Constitution & Bylaws

Constitution of the Chapel Hill Bible Church

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the Church shall be “The Chapel Hill Bible Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.”

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the church shall be to glorify God by the building up of the Body of Christ through the ministry of the Word, exercising of spiritual gifts, personal godliness, and proclaiming the person and work of Christ at home and abroad.

ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH

A. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, to be the verbally inspired Word of God, written by men in God’s control, without error and infallible in the original manuscripts, and the final authority in faith and life (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-9).

B. THE GODHEAD: We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — these three being identical in essence, and possessing precisely the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).

C. THE CONDITION OF MAN: We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God in innocence and without sin, but that in Adam’s sin humanity fell, inherited a sinful nature, became spiritually dead and alienated from God. Man of himself is incapable of remedying his lost and depraved condition (Gen. 1:26, 2:1-24; Romans 3:10-18, 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3).

D. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. This redemption He accomplished by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgments against sin. After confirming that redemption by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him (John 1:1,2,14,18; Luke 1:34-35; Romans 3:24-26, 8:34).

E. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Person who convicts the world of sin, that He brings new life to those who are spiritually dead, that all believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit and thus placed into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ, that He indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and empowers them for service (John 16:7-11, 3:5-8; I Cor. 12:7-11,13; John 14:16-17; Eph. 4:30, 5:18; Acts 1:8).

F. SALVATION: We believe that salvation from the penalty of sin is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins — past, present, and future — and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:8-9; 1:7; John 1:12).

G. SECURITY, ASSURANCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY: We believe that all saved (those whom God has redeemed) are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation. However, this assurance must not be the occasion for sin, for God in Holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-29; I John 5;13; Heb. 12:6; Matt. 7:20; James 2:20).

H. THE CHURCH: We believe that the true Church, called in Scripture the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism into which every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation in this present age has been baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Scripture also teaches the establishment and continuance of local churches, groups of redeemed individuals joined together for worship, instruction, fellowship and service (Eph. 1:22-23; I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:42, 13:1-2).

I. THE ORDINANCES: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances to be observed by all believers until His return, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Their observance by each new believer is urged (Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23-26).

J. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: We believe in the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church (I Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-6).

K. THE ETERNAL STATE: We believe that at death the souls of those who have trusted Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment of the great white throne, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be separated from God forever in conscious punishment (Luke 16:19-26; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; II Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15).

ARTICLE IV: COVENANT OF FELLOWSHIP

It is our joyful privilege to enter into this solemn covenant with God and with this local fellowship of believers. By God’s enabling grace, we bind ourselves in covenant to these common purposes:

A. To endeavor to please God in every way, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and pursuing together a manner of life consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God;

B. To emphasize the importance of God’s Word and prayer in our personal lives, in our families, and in our fellowship together;

C. To attend as diligently as possible to the public worship of God with this Church, recognizing the value and importance of fellowship with other believers;

D. To share in the financial support of this Church and its varied ministries by cheerfully, systematically, and proportionately contributing of our means as God supplies and directs;

E. To pray regularly for the needs of the Church;

F. To serve the Lord willingly through this Church with the abilities and time He provides, each being involved in a specific ministry to the needs of others, working together in Christian love and graciousness, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

G. To commit ourselves to responsibility for the lives of the other members of this Fellowship, in helping to bring them to maturity in Christ, encouraging them in truth and love;

H. To submit ourselves in Christ to the discipline and exhortation of this Church;

I. To be ambassadors for Christ, and in love proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all mankind, being concerned for his individual needs, both physical and spiritual;

J. To accept the responsibilities of government in the Church as provided in the Constitution and the Bylaws, giving prayerful consideration to the Spirit’s leading in decisions of the Church, and attending as diligently as possible to decision-making meetings of the Fellowship;

K. To seriously seek the wisdom and counsel of other members of the Body before concluding any decision to dissolve this pledge and commitment of membership.

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STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP

I hereby acknowledge my full agreement with the Statement of Faith of the Chapel Hill Bible Church and I express my intention to abide by the Covenant of Fellowship, the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Church. If at any time I find myself out of harmony with these stated beliefs, policies, or practices, and the differences cannot be resolved, the Board of Elders may drop my name from the roll of Church Membership.

Date: ________________________ Signed: ______________________________________

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ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT

The government of the church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, shall be vested in its members and administered by the Board of Elders and Deacons, whose authority is derived from and limited by the Articles of this Constitution and the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in a local church is a confession before God and men of a living commitment to that group of believers — a commitment of responsibility for and to the other members of the church. It should be entered into with solemnity and with joy.

A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP: Any person who desires to unite with this Church shall be interviewed by at least two elders after receiving a copy of the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Church. Membership shall be open to all, regardless of race, who shall give satisfactory testimony of their personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, acknowledge their full agreement with the Statement of Faith, and express their intention to abide by the Covenant of Fellowship and the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Church, by submitting to the Board of Elders a signed Covenant of Fellowship. The suggested minimum age for membership is twelve (12) years.

B. RECOGNITION OF MEMBERSHIP: Upon recommendation by the Board of Elders, the congregation shall recognize an applicant as a member at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Church. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Elders to maintain a current membership roll and review it at least annually.

C. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Termination of membership may be made in any of the following ways:

1. Death — The names of deceased members shall be removed from the roll.

2. Transfer — Members in good standing shall be granted, upon request, a letter of transfer to another church of their choice.

3. Inactivity

a. Any member who consistently absents himself from the gatherings of the Church, or who otherwise demonstrates a lack of genuine commitment to the provisions of the Covenant of Fellowship shall be contacted by the Board of Elders and requested to re-evaluate his commitment to the Church. Any member who fails to respond to the efforts of the Board of Elders to renew his commitment of membership, or who fails to respond to correspondence directed to him at his last known address, shall be removed from the roll of membership.

b. Any member moving from Chapel Hill or vicinity shall be removed from the roll of membership after a period of three months unless specifically requesting otherwise, in which case the member’s name shall be maintained on the inactive roll of the Church. Active membership may be reinstated upon written request to the Board of Elders following return to the Chapel Hill area.

4. Discipline — To maintain the peace and purity of the Church, the Scripture permits the removal of any person from membership for disciplinary reasons (Romans 16:17; I Cor. 5:1-13; II Thess. 3:6; II Timothy 2:16-21). After reasonable attempts to restoration have been made without avail (Matt. 18:15-16; Gal. 6:1), charges shall be submitted to the Board of Elders in writing by those bringing them. The person must be notified of the charges and of the date of their consideration by the Board of Elders at least one week in advance of that date, and must be given opportunity to answer the charges before the Board of Elders if so desired. Dismissal or any other form of discipline shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Board of Elders voting after careful and prayerful consideration. Persons who have been so disciplined, but who demonstrate a genuine attitude of repentance, may be restored to membership in accord with the regulations which govern the reception of members.

ARTICLE VII: ORDINANCES

A. BAPTISM: Since baptism is the outward testimony of an inward spiritual transformation, it shall be administered only to those who give evidence of having been born again by faith in Jesus Christ. The Church shall accept as valid any regular form of water baptism if it is in agreement with the considered convictions of the individual believer, but the Church shall practice believer’s baptism.

B. THE LORD’S SUPPER: The Lord’s Supper shall be administered as a commemoration of His death, the elements being used as emblems of His body and blood. It shall be open to all self-examined believers, regardless of church affiliation.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members present and voting by secret ballot at a duly called congregational meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the Board of Elders, or has been submitted by a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the voting membership, and provided the proposed amendment has been conspicuously posted in written form for two consecutive Sundays.

BYLAWS of the Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

As amended June 7, 2020

ARTICLE I: NAME

This organization shall be known as “The Chapel Hill Bible Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina,” referred to herein as “the Church.”

ARTICLE II: CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

The Constitution of the Church declares who we are, and as such consists of our purpose, our statement of faith, our covenant of fellowship, qualifications and procedures for membership, and the ordinances we celebrate. These Bylaws prescribe the governance of the Church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as vested in its members and administered by the Board of Elders, the Board of Deacons and our pastoral staff. Wherever possible, these Bylaws shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with the Constitution. Should any bylaw be found to contradict a provision of the Constitution, the Constitution shall control.

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATION, INCORPORATION AND OFFICES

1. ORGANIZATION. The Church is organized as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the state of North Carolina.
2. OFFICES. The registered office of the Church shall be located within North Carolina at the address of the Church’s registered agent. The Board of Deacons, serving as the Board of Directors of the organization for business purposes, may change the registered agent and the address of the registered office from time to time upon filing the appropriate statement with the Secretary of State.

ARTICLE IV: CONGREGATIONAL AUTHORITY

The Church shall be Christ ruled, elder led, and congregationally accountable, with its governance vested in the members and administered by the Board of Elders, the Board of Deacons and the pastoral staff. As such, the members shall have the sole authority, to be exercised in the manner set forth in these Bylaws, to perform the following actions: 1) calling a member of the pastoral staff, 2) electing members of the Board of Elders, 3) electing members of the Board of Deacons, 4) calling ministers (except as may otherwise be provided by these Bylaws), 5) modifying or terminating the support of Long-Term Missionaries, 6) adopting a budget, 7) buying or selling property, 8) borrowing money in excess of 3% of the annual budget, 9) amending the Constitution, and 10) amending these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V: CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING

A. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING. The church business (or fiscal) year shall be established by the Board of Elders and the Board of Deacons. An annual congregational meeting shall be held in conjunction with the beginning of each new business year. Election of officers and adoption of the church budget shall be included in the agenda of the annual congregational meeting.

B. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS. Special business meetings may be called at any time at the request of the Board of Elders or at the written request, addressed to the Board of Elders, of not less than twenty percent (20%) of the members of the Church. Announcement of any special business meeting shall be given from the pulpit or in the bulletin on two (2) consecutive Sundays, and notice of the time, place, and purpose of said meeting shall be announced in like manner. No business shall be transacted at such meetings except that stated in the announcement.

C. QUORUM AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

1. A quorum for the transaction of business at all congregational meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members. The majority of votes cast shall prevail unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by our Constitution or Bylaws.

a. If a quorum is not met at any congregational business meeting, the Elders shall act as proxy for the congregation, if there are sufficient numbers of elders present to constitute a majority of the Board of Elders. Of the elders present, an eighty percent (80%) of Elder votes cast shall prevail unless the vote of a greater percentage number is required by law or by our Constitution or Bylaws.

b. In this instance, a majority of all the Elder Board members shall constitute a quorum of the Board, and the acts of the majority of the Board present and voting shall be acts of the entire Board, unless otherwise specifically required by law.

2. In all congregational business meetings the chair of the Board of Elders or an individual appointed by the Board of Elders shall preside.

3. In the transaction of business, the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall be used in all cases not covered by the Constitution or Bylaws.

D. VOTING. The chair of the meeting shall determine the method of voting, except in such cases as secret ballot is specified in the Constitution or Bylaws. Eligibility for voting at congregational business meetings shall be limited to members, as defined by the articles of the Constitution and these Bylaws. No proxy or absentee vote shall be permitted except by Elders as defined in Article V, C.1. a. above.

E. PROVISION FOR EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

In unforeseen or exceptional circumstances where the Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled or a Special Business Meeting is called and membership is not able to physically convene in one location the following provisions shall be applied:

1. The Oversight Team shall determine that circumstances do not allow the membership to physically convene for the above meeting(s), and propose an alternate web based meeting that most effectively supports the purposes of the meeting.
2. The Oversight Team will submit this proposal to the Elder Board by electronic means and approval by two thirds majority of the active Elder Board is required for passage.
3. The Oversight Team will charge CHBC staff to determine the most effective web-based platform for meeting and communication and inform the membership per the stipulations of Article 5, A-D. 
4. Every effort will be made to adhere to the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised. If the web-based platform does not allow for this, alternative means of input from meeting participants will be provided.

 

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

Certain responsibility and authority are designated for the various church officers for the purpose of glorifying the Head of the Church, namely Christ, and to effectively lead and care for the Church. The officers of the Church shall necessarily serve together in humility, cooperation, and collaboration in order to fulfill these purposes.

The officers of the Church shall consist of members serving in the following offices: A) the pastoral staff, B) the Board of Elders, C) the Board of Deacons, D) appointed church officers to include the Church Clerk and the Church Treasurer, and E) ministers.

A. PASTORAL STAFF

1. Pastoral Staff. Upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, the congregation may call such pastoral staff as shall be considered necessary for the most effective ministry of the Church.

a. Selection. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Elders to choose a candidate to recommend to the congregation for the pastorate. The candidate of their choice shall be a man qualified as an elder, of satisfactory biblical training, high moral reputation, and evident spiritual discernment and gifts, who is or will become independent of any denomination and who will subscribe without mental reservation to the Statement of Faith, Covenant of Fellowship, Constitution and Bylaws of the Church. After being interviewed by the Board of Elders and recommended to the Church by them, the pastor shall be elected by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by secret ballot at a congregational meeting duly called and constituted for the express purpose of considering a recommendation. Compensation for the pastor shall be set by the Board of Elders within the limits of the budget proposed by the Board of Deacons, as adopted by the congregation.

b. Duties and Privileges. Members of the pastoral staff shall be spiritual leaders of the Church, held in respect by the members of the Church. With the Board of Elders, the pastoral staff shall oversee the spiritual welfare and the needs of the congregation. Their individual responsibilities shall be stipulated in writing by the Board of Elders, according to the manifest needs of the Church and the gifts and ministries entrusted by God to each one. Such individual job descriptions shall be subject to at least annual review by the Board of Elders, to consider changes in response to the changing needs of the Church.

c. Termination. Any member of the pastoral staff may at any time dissolve the pastoral relationship, and should in good faith give one month’s notice of such intention to the congregation unless less is agreed upon by the staff member and the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders may terminate a pastoral relationship by an eighty percent (80%) majority vote of all of the members of the Board of Elders, excluding the vote of the subject staff member if he is a member of the Board of Elders. The member of the pastoral staff terminated shall be entitled to one month’s salary after the date of termination set by the Board of Elders.

2. Lead Pastor. Upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, the congregation may call a Lead Pastor.

a. Selection. The Board of Elders may choose a candidate to recommend to the congregation for Lead Pastor. The qualifications and selection process shall be that of the selection of a member of the pastoral staff.

b. Role. The counsel and advice of the Lead Pastor shall be considered by the officers of the Church and in all the ministries of the Church, and the position of pastoral leadership shall be held in honor and respect by all the members. The Lead Pastor, with the Board of Elders and other pastoral staff, shall oversee the spiritual welfare of the congregation and exercise watchful care for the needs of the congregation.

c. Duties. The Lead Pastor shall have the duties and authority delegated to him by the Board of Elders in a writing made available to the Church by the Church Clerk, which may include but are not limited to the duties and authorities given in this paragraph. The Lead Pastor may be given responsibility for the teaching ministry in Sunday morning worship. The Lead Pastor may additionally be responsible for recommending the creation, termination, or change of duties for pastoral and ministerial positions to the Board of Elders. He may be given responsibility for appointing the Church Clerk, and for all other staff, including employment, assignments, and compensation, within the constraints of the budget proposed by the Board of Deacons as adopted by the congregation. The Lead Pastor may delegate such of these duties as he finds necessary for the effectual oversight of the activities of the Church to staff members, teams, committees, officers or members. The Lead Pastor shall retain oversight of duties he has delegated to others and the Board of Elders shall retain oversight of the duties of the Lead Pastor. During any period of time that any of the duties listed in this paragraph are not delegated to a Lead Pastor, such duties shall be the responsibility of the Board of Elders, either performed directly or delegated in a writing made available to the Church by the Church Clerk.

B. BOARD OF ELDERS.

1. The responsibility of the Board of Elders is that of the spiritual oversight and health of this local body of Christ. The elders shall perform all of their duties with humble dependence on the Lord, through regular individual and corporate prayer. As such, the Board of Elders shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Church except as limited within these Bylaws.

a. Spiritual Oversight. It shall be the duty of the Board of Elders to care for the Church in its spiritual condition, to guard the purity of doctrine and life of the Church, and to discipline the Church in accordance with the Word of God. The Board of Elders shall be responsible for examining all who seek membership in the Church. They shall act for the Church in the acceptance and dismissal of members, and shall maintain an active membership roll in conjunction with the Church Clerk. They shall counsel the erring and needy, comfort the sick and afflicted, and share in the responsibility of supplying the pulpit. They shall be responsible for the regular services of the Church and the administration of the ordinances. The Board of Elders has the responsibility to ordain, commission, and/or license a minister, according to the needs of the Church and requirements of law.

b. Direction for Use of Resources. It shall be the duty of the Board of Elders to provide guidance for the Board of Deacons for its use in the development of the church budget to be presented to the members. The Board of Elders shall provide for the Board of Deacons direction for the Church and priorities for the use of resources to the extent resources are available, including recommendations, if any, for the creation of pastoral or ministerial positions.

c. Funds Oversight. The Board of Elders shall have direct oversight of church funds designated for benevolence and for missions pursuant to Article VII below. Both for benevolence funds and mission funds, the Board of Elders may delegate authority where desirable. Should the Board of Elders delegate authority over funds, however, they shall do so in a written policy which shall be made available to the Church by the Church Clerk.

d. Committee Oversight and Delegation. The Board of Elders may delegate authority to a committee or team as the Board of Elders deems necessary for the effectual oversight of the activities of the Church. For any such committee or team there shall be a written policy or resolution including a clear description of the committee’s makeup, responsibilities and authority. Such policies and resolutions shall be made available to the Church by the Church Clerk. Decisions made by appointed committees and teams are subject to review and approval by the Board of Elders at its discretion.

2. Limitations. The Board of Elders shall not assume any of the prerogatives, as given in Article IV above, reserved to the members unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or these Bylaws, or unless the Board of Elders has been given expressed congregational consent to exercise such authority.

3. Elder Structure and Organization.

a. The Board of Elders shall consist of all lay elders and staff elders from the pastoral staff. All elders are
equal in position, but may function in different roles depending upon giftedness, internal calling, other life responsibilities, and chemistry. All elders are undershepherds and therefore responsible for the duties as outlined in B.1.a.

b. Per bylaw B.1.d. (Committee Oversight and Delegation), the Board of Elders shall designate a standing committee, called the “Oversight Team,” comprised of a subgroup of elders uniquely gifted and called for organizational leadership. The Oversight Team exists to serve the Board of Elders through overseeing and coordinating elder responsibilities. Duties that the Board of Elders may delegate to the Oversight Team may include but are not limited to, strategic planning, setting ministry priorities, calling ministers and pastors and presenting them before the Board of Elders and congregation for vote, and other such organizational leadership responsibilities outlined in B.1c-d. The Oversight Team shall consist of the Lead Pastor, Executive Pastor, Elder Chair, Elder Vice-Chair and at least five (5) additional lay elders. The Elder Chair and Vice Chair shall be lay elders.

c. When anticipated vacancies or changes occur in the Oversight Team, the Board of Elders will be notified by the Oversight Team as soon as possible and preferably 6 months prior to the anticipated vacancy or change. The Oversight Team shall advise the Elder Board of desired gifts/skills/expertise that is preferred in a new oversight elder. Led by the Elder Vice-Chair, the Board of Elders will identify candidates and the position(s) shall be filled by approval through secret ballot of 80% of all elders.

d. The Board of Elders shall review the function and composition of the Oversight Team yearly, prior to the elder candidate nomination process, and approve and/or make changes as necessary.

4. Elder Qualifications and Service.

a. Lay elders shall be men who are members of the Church, who are twenty-five (25) years of age or older,
and who are affirmed at the annual congregational meeting. They shall be men who are called by the Holy Spirit to the office of overseer, and who are affirmed by the existing Board of Elders as qualified under the stipulations of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

b. There shall be no fewer than seven (7) lay elders, and this number may be increased depending upon the needs of the Church and the leading of the Holy Spirit as determined by the prevailing Board of Elders.

c. All ordained staff pastors are elders. The number of staff pastors on the Board of Elders will not exceed one third of the total number of members of the Board of Elders at the time of the election of new lay elders, or unless there are special circumstances with respect to a staff pastor’s responsibilities.

5. Term of Office.

a. An affirmed elder is eligible to serve in this office as long as he is able to do so.

b. Lay elders shall serve on the Board of Elders for a term of three years unless otherwise specified at the
time of affirmation. After this first term, they may elect to take a one-year sabbatical. However, elders may serve a maximum of two successive terms, after which they must take a break of not less than one year before they are eligible to serve again on the Board of Elders. After a sabbatical year, it is anticipated that the elder will typically continue service for three years with this renewal pending congregational reaffirmation.

c. An elder may be invited to serve on the Oversight Team at any time, based upon giftedness and
oversight needs. If the invitation is accepted, that elder is expected to serve on the Oversight Team for the remainder of his current term, with an option for another three years, after which they must rotate off for one year. For clarity, the term of service for an elder on the Oversight Team will be congruent with their service on the Board of Elders. When he rolls off the Board of Elders, he will also roll off the Oversight Team.

d. The Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor are permanent members of the Oversight Team.

e. Elders may elect to have an extended leave as needed by life situation but may be called for
participation on an ad hoc basis if specific, short term needs arise.

f. Elders that are no longer able to serve as elders will notify the Elder Chair and may be designated as
Emeritus Elders.

6. Avenues for Elders to be Appointed at CHBC.

a. Selection of Lay Elders. At least six weeks before the annual congregational meeting, a request for
recommendations of men to be candidates for service as lay elders on the Board of Elders shall be made from the pulpit or published in the bulletin. The scriptural passages dealing with the qualifications for an elder shall be read out and explained or published. Any member of the Church may submit the name of a man for consideration as an elder development candidate. From the names submitted, the Board of Elders shall select candidates who possess the qualifications of an elder and who are willing to enter the elder development process, which is typically 1 year. The number of candidates selected shall depend upon the needs of the Board of Elders. Upon completion of the elder candidate development process, those men who have an internal and external call to serve, will be nominated as Elder candidates by the Board of Elders to the congregation at least three weeks before the next annual congregational meeting for affirmation. From that time until one week before the annual congregational meeting, the Chair of the Board of Elders shall receive any submitted objections to the nominations and questions may be put to the Board of Elders privately. An eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by secret ballot shall be required to affirm each Elder nominee. Those affirmed shall take office at the first meeting of the board after the annual congregational meeting. Should a vacancy occur during the church year, the Board of Elders may appoint a temporary officer to serve until the annual congregational meeting.

b. Staff Elders. Male staff members become elders at the time of ordination as a Pastor.

c. Transfers – elders serving previously in another church. These men may be recommended by members
of the church, selected by the elders, and successfully complete the elder candidate development process. Exceptions for completing the elder development process can be made by the Board of Elders with an 80% vote for the proven, exceptional candidate on a person-by person basis.

d. Re-affirmation of elders. Each elder that is beginning a 3-year term shall be reaffirmed by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by secret ballot at the annual congregational meeting.

7. Termination. The office of elder shall be considered vacant upon the death or resignation of an elder, or upon removal from office by the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders may remove an elder from office by an eighty percent (80%) majority vote of all of the other members of the Board of Elders for refusal or failure to fulfill the responsibilities designated in the Constitution or Bylaws, including excessive absences from business meetings that affect his ability to serve well, or if an elder shows himself by person or attitude to be disturbing the purity, peace, or unity of the Church, or has admitted to changing his views regarding the Statement of Faith, or fails to live in harmony with the standards expressed in the Covenant of Fellowship, the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Church.

8. Officers, Meetings, and Quorum.

a. Annually, the elders shall elect from their number a chair and such other officers as they require. The regular meetings of the Board of Elders shall be held monthly at such time and place as the board may determine. This meeting shall be overseen by Elder Vice chair and primarily focused on shepherding and prayer, and all elders are expected to attend. The Elder Vice Chair will work closely with appointed members of pastoral staff whose primary responsibility is the care and discipleship of the congregation to develop the agenda and oversee the meeting.

b. The regular meetings of the Oversight Team shall be held at least once a month at such time and place as the Oversight Team may determine. This meeting shall be overseen by the Elder chair. Staff Elders, Elder Development Candidates and invited guests may audit as non-voting attendees, except during executive session.

c. Special meetings of the Board of Elders may be called at the request of the Chair of the Board of Elders, or a majority of the elders. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the Board shall be given in person, in the bulletin, by telephone, or by electronic means at least one day prior to the meeting. Notice may be waived if waived by all members of the Board of Elders in writing, including by electronic means. A majority of all the board members shall constitute a quorum of the board, and the acts of the majority of the board present and voting shall be acts of the entire board, unless otherwise specifically required by law or by the Constitution or Bylaws.

d. Special meetings of the Oversight Team may be called at the request of the Chair of the Elder Board, or a majority of Oversight Team elders. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the Oversight Team shall be given in person, in the bulletin, by telephone, or by electronic means at least one day prior to the meeting. Notice may be waived if waived by all members of the Oversight Team in writing, including by electronic means. At least seven members of the Oversight team, of which one is either the Executive Pastor or Lead Pastor, shall constitute a quorum of the Oversight Team.

e. The Board of Elders and Oversight Team shall keep records of their meetings and decisions, and shall inform the congregation of all major decisions made in their meetings.

C. BOARD OF DEACONS.

The responsibility of the Board of Deacons is that of physical oversight of the Church and governance of the corporation.

1. Qualifications and Election. The Board of Deacons shall consist of men and women who are members of the Church who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older, and who are elected at the annual congregational meeting. This board should normally number not less than three (3) persons and should be increased as the needs of the Church demand. Deacons shall be elected in accordance with I Timothy 3:8-10.

a. Term of Office. Deacons shall be elected for terms of three years unless otherwise specified at the time of election. Deacons may serve a maximum of two successive terms (pending reelection), after which they must take a break of not less than one year before they are eligible for election.

b. Selection. At least six weeks before the annual congregational meeting, a request for recommendations of men and women for service on the Board of Deacons shall be made from the pulpit or published in the bulletin. The scriptural passages dealing with the qualifications for a deacon shall be read out and explained or published. Any member of the Church may submit the name of a man or woman for consideration as a nominee. From the names submitted, the Board of Elders shall select nominees who, in the elders’ opinion, possess the qualifications of an deacon and who have agreed to serve willingly. The number of nominees selected shall depend upon the needs of the Board of Deacons. At least three weeks before the annual congregational meeting, the Board of Elders shall announce the names the nominees. From that time until one week before the annual congregational meeting, the chair of the Board of Elders shall receive any submitted objections to the nominations and questions may be put to the Board of Elders privately. There shall be no nominations from the floor. An eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by secret ballot shall be required to confirm each nominee. Those selected shall take office at the first meeting of the board after the annual congregational meeting. Should a vacancy occur during the church year, the Board of Deacons may, if desirable for the functioning of the Board of Deacons, appoint a temporary officer to serve until the annual congregational meeting.

2. Organization, Meetings, Quorum. The Board of Deacons shall elect from their number a chair, vice-chair, and a secretary annually. They shall also appoint a Church Treasurer who must be a member of the Church, and any committees considered to be essential to the adequate management of the material matters of the Church. The Board of Deacons shall keep minutes of their meetings and make such minutes available to the Church Clerk to be retained by the Church Clerk as corporate records. The regular meetings of the Board of Deacons shall be held monthly at such time and place as the board may determine. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Board of Elders, the chair of the Board of Deacons, or a majority of the deacons. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the board shall be given personally, in the bulletin, by telephone, or by electronic means at least one day prior to the meeting. Notice may be waived if waived by all members of the Board of Deacons in writing, including by electronic means. A majority of all the board members shall constitute a quorum for the board, and the acts of the majority of the board present and voting shall be acts of the entire board unless otherwise specifically required by law or by the Constitution or Bylaws.

3. Duties. It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons to assist the Board of Elders in the administration of the Church and to have the care of all matters pertaining to the physical properties and finances of the Church. They shall hold themselves in readiness to assist in guiding the spiritual life of the Church and in performing any other necessary duties.

1. Physical and Financial Church Care. The Board of Deacons shall take all necessary measures for the protection and maintenance of the church buildings and property and shall supervise the use of same. The Board of Deacons shall be responsible for providing for ushering at the services of the Church, and for providing every material thing for proper worship. They shall meet promptly all obligations incurred by the Church. The Board of Deacons is authorized to spend up to, but no more than 6% of the total annual budget on unbudgeted supplies, materials, equipment, or building repairs should such be deemed necessary during a fiscal year, without vote of the members. The Board of Deacons is authorized to borrow without vote of the members, provided that the total cumulative amount of debt not voted on by the members does not exceed 3% of the then-current annual budget.

b. Directors of the Nonprofit Corporation. The Board of Deacons shall act as directors for the corporation, holding title to the properties of the Church, and representing the Church in all matters pertaining to civil law as directed by the Church. The chair, vice-chair, and secretary of the Board of Deacons, and the Church Treasurer appointed by the deacons, shall be the officers of corporation for corporate matters.

c. Budget.The Board of Deacons shall present for adoption at the annual congregational meeting a budget of prospective operating expenses for the coming year. In creating the budget, it is the duty of the Board of Deacons to consider the directions and priorities as given to them by the Board of Elders, as well as the physical needs of the Church, and to seek to honor the direction and priorities to the extent resources are available.

4. Limitations. The Board of Deacons shall not assume any of the prerogatives, as given in Article IV above, reserved to the congregation unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or these Bylaws, or unless the Board of Deacons has been given expressed congregational consent to exercise such authority.

5. Termination. The office of deacon shall be considered vacant upon the death or resignation of a deacon, or upon removal from office by the Board of Deacons. The Board of Deacons may remove a deacon from office by an eighty percent (80%) majority vote of all of the other members of the Board of Deacons for refusal or failure to fulfill the responsibilities designated in the Constitution or Bylaws, including excessive absences from business meetings that effect his ability to serve well, or if a deacon shows himself or herself by person or attitude to be disturbing the purity, peace, or unity of the Church, or has admitted to changing his or her views regarding the Statement of Faith, or fails to live in harmony with the standards expressed in the Covenant of Fellowship, the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Church.

D. APPOINTED OFFICERS.

1. Church Clerk. The Church Clerk shall be appointed by the Board of Elders, or by the Lead Pastor, if so delegated. The Church Clerk must be a member of the Church, may be a member of the staff, and is responsible for keeping and publishing church records. The Church Clerk shall keep the current list of members as determined by the Board of Elders. The Church Clerk shall record or have recorded the minutes of all congregational meetings and keep records of all official correspondence for the Church. He or she shall provide for the safekeeping of all papers and documents of the Church. The Church Clerk shall ensure that the members have access to all church governing documents, including the Constitution and the Bylaws and all policies, resolutions and other governing documents adopted by the congregation, the Board of Elders, the Board of Deacons, or any committee, team, officer or individual who has or has been delegated any form of governing authority.

2. Church Treasurer. The Church Treasurer shall be a church member elected by the Board of Deacons for a one-year term, and may serve successive terms. The Church Treasurer shall ensure that all authorized bills are paid and that a full account is kept of all monies received and paid out. He or she shall submit regular reports to the Board of Deacons of the financial condition of the Church, and shall prepare a written annual report reflecting the financial activities of the Church at the close of each fiscal year. The Church Treasurer shall ensure that the financial records of the Church are reconciled annually, whether by audit or other satisfactory means, and shall make the financial records of the Church available for examination at any time upon request by the Board of Deacons or the Board of Elders. Termination or removal of an individual from the office of Church Treasurer shall be by the same process as termination or removal of a member of the Board of Deacons from the board, as given above in the paragraphs governing the Board of Deacons.

E. MINISTERS.

1. Selection. Upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, the congregation may call individuals as ministers in the Church, in response to specific manifest needs and the special gifts entrusted by God to those individuals. The Board of Elders may delegate the selection of a minister candidate to the Lead Pastor or to a search team. Where appropriate, members expected to be involved in the candidate’s ministry shall be invited to offer their input. A minister shall be called by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by secret ballot at a duly called and constituted congregational meeting. Should there fail to be a quorum at a congregational special business meeting duly called for the purpose of conducting a vote on calling a minister, then the minister may be called by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast by the elders of the Board of Elders at a meeting duly called for that purpose.

2. Duties. The responsibilities of ministers shall be stipulated in writing and reviewed at least annually by the individual ministers and the Board of Elders, or by the Lead Pastor if so delegated by the Board of Elders, to consider changes in response to the changing needs of the Church.

3. Termination. A minister may dissolve the ministerial relationship with the Church and should in good faith give one month’s notice of such intention to the Board of Elders, or less if mutually agreed upon. The Board of Elders may terminate a ministerial relationship by an eighty percent (80%) majority vote of the entire Board of Elders. The member of the ministerial staff terminated shall be entitled to one month’s salary after the date of termination set by the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE VII: THE BUDGET AND FUNDS

A. THE BUDGET.

1. Budget Committee. The Budget Committee shall consist of the Church Treasurer, one or more deacons appointed by the chair of the Board of Deacons, one or more elders appointed by the chair of the Board of Elders, one or more staff members appointed by the Lead Pastor, and such other members, if any, as may be appointed by the Church Treasurer. The Church Treasurer shall serve as chair of the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is an advisory committee charged with presenting budget proposals and recommendations on financial matters for consideration by the Board of Deacons.

2. Budget Proposal. In consideration of the priorities and direction set by the Board of Elders, and of the recommendations of the Budget Committee, the Board of Deacons shall propose a budget for vote at the annual congregational meeting as provided in these bylaws. Any member of the Church may request a meeting with the Church Treasurer or his or her delegate to discuss the finances of the Church or any detail within the budget proposed by the Board of Deacons. Any member wishing to propose an amendment to the proposed budget must do so in writing to the Church Treasurer at least one week prior to the date of the annual congregational meeting.

B. CROSS CULTURAL MISSIONS. Disbursements made from the church budget for Cross Cultural Missions shall be directly overseen by the Board of Elders.

1. Cross Cultural Missions Committee. The Cross Cultural Missions Committee shall consist of four (4) or more members, including at least one elder, at least one deacon, and at least two representatives at large from the members of the Church, all appointed by the Board of Elders. The committee shall elect its own chair. The duties of the Cross Cultural Missions Committee shall be 1) to promote knowledge about and interest in missions throughout the Church, 2) to review supported missionaries and ministries at least every three years, 3) to recommend to the Board of Elders the adoption of new missionaries and mission ministries, and the amount of their support, 4) to recommend to the Board of Elders changes in the financial support of missionaries and mission ministries, 5) to submit a proposed missionary budget for the coming year in a timely manner, and 6) to perform such other duties and have such other authority as the Board of Elders shall delegate to them.

2. Long-Term Missionaries. The Board of Elders shall maintain a list of the names of Long-Term Missionaries, and that list shall be made available to the Church by the Church Clerk. All missionaries who have received regular financial support for the ten years immediately preceding the end of fiscal year 2011-2012 shall be included on the initial list of Long-Term Missionaries. A missionary may be designated as a Long-Term Missionary by an eighty percent (80%) majority vote at a duly called and constituted meeting of the Board of Elders. Any action modifying the amount of support of a Long-Term Missionary must be approved by a majority vote at a duly called and constituted congregational meeting. Such vote may be part of a vote on the general budget.

C. FUNDS.

1. Benevolence Fund. The Church shall maintain a Benevolence Fund to be directly overseen by the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders may delegate authority for this fund to a committee or team provided the delegation is in writing and made available to the Church by the Church Clerk.

2. Other Funds. The Board of Deacons may create such other funds as are appropriate for the physical care and for the mission of the Church. Policies for funds created must be in writing, and must be made available to the Church by the Church Clerk.

ARTICLE VIII: INDEMNIFICATION

A. The Board of Deacons may, in its discretion, indemnify and advance all or part of the church-related expenses of an employee or agent of the Church.

B. Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Board of Deacons may indemnify any member who serves or has served as an officer of the Church against claims, liabilities, expenses and costs necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense, compromise, or settlement of an action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which such person is made a party by reason of being or having been an officer, to the extent not otherwise compensated, indemnified or reimbursed by insurance, if 1) the conduct of the person was in good faith,2) the person reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the best interests of the Church, or at least was not opposed to its best interests, and 3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

C. The Church may not indemnify an officer, former or current, in connection with a proceeding brought against him or her by or in the right of the Church, in which he or she was adjudged liable to the Church, or where the officer is charged with receiving an improper personal benefit and he or she is adjudged liable on that basis.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members present and voting by secret ballot at a duly called and constituted congregational meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the Board of Elders, or has been submitted by a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the members, and provided the proposed amendment has been conspicuously posted in written form for two consecutive Sundays.