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The Constitution of

THE CHAPEL HILL BIBLE CHURCH

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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

  1. 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).
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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).
  7. 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).
  8. 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).
  9. 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).
  10. 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).
  11. 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:

  1. 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;
  2. To emphasize the importance of God's Word and prayer in our personal lives, in our families, and in our fellowship together;
  3. 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;
  4. 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;
  5. To pray regularly for the needs of the Church;
  6. 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.
  7. 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;
  8. To submit ourselves in Christ to the discipline and exhortation of this Church;
  9. 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;
  10. To accept the responsibilities of government in the Church as provided in the Constitution and 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;
  11. 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.

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 and the Constitution and 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: __________________

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 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.

  1. 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 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 Bylaws of the Church, by submitting to the Elders a signed Covenant of Fellowship. The suggested minimum age for membership is twelve (12) years.
  2. 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 every October.
  3. 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
      1. 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 member-ship, or who fails to respond to correspondence directed to him at his last known address, shall be removed from the roll of membership.
      2. 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 Elders at least one week in advance of that date, and must be given opportunity to answer the charges before the Elders if so desired. Dismissal or any other form of discipline shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Elders voting after careful and prayerful consider-ation. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS

The officers of the Church shall be divided into four categories and shall consist of active members: 1) the Pastoral Staff, 2) the Board of Elders and Board of Deacons, 3) appointed Church Officers (such as Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent), and 4) special Ministry Officers (such as Minister of Music, etc.).

  1. PASTORAL STAFF:
    1. Selection — Upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, the congregation may call such paid pastoral staff as shall be considered necessary for the most effective ministry of the Church. 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, and Constitution and Bylaws of the Church. After being interviewed by the Board of Elders and recom-mended to the Congregation by them, a member of the pastoral staff shall be elected by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast on a secret ballot at a congregational meeting duly called and constituted for the express purpose of considering a recommendation. Only one candidate shall be considered at any one meeting.
    2. Termination — A member of the pastoral staff may at any time dissolve the pastoral relationship, doing so with the consent and support of the other Elders, and giving a one month's notice of such intention to the congregation, or less if mutually agreed. Likewise, the Church may initiate termination of the pastoral relationship by calling a congregational meeting to consider the question. Such a meeting shall be called by three-fourths (3/4) majority of the votes cast at a duly constituted meeting of the Board of Elders, or by a petition submitted to the Board of Elders signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the voting membership. A simple majority of the votes cast by secret ballot at that congregational meeting shall be sufficient to cause termination. In such case, the member of the pastoral staff terminated shall be entitled to one month's salary after the date of termination set by the congregation.
    3. Duties and Privileges — Any member of the pastoral staff shall be a permanent member of the Board of Elders. The counsel and advice of the pastoral staff 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. With the other elders, they shall oversee the spiritual welfare of the congregation and exercise watchful care for the needs of the congregation. Their individual responsibilities shall be stipulated in writing in conjunction with the Board of Elders, according to the manifest needs of the Body and the gifts and ministries entrusted by God to each one. Such individual job descriptions shall be subject to at least annual review, to consider changes in response to the changing needs of the Fellowship.
  2. ELDERS AND DEACONS:
    The following Boards shall consist of active members of the Church who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older, and who are elected by the congregation at its annual meeting.
    1. Elders
      1. Qualifications and Election — The responsibility of the Elders is that of the spiritual oversight of the body. This Board should normally number not less than three (3) men and may be increased depending on the needs of the Body and the leading of the Holy Spirit as determined by the prevailing Board of Elders. They shall be recognized by the members present at the annual meeting after 1) feeling called by the Holy Spirit to the office of overseer, and 2) being recognized by the existing Elders as qualified under the stipulations of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
      2. Term of Office — The Elders shall be elected for terms of three years unless otherwise specified at the time of election. Having received the consent and support of the other members of the Board, an elder may leave his office before his term has expired. Their terms shall be arranged on a rotating basis so that, as nearly as possible, the terms of one-third (1/3) shall expire each year. No officer who has served two years or more shall be permitted to succeed himself on the same Board until one year has elapsed, but he shall be eligible for election to other offices during that year.
      3. Selection — At least six weeks before the annual congregational meeting, the names of the officers whose terms are expiring and the likely number of new officers to be selected shall be announced from the pulpit or published in the bulletin. The scriptural passages dealing with the qualifications for an elder shall be read out and explained. Nominations for these offices may be submitted to the Board of Elders by any voting member of the church. Of those so nominated, the existing elders shall recognize, at least three weeks before the annual congregational meeting, those who, in their opinion, possess the qualifications of an elder and who have agreed to serve willingly. From that time until one week before the annual congregational meeting, objections to the nominations and questions may be put to the Board of Elders privately. At the annual congregational meeting, in the absence of the nominees and their families, the Chairman of the Board of Elders shall actively seek the views of the Church on the nominees presented. Those who dissent must do so on the grounds that the nominee is lacking in one or more of the qualifications scripturally required for the office, and that the matter had been shred with the elders privately. The deliberations of this part of the meeting only shall be confidential and restricted to those who have entered into a Covenant of Fellowship. There shall be no nominations from the floor. An eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast on a 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 Elders may appoint a temporary officer to serve until the annual congregational meeting.
      4. Organization, Meetings, and Quorum — At the first meeting of the Board of Elders after the annual congregational meeting, the Elders shall elect from their number a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a Church Clerk. They may also appoint such committees as are necessary for the effectual oversight of the activities of the Church. The regular meetings of the Board of Elders shall be held at least monthly at such time and place as the Board may determine. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board, or a majority of the Elders. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the Board shall be given from the pulpit, in the bulletin, or by telephone at least one day prior to the meeting. A majority of all the Board members shall constitute a quorum of the Board, and the acts of the entire Board, unless otherwise specifically required by law or by this Constitution and Bylaws.
      5. Duties — The Elders shall comprise the ruling body of the Church and shall have the power and authority to act in behalf of the Church except as limited below (f). It shall be the duty of the 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 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. They shall counsel the erring and needy, comfort the sick and afflicted, and share in the responsibility of supplying the pulpit. They shall control the distribution of benevolent funds. They shall be responsible for the regular services of the Church and the administration of the ordinances. They shall appoint the Sunday School Superintendent and other such officers and committees as may be necessary. They shall inform the congregation of all major decisions made in their meetings. The elders have the responsibility to ordain, commission, and/or license a "minister" subject to the process of conferring leadership credentials within the church body (e.g., pastoral staff, elders and deacons, or special ministry officers).
      6. Limitations — The Board of Elders shall not assume any of the following prerogatives without expressed congregational consent:
        1. To amend this Constitution and Bylaws.
        2. To call or dismiss any member of the Pastoral Staff.
        3. To purchase, sell, or mortgage real property.
        4. The Board of Deacons is authorized to spend no more than 6% of the total annual budget on unbudgeted supplies, materials, equipment, or building repairs.
        5. To incur expenses for the church exceeding the revenue of the Church, except to meet promptly such fixed current expenditures as may be necessary to secure continuity in the work of the Church.
        6. To adopt an annual budget.
        7. To adopt any home or foreign missionary for regular monthly support or alter the amount of regular support given to any missionary of the Church.
        8. To infringe upon any other right reserved to the congregation by law or by the articles of this Constitution and Bylaws.
      7. Termination — The office of Elder shall be considered vacant when any one of the following occurs:
        1. Death.
        2. Resignation.
        3. Refusal to fulfill the responsibilities designated in this Constitution and Bylaws, and so declared by a majority present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Board of Elders.
        4. Absence from three consecutive business meetings of the Board without an excuse which is acceptable to the majority present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Board of Elders.
        5. Removal by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of those present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Board of Elders if an officer 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 and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church. [If a three-fourths (3/4) majority is not mathematically feasible, then a majority as close to the three-fourths as possible shall be required.]
    2. Deacons
      1. Qualifications and Election — The responsibility of the Deacons is that of physical oversight of the Body. This Board should normally number not less than three (3) persons and should be increased as the needs of the Body demand.
      2. Term of Office — Deacons shall be elected in accordance with I Timothy 3:8-10, and on the same basis as Elders.
      3. Selection — The procedure for nominating and electing the Deacons and for filling unexpired terms shall be the same as that for the Elders.
      4. Organization, Meetings, Quorum — At the first meeting of the Board of Deacons after the annual congregational meeting, the Deacons shall elect from their number a chairman, vice-chairman, and a secretary. They shall also appoint a Church Treasurer, such assistants to the Treasurer as may be deemed necessary, and any committees considered to be essential to the adequate management of the material matters of the Church. The regular meetings of the Board of Deacons shall be held at least monthly at such time and place as the Board may determine. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Elders, the Chairman of the Board, or a majority of the Deacons. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the Board shall be given from the pulpit, in the bulletin, or by telephone at least one day prior to the meeting. 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 and Bylaws.
      5. Duties — It shall be the duty of the Deacons to assist the Elders in the administration of the Church. All major actions of the Deacons shall be subject to approval by the Board of Elders and shall be presented to the Board of Elders at its monthly meeting by the Chairman of the Board of Deacons or his appointee. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to have the care of all matters pertaining to the physical properties and finances of the Church, subject to the same limitations as those upon the Elders. They shall take all necessary measures for the protection and maintenance of the Church Buildings and property and shall supervise the use of same. They shall meet promptly all obligations incurred by the Church. They shall present for adoption at the annual congregational meeting a budget of prospective operating expenses for the coming year, including proposed salaries for personnel of the Church. The Deacons, in the person of their Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary, shall act as trustees 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 Deacons shall be responsible for ushering at the services of the Church, and for providing every material thing for proper worship. They shall hold themselves in readiness to assist in guiding the spiritual life of the Church and in performing any other necessary duties.
      6. Termination — The office of Deacon shall be considered vacant in the same manner as the office of Elder.
  3. APPOINTED OFFICERS:
    1. Church Clerk — The Church Clerk shall be elected by the Elders from their number at their first meeting after the annual congregational meeting. He shall record or have recorded the minutes of all congregational meetings as well as meetings of the Board of Elders. He shall oversee all official correspondence for the Church. He shall provide for the safekeeping of all papers and documents of the Church except those committed to the Board of Deacons, delivering the same with all records kept by him or his successor.
    2. Church Treasurer — The Church Treasurer shall be elected by the Deacons at their first meeting after the annual congregational meeting. He shall pay all bills that have been duly authorized, keep a full account of all monies received and paid out, and submit a written monthly, quarterly, and annual report to the Board of Deacons of the financial condition of the Church. He shall make his books available for audit at any time upon request by the Board of Deacons or the Board of Elders.
    3. Sunday School Superintendent — The Sunday School Superintendent shall be elected by the Elders at their first meeting after the annual congregational meeting. He shall supervise the operation of the Sunday School of the Church. All matters pertaining to the Sunday School, such as size and location of classes, selection of literature, selection of teachers, etc., shall be determined by the Sunday School Superintendent, subject to approval by the Board of Elders. He shall have an assistant, approved by the Elders, to perform his duties in his absence and to perform any responsibilities relating to the Sunday School which may be deemed advisable to the delegate.
  4. SPECIAL MINISTRY OFFICERS:
    1. Recognition — In addition to the aforementioned regular officers, upon recommendation of the Board of Elders, the congregation may call individuals to a specifically designated office in the Church, in response to specific needs manifest in the Body and the special gifts and ministries entrusted by God to those individuals. Such officers shall be recognized by an eighty percent (80%) majority of votes cast on a secret ballot at a duly called and constituted congregational meeting.
    2. Term of Office — The term of office of elected officers shall be subject to variation in accordance with the specific circumstances of their ministries and shall be determined by the Board of Elders and the congregation.
    3. Termination — An elected officer may dissolve the ministerial relationship with the Church by giving a one month notice of such intention to the congregation, or less if mutually agreed. Likewise, the Church may initiate termination under the provisions stipulated in Article VIII, A, 2 governing the termination of the Pastoral Staff.
    4. Duties — The responsibilities of elected officers shall be stipulated in writing and reviewed at least annually by the Board of Elders and the individual officers.

ARTICLE IX: ORGANIZATIONS

The organizations or agencies of the Church shall include a Sunday School. There may also a ladies' fellowship, a men's fellowship, weekday boys' and girls' organizations, and a choir. Members wishing to form any other organization within the Church must present a statement of their purpose, plans, and organizational structure to the Board of Elders and receive Board approval before proceeding with the organization. Officers of all Church organizations must be active members in good standing with the Church.

ARTICLE X: COMMITTEES

In addition to the committees provided for elsewhere in this Constitution and Bylaws, the following committees shall also exist, each answerable to the Board of Elders:

  1. AUDITING COMMITTEE:
    The Auditing Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Church appointed by the Board of Elders at the close of each church year to examine and audit the books and records of the Church Treasurer and to present a report to the Board of Elders.
  2. WORSHIP COMMITTEE:
    A Worship Committee, consisting of as many members as may be deemed necessary, shall oversee the total worship services and the musical program of the Church. The Board of Elders shall appoint the Chairman, who in turn shall submit to the Elders for approval the names of other prospective committee members.
  3. MISSIONS COMMITTEE:
    The Missions Committee shall consist of four (4) or more members, including at least one Elder, one Deacon, and two representatives at large from the congregation, all appointed by the Board of Elders. The Committee shall elect its own chairman. The duties of the Missions Committee shall be to promote missionary interest and provide missionary education throughout the Church, to recommend to the Church the adoption of new missionaries and the amount of their support, and to submit a proposed missionary budget for the coming year to the Board of Deacons by the last week in November.
  4. INTERIM COMMITTEES:
    Interim committees may be appointed as need arises.

ARTICLE XI: CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING

  1. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING:
    The church year shall coincide with the calendar year, and the annual congregational meeting shall be held after the conclusion of same. Election of officers and adoption of an annual church budget shall be included in the agenda of the annual congregational meeting.
  2. 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 voting membership 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.
  3. QUORUM AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS:
    1. A quorum for the transaction of business at all congregational meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the voting membership. The majority vote of those members present and voting shall prevail unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by the Constitution and Bylaws.
    2. In all congregational business meetings the Chairman of the Board of Elders or, in his absence, someone to be appointed by the Elders shall preside.
    3. In the transaction of business, the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall be used in all cases not covered by this Constitution and Bylaws.
  4. VOTING:
    The Chairman of the meeting shall determine the method of voting, except in such cases as secret ballot is specified in the Constitution and Bylaws. Eligibility for voting at congregational business meetings shall be limited by the articles of this Constitution and Bylaws (cf. VI, C). No absentee or proxy vote shall be permitted.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and Bylaws 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 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.
 

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