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Constitution &
Bylaws of Grace Bible Church
Originally approved: April 11, 2010
Last modified: Apr 11, 2010
THE CONSTITUTION OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH OF
WINNIPEG, INC.
ARTICLE I:
NAME AND
MISSION
1.
This congregation shall be a non-denominational
Church known as “Grace Bible Church”.
2.
Mission: As a loving community, we will proclaim
God’s grace, equip believers, nurture one another
to maturity in our faith, and live to the honour
and glory of God.
3.
Our mission is fulfilled as we:
a) Worship God because He is Holy and
Supreme and worthy of praise;
b) Preach the gospel of salvation by
faith in Jesus Christ;
c) Disciple people through sound
Biblical exposition, teaching, study, mentorship
and one-on-
one caring for one another;
d) Tell others about Jesus Christ and
the salvation available through committed
relationship with Him;
e)
Respond to spiritual, social and economic needs in
our immediate community and around
the world.
ARTICLE II: FAITH AND DOCTRINE
1.
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three
persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19
2.
We believe that the Bible (including the Old and
New Testaments) is the inspired word of God,
without error in the original manuscripts. The
Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of
faith and conduct. 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy
3:16
3.
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the
Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; that He
died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as
a substitutionary sacrifice; that He was buried
and rose again on the third day; that He ascended
into heaven, and that He now lives there as our
High Priest and advocate; and that He will
personally come again to establish His kingdom.
Matthew 1:18; I Corinthians 15:3-5
4.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just
and the unjust, and that all people are lost apart
from Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is
by grace alone, not by works. Those who
personally accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour
will spend eternity in heaven. Those who reject
Christ’s substitutionary atonement will experience
eternal separation from God. Acts 24:15;
Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:10
ARTICLE
III: ORDINANCES AND DEDICATIONS
1.
Baptism is an act of obedience, and follows a
person’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Immersion is the mode of baptism used at Grace
Bible Church.
2.
All individuals who are committed followers of
Jesus Christ
are welcome to take communion, whether or not
they are members of
Grace
Bible
Church.
A communion service is normally observed monthly,
and during special occasions in the church year.
3.
Any parent(s) wishing to dedicate a child to the
Lord may do so publicly in a Church service. In
this way the Church is encouraged to join the
parent(s) in prayer that God will help them to
bring up the child in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
1.
Anyone who affirms personal faith in Jesus Christ,
who understands and subscribes to the statement of
faith and doctrine and commits to the mission of
Grace Bible Church, is eligible for membership.
2.
Anyone wishing to become a member shall give a
testimony to a committee of two or more board
members.
3.
Anyone wishing to join the church is required to
attend membership classes.
4.
Anyone who is accepted for membership will be
received at a public worship service of the
church.
5.
Membership may be terminated by the Board whenever
one or more of the following apply:
a.
Membership in another Church;
b.
The member requests the membership be terminated;
c.
The member rejects the statement of faith and
doctrine;
d.
The member has been absent from the regular
worship services of the church without cause for
more than one year;
e.
Disciplinary reasons.
6.
Prior to a membership being revoked for reason(s)
stated in 5c, d, and e, efforts will be made by
the Pastor(s) and Board to bring the member into
fellowship. Should all efforts fail, the member
shall be provided with the opportunity to present
their position to the Board directly, with or
without representation.
7.
The decision to terminate membership will be made
by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board.
8.
A
roll clerk shall be appointed by the Board. The
roll clerk is responsible for keeping a directory
of all members and adherents.
ARTICLE V: CHURCH GOVERNMENT
1.
The members constitute the government of the
church. A Board shall be elected by the members
of the church, and shall be responsible to the
congregation. The congregation includes both
members and adherents, with members having a vote.
2.
The congregation, through its elected
representatives on the Board, has final authority
in all matters.
ARTICLE
VI: BOARD
1.
a) The Board consists of a minimum of six members
elected by the congregation. Board member
terms are three years, with approximately one
third of the members being elected each year at
the annual congregational meeting. Retiring Board
members are eligible for reelection for one
additional term. At the end of their second term,
they shall remain off the Board for at least one
year.
b) The Pastor shall serve as a Board
member, based on holding the position of Pastor,
but is not subject to election or any limit on the
length of term. The Pastor shall not participate
in any major financial or contract discussions or
activities, in order to protect the Church and the
Pastor from any potential for conflict of
interest.
2.
The Board shall select its own Chair, Vice Chair
and Secretary. A quorum at a Board meeting is two
thirds of the Board members.
3.
To be eligible for the Board, a member shall have
the qualifications required of church leaders as
found in I Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-3; Ephesians
4:11-13, and have been a member of Grace Bible
Church for a minimum of two years. The
interpretation of these passages does not preclude
women from nomination.
4.
The Board is responsible to the congregation for
the spiritual leadership of the church,
the administrative decisions, and the
actions necessary for normal church operations.
Members of the Board will allocate
responsibilities in the following ministries:
a.
Administration/Finance
b.
Shepherding
c.
Missions/Evangelism
d.
Teaching
e.
Worship/Music
f.
Property
g.
Small Groups
5.
Vacancies occurring on the Board, for any reason,
shall be filled by the Nominating Committee. The
member chosen to fill the vacancy will continue in
the position until the end of the term of the
person being replaced. If the vacancy is
filled during the first half of the term, the
period served shall be considered a full term for
purposes of reelection but if the vacancy is
filled during the second half of the term, the
Board member remains eligible to serve two
additional terms.
6.
The Board will normally meet monthly. Special
meetings may be called by the Chair. If two or
more Board members ask for a meeting, the Chair
shall call a special meeting.
7.
The Board will attempt to reach decisions by
consensus. If consensus is not possible on a
specific issue the Board may, at any subsequent
meeting, make a decision on that issue by majority
vote. A written ballot shall be used if
requested by any Board member.
8.
The Chair of the Board may enter into minor or
routine agreements on behalf of the congregation
if authorized to do so by the Board. For major
issues, the Board shall obtain approval from the
congregation at a congregational meeting.
ARTICLE VII: NOMINATION PROCEDURE
1.
The Nominating Committee will be composed of three
members who are not currently on the Board, plus a
Board member. To be eligible for the Nominating
Committee the candidate must have been a member
for at least two years. The non-Board members
shall be elected by the congregation at the annual
congregational meeting and the Board member will
be selected by the Board annually from those who
are not eligible for election in the next year.
The members elected to the Nominating Committee
will serve three year terms with one member being
elected each year and are not eligible for
reelection until they have been off the Committee
for at least one year. Vacancies occurring on the
Nominating Committee, for any reason, shall be
filled by the Nominating Committee. The person
chosen to serve will complete the term of the
person being replaced.
2.
The Nominating Committee shall reference Article
VI when selecting individuals for nomination to
the Board.
3.
The Nominating Committee will propose a slate of
candidates for the positions of Board member and
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee
shall seek to have a minimum of three names for
the Nominating Committee vacancy.
4.
The Nominating Committee shall invite members to
submit the name(s) of potential candidates for
nomination.
5.
The slate of candidates for each position shall be
posted no later than three weeks prior to the
annual congregational meeting.
6.
Nominations are not allowed from the floor at
a congregational meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
1.
The Chair of the Board presides at meetings of the
congregation. Robert’s Rules of Order apply.
2.
There will be a minimum of two
congregational meetings per year (one in November
and one in April). The former allows the
congregation to approve a budget for the next
calendar year. The latter presents information on
the past year’s financial statements, and elects
new Board members and a Nominating Committee
member. Meeting dates will be publicized at least
three weeks in advance, including the agenda for
the meeting.
3.
Special meetings may be called by the Board, or if
at least 10 members request a special meeting in
writing, clearly outlining the purpose of the
meeting and, if applicable, stating1 any motion that
requires a congregational vote.
4.
A
vote of confidence in a staff member may only
occur in a meeting called by the Board.
5.
Voting at meetings will generally be by show of
hands, but a request for a written ballot shall be
honoured by the
Chair. Questions arising shall be decided by
majority vote except as outlined
below. In the event of a tie vote, the
vote is lost. When major issues are being
considered, a 75% majority is
required. Major issues include: annual budget;
all votes of confidence; property acquisition or
dispersal; any motion at a special meeting of the
congregation. Adherents are encouraged to
participate in meetings, with members only having
a vote.
6.
A
quorum at congregational meetings will be 30% of
the members. There is no voting by proxy.
ARTICLE IX: WORKERS
1.
Except for guest speakers, all persons called to
minister to the congregation on a paid basis will
function under a job description established by
the Board. These job descriptions will be made
available to members upon request.
2.
In the event that a decision is made to call new
ministry staff (e.g., Pastor, Youth Pastor, Music
Director, Christian Education Director, etc.),
at least 75% of the members present and voting
at a congregational meeting must agree before the
call will be made. Both paid and volunteer
workers must subscribe to the Statement of Faith
and Doctrine.
3.
Decisions to contract with other paid individuals
(e.g., administrative staff, choir section
leaders, custodial help, etc.) will be made by the
Board. The congregation will be informed when any
such decisions are made.
ARTICLE X: PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND
OTHERS
1.
Limitation of Liability
Every director and officer of the
Corporation in exercising one’s powers and
discharging one’s
duties shall act honestly and in good faith with a
view to the best interests of the Corporation and
exercise the care, diligence and skill that a
reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances. Subject to the
foregoing, no director or officer shall be liable
for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of
any other director or officer or employee, or for
joining in any receipt or other act for
conformity, or for any loss, damage or expense
happening to the Corporation through the
insufficiency or deficiency of total to any
property acquired for or on behalf of the
Corporation, or for the insufficiency or
deficiency of any security in or upon which any of
the moneys of the Corporation shall be invested,
or for any loss or damage arising from the
bankruptcy, insolvency or tortuous acts of any
person with whom any of the moneys, securities or
judgment or oversight on his part, or for any
other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which
shall happen in the execution of the duties of
one’s office or in relation thereto; provided that
nothing herein shall relieve any director or
officer from the duty to act in accordance with
the Act and the regulations thereunder or from
liability for any breach thereof.
2.
Indemnity
Subject to the limitations contained in
the Act, and within the limitations of the
corporation’s insurance coverage, the Corporation
shall indemnify a director or officer of a body
corporate of which the Corporation is or was a
shareholder or creditor, and that person’s
heirs and legal representatives, against all
costs, charges and expenses, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment,
reasonably incurred by that person in respect of
any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which that person is made a party by reason of being or having
been a director or officer of the Corporation or
such body corporate, if:
(a)
one acted honestly and in good faith with a view
to the interests of the Corporation; and
(b)
in the case of a criminal or administrative action
or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary
penalty, one had reasonable ground for believing
that one’s conduct was lawful.
3.
Insurance
The Corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance for the benefit of any person referred
to in Section 1 against such liabilities and in
such amounts as the board may from time to time
determine and are permitted by the Act.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
1.
The constitution may be revised or amended at any
duly called congregational meeting.
2.
Notice of any revisions or amendments must be
given to the congregation in writing at least
three weeks prior to the meeting called for this
purpose. This notice must state the proposed
amendments or revisions.
3.
Any revisions or amendments must be approved by at
least 75% of the church membership present and
voting.
BYLAWS OF
GRACE
BIBLE
CHURCH
BYLAW
I: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
1.
These Bylaws may be revised or amended at any duly
called congregational meeting.
2.
Notice of any revisions or amendments must be
given to the congregation in writing at least
three weeks prior to the meeting called for this
purpose. This notice must state the proposed
amendments or revisions.
3.
Any revisions or amendments must be approved by at
least 75% of the church membership present and
voting.
BYLAW II: STYLE OF WORSHIP
Grace Bible Church strives for excellence in the
exposition of the Bible and in the music of
worship (vocal, choral, instrumental).
1.
The objective of music at Grace Bible Church is to
complement the scripture passages and Bible
exposition in order to create a thematically
unified Worship Service.
2.
To facilitate congregational participation in the
music of worship, there is an emphasis on the
great hymns of the faith.
3.
The Worship Service is structured to encourage a
warm and worshipful atmosphere.
BYLAW III: PASTORAL MINISTRY
1.
The primary pastoral role is to develop and
maintain a one on one relationship with everyone
in the church, working to meet the individual
needs of the congregants.
2.
The Pastor(s) will provide a caring ministry to
the elderly; meet the spiritual needs of the
congregants; work with church leaders in ministry
areas to help insure that programs are effective;
and be an encouraging support to our youth and
children.
3.
The Pastor(s) will counsel congregants to
salvation, as well as commitments to baptism,
membership and service.
4.
The Pastor(s) will serve as chair of the
Shepherding Committee and, in consultation with
the Board, seek out congregants to serve on this
committee. Training, guidance and assistance will
be provided to these individuals as they serve in
their respective roles. All Shepherding Committee
members selected by the Pastor(s) shall be
approved by the Board prior to beginning service.
5.
The Pastor(s) will be available for marriage
counseling and other counseling, weddings,
funerals, and other events that arise from time to
time.
6.
The Pastor(s) will be the face of Grace Bible
Church to the community around us.
7.
The Pastor(s) will be members of the Board,
participating in decision making. The Pastor(s)
and the Board shall hold each other accountable
for their respective responsibilities.
8.
The Pastor(s) and the Board shall exercise
spiritual leadership, challenging each other and
congregants to be rooted in the faith and open to
change where appropriate.
9.
The Pastor(s) will have a limited role in
preaching at Sunday worship services.
Revision History:
1. Apr 11, 2010 : Article VIII, 3. The word 'stating' was
introduced as an amendment
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