The ByLaws of Wakarusa Missionary Church Revised: 12-07-2008 Changes Editorial Changes approved 4/1/13 Editorial Changes approved 6/16/2014 1
CHURCH BYLAWS WAKARUSA MISSIONARY CHURCH Wakarusa, Indiana ARTICLE I - NAME Name This church shall be known as the Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, Indiana. ARTICLE II - DENOMINATION Denomination This church is a member church of the Missionary Church, Inc., denomination, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as such, shares the privileges, benefits and responsibilities of that affiliation. This church is a member church of the Missionary Church North Central District Inc., in Elkhart, Indiana. ARTICLE III - STATEMENT OF FAITH Statement Of Faith A complete statement of faith entitled Articles of Faith and Practice is available in booklet form, or in the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc. It is available upon request. ARTICLE IV - PURPOSE AND MISSION STATEMENT Purpose Statement Our purpose is to fulfill the Great Commission found in Matt. 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Mission Statement Our mission is to... Seek His Heart, Teach His Life, & Reach With His Love ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP Updated: June 14, 2006 2
Purpose Qualifications Admission Process Conduct To recognize a (to) commitment to the cause of Christ and to Wakarusa Missionary Church publicly, to be servant leaders to this body of believers, and to engage in accountable, healthy, mentoring relationships that allow each member to seek His heart, teach His life, and reach with His love. Any person who confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and has been or demonstrates a willingness to be baptized, and who has read our articles of faith and practice and are in harmony with those principles, and who accepts the Constitution of the Missionary Church and Bylaws of Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, Indiana, and who is willing to support this Church in attendance, prayer, finances, and use of ones gifts, may become a member of this Church after successfully completing the New Members Admission process. Admission to membership in this church shall be as follows: A. Application for membership shall be made to the Senior Pastor or designee. B. Applicants shall complete the Membership Class. C. Prior to membership acceptance, applicants must agree to abide by the Membership Covenant as presented in the Membership Class. D. As a condition of membership, applicants must agree to Baptism (if not already baptized) as a testimony of salvation (see Constitution, Missionary Church, Inc. C. Membership: I.a). Conduct of members shall be as follows: A. Members of this Church shall strive to conduct themselves in such a manner that their ambitions and actions are in accordance with Christ's teaching and historic biblical principles. B. Members of this Church should give evidence of their Christian life as contained in the Missionary Church Articles of Faith and Practice, B. 1-11 and the Constitution of the Missionary Church Position Papers. C. Members of WMC are expected to be active in accordance with the membership covenant. Discipline Membership at WMC involves not just the right to vote on church matters, but is a commitment to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the world and to be accountable to each other for our actions. As such, there may arise instances where discipline is necessary and biblical. 3
A. Members who violate the Missionary Church Articles of Faith and Practice in such a way as to bring discredit to the cause of Christ or this local Church, will be ministered to according to the Process of Discipline in the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Article XIII- Local Church C. 3 and according to the principles outlined in Matthew 18. B. Members failing to share in the fellowship and/or unwilling to abide by the covenant of membership of this church for a period of one year without just cause, after due personal counsel, shall forfeit their membership. Notice of withdrawal and the reason for the withdrawal may be provided to all church members at the discretion of the Elder Board. EXCEPTIONS: Special consideration and arrangements for extension of membership terms will be considered and allowed at the discretion of the Elder Board, examples being overseas or out of the area missionaries, shut-ins, or nursing home residents. C. Any person who forfeits their membership may be restored to membership upon evidence of repentance and upon recommendation of the Senior Pastor. Membership will be restored by the affirmative vote of the Elder Board. ARTICLE VI - GOVERNMENT Government The Government of this Church is ultimately vested first in God, then in its membership, and its Senior Pastor and the Elder Board and is administrated by these groups along with the Staff, Ministry Council, and Ministry Teams. Article VII Board of Elders Section One: Definition The Elders are men who are members of Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, IN. They function within the local church but are not members of the pastoral staff. They are men who meet the biblical qualifications for eldership and function in that calling, but derive their income from sources other than the church (Acts 14:23; 20:17-28; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1, 1Timothy 3:13-18). They are men of integrity who are in agreement with the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc. and Doctrinal Position Papers. The Senior Pastor, in partnership with the Board of Elders, shall determine the number of Elders. This number shall be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 members. The Senior Pastor will also be a member of this team with voting rights. 4
Section Two: Spiritual Roles The Elders are to covenant together with the Congregation and the Senior Pastor to develop the spiritual life, preserve the integrity, and to protect the doctrine of the church. These men and their spouses are to be the primary encouragers and protectors of a positive spiritual climate within the church body. Members of the Elder Board must affirm the functions held forth below in a signed Elder Covenant that must be renewed yearly for each member while an Elder. Section Three: Functions The functions of the Elders are to: 1. Maintain and teach by living a godly, Christian life-style in alignment with Missionary Church beliefs and doctrinal positions. 2. Provide a prayer shield for the pastoral team and the local church. 3. Defend, protect, and support the integrity of the pastoral team and the local church. 4. Pray for the sick. 5. Annually determine an elder to serve as Chairman of the Board of Elders to preside over all meetings of the Board of Elders and determine an elder to serve on the Finance (Ministry) Team. 6. Support the vision and direction of the pastoral team. 7. Provide oversight to standing committees, according to Biblical principles. 8. Mediate disputes among the brethren when asked by the Senior Pastor. 9. Counsel individual members of the congregation when asked. 10. Review the proposed annual budget before it is presented for approval at the annual membership meeting. 11. Confirm or reject church membership recommendations made by the Senior Pastor. 12. Provide financial counsel to the Senior Pastor. 13. Serve as an accountability team for the Senior Pastor. 14. Evaluate the pastor s performance at least annually, along with themselves and each area of ministry at WMC. 15. Serve on church teams and advisory councils as needed and determined by the Senior Pastor. 16. Approve or reject recommendations from the Senior Pastor, acting under the guidance and/or direction from the Missionary Church, Inc. and the Missionary Church North Central District, for any changes or revisions to the church s Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Doctrinal Positions. 17. Mentor and disciple individual members to be future elders. 18. Conduct other duties as designated by the Senior Pastor. Section Four: Biblical Qualifications for Eldership An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and 5
disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God s work, he must be blameless not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, and who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:6-9). In addition, the spouse of a paid employee of WMC may not serve as an elder. Section Five: Nomination and Appointment to the Board of Elders Annually the Board of Elders will nominate elder candidates (Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5). At least 1 month prior to the annual meeting, members of WMC shall be given an opportunity to recommend Elder candidates in writing to the Board of Elders. Together the presiding Board of Elders will reach unanimous agreement of a slate of elder candidates to be presented to the church membership at the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, the church members present will vote to confirm each individual nominated for eldership. A two-thirds majority vote of those members present will be necessary for confirmation of each candidate. Section Six: Elder Terms of Service Elders, exclusive of the Senior Pastor, will fulfill a three-year term of service. Elders may serve more then one term. However, they may not serve as an elder for more than two (2) consecutive three-year terms without at least one year intervening before being nominated and elected to serve again. The Chairman of the Elder Board will be chosen by the members of the Elder Board, and shall not be the Senior Pastor. Section Seven: Removal of an Elder Should anyone in the congregation, including a staff member or another Elder, bring accusation or complaint against an Elder, charging that he does not qualify for eldership, the accusation will be investigated by the Senior Pastor or designee. Efforts will be made, by the Senior Pastor or designee, to resolve the issue between the Elder and the accuser. Should the issue not get resolved, the Senior Pastor or designee may refer the complaint to a panel made up of the pastoral staff and the Board of Elders (excluding the elder being accused). Then in a paper ballot, if the majority of the group agrees that the Elder does not meet the qualifications of eldership, that Elder may no longer serve on the Board of Elders. Section Eight: Replacement of Elders Elders will be replaced mid-term as needed following procedures written in Section Five. A special meeting of the church membership may be called for the purpose of confirming an elder under such circumstances. 6
Article VIII - Standing Teams and Ministry Council Wakarusa Missionary Church shall (have at least six standing teams). The Senior Pastor or designee shall appoint members of the congregation to serve on each Standing Team. Membership on a Standing Team will be for a one-year term. Each Standing Team shall have a Team Leader. All Team Leaders must be members of the church. The Team Leader of each Standing Team shall be appointed by the Senior Pastor. Any member of a standing team may be removed from the standing team at any time after due process of discipline or evaluation from the Senior Pastor and the Elder Board. Membership on the Ministry Council will consist of the Team Leader from each standing team and any others as determined by the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor or designee will determine the frequency of and the agenda for all Ministry Council meetings. The purpose of the Ministry Council will be to share information from each Standing Team and to advise the Senior Pastor regarding recommendations to enhance ministries in each Standing Team. The setup and number of teams in place will be allowed to be amended by the Elder Board to allow each pastoral staff to function at their fullest. The current ten Standing Teams are as follows (Edited at Elders Meeting 6/16/2014): Care Team- responsible to provide leadership in developing family care and assimilation ministries - including the oversight of the benevolence ministry. Children s Team - responsible to provide leadership for Children s Ministry (0-6th grade). Discipleship Team - responsible to provide leadership for the educational & Fellowship ministry. Includes, but is not limited to, Adult SS, Electives, Small Groups, MOTTTS, Blast, Women, Men, Marriage & the church Library. Hospitality Team - will oversee any fellowship functions from carry in dinners to banquets to funeral dinners. Facility Team - responsible to provide leadership of all ministry areas dealing with the church campus. Finance Team- responsible to provide leadership of all ministry areas dealing with the financial business of the church. Missions & Outreach Team - responsible to provide leadership for the mission s & outreach of the church. Welcome Team - responsible to provide welcoming ministries. To include, Ushers, Greeters, & Welcome Center. Worship Ministry Team responsible for the worship design, planning, and environment. Youth Team responsible for the youth ministry (7-12 Grade) of the church. 7
ARTICLE IX Members Meetings Section I: Place Meetings of the members shall be held at the Church or at such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Senior Pastor or Board of Elders. Section II: Annual Membership Meeting A general meeting of the members shall be held in late November or early December of each year at such time as determined by the Board of Elders. This general meeting will be the annual membership meeting. The purpose of this meeting shall be to adopt an annual budget and to confirm the slate of Elders. Section III: Special Membership Meetings Special meetings may be called at any time by the Senior Pastor or Board of Elders for any purpose by giving notice to the members in accordance with Section IV of this article. Section IV: Notice Requirements for Membership and Special Meetings 1. General Requirements. Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, notice shall be given to members no less than two (2) weeks prior to a meeting. Notification of membership meetings shall be given in any of the following manners which shall be deemed to be a reasonable method of calling a membership meeting: a. Distribution of written material to the congregation in attendance at a weekend service. b. Announcement of the meeting in the Church newsletter. c. Oral announcement to the congregation at a weekend service; or d. Delivery by United States mail to each member identified on the membership role. e. Or a combination of any or all of the above as deemed appropriate. 2. Notice of Agenda Items. Agenda items may not be changed, added, or deleted from the original posted agenda unless unanimous approval by those members present at the meeting is determined. 3. Membership Meetings (Annual or Special) will be called, to take action on, but not limited to the following: a. Calling or removing the Senior Pastor. b. Adopting, amending or repealing Bylaws. c. Disposing of all or substantially all of the Church s assets. d. Adopting or amending a merger agreement. e. Approving the election to dissolve the Church. g. Approving the acquisition of real property and related indebtedness. h. Approving the Annual Budget i. Approving the slate of Elders j. Approving a replacement on the Board of Elders 8
Section V: Quorum Those members present and voting at a meeting duly noticed and called shall constitute a quorum of the membership for transaction of business. No provision shall be made for proxy or absentee voting. ARTICLE X - PASTOR Senior Pastor The pastor shall be chosen from the list of approved and available Missionary Church pastors and workers provided by the District Superintendent. At a special congregational meeting the Elder Board or the Pastoral Search Committee, exclusive of the pastor, shall bring to the congregation the name of a candidate it considers advisable. A sixty-six percent majority of the votes cast shall be required for a call. Senior Pastor Candidates The District Superintendent shall serve as chief liaison office in all negotiations between pastor and the church. The Elder Board, or its appointed search committee, shall be responsible to seek for a candidate for Senior Pastor. The Elder Board will interview candidates and make its recommendation to the congregation. The District Superintendent is always available for counsel. After a candidate has been selected, he shall be required to preach. One candidate will be considered by the membership at a time. Vote of Confidence Annually, but not later than January 15, the Elder Board and pastor shall consider pastor/church relationships. If either pastor or Board requests a pastoral vote of confidence, a vote shall be taken not later than February 10. The announcement of a meeting for a Pastoral vote shall be made at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The Ministry Council Secretary shall immediately notify the Pastor and the District Superintendent of the results of the vote. If the Pastor receives fifty percent or less of the vote cast, a desire for a change in Pastor will be indicated. If he receives less than sixty-six percent of the votes cast, the advisability of the Pastor remaining shall be determined by the District Superintendent, the Elder Board, and the Pastor in consultation. The final determination shall rest with the District Superintendent. Pastors shall normally move to their new charge during the months of June or July. ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION CLAUSE Dissolution Clause In the event of the dissolution of Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, Indiana, the assets of the church will become the property of the Missionary Church North Central District Inc. ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS 9
Amendments Amendments to the bylaws of this Church shall be proposed by or to the Elder Board. If presented to the Elder Board, it must be in writing, and by a member of the Church. These bylaws, or any part of them, may by two-thirds majority vote, be amended or repealed at any regular or special business meeting after being published two weeks prior to said meeting. The following definitions are provided to ensure clarity within the document: Board of Elders: The Elders are men who are members of Wakarusa Missionary Church. The Board of Elders is the Church Board. The Elders are the Legal Trustees of Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, Indiana. They function within the local church but are not members of the pastoral staff. They are men who meet the biblical qualifications for eldership and function in that calling, but derive their income from sources other than the church. They are men of integrity who are in agreement with the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc. and Doctrinal Position Papers. The Board of Elders, shall determine the number of Elders. This number shall be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 members. Congregation: Regular attenders of Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, Indiana Members: Those who have completed the Wakarusa Missionary Church Membership Class and have been approved for membership based on their application, and have entered into a written covenant relationship with WMC. These members will have voting rights within WMC. Ministry Council: The Ministry Council will be made up of the team leader of each standing committee, along with pastoral staff members and the Senior Pastor. The Ministry Council will meet regularly as determined by the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor or designee will preside over all Ministry Council meetings. Pastoral Staff: Pastors and Associate Pastors who are paid a wage by the church and are licensed by Missionary Church, Inc. Senior Pastor: is a member of the Board of Elders and the leader of the congregation of Wakarusa Missionary Church and is accountable to the Board of Elders. The Senior Pastor administers church operations and the approved annual church budget. Standing Teams: The church has several standing Teams. Members of standing teams are appointed by the Senior Pastor with delegated authority to undertake specific functions, responsibilities, and duties. (Standing teams are, but not limited to the following: a) Facility Ministry, b) Faith and Practice Ministry, c) Family Care Ministry, d) Finance Ministry, e) Foreign and Home Missions Ministry, and f) Fellowship and Worship Ministry.) The specific duty and charge of each standing team will be determined by the Senior Pastor and presented at the Annual Meeting. 10
THE WAKARUSA MISSIONARY MEMBERSHIP COVENANT Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with Wakarusa Missionary Church s statements, strategy and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Wakarusa Missionary church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH By acting in love toward other members By refusing to gossip and by resolving conflicts using Matthew 18:15-17 By following the leaders So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together. Rom. 15:19 (Ph) Live in complete harmony with each other each with the attitude of Christ toward each other. Rom 15:5 (LB) Have a sincere love for your fellow believers; love one another earnestly with all your hearts. 1 Peter 1:22 (GN) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs... Eph. 4:29 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you. Heb. 13:17 II. III. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH By praying for its growth By inviting the unchurched to attend By warmly welcoming those who visit To the church...we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly. 1 Thess. 1:2 Go out into the country...and urge anyone you find to come in, so that My House will be full. Luke 14:23 (LB) So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. Rom. 15:7 (LB) I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH By discovering my gifts and talents By being equipped to serve by my pastors By developing a servant s heart Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you... 1 Peter 4:10 (Ph) God gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God s people for works of ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up... Eph. 4:11-12 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ...who took on the very nature of a servant... Phil 2:3-4, 7 IV. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH By attending faithfully By giving regularly By living a growing and godly life Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...but let us encourage one another. Heb. 10:25 But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil. 1:27 (Ph) Each one of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering. 1 Cor. 16:2 A tenth of all you produce is the Lord s, and it is holy. Lev. 27:30 If in agreement please sign below as indicated and return a copy to the Church office. By: Date: 11
Wakarusa Missionary Church OUR COVENANT TOGETHER Having received Christ as My Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with Wakarusa s statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Wakarusa family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I will protect the unity of my church by acting in love toward other members, by refusing to gossip and by resolving conflicts using Matthew 18:15-17 and by following the leaders. I will share the responsibility of my church by praying for its growth, by inviting the un-churched to attend, and by warmly welcoming those who visit. I will serve the ministry of my church by discovering my gifts and talents, by being equipped to serve by my pastors, and by developing a servant s heart. I will support the testimony of my church by attending faithfully, by giving regularly, and by living a growing and godly life. 12