Bylaws
of
Grace Bible Church
of Parachute, Colorado
Article I--Name
The name of this non-profit corporation shall be Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.
Article II--Purpose
The purpose of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado is to worship the living God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24; I Corinthians 10:31). This worship will be promoted by instruction, fellowship, pursuit of purity, service and evangelism (Acts 2:42; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:28; Matthew 28:19-20). These enabling objectives will be carried out by, but not limited to, establishing, maintaining and operating buildings, churches, parsonages, schools (including, but not limited to, institutes and seminaries that grant certificates, diplomas and degrees in areas of biblical studies), chapels, radio stations, rescue missions, para-church organizations, mission organizations, nursing homes, retirement communities and any other outreach that the church may be led of God to establish.
Article III--Membership
We believe Biblical membership in the Body of Christ is held by all who have been placed in the Body by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). The Membership list of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado is a formal list of individual believers who desire to be shepherded by and participate in the local assembly of the Body of Christ at Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.
Section A -- The Qualifications for Membership
1. Salvation
2. Completion of the Membership Class
3. Recommendation by an Elder
4. Signing of the Church Covenant
(Believer's Baptism is not required for membership at Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. However, it is the conviction of this fellowship that every believer should obey and yield to the Lord in this area. The leadership of the church shall encourage all believers to follow in Believer’s Baptism.)
Section B -- The Responsibilities of Each Member
1. Loyalty to the Lordship of Christ in one's own life
2. Submission to Headship of Christ over Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado
3. Pursuit of personal godliness and the encouragement of godliness in others
4. Pledge of cooperation by serving with one's time, spiritual gifts, finances, and energies when presented with the opportunity
5. Regular prayer for the church ministry, leadership and people
6. Diligence to preserve the unity of the body of Grace Bible Church
7. Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado is governed by a Council of Elders who make decisions by unanimity; therefore, Members do not vote (except on the yearly budget), but are expected to exercise responsibility in calling to the attention of the Elders any Biblical reason (or logical reasons based on Biblical principles) for or against any proposal presented by the Elders or any action of the Elders.
8. Diligence to fulfill Biblical responsibilities to the Elders as follows:
- Appreciate them
- Let them have charge over you in the Lord
- Let them instruct you
- Esteem them because of their work
- Remember them
- Consider them
- Imitate them
- Obey them
- Submit to them
- Honor them
Section C -- Privileges
While any person is welcome (except those under Church Discipline or those whose attendance is disruptive) to attend the services of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado, the privilege of holding an office, chairing a teaching position or leading a complementary ministry shall be limited to Members in good standing. All Members who are asked to chair a teaching position or office shall sign a Teacher's Application and Agreement Form.
Section D -- Dismissal
Members who, as determined by the Elders, are inactive shall be approached in a spirit of brotherly love by two Elders for the purpose of restoring active fellowship. If not restored to active fellowship, he/she shall be removed from the Church Membership roll.
Section E -- Letter of Recommendation
A Letter of Recommendation from another church is very much encouraged, but not required for Membership evaluation at Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. Each individual shall be required to meet the criteria of Section A of this Article for Membership.
A Letter of Recommendation will be sent to another fellowship of like doctrine upon request. Should the grounds for such request be determined by the Elders to be based on unbiblical reasons, or requested because of unresolved difficulties, the Elders will make every effort to correct the situation to a mutual, peaceful solution so that the Member will be leaving in good standing. In any event, an honest evaluation of the spiritual condition of the Member will be addressed to the new church leaders.
Article IV--Council of Elders
Section A -- Governing Body is the Council of Elders
The local assembly of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado shall be governed by a Council of Elders hereinafter referred to as "Elders" or "Council". "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you...shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock." I Peter 5:1-3 (NASB)
The Elders shall be responsible for all decisions and shall have final control under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Word of God (I Peter 5:1-3; Hebrews 13:7, 17; I Corinthians 16:15-16). All major decisions (e.g. the appointment of leadership or major expenditures) shall be presented to the congregation for response. The congregation shall have two [2] weeks to respond. The Elders shall consider all responses to any proposal. The Elders shall govern by unanimity (Ephesians 4:1-3, 12-16; Acts 15:24-25).
Section B -- Meetings and Offices of Elders
The Elders shall choose annually from among themselves a presiding Elder who shall call meetings, preside over those meetings and discern unanimity. The Elders shall choose a man from among themselves to keep the minutes of the Elder meetings. Each Elder may be asked to oversee a specific function of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado and to oversee other ministries as deemed necessary. The Elders shall meet monthly or as necessary with proper minutes kept of each meeting. (Due to the sensitive nature of these meetings the minutes will be kept confidential.)
Section C -- Number of Elders
The Council of Elders shall consist of three [3] or more men (Philippians 1:1), as qualified in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. If at any time, Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado does not have three [3] qualified men within the congregation, the remaining Elders shall contact nearby churches affiliated with the Independent Fundamental Churches of America or a church that is like-minded doctrinally, to find a qualified man currently serving as an Elder. This man will then serve as a temporary Elder at Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado (Elder Training Program will be waived in this case). This man will be required to sign a Teacher's Application and Agreement Form and will serve only until a total of three [3] qualified men are raised up by the Lord from within the congregation of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.
Section D -- Selection Process for Elders
Elders shall be chosen by the following procedure:
1. Nomination - Any Member of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado may nominate another Member to the Elder Training Program by contacting any Elder in private or by meeting with the Elders.
2. Evaluation -
a. The Elders shall evaluate the nominee in accordance with I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. If the Elders find reason that the nominee should not serve, the person making the nomination shall be informed privately, thereby ending the nomination. If after evaluation the nomination is accepted, the Elders shall then contact the nominee concerning the Elder Training Program.
b. The nominee must then be willing to enter and complete the Elder Training Program (see Section E).
c. Upon completion, the Elders shall again evaluate the nominee. If the Elders believe he is qualified, and the nominee agrees to serve as an Elder, then the Elders will present his name to the congregation for discovery.
d. The Elders shall present the nominee to the congregation by mail and by public announcement. The congregation will have two [2] weeks to present their findings to the Elders. All input must be in private either verbally or by signed statement. All negative input should be accompanied by Scripture.
3. Determination - After considering all responses, the Elders will make a decision. If a positive decision is reached, the Elders will appoint the nominee as an Elder. The pattern of appointment is clearly seen throughout the New Testament (Acts 6:3-6, 14:23; Titus 1:5).
Note: At any time during the selection process, the nomination may be dismissed by the Elders, and/or the nominee may decline the nomination.
Section E -- Elder Training Program
The Elder Training Program is a period of time during which the nominee is evaluated more closely. This procedure allows the nominee time to evaluate the Elders and his own gifts and to see what will be required of him.
1. The Length of the Program - The time period shall be six [6] months; however, this time may be extended by the Elders if they feel it is needed in special cases.
2. The Responsibilities of the Nominee
a. To attend all the Elders' meetings (during such meetings the candidate may give input freely but may not vote)
b. To assist the Elders
c. To complete assigned Biblical studies
Section F -- Removal of Elders
All Elders must continue to meet the qualifications of the Word of God (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). Any Elder may be removed by authority of Scripture, according to Article VII of this Document. Such removal requires a unanimous vote of the remaining Elders; the Elder in question has no vote.
Section G --Term of Elders
Spiritual maturity is neither limited by nor received by being appointed to any council; therefore, any Elder appointed to this office shall remain in that position until the occurrence of any of the following:
1. He is removed in accordance with Section F of this Article
2. He resigns
3. He moves from the area
4. He takes a sabbatical (An Elder may take a sabbatical if he so chooses. A sabbatical shall be for a period of not more than one [1] year, and said Elder must stay in fellowship with Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.)
5. He physically becomes unable to fulfill his duties
6. He dies
Section H -- Responsibilities of an Elder to the Congregation
All saints have responsibilities within the Body of Christ. Elders are given a specific list of Scriptures that they must endeavor to fulfill. They are as follows:
1. Acts 20:28
-Guard themselves
-Guard the local church under their care
-Oversee
-Shepherd the local church of God
-Labor among the local church
-Exercise charge over the local church in the Lord
-Instruct the local church
-Must be always meeting the requirements
-Able to teach
-Take care of the House of God
-Rule
-Work at preaching and teaching
5. Titus 1:9-13
-Exhort in sound doctrine
-Refute those who contradict
-Lead
-Speak the Word of God
-Exercise godly conduct
-Keep watch over souls
-Give an account for the people
-Pray for the sick
-Anoint with oil
-Shepherd the flock of God
-Exercise oversight (voluntarily /eagerly /with exemplary conduct)
Section I -- Accountability of Elders
Elders, individually and as a Council, are accountable to God for their thoughts, words, and deeds, as are all saints (II Corinthians 5:10). Yet because Elders are leaders within the Body of Christ, they will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1; Ezekiel 34:1-10) and will be judged for the local assembly as a whole (Hebrews 13:17).
Elders, like all saints, are accountable to other Elders for their words and deeds (I Timothy 5:19-20; Galatians 2:14). The Elders shall show no partiality in confronting, rebuking or disciplining an Elder (I Timothy 5:21).
Elders, individually and as a Council, are accountable to all saints. Just as any saint has the Biblical responsibility to confront another saint regarding sin, even so, saints are to confront saints who hold a church office regarding sin. Thus, any saint can and should follow the Biblical guidelines when confronting an Elder or the Council of Elders (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:10).
Article V--Deacons/Deaconesses
Section A -- Appointment and Term
All Deacons/Deaconesses must meet, and continue to meet, the applicable requirements of I Timothy 3:8-13. A Deacon/Deaconess shall be chosen by the same procedure as an Elder, except that Deacons/Deaconesses will not be required to undergo the Elder Training Program as do Elders. Deacons/Deaconesses will undergo on the job training as directed by the Elders. Their term of office shall be for one [1] year, but they may be reappointed for subsequent one [1] year terms. The Elders may appoint as many Deacons/Deaconesses as they deem necessary to accomplish the ministry at hand.
Section B -- Profile and Removal
The Deacons/Deaconesses shall administer programs of service as delegated to them by the Council of Elders (Acts 6:1-6). The Deacon/Deaconess serving as Treasurer shall present the congregation with a monthly financial statement and oversee the preparation of an annual budget for the Church. Removal of a Deacon/Deaconess shall be done in a Scriptural manner by the Council of Elders.
Article VI-Church Business Meetings
Section A -- Annual Business Meeting
The Elders shall provide for an annual business meeting of the Church Membership on the last Sunday in January. The fiscal year for Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado is January 1 - December 31. The previous year's budget shall continue in force until a new budget is approved. Any business needing to be addressed must be given to the Elders at least one [1] week prior to the meeting. No new business will be accepted from the floor. The order of business shall be:
1. Devotional
2. Reading of previous minutes
3. Financial report
4. Ministry reports
5. Business of the church
a. Yearly budget--sixty-five percent [65%] of the active Voting Membership (eighteen [18] years old and over) must be present to vote on the yearly budget. The majority vote shall confirm the verdict. If sixty-five percent [65%] of the active Voting Membership do not attend the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned to the next week. Three [3] attempts shall be made in the three [3] consecutive weeks to gather sixty-five percent [65%] of the Voting Membership. If the third attempt fails to have sixty-five percent [65%] of the active Voting Membership, the Council of Elders shall vote on the budget. If the Council of Elders votes on the budget, it must pass unanimously.
b. Concerns of the congregation
c. Other
6. Adjournment with prayer
Section B -- Special Meeting
Special meetings of the Membership may be held at any time and place upon the call of the Elders or upon a written request to the Elders by at least twenty-five percent [25%] of the Voting Membership. The Members must specify the purpose of the meeting in the written request. The time, place and purpose of any special meeting shall be announced in the bulletin or from the pulpit at the regular Morning Worship Service on two [2] consecutive Sundays before the meeting.
If at any time, the Elders and the Members of the congregation find themselves at odds, either the Elders or forty percent [40%] or more of the Voting Membership may call for a mediation meeting. The mediation meeting shall be governed by a Mediation Council. The Elders of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado shall contact the Regional President of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America and ask him to appoint three [3] godly Elders from other churches to the Mediation Council. The Regional President must then select the men and present their names to Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado two [2] weeks prior to their appointment. (He may present as many names as he wishes.) During this two [2] week period, if any Voting Member has question as to the appointment of these men, he/she must submit this concern to the Regional President in writing stating his/her Biblical reasons. The Regional President shall evaluate all the written responses. He then shall choose three [3] men to serve on the Mediation Council. The Regional President shall then appoint these men to the Mediation Council. The Mediation Council shall listen to both sides without partiality. The Mediation Council judgment is final and binding. The Elders of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado and the Membership shall follow and abide by the Mediation Council's ruling.
Article VII--Church Discipline
God charges all believers to hold one another accountable in order to promote godliness. Accountability is a necessary part of the Christian life, since all believers (i.e. Elders, Deacons, Members and saved Regular Attenders) are capable of sin. The purpose of Church Discipline is to restore a redeemed individual to fellowship with God (Gal. 6:1) and if need be, due to unrepentance, purify the Church of ungodly behavior (I Cor. 5:12-13). The Elders are servants in the Body of Christ charged with shepherding the flock; therefore, they shall exercise their duties in Church Discipline. The Elders and congregation shall follow Scriptural principles found in Matthew 18:15-17; I Timothy 5:19-20; I Corinthians 5:1-3; Galatians 6:1; and II Thessalonians 3:14-15. The steps that will be followed in Church Discipline are outlined in Matthew 18:
Step One -- If a believer sees unrepented sin in another brother or sister, he should first prayerfully examine himself/herself. Then he/she should go in a spirit of gentleness, love and humility, in private to that person for the purpose of calling him or her to repentance and back to fellowship.
Step Two -- If no repentance takes place, a second visit in the same spirit is in order, this time with one or two witnesses, for the purpose of calling the sinning believer to repentance and back to fellowship. Letters may be used in cases where the sinning party is unwilling to meet.
Step Three --Should there still be no repentance, it is to be told to the Elders. The Elders shall then investigate the situation. If the Elders find that the sin has occurred, no repentance has taken place, and that each step has been followed, they shall present that person's name and conduct to the congregation. The purpose for doing so is that the congregation collectively can plead with the individual to repent and to restore fellowship with God. The Elders shall determine the time period between step three and four; however, they shall allow the congregation at least two [2] weeks to plead with the sinning believer.
Step Four -- If there is still no repentance, then exclusion from the Church's Fellowship is in order. The Elders shall again present the sinning believer's name to the congregation and state that he/she is no longer welcome to attend any meetings of the fellowship until the sin has been dealt with in a godly fashion.
Note: Unrepented sin for this document will be inclusive of all sinful conduct, public and confidential. The Elders of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado reserve the God-given responsibility to deal with unrepented sin, including but not limited to that discovered in confidentiality. Repentance for this document will be defined as: "a genuine, not superficial, change of mind about something which is followed by some change." (Dr. Ryrie, Basic Theology) In regard to discipline this means a change of mind about the confronted action (sin) that results in confession to God and a corresponding change to holiness.
The time period for each of the steps will vary according to circumstances; however, every step shall be done as speedily as possible. These steps will be followed both for Members and for saved Regular Attenders (saved Regular Attenders are individuals who know Christ as Savior, who attend at least once a month and/or are in the Church Directory). Any church leader (Deacon, teacher, etc.) who comes under any step of Church Discipline may be relieved of his/her responsibilities by the Elders. Included in the Church Covenant, which contains the Statement of Faith and which is signed by anyone wanting to be on the Church Membership roll of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado, shall be this statement: "I will not pursue legal action or sue the Pastor(s), Elder(s), Deacon(s)/Deaconess(es), this Corporation (Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado ), officer(s) of this Corporation or the staff of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado in connection with the performance of their official duties, including Church Discipline." This view is a Biblical view in that Christians are not to seek civil action against one another within the local church (I Corinthians 6:1-8). Every Member of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado has entered into a covenant to minister to one another's spiritual needs and, since this relationship is entered into by mutual consent of the church leaders and the Member, it also ends only by mutual consent.
Article VIII--Properties
Section A --Title
The title to all property(ies) of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado, both real and personal, shall be and shall remain vested in Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado, as a non-profit corporation.
Section B -- Power to Acquire
Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado shall have the power to acquire and hold property(ies), both real and personal, for the general use of the Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. All property(ies) so acquired shall be held in the name of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.
Section C -- Use of Church Facilities
The church facilities of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado may be used by its Members or other groups for purposes consistent with these Bylaws of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. Those wishing to use the facilities must seek the approval of the Deacons/Elders. Donations to cover utilities, cleaning, and wear and tear will be expected. The Deacons/Elders shall give a suggested donation amount upon approval of use.
No equipment or furniture shall be removed from Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado without prior approval of the Deacons/Elders.
Article IX--Licensing And Ordination
Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado reserves the God-given responsibility to both license and ordain godly, spirit-filled men to the gospel ministry.
The Elders of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado shall have the power to revoke any license or ordination certificate issued by Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. Revoking will occur when ungodly behavior occurs and/or when one is found guilty of teaching doctrine out of harmony with the Doctrinal Statement of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado (Article III of the Constitution).
Article X--Dissolution
No part of the net earnings of this Corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any donor, Member, director or officer of this Corporation or to any private individual, and no donor, Member, director, or officer of this Corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the Corporate assets. Upon dissolution, any assets of this Corporation must be distributed to the Rocky Mountain Bible Church Mission and the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, if those entities still exist, and are exempt from federal income tax; otherwise, to one or more organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as one organized exclusively for religious, charitable, literary or educational purposes under Art. 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In case of dissolution, the remaining Elder(s) shall determine the distribution percentage, after paying any indebtedness. If the above mentioned Corporations do not exist, the remaining Elder(s) shall choose other exempt corporations to which the assets are to be distributed. Only exempt corporations that sign with complete conviction, the Doctrinal Statement of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado will be considered.
Article XI--Finances
The work of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado is entirely dependent upon the prayers, personal services and voluntary gifts of the Lord's people. All fund-raising shall be authorized by the Elders.
Article XII--Corporate Offices
The Elders shall choose men to fill the Corporate Offices of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado as required by the state for a non-profit corporation.
Article XIII--Operational Policies
The Council of Elders shall make operational policies as they see the need. These policies may be made, amended or altered at any Elder meeting. The policies shall be a guide for future decisions and actions of the Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, and other leaders and workers within Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado. As policies are created or modified by the Elders, they shall be presented to the congregation on the following week during the Sunday Morning Worship Service. These policies shall be made available to the congregation by being placed in the office of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, Colorado.
In the event that there appears to be an omission or oversight in these Bylaws, the Operational Policies of Grace Bible Church of Parachute, CO shall be looked to first for direction or clarification.
Article XIV--Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended or altered at any meeting of the Elders after the amendment or alteration has been presented to the Congregation for their opinions. The Congregation must have two [2] weeks in which to respond to the amendment or alteration proposal. The Elders shall then evaluate the opinions and make a decision.
Doctrinal Statement of Grace Bible Church
Constitution of Grace Bible Church
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