By-Laws - Printable Version 

 


MANAGEMENT OF THE CHURCH

SECTION I

 

A. Management Leadership Team

 

1. Number and Term of Members: The members of the Management Leadership Team (MLT) shall consist of the Senior Pastor, the Executive Pastor, and not less than four additional members of the church body appointed and affirmed in accordance to procedure outlined in Section II. In the absence of an Executive Pastor, the appointed Chairperson of the PAT (Personnel Leadership Team) and FLT (Financial Leadership Team) shall serve as members of the MLT. The Senior Pastor shall serve as the Chairperson of the MLT and shall preside at all MLT meetings.  The Executive Pastor and/or the PAT Chairperson shall serve as Chairperson of the MLT on an interim basis in the Senior Pastor's absence.  The Senior Pastor shall not be a voting member of the MLT. 

 

Upon affirmation each MLT member shall be asked for a one-year commitment, subject to review and recommitment annually, with a maximum of six consecutive terms.   During the period of annual review, both the individual and the other MLT members shall evaluate their continued service as an MLT member, again considering God’s leading and personal factors that might affect their service.  An individual’s service as an MLT member may be discontinued by their own decision, or by the action of the MLT.  A person’s leaving the MLT would not preclude their service to the MLT in the future, subject to the appointment/affirmation process.

 

2. Responsibilities: The MLT is responsible to the congregation to authorize strategies, objectives, and policies for effective ministry according to the stated purposes of HCC.  It shall function as the Board of Directors of HCC.  The MLT members shall use their wisdom, discernment and shepherding gifts to ensure the church remains on a true course Biblically.

 

3. Duties:

 

          a. To maintain a vital relationship with Jesus

b. To authorize and annually evaluate strategies and objectives.

c. To authorize and advise on policies and procedures developed by the PAT,

    FLT and all other committees.

d. Maintain permanent record of all MLT meetings.

          e. To call church meetings as necessary, and make recommendations on all

              matters requiring congregation vote.

 

4. Qualifications:  See outlined in Section II.

 

5. Nomination and Election:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

6. Vacancies:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

7. Quorum:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

8. Actions of MLT:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

9. Removal of Members:  See procedures outline in Section II.

 

B. Personnel Advisory Team (PAT)

 

1. Who are, Number of and Term of Members: The members of the Personnel Advisory Team (PAT) shall consist of the Executive Pastor and a representative of each pastoral staff member (selected by the staff member and approved by the MLT). The Executive Pastor shall serve as the Chairperson of the PAT and shall preside at all PAT meetings.  In the absence of an Executive Pastor, or if in the event that the Executive Pastor assumes duties of the Senior Pastor, a representative appointed by the MLT, shall serve as the Chairperson. Each PAT Member, other than the Executive Pastor, shall serve for a period of one year and may serve successive terms upon approval of MLT. The PAT will meet on an as needed basis and be accountable to the MLT.

 

2. Responsibility: The PAT shall serve to advise and consult with the Executive Pastor in determining and executing Human Resource related issues, i.e. appropriate staff salaries, benefits and staffing scenarios. The PAT members shall also use their wisdom, discernment and shepherding gifts to ensure the well being of the church staff by acting as “Advisors” (see duties below) for each Pastoral staff member. The Executive Pastor may at his choice, defer a decision to the MAT for their approval.

 

3.   Duties:

    1. Acts as an Advisor to staff member and meets with them monthly.
    2. Administer performance reviews for the Pastor and Executive Pastor.
    3. Help in the selection and approval of new Advisors.
    4. Conduct exit interviews with any dismissed Advisors.
    5. To have one-on-one personal interaction with the staff member.
    6. Provide sanctuary and friendship to the staff member.
    7. Provides a mentor relationship to staff member.
    8. Holds the staff member accountable personally, professionally, and spiritually.
    9. Works with the staff member from a personal standpoint but can offer professional development if qualified and comfortable with it.
    10. Maintains loyalty in this order – God, Horizons, Staff Member, and Friendship.

 

3. Qualifications:  See outlined in Section II.

4. Nomination and Election:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

5. Vacancies:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

6. Quorum:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

7. Actions of PAT:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

8. Removal of Members:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

C. Financial Leadership Team

 

1. Number and Term of Members: The members of the Finance Leadership Team (FLT) shall consist of the Executive Pastor, and members selected by the MLT.  At least one of the members selected by the MLT must currently be a member of the MLT.  The Executive Pastor shall serve as the Chairperson of the FLT and shall preside at all FLT meetings.  In the absence of an Executive Pastor, a representative appointed by the MLT and affirmed by the congregation, shall serve as the Chairperson.  Each FLT Member, other than the Executive Pastor, shall serve for a period of one year and may serve successive terms upon approval of MLT. The FLT cannot solely consist of MLT members. The Executive Pastor shall be a full voting member of the FLT.

2. Responsibility: The FLT shall be considered the board of trustees of HCC.  The FTL shall develop financial policies and procedures.  They shall also be responsible for the maintenance and management of the facilities and finances of HCC.  The FLT will use their wisdom, discernment and stewardship gifts to ensure the financial well being of HCC.


3. Duties: 

a.      Prepare the annual church budget and present for approval by the MLT and Membership.

b.      Develop and enforce financial policies, procedures and controls as approved by the MLT.

c.      Monitor the financial condition of the church and regulate expenditures.

d.      Maintain the financial books and records of the church and ensure that said records are both accurate and confidentially maintained.

e.      Maintain fiduciary responsibility of all church assets including funds, securities and all other properties so owned.

f.       Establish bank accounts in the name of the Church as so established by these Bylaws or as directed by the MLT.

g.      Properly carry out the responsibility of receiving and disbursing funds on   behalf of the Church inclusive of meeting all IRS guidelines related to the notification of receipt of contributions.

h.      Prepare financial reports at least annually.

i.        Perform all other duties as assigned by the Senior Pastor or MLT, including those duties incident to the office of Treasury.


4. Qualifications:  See outlined in Section II.

 

5. Nomination and Election:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

6. Vacancies:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

7. Quorum:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

8. Actions of FLT:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

9. Removal of Members:  See procedures outlined in Section II.

 

LEADERSHIP TEAM
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

SECTION II

 

A. Appointed and Affirmed

 

Scripture gives evidence of church leaders being appointed by the founders of the church.  By this example it is implied that the existing spiritual leadership of a church be intimately involved in the process of selecting church leadership to ensure appointment is based on spiritual rather than superficial qualifications.

(Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5).

 

The MLT shall appoint qualified persons from the church membership, excluding paid staff members, to serve.  The persons appointed by the MLT shall be presented to the church membership for affirmation. The MLT shall annually review and seek to affirm current members with respect to the qualifications listed in Section F.

 

The process of affirmation is as follows: The names of perspective MLT members shall be submitted in written form to the participating members of the church, who will be given 30 days to show just cause why any perspective new MLT member would not be qualified to serve.  Consistent with Matt. 18:15 and Matt. 5:24, any members with such “cause” must first express their concern to the prospective MLT member and then must also express their concern to the MLT.  Following the 30 days if no valid cause is presented, the perspective member/s will be brought before the church body for prayer and adoption to serve on the MLT.

 

B. Vacancies

 

Should the MLT consider it necessary to fill a vacancy, the MLT shall abide by the above protocol in section II, point A.  The size of the MLT will be in compliance with Section I,A,1.

 

C. Quorum

 

A majority of a team’s membership will constitute a quorum.  A quorum must be present for the transaction of business at any leadership team meeting.  Team members may not be represented by proxy.

 

D. Actions of Leadership Teams

 

The leadership teams will endeavor to act by consensus.  Whenever consensus is not reached, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.

 

E. Removal

 

The MLT may vote to remove any leadership team member, other than the Senior Pastor at any time, with public explanation. A leadership team member may be removed only by a majority vote of the MLT. (I Tim. 5:19-20)

 

F. Qualifications

 

a.                  Be a member of HCC and at least 21 years old.

b.                  Affirm the HCC’s Constitution.

c.                  Strive to meet Biblical standards for church leaders and demonstrate mature spiritual development, vision, leadership and giftedness in ministry.

d.                  Possess ministry giftedness, experience, education and abilities appropriate to their responsibilities.

e.                  Participate regularly in public worship at HCC and be active in ministry.

  

AFFILIATION

SECTION III

 

The Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control.    Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions and otherwise, this church cooperates with the Minnesota Baptist General Conference.

 

DISOLUTION

SECTION IV

 

In a case of a division of the church membership, church property will belong to those members who abide by this constitution. In a case of the discontinuance of the church, the church property will be transferred to the Minnesota Baptist General Conference.

 

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION V

 

A. Membership


The church shall have one class of membership. Membership in this church shall consist of all persons who have met the qualifications of membership and are listed on the membership role.  New members shall have the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a member of the church. The MLT may adopt and amend application procedures for membership in the church.

 

B. Qualifications for Membership

 

The minimum qualifications for membership are that members make the following commitments:

                  

1. Personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

2. Completion of the church’s membership class, and

3. A commitment to the process of growing according to the church’s
    membership covenant which is:

 

To protect the unity of the church:

Ö        By acting in love toward other members,

Ö        By refusing to gossip, and

Ö        By embracing the purposes of the church.

Ö        (Romans 15:5, 19/I Pet. 1:22/Eph. 4:29) 


To share in the responsibility of the church:

Ö        By praying for its growth,

Ö        By inviting the unchurched to attend, and

Ö        By warmly welcoming those who visit.

Ö        (I Thess. 1:2/Luke 14:23/Romans 15:7)

  

To serve the ministry of the church:

Ö        By discovering, using and developing my gifts and talents,

Ö        By being equipped to serve by the pastors, and

Ö        By developing a servant’s heart.

Ö        (I Pet. 4:10/Eph. 4:11-12/Phil. 2:3-4, 7)

 

To support the testimony of the church:

Ö        By attending faithfully,

Ö        By living a Godly life, and

Ö        By giving tithes and offerings regularly.

Ö        (Heb. 10:25/Phil. 1:27/I Cor. 16:2/ Lev. 27:30)

 

C. Rights and Responsibilities of Membership

 

Every member eighteen (18) years old or older shall have the right to vote on the following matters: (a) the acquisition of real property and the related incurring indebtedness, (b) the annual church budget, (c) amendments to the constitution or bylaws of the church, (d) the calling or removing of the Senior Pastor, (e) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the church, (f) the merger or dissolution of the church.  Voting by proxy is prohibited.

 

D. Dismissal from the Membership Roll

 

Members shall be removed from the church roll for the following reasons: (a) the request of the member, (b) the transfer of membership to another church, (c) death, or (d) termination of membership by the MLT.

The MLT may dismiss a person from the membership roll when, in the opinion of the MLT, the member's life and conduct is not in accordance with the membership covenant in such a way that the member hinders the influence of the church in the community. One’s removal from the membership roll shall require the majority vote of the MLT. Procedures for removal shall be according to Matthew 18: 16-17.

 

E. Restoration of Membership

 

Dismissed members may be restored by the MLT according to the spirit of 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, when their life-styles are judged to be in accordance with the membership covenant. Restoration of church membership shall require a majority vote of the MLT Members.

 

OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

SECTION VI

 

A. President

 

The Senior Pastor shall serve as the President and chief executive officer of the church and shall act as the moderator of the church.  The Senior Pastor may appoint a member of the church to act as moderator. The Executive Pastor shall act as moderator in the Senior Pastor's absence if no member was appointed by the Senior Pastor.  In the event of a vacancy in the office of Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor, the MLT shall appoint a member of the church to act as moderator.   The moderator shall establish the agenda, protocol and rules of order for each meeting and shall conduct the meeting accordingly.

 

B. Vice President

 

The Executive Pastor shall be the Vice President of the HCC.  When the Senior Pastor is absent, is unable to act, or refuses to act, the Executive Pastor shall perform the duties of the Senior Pastor on an interim basis. When an Executive Pastor acts in place of the Senior Pastor, the Executive Pastor shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Senior Pastor. If the Executive Pastor assumes the role of President in the Absence of the Senior Pastor, the chairman of the PAT shall be deemed the acting Vice President. The Executive Pastor shall perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Pastor or MLT.

 

C. Treasurer

 

The Chairperson of the FLT shall serve as the treasurer. 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
OF THE CHURCH

SECTION VII

 

A. Church Year

 

The church year will be from January 1 to December 31.

 

B. Membership Meetings

 

Unless otherwise stated herein, meetings of the church members shall be held in the main meeting location of the church or such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the MLT.  The moderator shall establish the agenda, protocol and rules of order for each meeting and shall conduct the meeting accordingly.

 

C. Notice Requirements for Meetings

 

Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, notice of a meeting, whether general or special, may be made by oral announcement at a regularly scheduled Sunday morning worship service, by announcement in the church bulletin, or by distribution of written material to the congregation in attendance at a regularly scheduled Sunday morning worship service.  Notice shall be given to members no less than two weeks prior to a meeting.  Notice of a meeting for the purpose of calling or removing the Senior Pastor can only be initiated by the MLT and be valid only if the notice specifies, with particularity, that a proposal to call or remove the Senior Pastor will be on the meeting’s agenda.

 

D. Quorum

 

Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, the members present at a meeting duly noticed shall constitute a quorum of the membership for the transaction of church business.

 

E. Majority Vote

 

Unless otherwise stipulated in this constitution, all elections shall be held and all questions decided by a majority vote of the persons present.  Unless otherwise stipulated in this constitution, majority vote is required. Ballot votes may be required on other items at the Leadership Team’s discretion.

 

F. Annual Membership Meeting

 

The annual meeting will be held in December of each year.   The purpose of the meeting will be to adopt the next year budget, and conduct other business as determined by the MLT.

G. Membership Communication

 

Not less than quarterly, the MLT is required to publish an updated summary of board actions, with said update made available to each member.


H. Senior Pastor

 

The Senior Pastor of the church shall be elected by a two thirds vote of the members of the church present in person at a general or special membership meeting.

 

The Senior Pastor may only be removed by recommendation of the MLT and, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the church present in person at a special membership meeting.

 

I. Amendments to Bylaws

These bylaws may only be altered; amended, or repealed and new bylaws may only be adopted by the membership of the church.  A 2/3 vote of the quorum is required to amend the by-laws.