Covenant Church of Holden

Constitution

COVENANT CHURCH of HOLDEN 

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 2023

Table of Contents

CONSTITUTION:

Preamble
Article 1 – Name
Article 2 – Purpose
Article 3 – Statement of Faith
Article 4 – Covenant

BYLAWS:

Article 5 – Membership
Section 1 – Purpose of Membership
Section 2 – Requirements of Membership
Section 3 – Rights of Membership
Section 4 – Responsibilities of Membership
Section 5 – Inactive Membership
Section 6 – Termination of Membership
Section 7 – Restoration of Membership
Article 6 – Officers
Section 1 – Pastor
Section 2 – Ministry Staff
Section 3 – Deacons
Section 4 – Officers: Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary
Section 5 – Dismissal of Officers
Article 7 – Committees
Section 1 – Types of Committee
Section 2 – Selection of the Leadership Committee
Section 3- Duties of the Leadership Committee
Section 4 – Dismissal of Committee Members
Article 8 – Ministries
Section 1 – Purpose of Ministries
Section 2 – Selection of Ministry Directors
Section 3 – Dismissal of Directors
Article 9 – Meetings
Section 1 – Worship Services
Section 2 – Business Sessions
Article 10 – Amendments
Article 11 – Dissolution 
Article 12 – Position Statements

Preamble  

We declare and establish this Constitution and Bylaws, with Jesus Christ as the head of the Church, to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner. This Constitution and Bylaws will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches. We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and will govern independently by its members in compliance with the Holy Scriptures as our final and superseding authority. 

Article 1 – Name 

This corporate body shall be known as Covenant Church of Holden in Johnson County, Missouri. 

Article 2 – Purpose

The purpose of Covenant Church is to be a body that follows the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) by exalting God in all His glory, equipping members for life leadership, and evangelizing unbelievers locally and globally which fulfills the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39).

Article 3 – Statement of Faith

This church recognizes the Holy Bible as the inspired word of God as the sole basis of our beliefs. This church voluntarily subscribes (for the purpose of identification and association) with the Missouri Baptist Convention as well as the Southern Baptist Convention and adheres to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. (www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp). This church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control.

Article 4 – Covenant

We, the members of Covenant Church of Holden, do hereby covenant with each other before God to:

Be family; to be committed to each other; to love, accept, and forgive each other until death or God’s call causes us to part.

Live in Jesus Christ and take His commands seriously.

Help one another grow toward Christian maturity by bearing one another’s burdens, encouraging one another, exhorting one another, praying for one another, confessing our sins to one another, speaking the truth in love to one another, admonishing one another, building up one another, teaching one another, comforting one another, submitting to one another, serving one another, patiently bearing with one another, being hospitable to one another, greeting one another, living in peace with one another, regarding one another as more important than ourselves, caring for one another, exercising our spiritual gifts to serve one another, being kind and tenderhearted to one another, being devoted to one another, accepting one another, forgiving one another, and loving one another.

We invite fellow members to pray for us, teach us, correct us, or rebuke us, if necessary, in a spirit of gentleness and humility should we stray from our Lord’s commands, because the thing we desire most in life is to serve Christ.

We voluntarily submit ourselves to one another and to the discipline of the church. Such discipline will always be for the loving purpose of restoration—restoration to fellowship with God and with the covenant community—and it will always be done in accordance with Matthew 18:15-22.

Bring honor to the body of Christ by maintaining a good testimony.

We enter into this covenant because we have the common purpose of obeying Jesus Christ, and because we believe that we need one another’s help to do this. As believers, and disciples of Jesus Christ, we have entered into a covenant relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—with the God who revealed Himself in Jesus. Since the blessings and promises of the covenant have been freely extended and given to us, out of wonder, love, thanksgiving, and reverence, we hereby accept and take up the covenant responsibilities that go with such a privilege. This is our reasonable service, and we should do nothing less.

God helps us all! We rely on His grace and hold fast to His promise that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

BYLAWS 

Article 5 – Membership 

Membership in this church shall consist of any person 18 years of age or older who has met the qualifications for membership. Several areas within this article refer to “active” membership. Active membership shall be determined by the Clerk and Deacons.

Section 1 – Purpose of Membership

To publicly declare one’s commitment to serve Christ and support His church and its ministries to the community. It is the launching point at which believers can begin using their God-given potential to accomplish His vision for their life and His church.


Section 2 – Requirements of Membership 

  1. Be a believer and confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
  2. Baptism by immersion as a testimony of salvation (Rom. 6:3-4) 
  3. Transfer membership from another church of like faith and order or complete membership application (if non-transferring or new member)
  4. Complete a newcomers’ class
  5. Commit to abide by the church covenant (see Article 4) 
  6. Commit to fulfill the responsibilities of membership (see Article 5, Section 4)
  7. Obtain approval by the church body
  8. Worship regularly together with other believers

Exceptions will be made for those unable to physically attend services (elderly, shut-ins, prolonged illness, extenuating circumstances beyond our control such as pandemic, natural disasters, or acts of God) 

Section 3 – Rights of Membership

Members of the church are entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present or provision has been made for absentee balloting. 

Unless otherwise noted, a majority vote of two-thirds of the members present at the business meeting, called for any purpose, shall be required. When two separate choices are available a simple majority will be required to reduce it to one choice. Then one more vote of two-thirds will be required for final approval. 

Members shall be eligible for positions in any office or ministry of the church provided they meet the requirements. 

Section 4 – Responsibilities of Membership

  1. Preserve the unity of the church
    1. Treat others with love and respect (Rom.13:8 and I John 4:21)
    2. Keep peace in the church through one’s words and actions (Rom. 12:17-18 and Eph. 4:29)
    3. Support the leadership (I Thes. 5:12-13 and Heb. 13:17)
  2. Help with the responsibilities of the church
    1. Pray for its health and growth (Eph. 3:17-19 and 1 Thes. 1:2-3)
    2. Share one’s faith ( Acts 1:8 and Phil. 1:6)
    3. Welcome the church’s guests and visitors (Luke 9:48 and Acts 15:4)
  3. Serve in the ministries
    1. Find and use spiritual gifts (Cor. 12:4-6 and I Peter 4:10)
    2. Learn and grow through God’s Word – (Eph. 4:11-12 and 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
    3. Be humble and serve where needed ( I Cor. 12:24-26 and Phil. 2:3-4 & 7)
  4. Promote the witness and integrity of the church
    1. Attend services faithfully ( Acts 2:46 and Heb. 10:25)
    2. Live a godly life (Rom. 12:1-2 and I Peter 2:12)
    3. Give regularly (I Cor. 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7)

Section 5 – Inactive Membership

  1. During annual review of the church membership by the Church Clerk, if it has been determined that a member has become inactive for a period of one year beyond reasonable exceptions as stated in Article 5, Section 2 of the Bylaws, has not attended services, or supported the general welfare of the church, that member shall no longer be considered in good standing and will be placed upon an inactive list (Membership Retained) under review of the Leadership Committee with the final determination to be made by the Deacons.
  1. Inactive Members wishing to return to active membership within one year of becoming inactive will make a request to either the Deacons or the Pastor and be voted upon by the Deacons for reinstatement. 
  1. If the member remains inactive for one year, the member will be recommended by the Church Clerk to be removed from the membership list (see Article 5, Section 6.2) under review of the Leadership Committee with the final determination to be made by the Deacons. 

Section 6 – Termination of Membership

  1. Membership shall be terminated for the following reasons:
    1. Death of the member
    2. Request or proof of membership in another church
    3. Voluntary request of the member
  2. Membership may be terminated for those who habitually absent themselves from regular services—unless physically unable—or fail to support the general welfare of the church. The Church Clerk will refer such members to the Leadership Committee for review with the final determination to be made by the Deacons.
  3. Membership may be terminated for those who assent to such doctrine or such conduct as shall in the judgment of the pastor and majority of deacons be so opposed to the Word of God as to threaten the life and faith of the church. The Pastor and Deacons shall strive to restore the member before removing them from the body (James 5:19-20). The Leadership Committee, Deacons, and Pastor will operate in confirmation with each other to move forward with termination. 

Section 7 – Restoration of Membership

Members terminated by the Deacons may be restored at the discretion of the Deacons in accordance with 2 Cor. 2:7-8 upon the return of the candidate and by review of the Leadership Committee and final determination of the Deacons that they meet the Membership requirements (Article 5, Section 2). 

Article 6 – Officers

Section 1 – Pastor

  1. The role of the Pastor is to:
    1. Protect the congregation (Acts 20:28)
    2. Equip the congregation (Ephesians 4:11-12)
    3. Lead the congregation (1 Timothy 5:17)

The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor will lead the congregation, oversee the ministries, and the church staff to perform their tasks.

  1. Qualifications of Pastor shall:
    1. Be a mature believer (1 Tim. 3:6)
    2. Possess godly character (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
    3. Be called by God (Eph. 4:11)
    4. Be ordained (Titus 1:5)
  2. A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. The election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. A Pastor Selection Committee, including at least one deacon shall be elected by the church to seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote by the church body of two-thirds of those present being necessary for a choice.
  3. The pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church’s request. The pastor may relinquish the office as pastor by giving at least two weeks notice to the church at the time of resignation. Alternatively,the church may declare the office of pastor to be vacant. Such action shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. The meeting may be called upon the recommendation of a majority of the Deacons or by a written petition signed by not less than one-half of the church membership. The moderator for this meeting shall be designated by the members present by majority vote, and he shall be someone other than the pastor. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of three-fourths or seventy five percent of the members present being necessary to declare the office vacant. The termination shall be immediate. Discretion will be used in this instance to protect the dignity of those involved.  The church will compensate the pastor with not less than one-twelfth of his total annual compensation.

Section 2 – Ministry Staff, Non-Ministry Staff, and Hired Services

  1. The ministerial staff, consisting of compensated positions, shall be called and employed as the church determines the need for such offices.
  2. A job description shall be written when the need for a staff member is determined. Those staff members of whom the church requires evidence of a personal call of God to minister shall be recommended to the church by the Leadership Committee, approved by the Deacons, and presented to the church body for approval. 
  3. At the time of resignation, not less than a two-week notice shall be given to the church. The church will be informed if the decision to vacate such positions has been recommended by the Pastor and majority of Deacons. The Pastor and Deacons will consult with the Leadership Committee prior to making their final decision. Discretion will be used in this instance to protect the dignity of those involved.                                                                           
  4. Non-ministerial staff members shall be employed as the church determines the need for their services (eg. Secretary).
  5. All other hired services (eg. lawn care, accountant, church cleaning service, legal services, office equipment servicing) will be at the recommendation of the Leadership Committee along with review of the annual budget to assure ability to financially support hired services.    

Section 3 – Deacons

  1. The role of Deacons is to minister to the needs of the congregation (Acts 6:1-6)
  2. Qualifications of Deacons shall:
    1. Be a mature believer (Acts 6:3) 
    2. Possess godly character (1 Tim. 3:8-13)
    3. Be Ordained by the church (Acts 6:6)
    4. Be a member of the church in good standing
  3. The Pastor and Deacons shall determine the eligibility of candidates to present to the church for confirmation.
  4. The church shall elect deacons by ballot at regular business meetings of the church. Deacons shall serve for a period of three years. After serving a three-year term assignment, a deacon may be reaffirmed for each additional three-year term by ballot at regular business meetings of the church. There shall be no obligation to constitute as an assigned deacon one who has been a deacon in another church; but in such instances as one might be chosen by this church for assignment as a deacon, his previous ordination by another church of like faith and order shall suffice for this church. 

Section 4 – Officers: Clerk and Financial Secretary

All officers shall be active members of _____________ Church. The candidates will be nominated by the Leadership Committee and elected by the church body at the church’s last quarterly business meeting before the new fiscal year. The officers shall serve a one year renewable term. A majority of two-thirds of members present is required at the business meeting called for that purpose. When vacancies occur during the year, replacements may be appointed by the Leadership Committee to complete the current term (until the first quarter business meeting of the new fiscal year).

  1. The church shall elect annually a clerk as its clerical office. The clerk will work with the church secretary who will assist and provide oversight for the elected clerk.  The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of all official actions of the church, except as otherwise herein provided. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of names of members, with dates of admission, dismission, death, or erasure, together with a record of baptisms. The clerk shall issue letters of dismission voted by the church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated in these bylaws. The clerk shall be responsible for preparing the annual letter of the church to the association. All church records are church property and shall be kept in the church office when an office is maintained.
  2. The church shall elect annually a financial secretary. All funds received for any and all purposes shall pass through the hands of the financial secretary, and be properly counted, recorded on the books of the church, and deposited. The financial secretary shall maintain annual giving records to be given to each contributor at the end of each calendar year.

Section 5 – Dismissal of Officers

Any officer failing in their duties or whose conduct threatens the life and health of the church may be dismissed by the Pastor and majority of Deacons. The Pastor and Deacons will consult with the Leadership Committee prior to making their final decision. Discretion will be used in this instance to protect the dignity of those involved.  

Article 7 – Committees

Section 1 – Types of Committees

 The committee(s) of this church shall be a Leadership Committee and such other regular and special committees as the church shall authorize. Committee members shall serve for a period of one year and may be nominated each year thereafter. 

Section 2 – Selection of the Leadership Committee

The Leadership Committee shall consist of the Pastor and one Deacon who will serve as Advisors (Non-Voting Members), the Secretary/Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, five members (or as many members the church deems necessary) from the congregation at large as determined by the Pastor and Deacons and approved by the church body. The number of members on the Leadership Committee must remain odd and have no fewer than five members including the Secretary/Treasurer and Financial Secretary.  The Leadership Committee will select a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson to preside over meetings. 

Section 3 – Duties of the Leadership Committee

The Leadership Committee holds in trust the church property. Upon a specific vote of the church authorizing each action, the committee shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any church property. When the signatures of the Leadership Committee are required, the members of the committee shall sign legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property, or other legal documents related to church-approved matters. The committee shall develop and recommend an overall stewardship development plan, a unified church budget, and budget subscription plans. The committee shall advise and recommend in the administration of the gifts of church members and others, using sound principles of financial management, and work with the secretary/treasurer and financial secretary in the preparation and presentation to the church of required reports regarding the financial affairs of the church. The Leadership Committee shall establish the method of approval for all church purchases not defined in the Constitution, and shall review all purchases to ensure they are in accordance with the budget. The Pastor and one Deacon will oversee the Leadership Committee. Any items up for vote where any paid staff members have conflict of interest due to the nature of the vote shall abstain from voting on that issue. 

 
Section 6 – Committee Member Dismissal 

Any committee member failing in their duties or whose conduct threatens the life and health of the church may be dismissed by the Pastor and majority of Deacons. The Pastor and Deacons will consult with the Leadership Committee prior to making their final decision. Discretion will be used in this instance to protect the dignity of those involved.  

Article 8 – Ministries  

Section 1 – Purpose – The church shall maintain ministries that exalt God in all His glory, equip members for life leadership, and evangelize unbelievers locally and globally.

Section 2 – Directors – Each ministry shall have a Director (who shall be an active member) and nominated by the Leadership Committee and presented to the church for approval each fiscal year. Ministry Directors shall have authority to enlist members and administer funds necessary to help sustain and advance the ministry as needed. Directors shall not administer funds that exceed the annual budget limits without church approval. The Pastor shall maintain or delegate oversight of ministries and ministry Directors.

Section 3 – Dismissal of Directors – Any ministry Director failing in their duties or whose conduct threatens the life and health of the church may be dismissed by the Pastor and majority of Deacons.  The Pastor and Deacons will consult with the Leadership Committee prior to making their final decision. Discretion will be used in this instance to protect the dignity of those involved.  

Article 9 – Meetings

Section 1 – Worship Services

1.  The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning for the worship of Almighty God. Other services essential to the advancement of the church’s objectives may be scheduled. The pastor shall direct the services for all the church members and for all others who may choose to attend.

2. During Sunday Morning Worship Services, the Church shall observe when needed and in accordance with Scripture the following: 

  1. Baptism – This church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publicly and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord. Baptism shall be by immersion in water. The pastor, or whomever the church shall authorize, shall administer baptism. The deacons shall assist in the preparation for, and the observance of, baptism. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the church. Baptism Certificates will be given and baptisms recorded by the Church Clerk. 
  2. Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s Supper or “communion” shall be observed in accordance with Matthew 26:17-30 to anyone wishing to partake and who professes Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Each individual should examine themselves in the light of 1 Cor. 11:17-24 and be in a spirit of unity with one another. The frequency of communion shall be determined by the Pastor. The Pastor and Deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper, the Deacons being responsible for the physical preparations.
  3. Prayer and Anointing the Sick with Oil – Prayer and anointing the sick with oil shall be observed in the manner set for in James 5:13-15.
  4. Dedication of Babies or Children as unto the Lord – The church shall dedicate babies or children as a charge to believing parents and the fellowship of believers to commit unto the Lord to raise that child according to God’s Word and God’s ways according to Deut. 6:4-7 and Prov. 22:6. Dedication Certificates will be given and dedications recorded by the Church Clerk. 

2. The church shall meet periodically during the week (eg. Wednesday Night) for Bible Studies, classes, Worship and Prayer Meetings. Every member is encouraged, but not required, to attend a Bible study, Worship and Prayer Meeting, or class of their choosing. 

3. Special Services – Special services (eg.Revival Meetings, Bible Studies, Conferences or other such services that are conducive to the purposes of the church may be called by the Pastor(s).

Section 2 – Business Sessions

(a)    The church shall hold regular business sessions at the beginning of each quarter. A two-week notice shall be given for any regular business session. The church’s fiscal year shall begin on October 1st and run through September 30th of the following year. 

(b)   The church may conduct called business sessions to consider matters of special nature and significance. Special business sessions may be called by the Pastor or majority of Deacons. A one-week notice must be given for the specially called business sessions. The notice shall include the subject, the date, and time and place; and it must be given in such a manner that all resident members have an opportunity to know of the meeting.

(c)    The quorum consists of those members who attend the business session, provided it is a regular session or one that has been properly called.

(d)   Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business sessions of the church.

(e)  Business Meetings will be presided over by a moderator chosen by the Leadership Committee. 

Article 10 – Amendments

Changes in the Constitution and Bylaws may be made at any regular business session of the church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous business session and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present at the earlier session. Amendments to the Constitution and bylaws shall be by two-thirds majority vote of church members present.

Article 11 – Dissolution  

Upon the dissolution or winding up of this organization, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this organization shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or other organization which is operated exclusively for charitable, educational and/or religious purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).

Article 12 –  Position Statements

  1. Statement on Marriage and Sexuality (SBC Amendment 6. 22.2014)

We, the members of _______________ believe in the following:

We believe that the term ‘marriage’ has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.

We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church.