2009

Constitut ion
Faith Discovery Church
Constitution and Bylaws

Faith Discovery Church 11/01/2009

CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE We acknowledge the following constitution and bylaws as guidelines for corporate operation while prescribing final instructions in all matters to the authoritative Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Elders. ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of the organization shall be FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH, hereinafter called the Church. It shall ever be a free selfgoverning congregation. The address of the principal Church office is 801 West Oregon Street, Polo, Il. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Church shall be to encourage individual growth and development as disciples in Christ Jesus and to glorify God through worship, fellowship, service, and evangelism thereby influencing others to salvation in Christ. ARTICLE 3. STATEMENT OF FAITH

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. (I John 4:9) The Son of Man was delivered into the hands of sinful men, crucified and on the third day was raised to life again. (Luke 24:7) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. (I Peter 3:18) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Jesus' name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything He had said to you. (John 14:26) It is written: "Be holy, because I am Holy". (I Peter 1:16) Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am". (John 14:3) That Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". (Matthew 28:19)

ARTICLE 4.

OUR MISSION

We will glorify God in our daily lives as we are inspired by the Holy Spirit and instructed by the authoritative Word of God. We will love one another as we build relationships just as Christ loves us. We will share Christs love and His message with our neighbors near and far. ARTICLE 5. MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership is open to any person who has realized his/her sin condition, has repented of this sin condition, and by Gods grace has accepted Jesus Christ as personal savior by faith and then in obedience has followed Christ in believers baptism by immersion in water. B. Anyone who has complied with the above and desires to obtain membership may attest to this by their personal statement or by letter from another Church. C. By accepting this membership, the member subscribes to the constitution and Bylaws of this Church and vows to be active in the Church. ARTICLE 6. OFFICERS

The officers of the Church are the Elders (including pastors), Deacons (Trustees), Deaconesses, Church Clerk, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. Their number, selection, terms of offices and duties may be added or reduced as needed. These officers shall be the governing Church Board, hereinafter called the Church Board, over all affairs and operates under the supervision and authority of the Elder Board.

ARTICLE 7.

MEETINGS

Regular weekly worship services shall be held consisting of praise, prayer, teaching the Word and fellowship. ARTICLE 8. FINANCES

The financial support of the Church shall come from freewill and voluntary offerings of its members and friends. These offerings and tithes are based on scriptural teaching. Memorial gifts will be recognized in some form but placed only in the general fund. ARTICLE 9. ORGANIZATIONS

All organizations of the Church shall be under the supervision and authority of the Board of Elders. An Elder may attend any of these meetings at any time. Organizations will be added or deleted as necessary for Church operation and the health of the body by action of the Church Board. ARTICLE 10. DISCIPLINE

Members may be disciplined according to the method outlined in the New Testament and Article 1. of the Bylaws. ARTICLE 11. OUTSIDE COUNCIL

The Elder Board may decide to seek outside advice or council at any time to advise them on problems or for other concerns deemed necessary by the Elder Board. This information is not necessarily binding to the Church. ARTICLE 12. DISSOLUTION

. Should the question of dissolution become necessary, a special meeting may be called by the Church Board and announced for the two Sundays previous to the meeting. A 75% vote of members present in favor of dissolution is required. The Church Board may decide as to the disposal of the property and finances. assets and they shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) 5

of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principle office of the Church is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes. ARTICLE 13 AMEDNDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

A. This Constitution or Bylaws may be changed or amended at any annual business meeting or at any special business meeting called for that purpose. In both cases, notice of proposed changes must be made and read in Sunday services at least two weeks before the meeting at which action is taken. B. The required vote for changes or amendments shall be seventy-five percent (75%) affirmative vote of active members present and voting, except that changes to Articles III Statement of Faith and IV Our Mission, requires a ninety percent (90%) affirmative vote.

BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1. DISCIPLINE

Discipline is always done in love with relationship restoration as the goal: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19 Members may be disciplined according to the method outlined in the New Testament: If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15, 16, 17 Reference: 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 2 Cor. 2:5-8, 2 Thes. 3:14-15, Titus 3:10 6

ARTICLE 2. MEMBERSHIP (See Article 5 of the Constitution.) A. Active/voting. In order to make proposals or cast a vote the member must be 18 years of age and active within the last 12 months (minimum of attending worship service at least once). B. Absentee membership. Members who have not been active or attended a service for over a year will be contacted by letter to encourage the member to become active either at Faith Discovery Church or another like-minded Church. The member may decide to be an absentee member with no voting privilege and will be contacted annually for encouragement and to verify the absentee member status. If, after contact, membership withdrawal is determined to be necessary, this action will be taken by the Church Board. ARTICLE 3. PASTOR A. Qualifications. The Pastor shall be a man of good character and reputation seeking to fulfill the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. B. Duties. The Pastor shall have the spiritual oversight of the congregation. He is to perform the various duties incumbent upon his office as shepherd/overseer. He is a member of the Elder Board and the Church Board, with shared responsibilities to develop plans for the ministries of the Church and the implementation of the ministries plans. He shall have the general supervision of all other staff members, and all departments and organizations of the Church. C. Calling a Pastor. A search committee shall be appointed by the Church Board to consider potential candidate. The search committee shall carefully research and prayerfully consider available candidates, including a criminal background investigation. The committee shall select a man who subscribes to the Churchs Statement of Faith without any 7

reservation and it shall recommend the candidate to the Church for consideration. A seventy-five percent (75%) majority affirmative vote of members in attendance at a business meeting is required to issue a call, provided the recommendation has been announced the two consecutive Sundays prior to the business meeting. The calling of a pastor shall be indefinite in duration. Upon acceptance of the call, all financial arrangements, including moving expenses, salary, etc. will be recommended to the Church Board by the search committee. D. Pastor Absences A pastor shall be entitled to reasonable time for vacations, conventions, continuing education, illness, etc. The details will be decided by the Church Board. Regular salary will be paid during such times and the Church will provide for any replacement personnel required. E. Termination A pastor wishing to leave his position shall give three months notice. A request from a pastor for an earlier release or a dismissal action from the Church can be approved by a simple majority, fifty-one percent (51%), affirmative vote of the active members present at a business meeting. ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS

As stated in Article 6 of the Constitution, officers of the Church are Pastor(s), Elders, Deacons (Trustees selected from Deacons), Deaconesses, Church Secretary, Church Clerk, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall be the governing Church Board, hereinafter called the Church Board, over all affairs and operates under the supervision and authority of the Elder Board. All Church officers shall be of good character and reputation seeking to fulfill the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. A. The office of Chairman of the Church Board and Chairman of the Elder Board may be filled by the Senior Pastor unless he chooses not or by action of the Elder Board which then would 8

B.

select among themselves The Church Board shall. select from itself, the offices of Vice Chairman, and Secretary and any other necessary officers at the first regular meeting of the Board after the annual election The Church Board will manage all phases of the Church finances, develop plans for the ministries of the Church, and be responsible for the implementation of the ministry plans. The Church Board shall strive to have meetings at regularly scheduled times determined by themselves. The Church Board may appoint committees (teams) and chairpersons (leaders) as deemed necessary. Committee(team) members may be appointed from the general congregation. The Church Board may set forth Ministry Team Policies as needed outlining the types, purposes, membership and organization of the Teams or Committees. The Church Board may also develop standing Policy Statements to provide structure to carry out ministry goals and serve as guidelines for ministry and property use as deemed necessary.. Special meetings of the Church Board may be called at the request of 3 or more of the Board members, provided all members of the Board are notified. Meetings are to be called by the Church Board Chairman. Elders 1. Selection. The Elders (excluding the pastor[s]) are men called from the membership by the Elder Board and are approved yearly by the Church Board. By position, the Pastor(s) is also a member of the Elder Board. The number of Elders on the active Elder Board may expand or shrink but the appointment will be a lifetime call. 2. Duties. The Church Board and all organizations of the Church shall be under the supervision and authority of the Board of Elders. Deacons and Deaconesses 1. Selection . Four Deacons and two Deaconesses will be chosen from membership. The Church Board will submit candidates for Deacons and Deaconesses to the members each year for voter approval at the Annual Meeting. Candidates must be 21 years of 9

C.

D. E.

F.

G.

H.

age and a member of the Church. These officers are elected annually to a one year term and are eligible for unlimited consecutive terms. 2. Duties. The Deacons and Deaconesses will strive to serve as needed as requested by the Pastor(s), the Elders, and the Board, and have a servants heart for the congregation. The Deacons will also serve as Trustees of the Corporation. I. Trustees 1. Selection. The Deacons shall serve as the Trustees of the Corporation. 2. Duties. Trustees are required by law to be responsible for the property owned by the Church. Church Clerk 1. Selection. The Church Board will submit candidates for Church Clerk to the members each year for voter approval at the Annual Meeting. Candidates must be 21 years of age and a member of the Church. This officer is elected annually to a one year term and is eligible for unlimited consecutive terms. 2. Duties. The Church Clerk shall record the minutes of all Church business meetings acting as secretary of the corporation. Also, The Church Clerk will keep a current roll of the membership, issue letters of membership, conduct the official correspondence of the Church, and preserve all important documents and letters. Church Treasurer 1. Selection. The Church Board will submit candidates for Church Treasurer to the members each year for voter approval at the Annual Meeting. Candidates must be 21 years of age and a member of the Church. This officer is elected annually to a one year term and is eligible for unlimited consecutive terms. 2. Duties. The Treasurer shall count and deposit all funds received by the Church and pay all amounts authorized by the Church in the annual budget or by specified separate action . He/she shall keep accurate records of all accounts and present quarterly summaries to the Church at Quarterly Meetings and monthly summaries to the Church Board. 10

J.

K.

L.

M.

Financial Secretary 1. Selection. The Church Board will submit candidates for Financial Secretary to the members each year for voter approval at the Annual Meeting. Candidates must be 21 years of age and a member of the Church. This officer is elected annually to a one year term and is eligible for unlimited consecutive terms. 2. Duties. The Financial Secretary shall count all funds received by the Church and keep accurate private records of giving and be responsible for the private reporting of individual tithes and offerings annually. Church Board members may serve in the roll of Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, or Financial Secretary at the request of that particular officer or to temporarily fill an absence. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

ARTICLE 5.

A. Regular Business Meetings. Four regular Church meetings shall be held each year on a quarterly basis. 1. Annual Business Meeting The Annual Business Meeting shall take place in January to receive annual reports for the previous year to approve candidates and plans for the coming year. 2. Quarterly Business Meetings Three quarterly business meetings shall be held annually in April, July, and October to receive quarterly Treasurers reports and conduct other necessary business. B. Special Business Meetings Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor or Church Board Chairman, with the concurrence of the majority of the Church Board, or at the written request of ten (10) active members. Written notice of the meeting stating its purpose must be been made available in writing to the membership at east two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. Only business directly related to the stated purpose will be considered at the meeting. C. Immediate Business Meetings Brief business meetings may be called unannounced during any regular Church service to welcome new members or grant letters of dismissal. 11

D. Business Meeting Procedure 1. The fiscal year of the Church shall be January 1 to December 31. An annual audit of the financial records shall be conducted either by a Certified Public Accountant or by two (2) members appointed by the Church Board. 2. A quorum of at least ten percent (10%) of the active voting membership must be present to transact normal business. The quorum for calling or dismissing a pastor or for amending the Constitution or the Bylaws is twenty-five percent (25%) of the active voting membership. 3. All active members over eighteen (18) years of age are eligible to vote. 4. A simple majority, fifty-one percent (51%), affirmative vote of the active members present and voting shall decide any question, except as specifically indicated otherwise in these Bylaws 5. The use of written ballots shall be customary on all matters requiring more than a simple majority, in cases of Church discipline, and when there is more than one nominee for an elective office. 6. The conduct of business shall be in accordance with the biblical admonition to give preference to one another in love Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10). C. Prohibited conduct No part of the net earnings of the Church shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Constitution. No substantial part of the activities of the Church shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Church shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a 12

corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended or replaced at any regular or special business meeting of the Church, provided the proposed amendment(s) or replacement has been made available in writing to the membership at east two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. A simple majority, fifty-one percent (51%), affirmative vote of active members present and voting is required to adopt amendments or replacement.

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