By Laws
Article 1 Name
The name of this church is The Bible Church. It is an independent, self-governing, non-denominational church.
Article 2 Location
The legal office of The Bible Church is 123 Main Street #5, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Article 3 Purpose
The purpose of The Bible Church is to be a Great Commission Church. In other words, to glorify God by making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20). The values that drive this Church are the word of God, the worship of God and a witness for God. The practices that guide the purpose are:
- Gathering to celebrate, pray.
- Growing in groups and serving one another.
- Going on local and global disciple making teams, on Church Planting teams and in a Great Commission School.
Article 4 Statement of Belief
(Unabridged)
(Unabridged)
Scripture
All Scripture is the literal written Word of God as recorded in its original language by its authors through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These Scriptures lack error, defect, or contradiction of any kind. Scripture, in its entirety, centers upon our Lord Jesus Christ and cannot be properly understood apart from its relationship to the Person or work of Christ. God designed the Scriptures, from their inspiration to their institution as the Holy Bible, for the practical instruction of all Christians. (Mark 12:36; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2–3, 18:28, 16:22–23, 28:23; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
God
God has revealed Himself to be perfect in love and righteousness and is worthy of our praise and obedience. God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, also known as the Trinity. These three are the one true God, having exactly the same nature, attributes, and perfection. God is sovereign and Creator of all, both material and spiritual. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:18–19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14, 10:30, 14:9–10; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1–3; Revelation 1:4–6)
Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ, who has existed eternally with God as a member of the Trinity, entered our world to make God apparent to mankind, to fulfill the prophecies pre-announcing His arrival, and to save a world dead in sin. Being the very Son of God, Jesus was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Both fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ lived the only perfect, sinless life this earth has ever seen. Because of His love for the lost, Christ voluntarily laid down His life and was crucified. He became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb that took away the sin of the world. He bore the holy judgments against sin imposed by a righteous God and became the propitiation of our sin. His death was substitutionary in the most absolute sense— the just for the unjust—and by His death, He became the Savior of the lost. He was then resurrected by the power of God in the same body three days after His death. After appearing to His disciples and others over a period of 40 days, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father with all things put in subject under Him, and He will one day return to judge the living and the dead.(Luke 1:30–35; John 1:1–2, 1:14, 1:18, 1:29, 20:19–20; Acts 2:22–24; Romans 3:25–26; Ephesians 1:22–23; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 1:3, 4:15; 1 Peter 3:18)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, as the third member of the Trinity, is equal to both the Father and the Son in holding all the attributes of God and deserving of the same praise. According to the promise of God, the Holy Spirit came into this world in a special way on the day of Pentecost to unite believers into one body, testify of Christ, to restrain evil, to convict of sin, and to seal and empower all believers. The Holy Spirit will neither depart from the Church nor from even the weakest of Christians until Christ returns again. (John 3:5–6, 14:16–17, 16:7–15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:13; Ephesians 2:22, 4:30, 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:5–7; 1 John 2:20–27)
Angels
God created a vast body of sinless, spiritual beings, known as angels. Lucifer, the highest in rank of these angels, sinned in pride and rebelled against God, becoming Satan. A great company of the angels followed Lucifer in his fall and some have become demons, active agents in carrying out his evil purposes, while God is holding others for judgment at the end of time. Satan is the originator of sin and led the human race into their moral fall and subsequent spiritual death. As the enemy of God and Christians, Satan works to counterfeit the works of God and to lead people astray from the path of truth. However, Satan’s influence is limited by God’s permissive will and his eventual demise is clearly recorded in Scripture. The great multitudes of un-fallen angels remain before God’s heavenly throne and are sent as ministers to God’s people and His Church. (Genesis 3:1–19; Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Luke 15:10; Romans 5:12–14; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 11:13–15; Ephesians 1:21, 6:10–12; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:6, 4:1–3; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 7:12)
Man
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but sinned against God and lost his spiritual life becoming spiritually dead or fallen. This death, or total depravity of the human nature, was transmitted into the entire human race through the first Adam. Therefore, every human born into this world is morally and spiritually dead with a nature that holds no spark of divine life. Man cannot see God, nor enter His Kingdom without the divine grace available only through Jesus Christ.(Genesis 1:26, 2:15–17, 6:5; Psalms 14:1–3, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 14:6; Romans 3:10– 19, 5:12, 8:6–7: Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 5:6)
Salvation
Due to mankind’s predicament of universal spiritual death, no one can enter the eternal Kingdom of God unless they have been reconciled to God through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. All those who place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and their Lord will receive this salvation. Salvation and eternal life are solely possible through God’s provided means of redemption in Jesus Christ. Neither human effort nor religious affiliation can earn salvation. Salvation is found through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. All who reject Jesus Christ and the salvation available through His sacrifice will exist for eternity, separated from God, in a state of endless torment and anguish. (Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 26:27–29; John 1:12, 3:7–18, 3:36, 5:24, 6:28–29; Acts 13:38–39, 16:31; Romans 1:16–17, 3:22–23, 5:6–11, 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13–14, 3:22; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:4–9; Titus 3:4–5; 1 Peter 1:18–19)
Eternal Security
All genuine believers once they have been reconciled to God will remain in Him eternally. Due to the Christian’s rebirth through salvation, his/her adoption into the Kingdom of God, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the clear and repeated promises of God, it is impossible for a genuine believer to lose salvation. All teaching to the contrary is scriptural heresy. However, because of God’s holy and righteous nature, He will discipline and correct His children in love when they sin. (John 5:24, 10:28, 14:16–17, 17:11; Romans 8:28–29; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1–2, 5:13; Jude 24)
The Church
All who have truly placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and their Lord, and have been sealed and united by the Holy Spirit, and are members of the universal Church. Membership in the organized churches of this world is irrelevant to fellowship within the universal Church. As the Holy Spirit unites them, all members are charged with keeping this unity in peace and loving one another with a pure heart. Water Baptism and Communion are the only scriptural sacraments of the Church. Neither of these practices commutes salvation. (Matthew 16:16–18, 28:19; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:42–47, 10:47–48, 16:32–33, 18:7–8; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 11:26, 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:20– 25, 4:3–10; Colossians 3:12–15)
Spiritual Gifts
Through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within every believer, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers for the encouragement, maturing, and benefit of the Church. The Holy Spirit gives these gifts in differing amounts, with all believers holding at least one spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are separate and distinct from talents or personality tendencies and are divinely appointed at the moment of salvation to enable the believer for service within the Kingdom of God. The spiritual gifts appointed by God are stated and defined by Scripture. (Romans 12:6–8; 1Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–13, I Peter 4:10)
The Christian Life
Christians are called to live a holy life and to reject the priorities and desires of their individual sinful nature and of this spiritually dead world. The sinful nature will never be completely erased in this present life. However, the Christian responsibility is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ultimately, the Christian life is a process—a journey that is carried out daily with reliance upon the Holy Spirit to renew the heart of every believer. (Genesis 2:7,18– 25; 1Corinthians 7:39; Malachi 2:14; Proverbs 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 7:2–5; Ephesians 5:22–33; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5–6; Matthew 19:5–6; Matthew 19:6)
The End
At the climax of all time and history, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth the same way in which He left. He will descend through the clouds, to forever abolish Satan and his work. At this time, all of mankind will be judged and those who have rejected Jesus Christ will be forever separated from God’s presence. Genuine believers in Christ, both alive and dead, will be gathered to Jesus to reign with Him for eternity under universal righteousness. This hope, to which all believers should await with eager anticipation, will be preceded by a period of great tribulation over the earth, followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ. In our present time, we are living with an imminent expectation of Christ’s return and the complete restoration of God’s eternal Kingdom. I Thessalonians 4:13–18; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 24:15–31; Zechariah 14:4–11; Revelation 20:1–6 See End Time Chart.
Affirmation.
This church also agrees with the spirit of the Lausanne Covenant. "No other meeting — not since Acts 15 — has had as far-reaching and monumental an impact on world mas far-reaching and monumental an impact on world missions
All Scripture is the literal written Word of God as recorded in its original language by its authors through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These Scriptures lack error, defect, or contradiction of any kind. Scripture, in its entirety, centers upon our Lord Jesus Christ and cannot be properly understood apart from its relationship to the Person or work of Christ. God designed the Scriptures, from their inspiration to their institution as the Holy Bible, for the practical instruction of all Christians. (Mark 12:36; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2–3, 18:28, 16:22–23, 28:23; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
God
God has revealed Himself to be perfect in love and righteousness and is worthy of our praise and obedience. God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, also known as the Trinity. These three are the one true God, having exactly the same nature, attributes, and perfection. God is sovereign and Creator of all, both material and spiritual. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:18–19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14, 10:30, 14:9–10; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1–3; Revelation 1:4–6)
Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ, who has existed eternally with God as a member of the Trinity, entered our world to make God apparent to mankind, to fulfill the prophecies pre-announcing His arrival, and to save a world dead in sin. Being the very Son of God, Jesus was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Both fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ lived the only perfect, sinless life this earth has ever seen. Because of His love for the lost, Christ voluntarily laid down His life and was crucified. He became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb that took away the sin of the world. He bore the holy judgments against sin imposed by a righteous God and became the propitiation of our sin. His death was substitutionary in the most absolute sense— the just for the unjust—and by His death, He became the Savior of the lost. He was then resurrected by the power of God in the same body three days after His death. After appearing to His disciples and others over a period of 40 days, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father with all things put in subject under Him, and He will one day return to judge the living and the dead.(Luke 1:30–35; John 1:1–2, 1:14, 1:18, 1:29, 20:19–20; Acts 2:22–24; Romans 3:25–26; Ephesians 1:22–23; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 1:3, 4:15; 1 Peter 3:18)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, as the third member of the Trinity, is equal to both the Father and the Son in holding all the attributes of God and deserving of the same praise. According to the promise of God, the Holy Spirit came into this world in a special way on the day of Pentecost to unite believers into one body, testify of Christ, to restrain evil, to convict of sin, and to seal and empower all believers. The Holy Spirit will neither depart from the Church nor from even the weakest of Christians until Christ returns again. (John 3:5–6, 14:16–17, 16:7–15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:13; Ephesians 2:22, 4:30, 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:5–7; 1 John 2:20–27)
Angels
God created a vast body of sinless, spiritual beings, known as angels. Lucifer, the highest in rank of these angels, sinned in pride and rebelled against God, becoming Satan. A great company of the angels followed Lucifer in his fall and some have become demons, active agents in carrying out his evil purposes, while God is holding others for judgment at the end of time. Satan is the originator of sin and led the human race into their moral fall and subsequent spiritual death. As the enemy of God and Christians, Satan works to counterfeit the works of God and to lead people astray from the path of truth. However, Satan’s influence is limited by God’s permissive will and his eventual demise is clearly recorded in Scripture. The great multitudes of un-fallen angels remain before God’s heavenly throne and are sent as ministers to God’s people and His Church. (Genesis 3:1–19; Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Luke 15:10; Romans 5:12–14; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 11:13–15; Ephesians 1:21, 6:10–12; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:6, 4:1–3; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 7:12)
Man
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but sinned against God and lost his spiritual life becoming spiritually dead or fallen. This death, or total depravity of the human nature, was transmitted into the entire human race through the first Adam. Therefore, every human born into this world is morally and spiritually dead with a nature that holds no spark of divine life. Man cannot see God, nor enter His Kingdom without the divine grace available only through Jesus Christ.(Genesis 1:26, 2:15–17, 6:5; Psalms 14:1–3, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 14:6; Romans 3:10– 19, 5:12, 8:6–7: Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 5:6)
Salvation
Due to mankind’s predicament of universal spiritual death, no one can enter the eternal Kingdom of God unless they have been reconciled to God through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. All those who place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and their Lord will receive this salvation. Salvation and eternal life are solely possible through God’s provided means of redemption in Jesus Christ. Neither human effort nor religious affiliation can earn salvation. Salvation is found through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. All who reject Jesus Christ and the salvation available through His sacrifice will exist for eternity, separated from God, in a state of endless torment and anguish. (Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 26:27–29; John 1:12, 3:7–18, 3:36, 5:24, 6:28–29; Acts 13:38–39, 16:31; Romans 1:16–17, 3:22–23, 5:6–11, 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13–14, 3:22; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:4–9; Titus 3:4–5; 1 Peter 1:18–19)
Eternal Security
All genuine believers once they have been reconciled to God will remain in Him eternally. Due to the Christian’s rebirth through salvation, his/her adoption into the Kingdom of God, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the clear and repeated promises of God, it is impossible for a genuine believer to lose salvation. All teaching to the contrary is scriptural heresy. However, because of God’s holy and righteous nature, He will discipline and correct His children in love when they sin. (John 5:24, 10:28, 14:16–17, 17:11; Romans 8:28–29; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1–2, 5:13; Jude 24)
The Church
All who have truly placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and their Lord, and have been sealed and united by the Holy Spirit, and are members of the universal Church. Membership in the organized churches of this world is irrelevant to fellowship within the universal Church. As the Holy Spirit unites them, all members are charged with keeping this unity in peace and loving one another with a pure heart. Water Baptism and Communion are the only scriptural sacraments of the Church. Neither of these practices commutes salvation. (Matthew 16:16–18, 28:19; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:42–47, 10:47–48, 16:32–33, 18:7–8; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 11:26, 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:20– 25, 4:3–10; Colossians 3:12–15)
Spiritual Gifts
Through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within every believer, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers for the encouragement, maturing, and benefit of the Church. The Holy Spirit gives these gifts in differing amounts, with all believers holding at least one spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are separate and distinct from talents or personality tendencies and are divinely appointed at the moment of salvation to enable the believer for service within the Kingdom of God. The spiritual gifts appointed by God are stated and defined by Scripture. (Romans 12:6–8; 1Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–13, I Peter 4:10)
The Christian Life
Christians are called to live a holy life and to reject the priorities and desires of their individual sinful nature and of this spiritually dead world. The sinful nature will never be completely erased in this present life. However, the Christian responsibility is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ultimately, the Christian life is a process—a journey that is carried out daily with reliance upon the Holy Spirit to renew the heart of every believer. (Genesis 2:7,18– 25; 1Corinthians 7:39; Malachi 2:14; Proverbs 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 7:2–5; Ephesians 5:22–33; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5–6; Matthew 19:5–6; Matthew 19:6)
The End
At the climax of all time and history, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth the same way in which He left. He will descend through the clouds, to forever abolish Satan and his work. At this time, all of mankind will be judged and those who have rejected Jesus Christ will be forever separated from God’s presence. Genuine believers in Christ, both alive and dead, will be gathered to Jesus to reign with Him for eternity under universal righteousness. This hope, to which all believers should await with eager anticipation, will be preceded by a period of great tribulation over the earth, followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ. In our present time, we are living with an imminent expectation of Christ’s return and the complete restoration of God’s eternal Kingdom. I Thessalonians 4:13–18; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 24:15–31; Zechariah 14:4–11; Revelation 20:1–6 See End Time Chart.
Affirmation.
This church also agrees with the spirit of the Lausanne Covenant. "No other meeting — not since Acts 15 — has had as far-reaching and monumental an impact on world mas far-reaching and monumental an impact on world missions
Article 5 Government
The governance of this church is by a council of Elders. The Elders also serve as the legal Board of Directors.
Article 6 Participants
B. Voters.
Voters are Christians, at least eighteen years of age, present for a vote, and who consider this church their home church. Christian is defined as anyone who is trusting in the substitutional death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Home church is defined the place they: have faithfully attended for at least six months, serve, give and if asked by the Elders, the only church where they would cast a vote.
Voters are Christians, at least eighteen years of age, present for a vote, and who consider this church their home church. Christian is defined as anyone who is trusting in the substitutional death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Home church is defined the place they: have faithfully attended for at least six months, serve, give and if asked by the Elders, the only church where they would cast a vote.
C. Elders.
- The church is an Elder led church. The Elders serve as the governing board in both ecclesiastical and legal capacities. In the ecclesiastical capacity they are the executive officers and therefore the ruling leaders. In the legal capacity they are the Board of Directors and therefore responsible for all legal obligations.
- They must meet every six weeks.
- There are be 3 to 9 Elders, including the Senior Pastor.
- They must be above reproach. They must be men who meet the requirements for an Elder outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They must champion the purpose of the Church (Article 3) in word and deed. They must not stand to gain from any decision made by the Elder Board, therefore, with the exception of the Senior Pastor, they may not be paid employees of the church.
- They are placed through the multi-step process of: self-expression, written application to the Elders, interview by the Elders, affirmation (no decent) by the congregation, and formal appointment by the Elders.
- Self-expression means any man who meets the qualifications outlined in Article 6, C. 4 above and who desires to become an Elder may indicate his intent to the Elder board at any time. Any potential candidate will be asked to complete and written application developed by the Elders.
- Review of written application means the Elders will review the written application. If accepted, the candidate moves to the next step.
- Interview by Elders means they interview the candidate. If accepted, the candidate moves to the next step.
- Congregational affirmation means the candidate’s name is placed before the congregation for three weeks. Anyone may contact the Elder board with a dissenting or affirming comment. If, upon review, the candidate is accepted by the Elders he moves to the next step.
- Formal vote of appointment by the Elders means they formally vote to accept or not accept the candidate. The vote is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
- Self-expression means any man who meets the qualifications outlined in Article 6, C. 4 above and who desires to become an Elder may indicate his intent to the Elder board at any time. Any potential candidate will be asked to complete and written application developed by the Elders.
- Each individual elder serves at the pleasure of the Elder Board as a whole, therefore, may be removed by a majority vote of the Elders. Elders may not vote about their own standing. Elders serve indefinite terms.
- Elders who step away from their duties will be considered to have resigned. This will be noted in the minutes. They must go through the placement process to become an Elder again.
- Quorum for meetings is defined as 75% of the Elders.
- Voting among the Elders must be passed by 75% of the entire Elder board. This would include, but not be limited to, all major business transactions, removal or recommendation of the Senior Pastor, appointment and removal of Elders, and amendments to the By-Laws.
- The Elders are responsible for the overall welfare of the congregation. This includes management (through delegation), Senior Pastor oversight, the ministry of the word, prayer, and guidance. Guidance includes discipline. The Elders are not responsible for situations that should be initially handled among believers.
- They are responsible for the selection and oversight of the Senior Pastor. They present a Senior Pastor candidate to the congregation, who in turn, must approve him by a vote of at least 75% of eligible, present voters. See Article 7.
- The Elders are responsible for removal and termination of the Senior Pastor. The Pastor may be removed by a 75% vote of the Elders.
- They may delegate oversight of additional staff and operational personnel to the Sr. Pastor or other designated person.
- They are responsible for the financial matters of the church. One Elder shall be designated with direct oversight of the Finance Team and make a report to the Elders at each meeting. The Finance Team operates under the direction of the Elder Board and shall account for income and expenses, oversee an annual, outside audit, that in turn, produces an annual financial report. The fiscal year begins in April.
- They must host at least one annual congregational meeting during the first quarter of the calendar year at which time they must do the following: present the results of the annual audit and accompanying annual financial report, present an annual budget, and summarize the progress of the vision of the Church. See Article 3. It is up to the Elders if they wish to present the budget for voting approval or just discussion. Voting approval must be by 75% of eligible, present voters.
- They are responsible for developing and implementing a process of licensing and ordination for the Senior Pastor and designated staff. The process should be rigorous, in-depth, in agreement with the statement of faith, overall beliefs, and vision. It should equate with orthodox evangelical teaching and thought. The Elders may, at their discretion, accept transfer of credentials from a like-minded church or ministry.
D. Senior Pastor
- The Senior Pastor is the only “ipso facto" member of the Elder Board. He is the only paid employee who serves as an Elder.
- Like all Elders, he serves at the pleasure of the Board as a whole and can be removed by a 75% vote of the Elders.
- He must meet the requirements of an Elder as outlined in Article 6B and Scripture.
- He must fulfill the vision of the Church as outlined in Article 3.
- He must be able to teach well since that is one of his primary duties.
- He must recruit, train, manage and care for staff as well as others placed under his authority by the Elders.
- The Senior pastor is selected by the process outline under Article 6 Section C. #11.
- The Senior Pastor serves an indefinite term with six weeks of notice of termination required. This time frame may be changed by mutual agreement of the Elder Board and the Senior Pastor.
E. Pastoral Staff and Support Personnel.
- Pastoral staff serve at the pleasure of the Senior Pastor so as to enable him to most effectively implement the vision of the Church.
- Support personnel serve under the Sr Pastor or his designate.
- Paid personnel may be terminated with two week notice unless by mutual agreement. There is no minimum time frame for volunteers.
F. Ministry Teams.
- Ministry Teams are the namesake for Deacons and are the primary means by which attenders serve one another.
- Ministry Team Leaders (MTL) should meet the requirements outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. A Ministry Team leader may be a woman if she is leading a team of women.
- Ministry Team Leaders report to the leader of Ministry Team Leaders. This person is designated by the Sr. Pastor to give oversight to this area of ministry.
- The task of Ministry Team Leaders is fourfold: Recruit, Train, Manage and Encourage the members of their Ministry Team.
G. The Missions Team
The Mission Team is a Ministry Team but is unique enough in function that it deserves special mention.
The Mission Team is a Ministry Team but is unique enough in function that it deserves special mention.
- The congregation gives directly to approved workers (missionaries) through their respective sending agency. That agency must be approved by the Mission Team. The Church does not operate as a sending agency. The goal is to create personalized partnerships between workers and their prayer and financial supporters. The role of the Mission Team is to "name raise" (not fund raise). Most, if not all, workers are trained by their respective sending agency to raise support. They just need names. In fact a worker can raise far more money when given names that when given a check by a centralized committee.
- A potential worker is eligible to accept funding, by congregants, through his/ her sending agency, upon completion of the acceptance process outlined below.
- The task of the Mission Team is threefold: Vet, Care and Educate.
- Vetting involves overseeing the acceptance process of a written application, a personal interview, an appearance at a weekly celebration service. It also includes ongoing publication of acceptance on the church communication pathways (website, etc.).
- Caring involves helping meet overseas and stateside needs of those sent out by the Church.
- Educating involves providing resources that enhance a commitment to fulfilling the vision of the Church. These resources include informational ministries, conferences, agencies, websites, books, etc. They should include a virtual missions fair that is available on the Church website every hour or every day. The Church website should be portal for mission involvement.
- Vetting involves overseeing the acceptance process of a written application, a personal interview, an appearance at a weekly celebration service. It also includes ongoing publication of acceptance on the church communication pathways (website, etc.).
Article 7 Meetings
- An annual congregational meeting must be called and hosted by the Elders during the first quarter of the calendar year. The purposes of this meeting are outlined in Article 6B.
- Special meetings may be called at any time by the Elders. They may include a binding vote, an informational vote or simply be for discussion and/or information purposes.
- A congregational meeting must be called for the selection of the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor must be accepted by 75% eligible voters as defined in Article 6, B, #1.
- The congregation must be informed 14 days prior to any meeting called by the Elders.
Article 8. Dissolution
In the event of liquidation or dissolution of The River Church, all of its assets and property of every nature and description, shall be transferred at the direction of the Elders to Pioneers-USA, 10123 William Carey Dr. Orlando, FL 32832
Article 9 Amendment
This By-Laws may be amended, altered or repealed by a 75% vote of the Elders.
1. Jason Mandryk, Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (Colorado Springs, IVP, 2010) 9.