, Brotherhood (Baptist Men), Music Ministry, Youth Ministry Page 16 Article VIII: Tax Exemption Declaration Page 17 Article IX: License and Ordination, Gospel Ministry, Deacon Ministry Page 19 Article X: Policy Manual Page 20 Article XI: Amendments BYLAWS Page 2 of 23
ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP Section 1. General The membership of the First Baptist Church, Decatur, Texas, referred to herein as the Church, will consist of all persons whose names appear on the church membership roll. Section 2. Admission to Membership A. Membership will be voted on at any church service, open to the general membership, in any of the following ways: 1. A profession of faith in Christ as Savior. 2. Baptism by immersion in water as authorized by the Church. 3. Completion of New Members Orientation Class -OR- 1. By transfer of letter from a church of like faith and order 2. Completion of New Members Orientation Class -OR- 1. By statement of faith in Christ as Lord and baptism by immersion 2. Completion of New Members Orientation Class B. Membership will be granted by a majority vote of those members present. Section 3. New Member Orientation All new members of the church must participate and complete the new members orientation including instruction in Baptist beliefs. A copy of the bylaws will be given to each new member. Section 4. Rights and Duties of Members A. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church. B. Every member is entitled to vote in all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in business meetings, provided the member is present. C. Every member is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective positions in the church in accordance with these bylaws, provided such person has been a member of this church for at least one year, except for deacons. D. Every member is requested and encouraged to be faithful in all the privileges and responsibilities of the Christian life. 1. To regularly attend all church services. 2. To financially support the church through tithes and offerings. 3. To share in its ministries through commitment of time and talents. E. Members who move away from the church community are urged to find a Southern Baptist Church near their new location, move their membership without undue delay, and be faithful members of that church. Revision: 2005 Revision: April 22, 2012 Sections 2 & 3 BYLAWS Page 3 of 23
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP (continued) Section 5. Termination of Membership Membership may be terminated in the following manner: A. Upon death of a member. B. Upon issuance of a church letter of dismissal and recommendation for membership in some other Baptist Church. C. Upon a member joining another church. D. Upon the member s request. E. Upon withdrawal of fellowship by the church from a member as provided by the Holy Scriptures in Matthew 18:15-17. Section 6. Discipline (Members) It will be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, other church staff, deacons and other members of the church family are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another will be a concern for redemption rather than punishment. Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, the pastor and spiritual leaders will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17. Finding that the welfare of the church will be best served by the exclusion of the member, the church may proceed to declare the offender no longer in the membership of the church by a two thirds vote of members present. All such proceedings will be done in a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. Upon evidence of the excluded person s repentance and reformation, the church may restore such a person to membership upon a two thirds majority vote of members present. BYLAWS Page 4 of 23
ARTICLE II CHURCH STAFF CHURCH OFFICERS CORPORATE OFFICERS Section 1. Church Staff A. Pastor The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church. As Christ is head over His body, the church, the pastor is the chief shepherd of the flock. He will believe he is called by God and led by the Holy Spirit to the ministry. 1. Qualifications: a. General qualifications as found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. b. The pastor must acknowledge and be in agreement with the scriptures and be willing to abide by the church bylaws and policy manual. c. He will be sufficiently educated, trained and experienced to provide loving care, guidance, preaching and teaching to the church. d. He will not be a divorcee nor will he use alcohol, tobacco or any illegal substance. e. He will be a licensed ordained minister. 2. Functions and Responsibilities (Pastor): a. Prepare the church for the work of the ministry and the building up of the body for the glory of God. b. Proclaim Christ and minister to the church through preaching, teaching, counseling, visiting, administering church ordinances and conducting special services (weddings, funerals, etc.). c. Personally he will strive to keep himself spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally healthy, spending his time wisely to fulfill these needs. d. The pastor will be the chief administrative officer of the church and as such, direct and supervise the ministry of the church staff, deacons, committees and the general activities of the church. e. Additional duties and responsibilities will be stated in detail in a job description found in the policy manual BYLAWS Page 5 of 23
3. Selection (Pastor) a. A search committee of seven members will be made up of five members at large and a representative of the Personnel and of the Budget/Finance committees. (1) Five members and three alternates that have been elected at large by secret ballot. (a) Nominations for at-large search committee members will be made by secret ballot at a called business meeting on a Sunday morning. (b) Each church member present at the business meeting may nominate up to three church members to serve on the search committee. (c) The nominees that are willing to serve on the search committee will be placed on an election ballot and presented to the church for voting. In the event there are more than 15 nominees that are willing to serve, then only the 15 nominees receiving the most nominations will be placed on the election ballot. (d) Voting on the nominees listed on the election ballot will be by secret ballot at a called business meeting on a Sunday morning. (e) The five nominees on the election ballot receiving the most votes will serve on the search committee. The nominees receiving the 6th, 7th and 8th most votes will be alternate members of the search committee, and will serve on the search committee in that order in the event any of the original five members of the search committee become unable or unwilling to continue to serve on the search committee. (2) The Chairpersons of the Personnel and Budget/Finance committees or their designees from their respective committees will serve as ex-officio members. b. No more than one member of any family will serve on the search committee. Family is defined as a group of people related by blood or marriage. c. No ministerial or support staff or their family members will serve on the search committee. d. The committee will screen and interview candidates. As led by the Holy Spirit, the committee will present a candidate for approval by the church. e. The candidate will be voted on by the church by secret ballot at a called business meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the members present is required to call the candidate to be pastor. 4. Termination (pastor) The pastor is called by the church for an indefinite period of service. This service may be terminated in the following manner. a. Resignation - A written notice of resignation is expected. Any accrued vacation will be paid for the current year. b. Dismissal - The church should view dismissal as a last resort only after every attempt to reconcile differences has been made. (1) The responsibility for the recommendation for dismissal of the pastor will be delegated to the personnel committee, budget and finance committee and the officers of the deacon body. (a) This group will be chaired by the chairperson of the personnel committee. (b) A quorum will consist of the usual quorum of each committee and at least 2 of the 3 deacon officers. (c) A two-thirds majority vote of those present will be required. (d) The recommendation will then be presented to the church. (2) The church s vote will take place at a called business meeting following a Sunday night service, after due time for discussion. Vote will be by secret ballot. (3) A two-thirds majority vote of those present will constitute dismissal, effective immediately. Revised: 02/14/16 BYLAWS Page 6 of 23
5. Temporary Administrative Council a. Purpose Upon the vacancy of the pastorate, a temporary council will be established immediately to ensure the continued effectiveness of the ministry of the church, and will be subject to the bylaws and church policy manual. b. Membership It will be composed of the deacon chairman, budget and finance chairperson, personnel chairperson and two members elected at large from the church. The interim pastor and ministerial staff will serve as ex-officio members. c. Term It will serve until a pastor is called to assume these responsibilities. d. Duties will be detailed in the policy manual BYLAWS Page 7 of 23
ARTICLE II - CHURCH STAFF - CHURCH OFFICERS - CORPORATE OFFICERS, (continued) B. Other Ministerial Staff 1. Qualifications and Duties a. The staff member must acknowledge and be in agreement with the scriptures, and be willing to abide by these bylaws and the policy manual. b. He/she will be sufficiently educated, trained and experienced to fulfill the duties as specified in his/her job description. c. He/she will not be a divorcee nor will he/she use alcohol, tobacco or any illegal substance. d. He/she will be supportive of the pastor in all areas of leadership and service. 2. Selection (Other Ministerial Staff) a. Selection of all ministerial or called positions will be the joint responsibility of: (1) The pastor (2) A search committee. (3) Personnel committee b. The search committee of seven will be made up of five members at large and a representative of the Personnel and of the Budget/Finance committees (1) Five members and three alternates that have been elected at large by secret ballot. (a) Nominations for at-large search committee members will be made by secret ballot at a called business meeting on a Sunday morning. (b) Each church member present at the business meeting may nominate up to three church members to serve on the search committee. (c) The nominees that are willing to serve on the search committee will be placed on an election ballot and presented to the church for voting. In the event there are more than 15 nominees that are willing to serve, then only the 15 nominees receiving the most nominations will be placed on the election ballot. (d) Voting on the nominees listed on the election ballot will be by secret ballot at a called business meeting on a Sunday morning. (e) The five nominees on the election ballot receiving the most votes will serve on the search committee. The nominees receiving the 6th, 7th and 8th most votes will be alternate members of the search committee, and will serve on the search committee in that order in the event any of the original five members of the search committee become unable or unwilling to continue to serve on the search committee. (2) The chairpersons of the personnel and budget/finance committees or their designees from their respective committees will serve as ex-officio members. c. The search committee will consult with the pastor regularly. d. After recommendation by the pastor and the committee, a candidate will be voted on by the church by secret ballot. e. A two-thirds majority vote of those present at a called business meeting will be required to call the candidate Revised: 02/14/16 BYLAWS Page 8 of 23
3. Termination (Other Ministerial Staff) a. Resignation - a written notice of resignation is expected. Any accrued vacation will be paid for the current year. b. Dismissal - the church should view dismissal as a last resort only after every attempt to reconcile differences has been made. 1. The responsibility for dismissal of other ministerial staff will be delegated to the pastor, personnel committee, budget and finance committee and the officers of the deacon body. 2. This group will be chaired by the chairperson of the personnel committee. 3. A quorum will consist of the usual quorum of each committee and at least 2 of the 3 deacon officers. 4. A two-thirds majority vote of those present will be required for dismissal, effective immediately. BYLAWS Page 9 of 23
ARTICLE II - CHURCH STAFF - CHURCH OFFICERS - CORPORATE OFFICERS, (continued) C. Support Staff These positions are paid non-ministerial employees. General qualifications, duties and responsibilities for specific jobs will be stated in detail in the church policy manual. 1. Selection and Termination a. The pastor will be responsible for employing and dismissing support staff but will consult with the personnel committee. b. Resignation - a two-week written notice will be given. Any accrued vacation will be paid for the current year. BYLAWS Page 10 of 23
ARTICLE II - CHURCH STAFF - CHURCH OFFICERS - CORPORATE OFFICERS, (continued) Section 2. Church Officers A. Treasurer 1. Will have duties and responsibilities stated in detail in the church policy manual. 2. Will be filled by a majority vote of members present at the annual business meeting. 3. Will be an ex-officio member of the budget/finance committee and should attend all meetings. 4. Will not serve longer than 5 consecutive years. B. Church Clerk The church clerk will be responsible for taking minutes of all business meetings. Duties will be detailed in the church policy manual. The church clerk will be elected by the membership at the annual business meeting. C. Church Moderator The pastor will serve as the church moderator and will preside at all business meetings. In his absence, the pastor will appoint a moderator. Upon the vacancy of the pastorate the church will elect an interim moderator. Election to this position will be by majority vote of members present at any business meeting. Any church member is eligible to be elected as interim moderator D. Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at any business meeting whenever the best interests of the church will be served. Any office will become vacant when the office holder dies, resigns, becomes incapacitated or is no longer a member of the church. BYLAWS Page 11 of 23
ARTICLE II - CHURCH STAFF - CHURCH OFFICERS - CORPORATE OFFICERS, (continued) Section 3. Corporate Officers A. In compliance with the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act, the church will have the following corporate officers: 1. President The office of president and the chairman of the body of deacons will be held by the same person. In addition to his duties as chairman of the body of deacons, the president s only other authority in the capacity of president will be the power to execute on behalf of the church such instruments and agreements as may be required by the church when execution thereof has been authorized as provided by these bylaws. 2. Vice President The office of vice president and vice chairman of the body of deacons will be held by the same person. In addition to his duties as vice chairman of the body of deacons, the vice president s only other authority in the capacity of vice president will be the power to perform the duties of the president upon death, absence, resignation or inability of the president to perform the duties of his office. 3. Secretary The office of secretary and the secretary of the body of deacons will be held by the same person. In addition to his duties as secretary of the body of deacons, the secretary s only other authority in the capacity of secretary will be the power to attest or execute on behalf of the church such instruments and agreements as may be required by the church when the execution thereof has been authorized as provided by these bylaws. 4. Treasurer The office of treasurer and the church treasurer will be held by the same person and is authorized to perform the functions of a treasurer. He/she may or may not be a deacon, but he/she will be a member of the church. B. Election of Officers (Corporate) 1. The president, vice president, and the secretary will be elected annually by the body of deacons and confirmed by a majority vote of those present at the annual business meeting. 2. The treasurer is elected by a majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting. C. Vacancies and Removal of Officers (Corporate) 1. A vacancy in any office may be filled in the body of deacons at any regular or special meeting. 2. Any officer elected by the body of deacons may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at any business meeting whenever the best interests of the church will be served. Any office will become vacant when the office holder dies, resigns, becomes incapacitated or is no longer a member of the church. 3. A vacancy in the office of church treasurer will be filled by a majority vote of members present at any business meeting. BYLAWS Page 12 of 23
ARTICLE III CONVEYANCES AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS The church may sell, convey, mortgage, encumber or otherwise deal with or dispose of real or personal property owned by the church and may evidence any such transaction by deed, bill of sale, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other appropriate instrument, with or with out the seal of the church, signed by the corporate president, vice president and attested by the secretary, when such transaction is authorized by appropriate resolutions, provided that any such transaction involving real property shall be authorized by the church. BYLAWS Page 13 of 23
ARTICLE IV CHURCH COMMITTEES Section 1. General The church will authorize such committees as are necessary to carry out its mission, including those committees specified in these bylaws. The committee members will be elected by a majority of members present at any business meeting. Section 2. Membership of Standing Committees A. Nominations 1. The members of the committee on committees will be nominated from the floor at any business meeting. 2. All proposed members for standing committees will be recommended to the church prior to January of each year by the committee on committees. 3. Additional nominations for committee membership may be made from the floor by any church member. B. No more than one member of any family will serve on the same committee, including the search committee. Family is defined as a group of people related by blood or marriage. C. Spouses of ministerial and support staff will not serve on administrative or search committees. D. Members of standing committees will be elected for 3 years with one-third of the members rotating off each year. Serving an unexpired term for two years or more will be considered a full term. Those rotating off will be eligible to serve on: 1. Any standing service committee except the committee they are leaving. 2. Any administrative committee providing it has been one year since serving on an administrative committee. Revised: 12-05-01 E. The pastor and ministerial staff as designated by him will serve as ex-officio members of all committees. F. An individual may serve on only one committee at a time with exceptions as outlined in the policy manual. G. The members will serve from January 1 st through December 31 st. H. Additional standing committees may be formed or deleted as needed upon the recommendation of the committee on committees or any member and the majority vote of members present at any business meeting. Section 3. Standing Committees The following list of committees will be standing committees with their number of members, purposes and duties stated in detail in the Church Policy Manual. A. Administrative Committees 1. Budget and Finance 2. Building and Grounds 3. Personnel B. Service Committees - will be listed or deleted in the policy manual with automatic update to the manual when such committee is duly formed or deleted by the church. Section 4 Special Committees Special committees may be nominated and elected from the membership to serve as needed for special projects or services. The goals or duties of these committees will be stated at the time of selection and the members will serve until the duties are accomplished and the committee dissolved. The pastor and ministerial staff as designated by him will serve as an exofficio member of all special committees. Revised: 12/05/01 BYLAWS Page 14 of 23
ARTICLE V CHURCH ORDINANCES Section 1. Baptism This church will receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publicly at any worship service, and who has indicated a commitment to follow Christ as Lord. A. Baptism will be by immersion in water. B. The pastor, or whoever is authorized, will administer baptism. C. Baptism will be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the church. Section 2. The Lord s Supper Using the symbolic elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, the church will regularly observe the Lord s Supper. In accordance with the spirit of I Corinthians 11:28, those present shall be urged to examine themselves as to Christian conversion and as to an obedient Christian walk. BYLAWS Page 15 of 23
ARTICLE VI CHURCH MEETINGS Section 1. Worship Services The church will meet regularly each Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday evening for preaching, instruction, evangelism, prayer and for the worship of Almighty God. These worship services will be open to the entire membership of the church and to all other people and will be conducted under the direction of the pastor or approved supply. Section 2. Business Meetings A. Regular business Regular meetings will be held quarterly on a designated Sunday night. A final agenda and the financial report for the previous month will be available at the church office the Friday afternoon preceding the meeting. A tentative agenda will be published in the church bulletin on the Sunday morning immediately preceding the Sunday night business meeting. (revised 11-20-2011) B. Specially Called Notice of all specially called business meetings and an agenda will be published in the bulletin or newsletter one week prior to the meeting, unless an emergency renders such notice impractical. C. Annual The annual meeting will be held at the regular business meeting in January. D. Quorum A quorum will consist of those members who attend the meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called. E. Parliamentary Rule F. Robert s Rules of Order Revised is adopted as the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business, deacons and committee meetings. G. Secret Ballots 1. Envelopes designated as Ballot envelopes will be provided with each secret ballot. The envelope must be signed by the voter to be valid but the ballot does not. 2. The signature on each envelope will be checked against the church roster prior to the opening of any of the envelopes. Ballots will then be removed and envelopes discarded prior to tallying votes. 3. Those responsible for handling and tallying secret ballots will be any three of the persons holding the position of chairman of the deacons, church clerk, church treasurer, chairperson of the personnel committee, chairperson of the budget and finance committee. Section 3. Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the church will be January 1 st through December 31 st. Section 4. Church Year The church year will be January 1 st through December 31 st. Section 5. Church Audit An independent financial audit will be conducted by a Certified Public Accountant every third year. Revised: 11/20/2011 BYLAWS Page 16 of 23
ARTICLE VII EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES Section 1. General All educational ministries will honor and glorify Jesus Christ our Lord and will be under church control, with all officers being elected by the church and reporting regularly to the church. It is understood that the pastor and ministerial staff as designated by him are ex-officio members of all the organizations named, and their leadership is to be recognized by them. Section 2. Sunday School There will be a Sunday School, divided into departments and conducted under the direction of the general director, for the study of God s word. Sunday School is to be conducted each Sunday morning. The tasks of the Sunday School will be to teach the biblical revelation; lead in reaching all prospects for the church; lead all church members to worship, witness, learn and minister daily; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. Section 3. Christian Equipping There will be Christian Equipping, divided into departments and conducted under the direction of a general director each Sunday evening. The Christian Equipping program will serve as the training organization of the church. The tasks of the Christian Equipping program will be to teach systematic theology, Christian history, Christian ethics and church policy and organization; give orientation to new church members; train all church members to worship, witness, learn and minister daily; discover, recruit and/or train leaders and potential leaders; provide for specialized training; provide organization and leadership for special projects of the church; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. Section 4. Women s Missionary Union There may be a Women s Missionary Union with such officers and such forms of organization as needed. This program is to be directed by one who is elected by the WMU and approved by the church. The tasks of the WMU are to teach missions; lead all women, young women, girls and pre-school children to participate in mission projects of the church; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. Section 5. Brotherhood (Baptist Men) There may be a Brotherhood made up of such standard organizations, including Royal Ambassadors, as needed. This program is to be directed by one who is elected by the Brotherhood and approved by the church. The tasks are to teach missions, lead all men, young men and boys, to participate in mission activities; provide organization and leadership for special projects of the church; and to provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. Section 6. Music Ministry There will be a Music Ministry under the direction of the minister of music. Such officers and organizations will be included as needed. The music tasks will be to teach music and hymnody; provide music and musicians for the congregational services and the organizations of the church; lead persons to participate in hymn singing; train persons to lead, sing and play music; provide organization and leadership for special projects of the church; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. BYLAWS Page 17 of 23
ARTICLE VII - EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES - (continued) Section 7. Youth Ministry There will be a Youth Ministry under the direction of the minister of youth. Such officers and organizations will be included as needed. The Youth Ministry will strive to lead young people to a personal relationship with Christ and to grow in the Lord. The program may include formal and informal worship, Bible study, retreats, mission, recreational and social activities. The program will provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination with the focus on spiritual growth, evangelism and discipling others. BYLAWS Page 18 of 23
ARTICLE VIII TAX EXEMPTION DECLARATION The First Baptist Church, Decatur, Texas is organized and shall be operated for the purpose of engaging in a religious worship and promoting the spiritual development and well being of individuals. Its assets are pledged for the use in performing its religious functions. On discontinuance of this organization by dissolution or otherwise, its assets are to be transferred to a religious or charitable organization that is qualified as an exempt organization under Section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ), Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. BYLAWS Page 19 of 23
ARTICLE IX LICENSE AND ORDINATION Section 1. To the Gospel Ministry From time to time the church will license or ordain to the gospel ministry men who have shown evidence of divine call in their lives. A. License A license to preach the gospel will be issued upon recommendation of the deacon body and a majority vote of the members present in any business meeting. B. Ordination 1. The pastor may convene an advisory/examining council with the approval by the majority of members present at any business meeting. 2. An ordination service may be held following the recommendation in favor of ordination from the council and with approval of a majority of members present at any business meeting. 3. A comprehensive guide will be found in the policy manual. C. Limits and Revocation A license or ordination granted by this church will remain valid for life; however, the church reserves the right to withdraw, upon two-thirds majority vote, any license or ordination it has issued should the life of the minister cease to bear those qualities required for such recognition; or at the request of the licensed or ordained minister. BYLAWS Page 20 of 23
ARTICLE IX - LICENSE AND ORDINATION (continued) Section 2. To the Deacon Ministry A. Qualifications The qualifications of a candidate for deacon will be those set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13 A. Responsibilities It will be expected that any candidate and active deacon will: 1. Demonstrate an attitude of servant-hood. 2. Be faithful in attending Sunday School, Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services. 3. Be supportive of the pastor in all areas of leadership and service. 4. Will encourage and support unity in the fellowship and actively discourage dissension. 5. Be attentive to the needs of the fellowship. 6. Perform other duties as stated in these bylaws or in the church policy manual. B. Selection Procedures for New Deacons By secret ballot each church member present will have the right to nominate men (up to the number requested) such member believes will qualify as a deacon. 1. Each man must receive enough nominations to clearly indicate the support of the church body. 2. The pastor and a committee of deacons will counsel and train the candidates and present to the church those eligible for ordination. 3. The church will vote to ordain the number of men needed from the candidates presented. 4. Any man must be a church member at least three years before being eligible for consideration for ordination. 5. Any man who has been previously ordained as a deacon in a Baptist church must be a member for at least one year before being eligible for consideration as an active deacon. 6. A system of rotation will be addressed in the policy manual. C. Ordination 1. A comprehensive guide will be found in the policy manual. 2. The church will ordain the unordained newly elected deacons as soon as convenient following their election. E. Limits and Revocation The ordination of this church is valid for the lifetime of the deacon. However, the church reserves the right to withdraw the ordination upon two-thirds majority vote should the life of the deacon cease to bear those qualities required for such recognition, or at the request of the ordained. F. Deacons Emeritus A deacon who has served for a period of twenty (20) years or has served this church for at least five (5) years and another church of like faith and order for at least fifteen (15) years and has reached the age of 65 shall be eligible to be recommended to the church for election to the status of Deacon Emeritus. Such recommendation will be made upon approval by two-thirds majority vote of the deacons and confirmation will be by a majority vote of the members present at any business meeting. BYLAWS Page 21 of 23
ARTICLE X CHURCH POLICY MANUAL A special committee of the church will develop a Church Policy Manual to include all operating policies and an organizational chart depicting lines of responsibility in the administration of the church. The manual will be kept in the church office. The church clerical employees and clerk shall maintain the manual. A special committee shall review the manual at least annually, with authority to recommend changes for the church to consider. Any church member or church organization may initiate suggested changes in the manual. Addition, revision or deletion of church policies requires: 1. Recommendation by a special committee elected by the church. 2. Discussion by the church officer or organization to which the policy relates. 3. Approval by the church by a majority vote of members present at any business meeting. BYLAWS Page 22 of 23
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a regular business meeting. The proposed amendment(s) or revision(s) can be considered at a regular business meeting after it has been published at least two (2) Sundays prior by one of the following methods: 1. As an insert in two (2) consecutive Sunday bulletins OR 2. Mailed to church members. BYLAWS Page 23 of 23