THE BY-LAWS (DRAFT)

OF RIVER POINTE CHURCH

"Experience the River of God"

Original By-Laws drafted by the Overseer Body in February/March, 2004

Preamble:

We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith, and to govern the body in an orderly manner.  This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual River Pointe Church (RPC) member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches.

Article I Membership and Church Discipline

Article II Pastoral and Church Staff

Article III Services, Meetings, and Major Congregational Decisions

Article IV Ordinances and Other Church Practices

Article V Government

Article VI Commissioning, Licensing, and Ordaining

Article VII Financial Matters

Article VIII Property and Capital Assets

Article IX Ministry Teams

Article X Project Teams

Article XI Amendments to the By-Laws

 

 

Article I Membership

The membership of River Pointe Church (hereafter RPC) shall be open to any believing and confessing Christian who acknowledges and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who is willing to subscribe to the policies of this church, and who desires to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of love. RPC will welcome into its fellowship any person who wishes to share the study, understanding, and practice of that law which Jesus Christ taught as supreme: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Section 1 Expectations of Members

Church membership carries certain responsibilities and expectations. River Pointe Church membership expectations are outlined below.

A. Spiritual Growth – RPC members are expected to seek to mature in their faith and in their capacity to represent Christ in every area of life.

B. Personal Testimony – Church members shall be equipped to be able and willing to give a personal testimony of their new birth to anyone who may ask or be interested (I Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

C. Baptism – Church members shall be baptized believers, having responded to the message of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42).

D. Attendance – Church members should attend regularly the functions of the church with special attention being given to:

• The teaching of the Word of God

• Fellowship among the believers

• Worship regularly with the church family (Psalm 150:1; Ephesians 5:19-20; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts

2:42-47)

• Prayer

• The Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42)

E. Above Reproach – By the Spirit and with their whole heart, church members will seek to live lives that are above reproach (Philippians 2:15). Failure to do so brings about the discipline of our Heavenly Father on His children as well as the necessary discipline of the church (1 Corinthians 11:27-34; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

F. Spiritual Gifts – Church members shall use their spiritual gifts in a loving manner to strengthen one another and the ministry of the church at RPC as a whole (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Corinthians 14:22, 26; Ephesians 4:11-12).

G. Stewardship – Church members give of their material substance in a manner that glorifies Christ (Matthew 19:16-30; 1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 8, 9).

H. Leadership – Church members respect and cooperate with the leaders of the church. (1 Corinthians 16:15, 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; Hebrews 13:17).

I. Statement of Faith – Church members recognize our Statement of Faith (Essential Beliefs and Lifestyle Practices) as the doctrinal frame within which our teaching is done.

J. Ministries – Church members who assume various church responsibilities will strive to model these principles.

K. Fellowship – Church members love and uphold fellow members, pray for them and encourage them, even when they have failed (Philippians 2:1-4; Galatians 6:1-2).

L. Christian Influence – Church members shall influence their circle of friends, relatives, and associates to become Christ’s disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

M. Conflict Resolution – Church members shall resolve conflicts with other church members according to Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-17.

N. Manner of Speech – Church members shall refrain from gossip (Proverbs 20:19; Romans 1:29).

 

Section 2 Reconciliation and Church Discipline The discipline of the church is entrusted to the overseers and shall be exercised according to the principle of Christian love, and as outlined in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." All discipline must be conducted in Christian meekness and love with a desire to remove offenses and to win offenders.

A. Grounds for Church Discipline – All who make River Pointe Church their church home are expected to uphold its values and expectations. Failure to do so may lead to church discipline (Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 18:15-18.)

B. Foundation by Witnesses – Charges or questions of wrongdoing or wrong speaking must be well founded (two or more witnesses) and will be investigated by the Pastoral Staff and/or Overseer Body. The honor of Christ and His Church is at stake.

C. Investigation of Charges – The Pastoral Staff and/or Overseer Body will investigate the behavior in question by personal contact, on a Scriptural basis.

They will:

1) Seek accurate and objective knowledge of the facts.

2) Proceed (in cases where wrong-doing is apparent) in seeking:

• Acknowledgement of sin

• Repentance

• Reconciliation with God and with people (the circle of confession should be as wide as the circle

of offence).

3) Persist with patience, courage and gentleness until the longed for goal of reconciliation is realized.

4) Continue communication with the erring one to ensure complete recovery and healing.

D. Continuation – In cases where sinful behavior persists:

1) The Pastoral Staff and/or Overseer Body will warn the person in question that if they continue their course of action, they will no longer be considered a part of the fellowship. The person will be given an opportunity to respond before such action is taken.

2) If the above warning is neither heeded, nor corrective action taken, then the Pastoral Staff and/or Overseer Body will inform the congregation, providing explanations as deemed appropriate. Such actions are to be taken in a loving manner with a continuing focus on the desired end of reconciliation

 

Section 3 Changes in Membership

A. Withdrawal – A church member may request withdrawal from membership in writing to any Pastor or to any Overseer.

B. Termination of Membership - The overseers will consider a person’s membership terminated if that member has not attended or communicated with the church for one year and will advise the member by letter of said action.

C. Joining another church – If a member should join another church without a written request for removal of his or her name from the church roll, his or her name shall be removed from the church roll upon confirmation of membership at another church.

D. Letter of Good Standing – If a member should join another church, RPC will provide upon request a letter of good standing, if appropriate.

 

 

ARTICLE II Pastoral and Church Staff

 

Section 1 Pastors

A. Qualifications: The pastors shall be people of true and established Christian character and qualified to preach and teach the Word of God as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 2:15; and Titus 1:5-9. They must be in full accord with the Church's Essential Beliefs and Lifestyle practices, and must be willing to perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of River Pointe Church.

B. Responsibilities: Each pastor at RPC will live as a godly example, characterized and influenced by a devotion to prayer and the study of the Scriptures The pastors are responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church and, as such, shall have a central place of leadership in the affairs of the church. The pastors shall provide spiritual vision and challenge to the church. They shall preach and teach the Word of God in complete agreement with the essential beliefs and lead the church in accomplishing its objectives, and manage the staff in support of these objectives. The pastors will have primary responsibility, with the counsel of the overseers, in providing direction and leadership to all staff, overseers, vision community and ministry leaders. They shall be members of the overseer body and shall speak into all issues except where matters of their employment are concerned. The pastors are accountable to the overseers. The River Pointe Church Manual will be developed and will give further details of the ministry and expectations of the office of pastor.

C. Appointment: Pastors shall be chosen and called by the church when a vacancy occurs. The pastors shall ideally be called from among the body of Christ at River Pointe Church. The overseers have primary responsibility for locating and appointing pastors. If deemed necessary by the overseers, they may take nominations for a search (project) team who would then begin the process of bringing before the church pastoral candidates. At a minimum, pastors must meet the spiritual qualifications of an elder/overseer. Once the overseers have determined that they have found a candidate that they believe should be appointed, they will hold an informational meeting for the congregation to discuss the proposed appointment. They will then solicit input from the congregation (see Article III regarding process of congregational input). The overseers may choose to bring a potential pastor to attend the informational meeting to provide an opportunity for the congregation to ask questions and to allow the candidate to share his heart and mission statement. After receiving such input, the overseers will hold their own meeting to decide whether to further pursue the candidate. If the overseers cannot reach consensus, the candidate will not be considered. Upon consensus, the candidate will be presented to the congregation for affirmation. Once appointed, a pastor shall serve as long as mutually beneficial.

 

D. Termination of Office: The relationship of the church and the pastor may be terminated in one of two ways:

    1. At least fourteen (14) days notice of resignation will be given by a pastor who chooses to resign. The resignation must be submitted in writing to the overseers. Dismissal action may be initiated only by a recommendation from the overseers at a meeting called for that purpose.

    2. The church may dismiss the pastor on the following grounds: (a) teaching that is unscriptural or (b) conduct which obviously hinders River Pointe Church. In such case the overseers shall select three people in good standing with the church who shall counsel the pastor in accordance with scripture. Should the matter not be corrected, the team shall report to the overseers, who would then discuss dismissal. Consensus of the overseers, as representatives of the church body, would be necessary to dismiss a pastor. The termination shall be immediate.

    * At the discretion of the overseers and the finance team, the church may choose to compensate the terminated pastor. Compensation would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Section 2 Church Staff

The Church Staff shall be those personnel called and employed by the church as the church determines the need for such offices. A job description shall be written when the need for such a staff member is determined. The River Pointe Church Manual will be developed and it will give further details of the ministry and expectations of the staff. The hiring of personnel will be the responsibility of the pastoral staff, the overseers, and the finance team. At the time of resignation, at least two weeks notice shall be given to the pastoral staff and overseers. 

 

ARTICLE III Services, Meetings, and Major Congregational Decisions

Section 1 Meetings

A. Annual Business Meeting

1. Each calendar year the church will have a meeting where the business of the church shall be discussed. The vision for the upcoming year will be cast. The staff and the overseers value and long for the congregation’s involvement in the business and the vision of the church. The staff and the overseers realize that every item of the day-to-day operation of the church office will not be brought to the body. The staff and the overseers will make these types of decisions. Notice of Business Luncheon or Dinner will be given in the church bulletin.

2. There will be a quarterly business update made available to the congregation for review. An informational, Question & Answer meeting will be scheduled for the congregation to question the staff and the overseers about the quarterly update. This meeting will be held on two consecutive weekends.

3. Special Called Congregational Meetings - The staff and the overseers on an as-needed basis will schedule these meetings. Decisions will be made through consensus.

B. Services

1. Services for the entire body will be held each weekend.

2. Adult, youth, children and pre-school ministries will be held on a weekly basis.

C. Major Congregational Decisions

1. A major congregational decision is one that would affect all River Pointe Church members. (An example would be purchasing property or amending our constitution.)

2. The process for these decisions will be by sealed documents. The issue will be presented and congregational input given over a period of time appropriate to the issue, but not longer than 30 days. Upon receipt of the congregational input, a decision will be made and brought to the church for affirmation.

 

ARTICLE IV Ordinances and Other Church Practices

Section 1 Ordinances

  1. Believer's Baptism - The ordinance of baptism by immersion will be administered to individuals who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have made a commitment to identify themselves with Him. Every believer is encouraged to follow the example of Scripture and pursue baptism following his/her profession of faith. The pastors and/or overseers shall oversee baptism. They shall provide instruction about baptism to those desiring to be baptized, and shall also administer baptism. They may also choose other spiritually respected people to carry out these ministries.

B. The Lord’s Supper - The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of worship. The observance of the Lord's Supper will be open to all believers and may be commemorated as often as deemed appropriate by the pastoral staff or overseers.

Section 2 Other Church Practices

  1. Dedication of Children - It is the privilege of all believing parents to present their children to the Lord during a public worship service, consecrating the parents to the God-given responsibility of rearing their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and presenting each child to God as an expression of Christian stewardship.

B. Prayer for the Sick - Upon request by the sick, the pastors and/or overseers will anoint them with oil and pray for them on the Scriptural authority of James 5:13-16.

 

ARTICLE V Government

Section 1 Government

River Pointe Church is guided by the staff, guarded by the overseers, and gifted by the membership. The government of River Pointe Church is empowered by its membership.

 

Section 2 Incorporation

As an incorporated entity, RPC has a board of directors. This board consists of overseers. Further, as an incorporated entity, RPC has officers. These officers are President/Co-President – Pastor/Co-Pastors; Vice President – Chairman of the Overseers; Secretary – Church Administrator; Treasurer – Chairman of the Finance Team.

 

Section 3 Overseers

All other powers not specifically assigned shall be delegated to the overseers, as set forth in Article IV of the constitution. Overseers are selected from the church membership and serve rotating terms of 3 years, with the option to continue service at the end of the 3-year term. Please refer to the RPC Manual for further information and clarification.

 

Section 4 Trustees

A. Trust - The trustees will hold in trust the title to all church property. They will execute all legal papers relating to the church. They will have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property of the church, including both real property and capital assets, without specific approval of the overseers and affirmation of the body; neither will the trustees have any control over the use of the property of the church except by specific approval of the overseers and affirmation of the body. The trustees will have general oversight over the upkeep, repair, and use of the church property and capital assets.

B. Inventory, Appraisal, and Insurance - The trustees will be responsible for having an annual inventory and a physical appraisal made of all church property. The trustees will be responsible for securing adequate insurance coverage for all church property as needed. The trustees will present their recommendation for insurance coverage to the overseers for approval.

C. Appointment - Trustees will be members of RPC and appointed by the overseer body. They will not be on the payroll of RPC nor serve as staff members of RPC.

 

Section 5 Church Leaders

  1. Membership - Church leadership must be members of River Pointe Church.

  2. Statement of Faith - Staff members and overseers shall be required to subscribe to the statement of faith (Essential Beliefs and Lifestyle Practices) contained in the Constitution. These signatures shall be procured after commissioning and kept in the records of River Pointe Church.

 

Section 6 Functional Structure

The functional structure of River Pointe Church is charted and clarified in the RPC church manual to provide a clear understanding of how the church organization will operate.

 

ARTICLE VI Commissioning, Licensing, and Ordaining

 

Section 1 Commissioning In Matthew 28, Jesus commissioned all believers to ministry. While this is true, we also recognize the biblical practice of affirming those called of God to ministry. Commissioning, acknowledging God’s call for a special ministry assignment, may be granted to individuals by the pastors and overseers.

A. Commissioning of New Leadership – Overseers and ministry leaders will be presented to the congregation for prayer and consecration during a worship service.

B. Commissioning to Ministry - Those who are entering vocational ministry (i.e. seminary, missions, other ministry vocations) will be presented to the congregation for prayer during a worship service.

Section 2 Licensing

Licensing is a further recognition of God’s calling and of the ministry in which the believer is already engaged. Licensing enables a minister to perform marriages and other ministerial functions may be granted to persons called to Christian service. The call and qualifications of the candidate will be reviewed by the pastors and the overseers and affirmed by the church body. Licensing will take place during a worship service.

 

Section 3 Ordination

Ordination to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God and administer the ordinances may be granted to candidates called to full-time pastoral ministry. Candidates must submit their application in writing to the overseers substantiating their ordination request, complete certain ordination study requirements as set forth by the pastors and overseers, and have applicable ministry experience. The pastoral staff and overseers will review the call, qualifications, and completed study requirements of the candidate. Upon consensus of the overseer body, the candidate will be presented to the church body for affirmation and ordination in a regular or special worship service.

Section 4 Rescindment

Commissions, licenses, or ordinations by River Pointe Church can be rescinded in cases where the recipient fails to live consistently with, or minister upholding the standards, presented in Scripture and affirmed in the River Pointe Church Constitution and Bylaws. Any recommendation for the rescinding of Commissioning, Licensing or Ordination must be made in writing to the overseers, signed by at least three witnesses (1Timothy 5:19). Once the recommendation is submitted to the overseers, the process will follow the procedures outlined in the bylaws regarding church discipline.

 

ARTICLE VII Financial Matters

 

Section 1 Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year of the Church shall be from July 1 to June 30.

 

 

Section 2 Finance Team

The church shall appoint a finance team, including a chairman and two other signing officers who shall serve on the team. They shall attend to such financial matters as delegated by the overseers. The Finance Team shall monitor the financial status of the Church and shall report and make recommendations to the overseers. It shall prepare an annual budget for the fiscal year for submission to the overseers at a meeting to be held prior to June 1st.

 

 

Section 3 Fundraising Activities

All RPC fundraising activities will need prior overseer approval and/or scheduling. The finance team will be responsible for the accounting of any RPC fundraising. Please refer to the Fund Raising Policy in the RPC Policy Manual for more details and instructions.

 

Section 4 Budget

The budget, as affirmed by the congregation at the annual business meeting, shall be the primary authority for the expenditure of church funds. The overseers may make adjustments as deemed necessary.

 

Section 5 Expenditures

The finance team may approve expenditures included in the budget and expenditures not in excess of $250. The overseers must approve proposed expenditures in excess of $250, except in the event of gifts designated for special purposes.

 

 

Section 6 Unbudgeted Expenditures

Recommendations regarding unbudgeted expenditures shall be made to the overseers.

 

 

Section 7 Purchase Order Procedure

RPC will use a Purchase Order procedure for all expenditures. Please refer to the RPC Manual for more information. Proper signatures must be obtained before any funds are available. Any expenditure made without a proper purchase order or for reimbursement will not be the responsibility of the finance team or the overseers, including the staff.

 

 

Section 8 Audits

An external audit shall be commissioned each year on or about April 15th to examine the financial records of the current fiscal year. The overseers, at their discretion, may initiate special internal audits as requested in writing by members of the church. If concerns are not resolved through the internal audit, the member may request an external audit at his or her own expense. The overseer body and the finance team may commission an external audit at any time, as they deem necessary. The Finance Team shall supply any auditors with such records as may be required when auditing church books.

 

ARTICLE VIII Property and Capital Assets

Section A Title And Ownership

All real property shall be taken, held, sold, transferred or conveyed in the corporate name of River Pointe Church by the trustees. RPC owns the assets while the trustee(s) signs the documents.

 

Section B Acquisition and Disposal of Property

Real property may be acquired on behalf of the church by consensus of the overseers and by affirmation of the church body. Real property of the church shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of unless the transaction has been authorized by consensus of the overseers and by affirmation of the church body. Neither shall any lien nor liability be taken out against RPC property without the aforementioned process.

 

Section C Dissolution

In the event RPC ceases to function as a church body for a period of three or more months, all church property, after payment of final liabilities, will be dispersed by consensus of the overseers and by affirmation of the church body. In the unforeseen event that consensus of the overseers and affirmation of the church body cannot be attained, all church property shall be conveyed to Union Baptist Association (UBA).

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX Ministry Teams

 

Section A Biblical Ministry

RPC believes that biblical ministry lies within the church body. We seek to empower believers to fulfill their calling by God. When a church member senses that God is leading them to birth a ministry, the first step is to seek God for His direction and then to notify the staff of his or her heart for the new ministry. The staff will provide the member with a tool called "Pioneering a New Ministry," a worksheet that will help him or her to clarify and define the ministry. The staff will also give counsel and empowerment to help the individual begin the ministry.

 

 

Section B Internal and External Ministries

RPC recognizes two types of ministries: internal and external. Briefly defined, an internal ministry is sourced by the church and functions under the accountability of the church. An external ministry, birthed by an RPC member, exists with the blessing of the church. The funding is not necessarily nor solely contained and accounted for in the RPC annual budget. Ministry accountability and government are separate from the RPC organizational structure. RPC also recognizes the possibility that an internal ministry could transition into an external ministry. For further clarification, see the River Pointe Church Manual.

 

 

 

ARTICLE X Project Teams

Project teams are specifically chosen whenever a particular and specific need arises. Project teams serve as a task force of limited duration to meet those specific challenges and needs. An example of a project team would be a property acquisition team.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI Amendments

The bylaws may be amended or changed by the overseer body as representatives of the church body. Any proposed amendments will be presented to the church body via the church bulletin and the website for a period of two weeks prior to adoption.