Autumn Ridge Church: Bylaws

A. Any person who has established a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and fulfills the requirements for membership may become a candidate for membership.

Section 2: Requirements for Membership

A. Personal Testimony

Candidates for membership will be interviewed by the Pastoral Staff and members of the Board of Elders regarding their personal faith in Jesus Christ.

B. Baptism by Immersion

Candidates for membership must be baptized by immersion or be able to provide satisfactory evidence of having been so baptized by letter or statement of experience.

C. Affirmation of Statement of Faith

Candidates for membership must be willing to affirm the Statement of Faith as stated in Article V of the Constitution.

Section 3: Election to Membership

Candidates who have fulfilled satisfactorily the requirements for membership will be recommended to the congregation by the Board of Elders. A simple majority of votes cast at any official meeting of the church (Article IV, Section 2.B) shall be sufficient for election to membership.

Section 4: Status of Membership

A. Resident Member

A resident member shall be defined as a member who maintains legal residency in the Rochester vicinity.

B. Non-Resident Member

A non-resident member shall be defined as any member who moves legal residency from Rochester or the Rochester vicinity, and has indicated a desire to retain their membership.

C. Inactive member

1. An inactive member shall be defined as any member who has demonstrated lack of interest and/or support of the church. Lack of interest and/or support will be considered as an otherwise healthy member who has not attended the church for more than six months while still residing in the Rochester area. A member shall be declared inactive by the Board of Elders and this action shall become effective after the congregation has been notified as a regular church business meeting. Such board action, conveyed in writing, thirty days prior to the church business meeting shall be taken only after diligent efforts to effect restoration to fellowship have failed.

2. Inactive members shall be ineligible to vote or take part in church business meetings

3. An inactive member may be restored to active membership status after making an appropriate request to the Board of Elders and approval by the Board. The congregation shall be notified at the next business meeting of the church.

Section 5: Termination of Membership

A. Dismissal to Another Church

A letter of dismissal or Christian character may be granted at any official meeting of the church by simple majority vote for members wishing to unite with other churches. Letters will be granted only to specifically named churches.

B. Dismissal by Request

A member of the church may request dismissal from church membership. Upon consultation with the member, the Pastor or his representative may recommend to the Board of Elders that the request be granted. A report of the dismissal shall be made to the church at the next regular business meeting.

C. Automatic Disassociation

Any member who unites with another church while still a member of this church shall be automatically removed from membership by the Church Clerk. A report of disassociation shall be made at the next business meeting of the church.

D. Dismissal of Inactive Member

After one year as an inactive member, that member removes himself/herself from membership by failure to show interest and/or support to the ministry of the church and shall be automatically removed from the membership after the congregation has been notified at a regular church business meeting. Notification shall be given and conveyed in writing by the Board of Elders to the inactive member thirty (30) days prior to the regular church business meeting and confirmed in writing, after the meeting.

E. Dismissal for Cause

A member, who in the opinion of the Board of Elders is delinquent by virtue of departure in faith or conduct detrimental to the ministry and testimony of the church, may be dismissed from membership upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, showing cause and ratified by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at a regular church business meeting, quorum being present and voting. This action shall be taken only after diligent efforts by the Board of Elders have failed to bring restoration. The member shall be notified of the recommendation in writing thirty (30) days prior to the business meeting. The dismissal shall be effective after the business meeting and the member has been notified in writing.

Section 6: Discipline of Members

Procedures for disciplining members shall be the responsibility of the Board of Elders and Pastor following principles given in Matthew 18:15-17.

Article II Church Organization

Section 1: Congregation Authority

The church membership in official business sessions shall by its authority vest the supervision of its ministry to the following Officers, Board and Deacon Ministry Teams:

· Chair

· Vice Chair

· Church Clerk

· Treasurer

· Board of Elders

· Board of Elders chartered Deacon Ministry Teams

Section 2: Church Officers

A. Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer

1. The Chair shall preside at all congregational meetings of the church and be an ex officio member of all standing committees of the Board of Elders and of all Deacon Ministry Teams. The Chair shall call the organizational meeting of any standing or special committee for the purpose of electing a chairperson, unless otherwise designated. The Chair shall ensure that members are informed of their election or appointment to an office or committee and shall give legal notice of all meetings when such notice is necessary. The Chair shall issue credentials to all members duly chosen to represent the church at any meetings in which the church shall decide to be represented.

2. The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair in the duties of the Chair and shall perform all the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair. The Vice Chair shall be an ex officio member of all standing committees of the Board of Elders and of all Deacon Ministry Teams.

3. The Treasurer shall be the financial officer of the Board of Elders and the church and shall provide oversight of bill payment after approval of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Board of Elders.

4. The elections of the Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer are covered in Section 3:F.

B. The Church Clerk

1. The Church Clerk shall be elected annually. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record of all the business meetings of the church, keep a current record of all members and give a statistical report at the annual meeting of the church. In the absence of the Church Clerk, the Secretary of the Board of Elders shall perform such duties.

Section 3: The Board of Elders

The congregation governs the church ministries through the Board of Elders. While the congregation retains final authority, it delegates to the Board of Elders the authority to make all policy decisions not specifically limited by these By-Laws. Any action taken by the Board of Elders can be reviewed by the congregation at a congregational business meeting and changed by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided a quorum is present and voting.

A. The Board of Elders shall have twelve (12) elected members.

B. Election

1. Terms shall be staggered so that as near as possible, one-third of the members of the Board of Elders shall be elected at the annual business meeting.

2. Elected elders shall serve a three-year term. They shall assume responsibility after the annual business meeting and the term shall extend through the end of the third annual business meeting.

C. Qualifications and Eligibility for Board of Elders

1. All nominees shall meet the requirements for Elders as stated in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9; and they shall be in full accord with the Statement of Faith.

2. Nominees must be active resident members of the congregation for at least one year prior to election.

3. Eligibility for a full term of office is not affected by filling a partial term.

4. No Elder may be re-elected to the Board of Elders for one year after serving a full term.

D. Vacated positions

If more than six months remains on a vacated position, the Board of Elders shall present a nominee for election at a special election at a congregational meeting of the church.

E. Removal of an Elder

A member of the Board of Elders may be removed upon the action of the Board of Elders, confirmed by the congregation by a majority vote, taken by secret ballot.

F. Organization

1. Officers

a. The Elders shall, at their last meeting prior to the elections, elect the Chair from among their number to serve as Chair the following year.

b. At the first scheduled meeting after the annual business meeting, the Board of Elders shall elect from among their number the following additional officers to serve for that year: Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary.

c. If the Chair of the Board of Elders resigns the position, the Vice Chair shall assume the Chair and a new Vice Chair is selected. The new Chair may opt to complete this term and remain as chair for the complete second year.

d. No person shall serve more than two years in succession as Chair.

e. The Chair of the Board of Elders may not serve in more than one office (F.1.b) simultaneously.

2. Committees

a. Standing Committees shall be appointed at the first meeting of the new Board of Elders after the annual church elections. Standing Committees of the Elders shall include:

· Budget and Finance (Minimum of 3 elders including the Treasurer)

· Personnel and Pastoral Relations (Minimum of 3 Elders)

· Administration (Minimum of 3 Elders)

b. Responsibilities of the standing committees are outlined in G.19 below.

c. Board of Elders Committees may be established from time to time to carry out assigned responsibilities. The Chair of such committees must be a member of the church. At least one member of the committee must be a member of the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders must approve all appointments to such committees.

G. Responsibilities

The Board of Elders shall oversee and promote the spiritual growth and overall ministry of the church, including the overseeing of the business affairs of the church.

1. To at least annually review and establish strategies and objectives to accomplish the Purpose of the Church (Constitution, Article II) and to annually review the charter of Deacon Ministry Teams.

2. To regularly review and evaluate the total program of the church to determine that objectives are being accomplished. To establish policies as necessary to uphold the purpose and the Statement of Faith and to take or recommend corrective action, or revise objectives, where the purpose is not being accomplished.

3. Establish Deacon Ministry Teams to implement strategies and objectives of the Board of Elders to accomplish the purpose of the church.

4. Emphasize the importance of prayer in the lives of the individuals and as a church body.

5. Assist and uphold the Pastoral Staff in the total spiritual ministry of the church.

6. Assist in the observance of the ordinances of the church.

7. Serve as the disciplinary body of the church in conjunction with the Pastor as directed in Article I, Section 6.

8. Ensure that the appointed meetings of the church are regularly held and the pulpit supplied in the absence of the Pastor, except during the interim period when the Pulpit Committee is organized.

9. Coordinate preparation of annual budget in conjunction with Church Business Manager and Deacon Ministry Teams and propose the Annual Budget to the annual meeting of the church.

10. Appoint (hire) an auditor, excluding members of the Board of Elders, Pastoral Staff and Deacon Ministry Teams, to review the financial accounts of the church and provide a report at the annual business meeting

11. Establish policy on methods of raising funds and insure that the church programs carry out such policies.

12. Call special church business meetings as necessary, establish the agendas, and provide appropriate notification.

13. Nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected offices.

14. Initiate termination of pastoral relationship (Article III, Section 1.D.2), only after careful investigation and prayerful consideration, concluding that such action is in the best interest of the Pastor and the church.

15. Recommend to the church the provisions necessary to add or delete staff.

16. Secure personnel for open staff positions and release personnel as appropriate upon the recommendations of the Personnel Committee.

17. Fulfill the requirements of state law, having the responsibility of performing the duties of “Trustee.”

18. Provide special encouragement to each other in their ministry in the church and in their individual lives.

19. Standing Committee Responsibilities

a. Budget and Finance

1. Provide oversight of payment of all bills included in the church budget or authorized by the Board of Elders (see Special Authority Section 3.G.20).

2. Provide a written quarterly report on receipts and expenditures.

3. Coordinate the development of the annual church budget with input from the Deacon Ministry Teams and Pastoral Staff and give a status report monthly to the Board of Elders and the Deacon Ministry Teams.

b. Personnel and Pastoral Relations

1. Annually review all staff salaries and benefits and recommend necessary changes to the Budget and Finance Committee.

2. Staff Evaluations

a. Annually evaluate, with the Chair, the job performance of the Senior Pastor.

b. Coordinate the evaluations of the job performances of all other staff members with appropriate Elders, Staff Leadership Team member(s), and the Senior Pastor.

3. Maintain job descriptions of all staff positions. Coordinate the development of job descriptions for new positions and changes to existing positions.

4. Recommend Pastoral Staff assignments, including changes, to the Board of Elders, considering the needs of the Deacon Ministry Teams and the recommendations of the Senior Pastor.

5. Coordinate and participate in the interviews of all candidates for staff positions.

6. Coordinate all activities relating to the separation of staff members based upon appropriate recommendations of the Board of Elders, Deacon Ministry Teams, or the Senior Pastor.

c. Administration

1. Coordinate the policies and procedures of the Deacon Ministry Teams and the Board of Elders.

2. Consolidate the goals and objectives of the Deacon Ministry Teams with those of the Board of Elders and the Pastoral Staff.

3. Coordinate the presentation and review of the Deacon Ministry Team charters to the Board of Elders.

4. Review the Constitution and By-Laws. Recommend appropriate changes to the congregation.

20. Special Authority

In order to expedite minor adjustments that may become necessary from time to time, the Board of Elders shall have authority to approve limited budget deviations without specific prior approval of the church as follows:

a. Specific budgeted expenditures may deviate up to one percent (1%) of the total annual budget.

b. The cumulative effect of all deviations may not change the total budget more than five percent (5%) without special congregational approval.

c. No single transaction exceeding one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the current annual budget may be made for non-budgeted items.

Section 4: Deacon Ministry Teams

Deacon Ministry Teams shall be formed as required to implement the objectives and purpose of the church. Deacon Ministry Teams shall be chartered by the Board of Elders to implement specific ministries.

A. Charter

The charter for a Deacon Ministry Team shall include:

1. Statement of purpose

2. Objectives

3. Strategies

4. Structure

B. Membership

1. Each Deacon Ministry Team shall organize itself as required to perform its ministry.

2. Deacon Ministry Team leaders shall be selected annually by the Deacon Ministry Team and the associated staff member(s), subject to approval by the Board of Elders.

3. The Deacon Ministry Team, in accordance with guidelines approved in its ministry charter, may select Deacon Ministry Team members.

4. Qualifications and Eligibility for Deacon Ministry Teams

a. Deacon Ministry Team members shall meet the requirements for Deacons as stated in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-12; and they shall be in full accord with the Statement of Faith.

b. Deacon Ministry Team leader must be an active resident member of First Baptist Church.

C. Annual Review

Deacon Ministry Teams shall be reviewed annually by the Pastoral Staff and Board of Elders as to how they are accomplishing the purpose of the church, objectives of their charter, and their organizational and functional effectiveness. If upon annual review, the Deacon Ministry Team is not meeting its purpose and objectives, the team shall be encouraged to change its organization or ministry approach to accomplish its charter or be decommissioned.

D. Duties of Deacon Ministry Teams

1. Define and provide the necessary materials required for ministry.

2. Meet as required to plan and execute specific ministry objectives.

3. Develop and review annually its charter for Pastoral Staff review and submission to the Board of Elders.

4. Recruit and train qualified Deacon Ministry Team members (see Article II, Section 4.B.4.).

5. Submit annually to the Board of Elders proposed budgets and objectives for the forthcoming year.

6. Prepare an annual written report for the annual church business meeting.

Each Deacon Ministry Team shall normally have at least one staff person as an ex officio member.

Article III Pastoral and Church Staff

Section 1: The Senior Pastor

A. The Pulpit Committee

1. Upon notice of resignation of the Senior Pastor or vacancy of the pastorate, a special business meeting shall be called by the Board of Elders, with the Chair presiding, to elect a Pulpit Committee. By written ballot, following nominations from the floor, the church shall elect seven members to serve as the Pulpit Committee.

2. Duties of the Pulpit Committee

a. To solicit and investigate candidates for Senior Pastor.

b. To recommend a candidate to the church for election, giving credentials and proposed employment agreement.

c. To provide for pulpit ministry during the interim period.

B. Election of the Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor shall be elected by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at a business meeting of the church, provided a quorum is present and voting. Public notice of such meeting shall be given at least two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting and sent to all members with at least two weeks notice.

C. Duties of the Senior Pastor

1. To preach the whole counsel of God, administer the Ordinances, and give leadership to the congregation in fulfilling the purpose of the church (Constitution, Article II).

2. To serve as the administrator of the policies of the Board of Elders.

3. To be an ex officio member of the Board of Elders and an ex officio member of the Deacon Ministry Teams and committees of the church.

4. To provide leadership and direction to the Pastoral Staff Leadership Team.

D. Termination of Relationship

1. The senior pastoral relationship may be terminated upon at least thirty (30) days written notification on the part of the Senior Pastor or the church.

2. The church may terminate a pastoral relationship by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at a special business meeting called for that purpose by the Board of Elders, providing a quorum is present and voting. Public notice of such a meeting shall be given at least two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting and sent to all members with at least two weeks notice.

Section 2: The Pastoral Staff

The Pastoral Staff shall include all church employees with the exception of custodial, maintenance and secretarial staff employees and the Senior Pastor.

A. Selection

The Board of Elders shall secure staff members as the church shall need in accordance with Article II, Section 3.G. of the By-Laws.

B. Duties

Pastoral Staff duties shall be outlined in job descriptions defined by the Board of Elders following recommendations from the Personnel Committee.

C. Termination of Relationship

Relationships with any member of the Pastoral Staff may be terminated upon thirty (30) days written notification on the part of the staff member or the Board of Elders.

D. Pastoral Staff Leadership Team

The Pastoral Staff Leadership Team shall provide supervision to the Pastoral Staff as outlined in the Personnel Policy Manual. Membership of the Pastoral Staff Leadership Team is defined in the Personnel Policy Manual.

Section 3: Custodial and Maintenance Staff

The custodial and maintenance staff shall be approved by the Board of Elders and supervised in accordance with the job description and responsibilities outlined by the Personnel Policy Manual.

Section 4: Administration, Secretarial, and Office Staff

The administration, secretarial and office staff shall be approved by the Board of Elders and supervised in accordance with the job description and responsibilities outlined by the Personnel Policy Manual.

Article IV Meetings of the Church

Official meetings of the church are herein defined. Meetings of the Board of Elders and Deacon Ministry Teams are defined within the policies and procedures of each Board and Deacon Ministry Team. All other meetings within the church or use of the church facilities are scheduled in accordance with Article VI of the By-Laws.

Section 1: Worship Services

A. Regular Worship Service Schedule

The church shall meet each Sunday and on other days at times established by the Pastoral Staff and appropriate Deacon Ministry Teams, and approved by the Board of Elders.

B. Special Meetings

Special meetings of worship in the church may be arranged with the approval of the Board of Elders.

Section 2: Business Meetings

A. Annual Meeting of the Church

The annual business meeting of the church shall be held prior to the February Board of Elders meeting each year. Public notice of such meeting shall be given at least four Sundays prior to the meeting.

B. Special Business Meetings

Special business meetings of the church may be held at any time or during any scheduled meeting of the congregation by order of the Board of Elders, or upon written request of a quorum of the membership, except for those matters requiring advance public notice.

Section 3: Organization Meetings

Meetings of organizations within the church may be scheduled after approval by the appropriate Deacon Ministry Teams or the Board of Elders and upon clearance with the church calendar.

Article V Ordinances of the Church

Section 1: Baptism

A. Candidates for membership in the church must be baptized by immersion or be able to provide satisfactory evidence of having been so baptized by letter or statement of experience.

B. The mode of baptism shall be by immersion.

C. Baptism shall be administered only after satisfactory preparation and examination by the Pastoral Staff.

Section 2: The Lord’s Supper

A. The Lord’s Supper shall be commemorated each month and at such other times as determined by the Pastoral Staff and the Board of Elders.

B. The observance shall be open to all in attendance at the service who claim salvation through Jesus Christ.

Article VI Church Policies and Procedures

Section 1: Individual Board Responsibilities

A. The Board of Elders and each Deacon Ministry Team of the church shall prepare and maintain a current book of policies and procedures which shall govern those activities within its jurisdiction.

B. All board policies and procedures shall be reviewed and coordinated by the Board of Elders.

Section 2: Church Elections

A. Qualifications of Voters

Only members eighteen years of age or older may be eligible to vote.

B. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of no less than eighty (80) members present who are qualified voters.

C. Balloting Procedure

Written ballots are required for the call of the Senior Pastor and the election of church officers. For all other decisions the method of balloting shall be at the discretion of the voters.

D. Nominations from the floor

For all church elected officers, nominations may be made from the floor provided those nominated meet the requirements stated in Article II, Sections 3.C and 4.C, and provided those nominated have given prior consent to being nominated.

E. Election Tellers

Tellers appointed by the presiding officer prior to the election shall conduct distribution, collection and counting of ballots.

F. Absentee or Proxy Ballots

Absentee ballots or votes by proxy shall not be counted in any church votes.

G. Requirements for Election

A two-thirds majority of ballots cast, a quorum being present and voting, shall be necessary to extend a call to or terminate a relationship with a Pastor, to dismiss a member for cause, to purchase, sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber church real estate, and to amend the Constitution or By-Laws. A majority of ballots cast shall be sufficient for all other church elections. In elections involving more than two alternatives, or candidates, those receiving the greatest number of votes shall be considered to have the majority.

Section 3: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the church shall correspond to the calendar year.

Section 4: Use of Church Facilities

Use of the church facilities for other than official church meetings (Article IV) is subject to the policies established by the Board of Elders and/or Business Manager.

Article VII Parliamentary Procedure in Meetings

The parliamentary manual of authority in the conduct of church meetings and board meetings shall be Robert’s Rules of Order (latest version) where no inconsistency exists with the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article VIII Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended at any business meeting of the church by a two-thirds majority of votes cast, provided a quorum is present and voting. Notice of such meeting, and the proposed amendment, shall be given with at least two weeks printed notice, sent to all members of the church. In addition, notice of the meeting will be published in the bulletin at least two times before the meeting date.

Article IX Compliance with State Statutes

No action of this church shall be considered valid, nor its enforcement be required, if it is contrary to the laws of the State of Minnesota, or if action for its fulfillment contravenes such laws.