Effective September 24, 2007 Updated June 23, 2015 Updated August 3, 2016 Updated February 27, 2017 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF THE LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, INC. ARTICLE 1 NAME The name of this independent Christian school shall be Lexington Christian Academy. ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE/MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to glorify Christ through educational ministry. The purpose of this independent Christian school shall be to provide a creative, loving academic environment for children to grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically, and academically through individual and group learning experiences under the guidance and nurture of carefully chosen Christian teachers, administrators, and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It shall be the purpose of Lexington Christian Academy to encourage all students to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to emphasize the value of the eternal soul, the worth of the individual, the love of God for man, and the kinship of all peoples as taught in the Holy Scriptures, while providing students with the opportunity for achieving academic excellence and furthering the special gifts, such as fine arts and athletics, that God has bestowed on them. The mission of Lexington Christian Academy is to present the whole truth, for the whole man, for the whole life, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God. In order to fulfill this mission, all members of the LCA community must communicate in a manner and work together in a like-minded desire to further LCA s religious purpose and beliefs. ARTICLE 3 STATEMENT OF FAITH 1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (II Timothy 3:15, II Peter 1:21). 2. We believe there is one God eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30). 3. We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35), His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26), His miracles (John 2:11), His vicarious and atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His resurrection (John 11:25, I Corinthians 15:4), His ascension to the right hand of the
Father (Mark 16:19), His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11). 4. We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature, and that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ and that only by God's grace and through faith alone are we saved (John 3:16-19, John 5:24, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5). 5. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29). 6. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28). 7. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8:13-14, I Corinthians 3:16, I Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, 5:18). ARTICLE 4 STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER AND SEXUALITY 1. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. 2. We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. 3. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, transgender behavior, rejection of one s biological sex, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.) 4. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of LCA as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the LCA s community, it is imperative that all persons employed by LCA in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)
5. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.) 6. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of LCA. ARTICLE 5 STATEMENT ON THE SANCTITY OF LIFE We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.) ARTICLE 6 THEOLOGICAL STANCE Lexington Christian Academy is a non-denominational school providing a Christian education; all that is said or done would be to the glory of God. The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Lexington Christian Academy s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is LCA s final interpretive authority on the Bible s meaning and application. ARTICLE 7 BASIC GOALS/OBJECTIVES 1. Lexington Christian Academy shall endeavor to insure that every student comes to an understanding of basic Christian theology. 2. Lexington Christian Academy shall unify academic preparation and spiritual training from a Christian worldview perspective. 3. The curriculum shall include the study of the Bible for every student each year he/she is enrolled at Lexington Christian Academy. 4. Lexington Christian Academy shall seek, and seek to maintain, accreditation of its elementary and secondary programs and facilities with accrediting organizations chosen by the Board; provided the requirements of such accreditation are not in conflict with the Purpose; Mission; Statement of Faith; Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality;
Statement of Sanctity of Life; Theological Stance,; Philosophy and the other Basic Goals and Objectives of Lexington Christian Academy as set out in these Bylaws. 5. Lexington Christian Academy will maintain appropriate class sizes and appropriate teacher/student ratios. 6. The teachers, administrators, committees and the Board shall work closely with parents or guardians for the benefit of the students. ARTICLE 8 PHILOSOPHY Lexington Christian Academy shall provide each student the opportunity to study and to develop his/her spirit, mind and body in a wholesome, Christian environment. It shall strive to provide the best education possible in preparation for high levels of education and to contribute to the establishment of Christian values for a happy and creative life, while working in the Lord s kingdom. Being non-discriminatory and Christian in nature, the school shall be directed toward instruction concerning God's will for each person and shall teach that all truth is of divine origin. Knowledge to choose between good and evil, based upon God's Holy Word, shall be imparted to each child. Those serving the school in any capacity, whether in administration, on the faculty, on the staff, on the Board of Directors, or as a volunteer shall subscribe to the school's philosophy of providing a high quality, Christian education in a Christian atmosphere. The establishment and subsequent operation of Lexington Christian Academy shall be successful only when done in accordance with His will and for His honor and glory. ARTICLE 9 RELATIONSHIP TO AREA CHURCHES Lexington Christian Academy shall endeavor to cultivate close working relationships with all churches in the area which are in agreement with the Statement of Faith and Philosophy of Lexington Christian Academy. ARTICLE 10 BOARD OF DIRECTORS; OFFICERS; COMMITTEES 1. The Board of Directors (referred to in these Bylaws as the "Board" or the "Board of Directors") shall make short and long term policy decisions affecting operations of the school. It shall establish and execute long range goals for the school and is the body to which the chief administrative officer (referred to herein as the "Headmaster") of the school reports. 2. Powers of the Board of Directors. a. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of Lexington Christian Academy.
b. The Board shall have the authority to hold meetings at such times and places as it considers proper. The Board shall not exclude the Headmaster from any meeting of the Board except when the topic relates to the Headmaster's employment contract or evaluation, or such other times as determined by a 2/3 vote of the Board present at a meeting. c. The Board shall be authorized to transact the business of Lexington Christian Academy and to adopt whatever policies it deems necessary for the effective operation of Lexington Christian Academy, provided that those policies do not conflict with these Bylaws, as amended from time to time. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Board shall govern matters involving personnel, finance, education and external relations of Lexington Christian Academy. All committees shall be under the authority of the Board. The Board may delegate to administrators, other employees and agents, general or specific authority to act on behalf of Lexington Christian Academy or implement its policies. d. The Board shall retain the right to meet in closed session. The determination of the need to go into closed session shall be made by the Chairperson with the approval of a majority of the Board present at a meeting. Any Board member may request that the Board go into closed session by making that desire known to the Chair. The Board shall determine if the minutes of the closed session are to be classified or made public. e. The Board shall reserve the right to devise and execute any such other measures it deems proper and expedient to the Purpose and Basic Goals/Objectives of the school. 3. Constituency of the Board of Directors. The Board shall be composed of not more than fifteen (15) elected members with full voting rights. The Headmaster of the school shall also be a member, but without voting rights. 4. Term of office. The term of office for each Board member shall be three (3) years with each year of service running concurrent with the School Year as defined in these Bylaws, August 1 st to July 31st. No individual may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as a member of the Board. Any Board member not eligible for election to the Board due to this provision, shall be eligible again to serve on the Board after being off the Board for at least one School Year (August 1 st to July 31 st ) but upon election again to the Board such member shall again be subject to the two (2) consecutive term limitation. 5. Election. Incoming members to the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Board each May from nominees presented by the Nominating Committee or from nominees presented at a meeting of the Board at which the election of Board members is held.
a. The Nominating Committee shall be selected annually. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Board appointed by the Board Chairperson who are not up for re-election to the Board in the subsequent School Year. The chairperson of the Nominating Committee shall be nominated by the Chairperson, subject to approval by the Board. b. The Nominating Committee shall nominate only those persons who are in agreement with the Purpose (Article 2); Mission (Article 2); Statement of Faith (Article 3); Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Article 4); Statement of Sanctity of Life (Article 5); Theological Stance (Article 6); Philosophy (Article 8); and all Basic Goals and Objectives (Article 7) of Lexington Christian Academy stated in these By Laws; and, who is a professed follower of Christ adhering to the basic precepts of historic, orthodox Christianity made visible by active membership in a local church. Persons who have demonstrated the foregoing qualities while serving on school committees shall receive preference in consideration; however, the Board shall not be limited to selecting such persons. c. The Nominating Committee may present one nominee for each available Board position to the Board for balloting each year in May. d. The Board may elect nominees to membership on the Board, provided that upon election of such person(s), not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board members (excluding those members whose terms are expiring and who are not returning) have a child enrolled in Lexington Christian Academy. e. The voting by the Board for new members shall be by secret ballot. f. A nominee must receive at least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present at a meeting called for such purpose to be elected as a member of the Board. g. The Board shall elect a Chairperson for the upcoming year at its regular June meeting. The election of a Chairperson shall be by majority vote of the directors present at such meeting. h. To continue serving as a member of the Board, any member who has one or more children eligible for enrollment in Lexington Christian Academy shall have all such children enrolled in Lexington Christian Academy unless (i) at least one child is enrolled but one or more other children are being home-schooled or enrollment of such other child or children is recommended by the school administration to be other than at Lexington Christian Academy or (ii) enrollment of such child or children is recommended by the school administration to be other than at Lexington Christian Academy. i. If a vacancy should occur through the resignation, removal, death or disability of a Director, the Board may elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term of that individual from nominee(s) presented by the Nominating Committee in
accordance with the procedures set out above. No person who is not eligible for election to the Board due to the two (2) consecutive term limitation shall be elected to fill any such vacancy. Any member of the Board may be removed for any reason by a vote of no less than 2/3 of the elected and serving Board members whether or not present at the meeting where the action is taken. 6. Meetings. a. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held monthly except in July. b. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson at any time upon no less than three (3) days' written (or electronic) notice to all Board members. 7. Quorum. A majority (51% or one more than half) actually present shall constitute a quorum. Board action may only be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present. 8. Attendance. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend all regular and special called meetings of the Board insofar as it is possible. If any member of the Board fails to attend four regular meetings in any School Year, or three regular meetings in a row whether or not in a single School Year, such member shall automatically cease to be member of the Board upon such event occurring, unless 2/3 of the remaining members of the Board present and voting at a meeting waive such automatic removal. 9. Unanimous Voting. The Board may act by unanimous written (or electronic) consent without a meeting on any matter previously presented at a meeting or which is recommended by the Executive Committee. 10. Officers. The Board of Directors shall elect from among its voting members a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The term of office shall be one School Year running August 1 st to July 31 st. a. The Chairperson i. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the Board. The Chairperson shall have full voting rights. ii. The Chairperson shall actively advance the total program of the school. iii. The Chairperson shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of Chairperson. iv. The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees.
v. The Chairperson shall appoint Board members to the various committees and shall nominate the chairpersons of each standing committee, and Board Officers, subject to approval by the Board. Notice of the individual to be nominated for Vice Chairperson should be given in advance of the August meeting of the board and election of officers for the New School Year. vi. The Chairperson may appoint special committees. b. The Vice-Chairperson i. The Vice Chairperson shall assume the duties of the Chairperson, in the event of the Chairperson s inability to serve or at the Chairperson s request. ii. iii. iv. In order to bring continuity to the leadership of the board and allow for a smoother transition in a change of Chairperson consideration should be given that the Vice Chairperson will either be the immediate past Chairperson or will agree to serve, if elected, as Chairperson at the conclusion of the current Chairpersons time of service. The Vice Chairperson shall be a member of the executive Committee unless already designated as a member by status as chair of a standing committee. The Vice Chairperson shall actively advance the total program of the school. c. The Secretary v. The Vice Chairperson shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of Vice Chairperson. i. The Secretary shall assist the Chairperson in the general conduct of the business of the Board. ii. The Secretary shall actively advance the total program of the school. iii. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of Secretary.
iv. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a correct record of all minutes of the Board of Directors and shall insure that copies are provided for all Directors. d. The Treasurer i. The Treasurer, by virtue of his/her office shall be the chairperson of the Finance Committee. ii. The Treasurer shall actively advance the total program of the school. iii. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of Treasurer. iv. The Treasurer (with the assistance of the Finance Committee) shall oversee the receipt and expenditure all funds of Lexington Christian Academy through administrative staff hired for such purpose in accordance with policies and budgets approved by the Board. v. The Treasurer (with the assistance of the Finance Committee) shall provide oversight with regard to all financial matters and may conduct such audits and investigations into financial matters as the Treasurer (with the Finance Committee) deems appropriate or as may be directed by the Board. 11. Executive Committee. a. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and the chairpersons of the Standing Committees. b. A majority (51% or one more than half) actually present shall constitute a quorum. Action may only be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present. c. The Executive Committee shall not have the authority to make decisions nor take action that is appropriate only for the Board, except in case of emergency. d. The Executive Committee's primary responsibility shall be to make recommendations to the Board. * 12. Standing Committees. The Standing Committees shall be as follows: Education, Personnel, Finance, Athletics, Facilities, Long Range Planning, Advancement, and Student Life.
a. Each Standing Committee shall be chaired by a Board member as determined annually in August from nominations made by the Chairperson for the upcoming School Year, which are subject to approval by the Board. b. Standing Committees shall meet as often as is necessary to conduct the specific business of the Committees. The chairperson of each Standing Committee shall notify the Headmaster and Board Chairperson in advance of all meetings. The Headmaster and Board Chairperson each serve as an ex-officio member of each Standing Committee. c. At the August meeting of the Board, the Chairperson for the upcoming School Year shall announce committee appointments for each of the Board members, including incoming Board members, which appointments shall be effective for the upcoming School Year. No more than five (5) and no fewer than two (2) Board members shall be appointed to each Standing Committee, except for the Personnel Committee, which shall be composed solely of five (5) Board members. Each Board Member shall serve on at least one (1) but not more than three (3) Standing Committees. d. Each Standing Committee shall have at least 5 voting members but no more than 20 voting members (unless a different number is approved by the Board), all serving a one year term from August 1 st to September 31st (School Year). Each committee chairperson shall submit a roster of proposed voting members to the Board for the upcoming School Year for approval. e. Only those persons who are in agreement with the Purpose (Article 2); Mission (Article 2); Statement of Faith (Article 3); Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Article 4); Statement of Sanctity of Life (Article 5); Theological Stance (Article 6); Philosophy (Article 8); and all Basic Goals and Objectives (Article 7) of Lexington Christian Academy stated in these By Laws may serve as a voting member on a committee. f. Committees shall be responsible for recommendations to the Board for their specific areas of concern, while emphasizing the goal of glorifying Christ in all such areas. g. Education Committee. The responsibilities of the Education Committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding curriculum, textbooks, accreditation, technology, fine arts programs, including, without limit, eligibility for participation in fine arts programs, and other academic and spiritual programs of the school.
ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding curriculum, textbooks, accreditation and other academic programs. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy h. Personnel Committee. The responsibilities of this committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding all personnel matters, including salaries, benefits, contracts, discipline, continuing education, and evaluations and matters relating to student admissions, discipline, and student handbooks. The Personnel Committee shall conduct interviews of all persons being considered for school administration and faculty and shall be responsible for making hiring recommendations to the Board for such positions. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding personnel matters and matters relating to student admissions, discipline and student handbooks. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy i. Finance Committee. The responsibilities of this committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding all school financial matters, including, without limit, the tuition assistance program, and all school legal matters. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding financial matters and legal matters. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy j. Athletics Committee. The responsibilities of this committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding all school athletic programs, including, without limit, eligibility for participation in athletic programs. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding school athletic programs.
iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy k. Facilities Committee. The responsibilities of this committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding facility usage and current and long-term facility needs. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding facility usage and current and long-term facility needs. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy l. Student Life Committee. The responsibilities of the Student Life Committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding nonacademic extracurricular activities and spiritual life and activity of the school. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding non-academic extracurricular activities and spiritual life and activity. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy M. Long Range Planning Committee. The responsibilities of the Long Range Planning committee shall be: i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding the long range and strategic planning activities of the school, as well as to monitor the progress and status of the strategic plan. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding long range planning. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy N. Advancement Committee. The responsibilities of the Advancement Committee shall be:
i. To recommend policies and actions to the Board regarding fundraising, capital campaigns, public relations, and other areas that would strengthen, sustain and support the mission and vision of the school. ii. To evaluate compliance by the administration of the school with the policies of the Board regarding fund-raising, capital campaigns, and public relations. iii. To perform such actions as may be directed to it by the Board in policy ARTICLE 11 CONFLICT OF INTEREST It is understood that members of the Board are necessary in the operation of Lexington Christian Academy and give of their time to benefit the community. Directors have varied interests and backgrounds, and a situation may develop in rendering services that might be interpreted as a conflict of interest. The service of a Director should not be rendered impossible solely by reason of possible conflict of interest; nevertheless, there has to be loyalty and fidelity to the school. In governing the affairs of the school, Directors must be accountable to God in honestly and economically exercising their best care, skill and judgment for the benefit of the school. The following shall apply: 1. Any possible conflict of interest on the part of any Board Director shall be disclosed to the other members of the Board and made a matter of record. 2. Any Board Director having a possible conflict of interest on any specific matter shall not vote or use his/her personal influence on that matter. The minutes of the meeting shall reflect that a disclosure was made, and the abstention from voting observed. 3. The foregoing requirements shall not be construed as preventing the Board Director from briefly stating his position in the matter or from answering pertinent questions from the other Board members since his knowledge may be of assistance. ARTICLE 12 FISCAL YEAR/SCHOOL YEAR The fiscal year of Lexington Christian Academy shall begin on June 1 and end on May 31 of each year. For purposes of these Bylaws and not for school calendar purposes, each "School Year" shall commence August 1 st and end July 31 st, unless otherwise stated in these By Laws. ARTICLE 13 STUDENTS
1. Enrollment shall be open to students of every race, color, or national origin. a. Lexington Christian Academy shall admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. b. Lexington Christian Academy shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. 2. Lexington Christian Academy, in fairness to the children involved, shall not admit (or shall not retain upon discovery) any child for whatever reason, whether mental, physical, or emotional, that the school is not properly equipped or staffed to teach. 3. Enrollment shall be open to all students who have at least one parent who desires to have his/her child become a Christian and who is a professed follower of Christ adhering to the basic precepts of historic, orthodox Christianity made visible by active membership in a local church. At least one parent shall sign the Statement of Faith of Lexington Christian Academy. The Board may also establish other admission criteria concerning academics, discipline, priorities of admission, fiscal matters and parental commitments. ARTICLE 14 STAFF 1. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall be professing Christians whose lives attest to that profession. 2. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall adhere to the basic precepts of historic, orthodox Christianity made visible by active membership in a local church. 3. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall sign a statement acknowledging their support of the Purpose (Article 2); Mission (Article 2); Statement of Faith (Article 3); Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Article 4); Statement of Sanctity of Life (Article 5); Theological Stance (Article 6); Philosophy (Article 8); and all Basic Goals and Objectives (Article 7) of Lexington Christian Academy stated in these By Laws 4. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall endeavor to live according to the Christian standards set forth in the Holy Scriptures, to support the purposes and the declarations of faith established by the school, to teach the prescribed Bible curriculum, and to cooperate in the creation of a Christian environment.
5. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall refrain in the school from advocating a doctrine of any specific denomination for whatever reason unless such matter is addressed directly in the Statement of Faith. 6. All employees of Lexington Christian Academy shall refrain from insubordination. 7. The Board of Lexington Christian Academy, upon recommendation of the administration and/or the Board itself, may terminate an employee for unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or for any other reasons, all at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors; employment being only at the will of the Board of Lexington Christian Academy. ARTICLE 15 PARLIAMENTARY GUIDE Robert's Rules of Order shall be consulted as a guide to govern the Board in its business procedures. ARTICLE 16 AMENDMENTS Except as provided below, every provision of these Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of no less than 2/3 of the members of the Board whether or not present at a meeting, provided that previous notice has been given to all Board members of the meeting and the proposed change in the Bylaws. Notwithstanding the preceding, the Purpose/Mission Statement (Article 2); Statement of Faith (Article 3); Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Article 4); Statement of Sanctity of Life (Article 5); Theological Stance (Article 6); and Amendments (Article 16) as set out in these Bylaws may only be amended by a unanimous vote of all members of the Board, provided that previous notice has been given to all Board members of the meeting and the proposed change in the Bylaws.