The Constitution and By-Laws
Constitution
Event Deacon: At the minimum 2 deacons will be responsible for handling all the know, grow, and serve events. They will also specify who is handling certain responsibilities so it is clear who the person to go to is. Some are listed below. If needed, a 3rd deacon can assist with the events.
- approving, assisting with the events, post event form, other pertinent paperwork
- plan events with their respective teams in accord with our mission verbs
- recruit, schedule ushers
- greeters (First Touch Team)
- one needs to meet or connect with the Mission team (missions we support financially)
Communication Deacon
– one of their responsibilities will be communicate with the office and staff
– take notes at the Deacon’s meeting
– get a list of things that need done from the office/ staff
– recruit, schedule intercessors
– supervise the Children’s Ministry Staff
Finance Deacon
- report out monthly at the Deacon’s meeting the finances of the church
- meet with the Finance team
- with the Finance team, prepare the budget for each year
- supervises the Treasurer
Facilities Deacon
- responsible for the up-keep of the church building interior and exterior which includes: mowing, snow plowing, security, ADT, lights, furnace, carpet cleaning to name a few. Some of these responsibilities include calling to negotiate contracts
- supervises the custodian
- oversees the security officer
- plan a Fall and Spring clean up day for the church
Youth and Family Deacon
- meet with the Youth Minister
- meet with the Teen Adult Team and schedule meetings for this team
- report out at the Deacon meeting what is going on in the Youth ministry
IT (Information Tech) Deacon
– handling the tech/computer needs of the church
- up to 8 deacons on the team (with teams to support – ex. Finance deacon with finance team, Youth and Family Team, Facilities team, etc…)
- There is flexibility with redefining or creating new positions as needed and led. Some positions need to remain while others can be removed.
*Elder and Deacons meetings
The Deacons and Elders will meet on the same night monthly. They will have separate meetings. Once the Deacon meeting is completed, at least 2 Deacons (or more) will come over to the Elder meeting to report out in summary things the Deacons discussed from their meeting and seek input on anything desired. The Elders will share as well and take any questions the Deacons may have for them. The Deacons do not stay for the rest of the Elder’s meeting.
The Pastor(s) of Faith Community Fellowship are to be elected by paper ballot by the members of the church. The conclusion of the Pastor(s) service to Faith Community Fellowship will be announced with three (3) months notice either by letter from him to the Elders, or by the congregation to him following a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the congregation. When a pastoral vacancy occurs in the church, a Pastoral Search Team will be appointed by the Elders. This team shall oversee the search and review process of prospective candidates. The Pastoral Search Team shall recommend one (1) candidate to the Elders to be presented by it to the church for election. If 80% of the votes cast by members present at the Congregational meeting favor the candidate, the Elders shall issue him a call to the pastorate, together with a record of the vote cast. Upon acceptance of the call and arrival at Faith Community Fellowship, a service of installation shall be arranged. The church shall pay his moving expenses. Pastor(s) shall abide by the Church Covenant.
The term “Pastor” as used in this Constitution and By-Laws is to be interpreted to mean: A person who has been officially ordained to the office of the Christian Ministry and who has been elected to serve the local church in the pastoral office. The Pastor is accountable to the Congregation. The Elders will act on behalf of the Congregation in monitoring and evaluating pastoral duties.
The term “Licensed Minister” as used in this Constitution and by-Laws is interpreted to mean: A lay person who is authorized by the Elders to administer the sacraments of baptism , to perform marriages, and to administer the Lord’s Supper on behalf of Faith Community Fellowship.
The status and accountability of all other church staff shall be determined by the Elders and Deacons unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws, or within their specific call agreements or job descriptions.
By-Laws
CHURCH COVENANT
- Spend daily time in prayer and Bible study with God
- Participate in a small group or Bible study
- Pray for at least one unchurched person
- Tithe
- Regular Worship attendance
- Partake in the Lord’s Supper
A member’s lack of recorded worship attendance will prompt a contact from the Lead Pastor or the Elders. Attempts will be made to encourage a return to the church. After a year of no recorded attendance or no satisfactory reason for their absence, the member has given evidence that they no longer wish to be a member of the church and their name will be removed from membership. The intent is always to encourage full restoration to Christ’s family of believers.
Water baptism, either by immersion or sprinkling, is acceptable. Infant dedication is acceptable at Faith Community Fellowship. Parent(s) having their child dedicated must be members of Faith Community Fellowship. There are occasions that parent(s) not living in this area may desire having their child dedicated at Faith Community Fellowship, but they must be an active member of a Church. A letter would be sent to their pastor telling of the dedication. Pastors have the discretion in individual circumstances or situations.
Understand the Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs by the supernatural power of God at the moment of conversion.
(I Corinthians 12:13), resulting in His gracious indwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19) The filling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing command (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16,25; Ephesians 5:18) The infallible outcome of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is His fruit and our obedience (Galatians 5:22-23; I Peter 1:2) The varied outcome of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is His gifting and our ministry (Corinthians 12:7, 11, 27-31; see also Acts 4:32-35)
If someone would have a word in a tongue then that word would need to be interpreted and brought before the Elders for discernment before it is spoken in the congregation at large. If someone would have a word of prophecy, the same process would be followed. That word would need to be brought before the Elders for their discernment before the word is spoken in the congregation at large. This is how we interpret the commands from 1 Corinthians 14 to do things decently, in order and for the edification of the body. This process is essential in the exercising of these particular gifts within the body of Christ.
*ELDERS and DEACONS NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT
- Elders and Deacons shall have been members of Faith Community Fellowship for at least two (2) years and shall have reached the age of eighteen.
- In January of each year, Elders and Deacons presently serving will decide whether or not to remain in their position on the Leadership Team at the start of the fiscal year (July).
- In February of each year, the members of FCF will be invited to submit names to be considered as Elders and Deacons.
- In March of each year, the Elders and Deacons will take under advisement, the list of candidates and prayerfully discern those persons who are best suited for open positions/ministries.
- In April of each year, the names of all Elders and Deacons for the coming year will be published. Members of the church will have 30 days to submit to the Lead Pastor, any Biblical reason written and signed, whether any of those person(s) would be ineligible.
- In May, at the annual Congregational meeting, the Elders and Deacons will be ordained and presented for the coming year to the members of the church.
*REMOVAL OF ELDERS OR DEACONS
If there is a clear biblical reason to remove an Elder or Deacon, the Pastor and another Elder or Deacon is to remove the person immediately.
If it is not a clear biblical issue the process will be as follows:
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- a general, informal conversation from an Elder or Deacon as to the concern
- if the problem continues to occur and is not rectified after the first meeting, the Pastor and an Elder will talk to the Deacon or Elder
- If nothing changes after this conversation, there needs to be a unanimous decision by the Elders to remove the person
- All Elders and Deacons will be informed of the decision.
- The goal in these situations is always reconciliation and restoration (peacemaking).
FILLING MID-TERM VACANCIES
Elders and Deacons will appoint persons to fill any vacancies until the annual procedure for appointing Elders and Deacons is begun.
OFFICERS AND DUTIES
TREASURER:
The Treasurer shall be hired/appointed by the Deacons and shall have charge of all monies. He shall pay all monitored by the Finance Team. He shall report monthly to the Finance Deacon and annually to the Congregation. He shall be properly bonded.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
The Financial Secretary shall be appointed by the Deacons and shall be responsible for the counting and depositing of all monies received for current, benevolent, memorial, and other funds, unless otherwise provided for by the action of the Deacons. He shall be properly bonded.
OTHER TEAMS AND COMMITTEES
Elders and Deacons shall appoint any special teams that are necessary to carry out the mission and vision of the church. The Elders and Deacons will approve the members of each Team.
*DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE PASTORS
The Pastor(s) shall abide by the Pastoral Call Agreement and Job Description.
The Lead Pastor is a part of Elders and ex-officio of all other teams called by Elders. Other Pastors may be added to a team, at the Elder’s discretion. No Pastor or licensed minister shall perform any ministries in the church without the consent of the Lead Pastor and/or Elders.
*CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
Written notice of the annual Congregational Meeting shall be given no less than 4 weeks before the meeting. The annual Congregational meeting shall take place during the month of May for the following purposes: to give ministry reports, to introduce and commission the Elders and Deacons and to present ministry plans for the coming year. The budget will also be presented for approval.
Special Congregational meetings shall be called by the Elders and Deacons, the Pastor(s) or at least 25% of the total membership to consider special and pertinent matters on which the members of the church should take action or about which they are to be informed. Written notice shall be given not less than 14 days before the meeting.
Written notice for all meetings may be given through the church bulletin, the church newsletter, direct mailing to Faith Community Fellowship members or by e-mail.
*FINANCIAL POLICY
The financial policy of the church shall be mainly on the basis of stewardship giving. Any projects for the purpose of raising money for Faith Community Fellowship by any organization of the church, must have the consent of the Elders and Deacons. The finances of the church shall be administered by the budget system. The Finance Team shall prepare a budget for operating expenses and benevolent ministries of the church.
The budget shall be reviewed and approved by Elders and Deacons and then presented to the Congregation for approval at its annual Congregational meeting.
The Elders and Deacons may authorize expenditure of money beyond the budget up to the amount equal to 5% of the current year general budgeted amount. Any amount above 5% of the current fiscal year general budgeted amount shall have the approval of the Congregation.
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to By-Laws may be made by a majority vote of the members present at a duly called Congregational meeting. Such Amendments shall be presented in writing to the Congregation at least 4 weeks before the meeting.
Core Values