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BY-LAWS
OF
LAKEVIEW BIBLE CHURCH
NAMPA, IDAHO
THE FOLLOWING BY-LAWS duly adopted by the congregation as the further communication of operating structure and procedures consistent with and secondary to the Constitution.
Article1–Vision & Core Values
Section 1– Vision Statement
a. We envision our church family being equipped, trained, and involved in sharing Jesus
with others. (Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 3:15)
b. We envision a membership involved in well-established, biblically based curriculum and discipleship ministries. (John 17:17, Matthew 28:19)
c. We envision the majority of the congregation participating in small groups to help achieve Christian community, accountability, and outreach.
d. We envision our congregation being actively involved in local and worldwide missions. (Acts 1:8)
Section 2 – Core Values Statement
a. We acknowledge God is a Sovereign God and all creation comes under His authority. (Psalms 103:19; Ephesians 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 8:6)
b. We believe in a Triune God, and it is only through Jesus Christ that we can have a relationship with God. (John 1:1, 1:14; Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
c. We believe a devoted relationship with Jesus Christ is maintained through the study of the Bible, prayerful life and fellowship with other believers. (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1)
d. The Great commission inspires us in our actions to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
e. God's Word is our final authority in all matters (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Article2–Membership
Section 1 – Service by Membership
a. Members as gifted and qualified may hold position(s) in the church as affirmed by leadership and the congregation as applicable.
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b. Active Members are eligible and should vote for church leaders, officers and all other church matters determined by vote of the members of the congregation.
Section 2 – Responsibilities of Membership
Knowing each member is growing in their walk in Christ, each member is responsible to:
a. Live in all areas of life as a disciple of Christ.
b. Live, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, a life of consecration and obedience to God, separate from the sinful nature and practices of the world.
c. Attend and participate in the services and ministries of the church.
d. Support the work of the church’s ministries with their time, talent, and treasure.
e. Nurture and exercise their talents and spiritual gifts for the building up of the congregation and the ministry of the church body.
f. Give, as well as receive, counsel from fellow members and leadership about the spiritual, organizational, and operational well-being of the congregation.
g. Protect the unity of the congregation, body of Christ, and promote love and forgiveness.
Section 3 – Inactive Membership
As determined by elders, any member may be considered inactive and ineligible to hold office, or vote who has not actively participated in the Responsibilities listed in Section 2. The change of status from inactive to active is at the discretion of the elders. Any person who has been on inactive membership status for a period of at least twelve months may be removed from the membership roll.
Section 4 – Church Discipline of Members
Church discipline is for the restoration of a member to fellowship. Church discipline, then, should be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed. Any member consistently neglectful of their walk in Christ or involved in conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be dishonored, and so opposing the well-being of the congregation and body of Christ, may be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church. Admonition by the elders or congregation may include suspension from communion, suspension from office, and if necessary, suspension from membership. Every effort is to be made to restore the person to full fellowship. (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1a; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
Section 5 – Termination of Membership
a. Termination of membership shall be recognized by the church leadership following the voluntary resignation of any church member, written request of transfer to the elder board or upon the death of a member.
b. Membership may be terminated for inactive members as described in Article 2, Section 3.
c. Membership may be terminated for unrepentant members who through church discipline are not restored to full fellowship as described in Article 2, Section 4.
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Section 6 – Property Rights of Membership
No member shall have any individual interest, ownership or right to any property or asset owned or managed by the church. Each member shall promote the stewardship, maintenance, and upkeep of all church property. Any gift either cash or property given to the church and accepted by the church shall be church property with no right of recourse.
Article 3–Organizational Structure
Section 1 – Leadership
A. Board of Elders. The Board of Elders shall oversee the direction of the ministries of the church (Ephesians 4:7-16; I Peter 5:1-7). The elders shall annually select and affirm the Chairman. The Chairman shall moderate all meetings of the elders, the congregation and fill other duties as provided for in the Constitution or these By-Laws. In the Chairman’s absence, the remaining board members shall appoint a temporary Chairman, if needed.
B. Additional Officers. The church shall elect the following:
1. Secretary. The Secretary shall serve as an officer of the corporation. The Secretary or their designee shall record the actions taken at all regular and special members’ meetings of the church, to preserve an accurate roll of the membership, and to perform such other related duties as requested by the Board of Elders.
2. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall serve as an officer of the corporation. The Treasurer shall ensure that all funds and securities of the church are properly secured in such banks, financial institutions, or depositories as appropriate; account for all receipted funds and paid expenditures as appropriate and issue the financial records of the church, all in accordance with the Church Operations Manual.
C. Pastoral Staff.
1. Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor shall oversee and coordinate the ministries of the pastoral staff in mutual direction with the Board of Elders. The Pastor shall be the primary leader of worship services, teaching and preaching of the Bible, prayer, and the care of the congregation.
2. Associate Pastors. Associate pastors shall oversee and be actively involved in their respective specific area of ministry and any other tasks assigned by the Senior Pastor or Board of Elders.
3. Administration Staff. Administration staff shall be responsible for specific areas of work assigned and report to the Senior Pastor or Associate Pastor as approved by the Board of Elders.
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D. Non Pastoral Staff. Non Pastoral staff employed by the church shall report to the designated Elder, Officer, or Pastoral Staff member or ministry leader as established by the Board of Elders.
E. Deacons/Deaconesses. The Board of Elders may appoint Deacons and Deaconesses as deemed appropriate to oversee, serve, or teach various ministries or needs of the church. Deacon and Deaconesses shall be members of the church.
F
. Standing Committees & Councils. Committees and councils may be set up and organized under the direction of the Board of Elders. The congregation at an annual or special meeting may also request or appoint a standing committee or council. Any committee or council should have guidelines of organization, purpose and responsibility outlined with the outline placed in the Church Operation Manual.
Section 2 – Leadership Selection and Termination
A. Elders. In order to accomplish their duties, the elders must be men who are above reproach in relation to the qualities of maturity given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. New elders shall be nominated by the congregation after a period of prayer. The Board of Elders shall review the nominated candidates. After a period of prayer and deliberation the Board of Elders shall submit the recommended nominee(s), from the list of nominated candidates, to the congregation for a vote of affirmation.
B. Pastors. Pastors shall be men based on the same qualifications of Elder, trained in the specific area of ministry, selected based on role and responsibility, in conjunction with the guidelines provided by the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, with exceptions provided for as determined by the Board of Elders and affirmed by the congregation.
When needed, the Board of Elders may propose to the congregation to add pastoral staff. They are not required, but may appoint a search committee for the purpose of conducting interviews, selecting a candidate and present the candidate to the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders, by unanimous consent, shall present one candidate to the congregation to meet, interview, and affirm. The congregation shall be given two weeks notice of a vote and affirmation shall be by at least seventy five percent of the members voting. If needed, additional guidelines for this process may be provided for in the Church Operations Manual.
C. Secretary & Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be members in good standing (Article 2 Section 2), be recommended by the Board of Elders, and affirmed by the congregation. The Secretary and Treasurer are not elders by position; however, an elder may serve in the position of Secretary or Treasurer.
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D. Deacons/Deaconesses. Any appointment will take into consideration a person’s gifting and qualification for the assignment in light of 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Titus 1:10-16, 2:1-10, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 along with the scope of these By-laws and/or Church Operations Manual.
E. Appointed Committees and Councils. Members or non members appointed to any new or existing committee or council shall be approved by the Board of Elders or congregation as may be applicable. Qualifications for serving on any committee or council shall be established and made known at the time of formation and purpose established for each respective committee or council.
F. Term of Service.
1. Pastoral terms of service shall follow the guidelines as outlined in the FEC Manual of Faith, Practice & Organization. In general with the referenced Manual, the Board of Elders shall with congregational affirmation, establish the term for each Pastor at the time of call/hiring. An affirmation vote of continued service and new term by the congregation shall take place at least three months prior to the expiration of the respective Pastor’s end of term. The Board of Elders shall perform an evaluation of the respective pastor at least six months prior to the vote and also provide a recommendation to the congregation both for affirmation and as applicable the renewal term.
2. The term of Elder shall be for a three year term unless ended by either the individual or the church. An individual may be considered for succeeding terms. Terms shall be on a staggered basis so no more than one third of the members are replaced in any given year.
3. The term of Secretary and Treasurer shall be for two years unless ended by either the individual or the church. An individual may be considered for succeeding terms. Such consideration requires affirmation by the congregation.
4. The term of Deacon and Deaconesses shall be for one year unless ended by either the individual or the church. An individual may be considered for succeeding terms.
G. Removal/Replacement.
1. Removal of an Elder or Officer shall be per item 2 below as applicable. A vacancy of an Elder or Officer shall be filled following the standard selection format of Article 3, Section 2A or 2B respectively, but the actual affirmation will not need to wait until the regularly scheduled annual time.
2. The termination of a pastor for reasons other than misconduct shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board of Elders to present to the congregation, and upon two week notice of special meeting, the congregation shall meet and vote upon the request or recommendation. A two-thirds majority vote shall be necessary for dismissal. Confirmed misconduct of a Pastor shall be reviewed and handled per Article 2, Section 4. If the Board of Elders determines for the well-being of the Pastor and/or the congregation the Pastor should resign, the Board of Elders may request the Pastors resignation. If the Pastor does not resign, the matter shall be placed before the congregation upon two weeks notice and a vote of simple
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majority shall be required to terminate the Pastor. The hire of a new Pastor shall be per Article 3, Section 2B.
3. The termination of administrative staff or non-pastoral staff shall be by consent of the Board of Elders and handled as the situation or circumstance warrants. The Board of Elders may hire an individual meeting the qualifications respective to the position.
4. Removal of an individual from an appointed position shall be per the discretion of the Board of Elders. If applicable, guidance from Article 2, Section 4 should be used in the removal process. The Board of Elders may appoint an individual meeting the qualifications respective to the appointment to fill any non-elder vacancy.
Article 4 –Operations
Section 1 - Congregational Meetings
A. Annual Meeting. The church shall meet annually to review the budget, affirm elder nominations, officer nominations, and other general business that may be before the congregation. Meeting time and date shall be published at least two weeks prior to the meeting and for the purpose of votes taken may be held as two separate meetings provided notice is given for both meetings.
B. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the congregation may be called with at least two weeks notice of the time, date, and purpose of the meeting.
C. Board, Council and Committees Meetings. Meeting frequencies shall be as prescribed hereinbefore or as specified in the Church Operations Manual.
D. Affirmation or Approvals. The approval of actions shall be by vote as specified or simple majority when not specified. Board and committees may be by consensus or acknowledged affirmation without formalized votes.
Section 2 – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be January 1- December 31.
Section 3 – Church Operations Manual
Administrative policies and procedures, committee assignments and tasks, and other general guidelines may be described in the Church Operations Manual which shall be developed and maintained by the Board of Elders. This Manual shall be kept in the church office and available to anyone to read and review. A copy shall be given to appropriate ministry leaders.
Section 4 – Ordination & Licensing
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Ordination and licensing will be per FEC guidelines and ordination procedures as established in the Manual of Faith, Practice and Organization.
Article5–Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership either by presence or proxy voting at a duly called and published congregational meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing, and shall have been announced two weeks prior to such a vote. The revised version and any subsequent amendments of these By-Laws shall be made available to all church members by the Secretary.