ARTICLE VI — ELDER TEAM
6.1 Members
At a time deemed appropriate,
necessary, and fitting by the Leadership Team, the overall direction,
governance, oversight and finances of the church will be vested in the Elder
team.
The Elder Team shall consist
of no less than three men. One of those elders will include the Lead Pastor and
shall serve as an elder for the duration of his tenure. Shall the Lead Pastor
position become vacant, his position shall be filled by an Elder-in-Training.
6.2 Qualifications
The minimum qualifications
for Elders shall not be less than those listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus
1:6-9, including without limitation the requirement that Elders be men. In
addition to the minimum qualifications given in Scripture, Elders must be Members
who fully subscribe to Church’s Statement of Faith (Article III) and are
actively involved in the ministry of the Church.
6.3 Duties
The duties of the Elders
shall include, but not be limited to, leading the Church to fulfill the purposes
of the Church.
The Elder Team, as a group,
shall supervise all employees of the Church; The Elder Team may delegate to
Church employees any and all duties and responsibilities the Elder Team deem
reasonable, subject to the rights, if any, of the person under contract of
employment.
The Elder Team shall vote on
the matters of (a) appointment of any Elder, (b) doctrinal issues, c) removal of any Elder, and
(d) other actions deemed major and extraordinary by the Elder Team.
The Elder Team shall be final
arbiter in matters of church discipline for issues that are escalated to the
team.
The Elder Team shall make the
final determination in regards to any ecclesiastical questions. The Elder Team
shall be the express and final arbiter of ecclesiastical polity, religious doctrine,
and questions of Church property, and shall make the final decision with
respect to any other matter that shall arise concerning the Church, its
internal workings, and its governance in every respect, consistent with these
Bylaws.
6.4 Selection and Term of
Office
The Elder Team shall have the
sole authority to appoint new elders. A man shall be appointed as an elder by
unanimous vote of the Team after the candidate has been examined and proven to
meet the qualifications listed in Article 6.2.
The proposed appointment of
any Elder shall be communicated to the Church at least twenty-one (21) days in
advance and Church Members shall have an opportunity to submit questions, comments
and concerns, which will be considered by the Elder Team on a case-by-case
basis. Confirmation and appointment of a new Elder shall be at the sole and
final discretion of the existing Elder Team and effectuated upon their
unanimous vote.
Once
appointed, it is expected that an elder would serve one-year term limits. Each
year the Team will reaffirm each existing elder by seventy-five percent vote of
the elders present.
6.5 Removal
Any elder may be removed for
valid cause. A written notice of the proposed removal of any Elder shall be
given to such Elder at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which an
action to effectuate such removal is to be taken to ensure that the Elder is
given a reasonable opportunity to defend himself. The Elder shall have the
opportunity to answer the charges in the presence of his accusers, but shall
not be present during the discussion and vote on his removal. Such removal
shall take place only upon and after a two-third vote of the Elder Team. The
Elder under consideration for removal shall not have voting rights while such
removal is considered.
6.6 Officers
(a)Chairman
The Chairman shall perform
such duties as are incumbent upon such Officer, including making certain that
all orders and resolutions of the Central Elders are carried into effect. The
Chairman shall have oversight of the Elder Team meetings. The Chairman’s duties
shall include, without limitation: establishing meetings, setting the agenda
and presiding over the meetings.
(b)Vice Chairman
The Vice Chairman shall, in
the absence of a duly-appointed Chairman, or in the event of the Chairman’s
inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
Chairman and shall perform such other duties as the Central Elders shall from
time to time prescribe.
(c)Secretary
The Secretary shall record or
cause to be recorded in a minute book of the Church minutes of all meetings of
the Elders and all votes taken at such meetings. He shall have charge of the
official records and seal of the Church, and he shall perform such other duties
as are incident to the office of Secretary and as may be assigned by the Elders
or the Chairman, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be.
(d)Treasurer
The Treasurer shall serve as
the overseer of the financial operations of the Church. Paid Church staff
members shall be accountable to the Treasurer for management of the financial
aspects of the Church. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties and have
other responsibilities as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Elder
Team.
6.7 Quorum
A proper quorum is defined as
no less than fifty percent (50%) of the Elder Team. A quorum is required for
voting matters.
A passing vote must be equal
to or greater than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Elder Team present except
for circumstances listed above.