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This page was last updated January 19, 2000.
By-Laws
Bylaws of the Fir Road Christian Church
Rt. 1 Box 133-D, Carl Junction, MO 64834
We the members of the Fir Road Christian Church, Route 1, Carl Junction,
Missouri, individually dedicate our lives in consecrated devotion to the ideals,
principles, and teachings of Jesus Christ, and collectively pledge ourselves to
uphold and follow the example of the Church as found in the New Testament of the
Holy Bible. The purpose of said congregation shall be to conduct a Church which
is known as Christians only, and have no creed or article of faith other than
those contained in the New Testament, and in which Church the New Testament
ordinances of baptism and the Lord�s Supper shall be observed; the former by
immersion only and the latter each Lord�s Day (Sunday). This Church shall be
independent of all denominational and interdenominational bodies, such as the
General Assembly of Christian Churches of Christ of America (Disciples of
Christ) and the National Council of Churches of Christ in America and/or any of
their constituent agencies.
Article I NAME
For business and legal purposes the name of this congregation shall be the
Fir Road Christian Church.
Article II MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of this congregation shall consist of those
who are now identified as members of the congregation, and those who shall be
added by the Lord by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and New Testament immersion,
or who having been previously immersed for the remission of sins, shall unite
with this congregation by transfer of membership.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP RECORDS. An accurate membership record shall be
kept which shall contain the name, date of birth, date of baptism or transfer
of membership and the baptizer. Termination of membership shall be recorded
with the date and means of termination.
Section 3. NUMBER OF MEMBERS. There shall be no limit to the
number of persons who may be admitted to membership in this congregation.
Section 4. VOTING PRIVILEGES. Voting privileges shall be
accorded to all active members of this congregation who are at least 16 years
of age.
Section 5. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. Definition: An active member of
this congregation is one who is an immersed believer and is regular
(consistent) and faithful (loyal) in church attendance.
Article III GENERAL OFFICERS
Section 1. The general officers shall consist of a plurality of elders
and deacons and the ministers as ex officio members.
Section 2. In the event there would not be a plurality of men qualified
and willing to serve as elders and deacons, the congregation as a whole shall
perform the duties of the general board according to these bylaws.
Article IV ELECTION OF ELDERS AND DEACONS
Section 1. All officers of the church must be chosen from among the
membership of the congregation.
Section 2. Any man who feels he meets the requirements for the office of
elder or deacon as given in I Timothy chapter 3 and Titus chapter 1 and desires
the office must make his desire known before the congregation.
Section 3. The elders shall have prepared a printed ballot to present for
a secret vote three (3) Sundays after the individual�s desire is made known to
the congregation, or at the Annual Congregational Meeting.
Section 4. Those receiving two-thirds (2/3) percent yes vote cast by
those present shall be declared elected.
Section 5. TERMS OF ELDERS AND DEACONS. Elders and deacons chosen by the
congregation shall serve for a term of three (3) years, at which time they shall
be eligible for reelection. The three (3) year terms shall be set up on a
rotational basis so that a portion (which shall always be less than one-half
(�) of the total of the elders and deacons) will be subject to reelection by
the congregation each year.
Section 6. TENURE. The tenure of any elder or deacon will be terminated
if he should submit his own resignation, or if the congregation should wish to
remove him from office having become disqualified by Scriptural reasons;
inactivity or moral unfitness. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the congregation
present and voting at any officially called congregational meeting shall be
required.
Article V DUTIES OF ELDERS
Section 1. The elders shall discharge the duties of their office as set
forth in the New Testament Scriptures of the Holy Bible. They shall oversee all
matters involving the congregation, concerning all spiritual and physical
matters, discipline toward any member of the congregation, and to encourage, by
example and word, the missionary, evangelistic, educational and stewardship
responsibilities of the church, and to serve as pulpit committee.
Article VI DUTIES OF DEACONS
Section 1. Deacons shall discharge the duties of their office as set
forth in the New Testament Scriptures of the Holy Bible. They shall cooperate
with and assist the elders in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the
congregation, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the elders or
the congregation.
Article VII SPECIAL OFFICERS
Section 1. TRUSTEES: IDENTIFICATION AND DUTIES. The trustees shall act as
legal agents of the congregation in all business matters, under the direction of
the elders and subject to the approval of the congregation, and perform such
duties as are required by law. Their actions shall comply with the terms of
these bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of the Fir Road Christian Church.
Section 2. TERM OF OFFICE OF TRUSTEE. The term of office of the trustee
shall be for three (3) years; one-third (1/3) of the group being elected each
year at the Annual Congregational Meeting.
Section 3. DUTIES OF SPECIAL OFFICERS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS AND DEACONS: The Chairman shall fulfill
the duties of such office; call and preside at all regular and special meetings
of the Board and serve as chairman of the congregation or appoint another Board
member to preside.
Section 4. CHURCH SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all
regular and special meetings of the Board and Congregational Meetings. A copy
shall be recorded and copies made available in a public place in the church
building.
Section 5. CHURCH TREASURER AND ASSISTANT: The Church Treasurer and
Assistant shall disburse all funds of the church according to the authority
designated by the General Board or Congregational Meetings, deposit funds and
make a report each month at the regular meeting of the Board, and make a copy of
the report available in a public place in the church building.
Section 6. BIBLE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: The Superintendent shall oversee
the Bible School under the direction of the elders.
Article VIII BUSINESS MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION
Section 1. All Congregational Meetings shall be held in the building of
the Fir Road Christian Church, or on the church property.
Section 2. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING: The annual business meeting of this
congregation shall be held during the month of October of each year at such time
as the congregation or General Board shall designate.
A. The purpose of this meeting shall be for the mutual edification of the
Lord Jesus, as well as the transaction of relevant business matters.
Matters to be brought before the meeting shall include (1) Election of the
Chairman of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Bible School
Superintendent, Trustees, and elders and deacons, (2) Financial matters, (3)
Unfinished business and (4) New business.
B. Notice of the annual business meeting of the Church shall be made in the
Sunday Bulletin and from the pulpit on the two (2) Lord�s Days preceding the
set date.
Section 3. SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS. Special business meetings of
the congregation may be called at other times by a resolution of the elders, the
Chairman of the Board, or by a petition signed by no less than fifteen (15)
adult members submitted to the elders. Notice of said special meeting, together
with a statement as to the nature of the business to be transacted, shall be
made to the congregation on at least one (1) Sunday prior to said meeting.
Section 4. CHURCH OFFICER BUSINESS MEETINGS
A. The elders and deacons shall meet at the church building one regular
meeting each month.
B. Special called meetings may be arranged at the discretion of the Chairman
of the Board, or any elder, or any deacon, or at the request of five (5) members
of the congregation.
C. At the Annual Congregational Meeting the Board of elders and deacons shall
submit names to the congregation for election to fill the following slate of
special officers for the coming year: Chairman of the Board, Secretary,
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Bible School Superintendent.
D. Those holding these offices shall do so for one (1) year or until their
successors are elected.
E. Names for the office of Trustee will also be presented for election at
this time.
F. Members of the Church Board shall meet to transact the business of the
congregation and to consider and recommend general policies to the congregation.
G. Members of the congregation shall have the right to present any matter of
concern to the Board for its consideration.
H. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the members of the congregation
at all times, but only members of the Board shall have the right to vote.
I. When it becomes necessary to fill a vacancy in the offices of the church,
with the exception of that of elders and deacons, the Church Board shall select
someone to fill such vacancy until the regular annual meeting of the
congregation for election of such officers.
Section 5. QUORUMS AND MAJORITIES
A. A quorum at any congregational meeting shall consist of the eligible
voters present. A simple majority of the voting members shall decide any matter
that comes before the meeting with the exception of: (1) Hiring or dismissing a
minister, (2) Removal of an elder or deacon from office, (3) Buying or selling
church property (real estate), (4) Expenditure of $500 or more on or to the
church property, (5) Setting the amounts of regular budgeted missionary support,
(6) The election of elders and deacons.
Items one through six shall be decided by no less than a two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote.
B. A quorum for the regular monthly Board Meeting shall be considered as
fifty-one (51) percent of the members of the Board.
Article IX MINISTERS
Section 1. The ministers of the church shall perform the duties which
usually pertain to that office.
Section 2. The General Board shall consider the recommendation of the
pulpit committee (elders) and if approved by a majority vote of the members
present and voting, shall recommend the prospective minister to the congregation
for approval. The prospective minister must receive at least two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote of the congregation. It shall be the policy of the congregation to
consider only one prospective minister at a time.
Section 3. TERM OF MINISTRY. The term of ministry shall be for an
indefinite period and may be terminated by either party upon a thirty (30) days
written notice (or sooner if agreed upon by both parties). A written statement
setting forth salary to be paid and other conditions of the call shall be made
in duplicate; one copy for the minister and one copy for the church records.
Article X PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. The rules contained in Robert�s Rules of Order, or any
qualified parliamentary authority shall govern in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws or special
rules or order of this Board.
Article XI AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1. Any of these bylaws may be amended or repealed by the
concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the congregation present
and voting at any meeting duly called for the purpose upon special notice, in
which the proposed amendments shall be stated at least two (2) weeks prior to
the meeting, except Article II MEMBERSHIP, Section 1.
Article XII A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION
Section 1. This is a non-profit corporation and does not afford financial
gain, incidentally or otherwise, to its members.
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
1. Article III, Section 1 and 2: November 16, 1986 to read �elders and/or
deacons�
2. Article VIII, Section 5: July 10, 1988 to read �expenditures of $1,000
or more�
3. Article VII, Section 1: October 15, 1995 to read �The trustees shall act
as legal agents of the congregation in all business matters and shall have
charge of all legal documents and perform such other duties as pertain to a
major indebtedness. (A major indebtedness is such that cannot be met out of the
General Fund during the current budget year.) These duties include, but are not
limited to, the authority to execute instruments evidencing the borrowing of
money, the mortgaging of real property and improvements thereon and the granting
of a security interest in all types and kinds of fixtures, furnishings and
personalty on behalf of the corporation. These duties shall be exercised under
the direction of the Church Board and subject to the approval of the
congregation and shall comply with the terms of these bylaws and the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fir Road Christian Church.�
4. Article VIII, Section 5: March 31, 1996 to read �expenditures of $3,000
or more�
5. Article VII, Section 4: October 18, 1998 to read �BOARD SECRETARY�
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