Christ Church of Peace Bylaws

(Rev. 10/29/06)

Mission Statement

Christ Church of Peace is a worshiping and ministering community of believers on a spiritual journey of discovery and growth with a Christian foundation, embracing aspects of other faiths, and welcoming people of all races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities.

Article I: Membership

A) Eligibility for Membership.

Any person who desires to become a member of this church may do so by going through the following process:

1) meet with a church official

2) be presented to the church congregation

3) have name added to the church register

B) Voting Members

Any member, at least eighteen years of age, whom faithfully and regularly gives of their finances, time or talent. Membership shall be reviewed at least annually to determine voting eligibility. Voting members whose eligibility does not meet required criteria will be notified in writing.  

C) Register of Members

There shall be a register of the names of all members.  

D) Resignation of Membership

Any member may resign at any time by giving written notice.

Article II: Meetings of the Congregation

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all meetings where applicable, so long as they are consistent with the Bylaws.

A) Annual Meetings of the Congregation

The annual meeting shall be held in the month of October on a date the Ministry Operations Team shall determine. The October meeting shall include budget approval, election to fill the vacancies on the Ministry Operations Team, and any other items added to the agenda.

B) Special Meetings

Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the Ministry Operations Team. Special meetings may also be called by written petition, signed by 25% of the members eligible to vote, presented to any person of the Ministry Operations Team. Notice of the time and place of a special meeting and the business to be transacted shall be publicized.

C) Notice

Notice of Annual and Special meetings shall be announced in a church-wide publication at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Notice of the meeting shall include:

1) date, time and place of meeting;

2) an agenda of the principal matters of business to be considered at the meeting;

3) copies of all resolutions, budgets, financial statements to be presented at the meeting by the Ministry Operations Team, committees of the church, or voting members.

D) Amendments to Meeting Agendas

Amendments to the agenda may be introduced and added to the agenda by a majority vote of the voting members present at the meeting.

E) Presiding Official

The Moderator of the Ministry Operations Team shall preside over all such meetings.

F) Voting

Approval of any principal matters requires a vote of two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting.

G) Quorum

A quorum shall be established when at least 25% of the total eligible voting members are present. A quorum must be maintained when voting on any principal matter.

Article III: Ministry Operations Team

A) Membership

The Ministry Operations Team shall consist of eight members and the Pastor who serves Ex Officio. Each member shall be a voting member of the congregation and shall serve for a term of two years with the option of running for one additional term. No member may serve on the Ministry Operations Team for more than two consecutive terms without an intervening one-year (12-months) break. Only one member of a family/household shall be a member of the Ministry Operations Team and/or the ministerial or administrative staff at any given time. A Ministry Operations Team member shall take office after being elected and shall continue until the term expires, the Ministry Operations Team member resigns, or is removed. In the event of a vacancy on the Ministry Operations Team for any reason, the Ministry Operations Team shall appoint a new interim member; to serve until the next annual congregational meeting at which time he/she shall be voted upon by the congregation if the term they are filling has not yet expired.

B) Resignation/Removal

Any Ministry Operations Team member may resign by giving notice in writing to all Ministry Operations Team members and may be removed, with or without cause, by action of two-thirds of the Ministry Operations Team members present at a meeting, or by a majority vote of the voting members present at the annual meeting of the congregation, or at a special meeting called pursuant to Article II of these Bylaws.

C) Meetings

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all meetings where applicable, so long as they are consistent with the Bylaws.

1) Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Ministry Operations Team shall be held monthly at the church’s principle place of worship, unless otherwise noted.

2) Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Ministry Operations Team may be called by the Moderator, or upon the request of two or more Ministry Operations Team members.

3) Presiding Official

The Moderator of the Ministry Operations Team shall preside over all such meetings. In the absence of the Moderator, the Vice Moderator shall preside. In absence of both the Moderator and the Vice Moderator, the Secretary shall preside. In the absence of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, and the Secretary, the Treasurer shall preside.

4) Matters to be considered at Ministry Operations Team meetings:

a) selection of administrative and pastoral staff

b) major decisions relating to Christ Church of Peace’s properties

c) financial budgets

d) amending the Bylaws

e) encouragement for members who are lax in their attendance at worship services

f) matters in which the Ministry Operations Team feel led to seek the congregation’s advice and counsel

g) selection, rebuke, or dismissal of the Pastor

h) selection, rebuke, or dismissal of Ministry Operations Team members

i) any other matters that relate to the ministry and operation of the church

5) Voting

Any action by the Ministry Operations Team may be decided upon by a majority vote of the Team members present at the meeting, unless otherwise noted in these Bylaws.

6) Quorum

A quorum shall be established when a majority of the total Ministry Operations Team members are present. A quorum must be maintained when voting on any matters.

Article IV: The Pastor The Pastor shall serve Ex Officio on all Teams and Committees.

A) Selection

In the event that Christ Church of Peace is without its Pastor, the Ministry Operations Team will act as the search group to seek a Pastor. The Ministry Operations Team may seek additional representation from the congregation to assist in their search. When a candidate has been approved by a vote of 75% of the Ministry Operations Team members present at a meeting, a special congregational meeting shall be called. A vote of at least 75% of the voting members present at the meeting is required to call a Pastor.

B) Tenure/Termination

A duly called Pastor shall have permanent tenure of office terminable only by:

1) retirement;

2) resignation;

3) or by a vote of at least 75% of the voting members present in a meeting of the congregation

If charges are brought against the Pastor, the Ministry Operations Team shall follow the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17.

C) Duties

In addition to the Pastor’s spiritual leadership role, the Pastor’s primary responsibility is the ministry of the Word and prayer, in order to provide strategic leadership and vision to the Body.

Article V: Other Provisions

A) Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on each January first and end on December thirty-first.

B) Expenditures/Contracts

1) All unbudgeted expenditures representing a singular or a cumulative amount more than ½% of the total annual budget or $3,000 (whichever is greater), and all deeds, resolutions, conveyances, and mortgages of the corporation shall be approved with a vote of two-thirds of the voting members of the congregation present at a meeting, and if necessary, signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Secretary.

2) All unbudgeted expenditures representing a singular or a cumulative amount less than ½% of the total annual budget or $3,000 (whichever is greater) can be approved with a vote of two-thirds of the Ministry Operations Team members present at a meeting, and if necessary, signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Secretary.

C) Church Bank Accounts

Two signatures shall be required on all transactions. Any two of the following may sign: the Moderator, the Vice Moderator, the Secretary, and either the Treasurer, or the Assistant Treasurer.

D) Real Estate

The main meeting place of the church shall not be purchased, sold, conveyed, encumbered or made subject to any lien; and no church building shall be erected by this corporation unless such purchase, sale, conveyance, encumbrance or building shall be first authorized by a vote of two-thirds of the Ministry Operations Team members present at a meeting, and a vote of three-fourths of the voting members present at a meeting of the congregation; each body acting separately, at an annual meeting of either, or at a special meeting of either, duly called for that purpose, which purpose shall be plainly stated in the call.

Article VI: Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be changed or amended at any meeting of the congregation, by a vote of two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting. Notice of the meeting, stating the purpose including the proposed amendment, shall be given as provided in Article II of these Bylaws.