BYLAWS OF CAPITAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

I. PREAMBLE

We, the members of Capital City Christian Church, Jefferson City, Missouri, in order to legally conduct the business necessary to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to those about us, bind ourselves by these BYLAWS, “That all things may be done decently and in order.” It is our desire to incorporate only those rules felt necessary and essential to the protection of our properties and liberties as a congregation governed body. With this, we recognize Christ as the only head of the church, and recognize His Word as final authority for doctrine, life and practice of Christian endeavor. To this end, we pray our Heavenly Father will lead us and help us and help us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

II. NAME

This organization is to be known as the Capital City Christian Church. 

III. MEMBERSHIP

Prospective members will be received upon their confession of faith in Jesus Christ, as the Son of the Living God, and their immersion with Christ in water for remission of sins. Members from other congregations may be received if they have previously complied with the above conditions. 

IV. GOVERNMENT

The government of this church is vested in the entire membership. Details of said government are spelled out in the succeeding articles of these BYLAWS. Furthermore, this congregation shall never be governed by, or be subservient to any organization or group whatsoever outside of or beyond the local congregation and those leaders duly elected by the membership. 

V. LEADERSHIP

Leadership of the church shall include Ministers, Elders and Deacons

VI. MINISTERS AND STAFF

A. The duties of the ministers shall be defined by current job descriptions. 

B. All Ministers and staff shall be chosen by the Church as follows: 

SENIOR MINISTER

1. The Elders shall recommend the prospective Senior Minister to the congregation at a congregational meeting. 

2. The recommendation of the Elders must be accepted by at least 2/3 majority, on a closed ballot of the voting membership present and voting, at a meeting of the Church, before a call can be extended. 

3. The tenure of the Senior Minister shall be for an indefinite period of time and may be terminated by either resignation or the vote of the Elders upon 60-days written notice. At any time when 2 or more Elders call for a confidence vote by the elected Elders, a confidence vote will be taken by closed ballot. If the Senior Minister has less than a 2/3 confidence vote of the elders present and voting, the Senior Minister will be terminated. 

4. The senior Minister shall be offered the opportunity to become an Elder with voting privileges except where a conflict of interest exists at the conclusion of one year of service as Senior Minister of Capital City Christian Church. 

OTHER MINISTRY POSITIONS AND STAFF

1. As determined by the Elders, other positions shall either be...

1) selected by the Elders or 2) selected by the Senior Minister with affirmation by the Elders. 

VII. ELDERS AND DEACONS

A. ELDERS

1. The oversight of the congregation shall rest with the Elders. 

2. NOMINATION

a. The elders whose terms are not expiring shall compose the nominating, screening and interviewing committee for the nomination of Elders. 

b. After approval, a written list will be presented to the congregation at a congregational meeting. 

3. ELECTION

a. Each man shall be affirmed upon his own merit – not in competition with each other. The congregation shall vote mark either a “yes” or “no” for each man. Those receiving a 2/3 affirmation of those present and voting, shall be considered elected. 

4. QUALIFICATIONS

a. Elders: Titus 1:5-11; I Timothy 3:1-7 Elders must have been a member of the congregation for at least 1 year. 

5. TERMS OF OFFICE

a. Elders: Newly elected Elders can serve for only one year, then are eligible for re-election for a period of three years. He can succeed himself. 

B. DEACONS

1. Deacons shall administer such ministries as entrusted to them. Deacons shall be delegated the responsibility and authority to do their ministries within the confines of their budget and church policies and shall be accountable to a staff member and the Elders. 

2. QUALIFICATION OF DEACONS

a. Deacons: I Timothy 3:8-13

b. Individual may be asked at any time to serve as a Deacon leading a ministry team as such is needed at the discretion of the Elders and ministry staff. 

VIII. GENERAL OFFICERS

A. The general officers of the church shall be the Trustees and the Treasurer.

B. Trustees and Treasurer are selected by the Elders. 

a. TRUSTEES: 

The trustees shall serve as the legal offices of the corporation. All actions of the Trustees must be ratified by 2/3 vote of the Elders. Transactions involving property transfers and major indebtedness, and other matters for which it is deemed appropriate by the Elders, shall be ratified by 2/3 vote of the members present and voting at a congregational meeting. 

b. TREASURER: 

The Treasurer and/or assistant treasurer shall hold and disperse the funds of the church as authorized and render an accounting to the church leadership. 

C. Terms of Office

a. The treasurer is selected for one-year periods. 

b. Trustees shall be selected for a period of three years. There shall be three (or more if state law so requires). 

IX. ELDER’S MEETING

A. Elders will act on matters in which the Elders, Deacons, Ministers or Trustees desire further counsel, but which does not justify calling a meeting of the congregation. 

B. The officers shall include chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of all duly called meetings. 

C. The Elders shall meet regularly. Special meetings can be called by the Chairman or by a majority of Elders. 

D. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority. 

X. LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

Church leadership shall meet regularly. 

XI. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

A. A congregational meeting for election of Elders will be held annually. Elders will take office at the beginning of the fiscal year. 

B. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Elders as needed. Said meetings shall be announced during services at least two weeks in advance of the meeting and announced in other manners by which the church routinely distributes information to the congregation. 

C. A quorum shall consist of those present and voting at a duly called meeting. 

D. The voting membership shall consist of those who (1) have duly complied with the aforesaid terms of admission, (2) have shown an active interest to the extent possible, and (3) are age 16 and over. In any disputed case, the duly elected elders of the congregation shall determine, by a majority vote, if the above requirements have been met. 

E. At least 2/3 majority of the voting members, present and voting, shall be required to pass any question brought before this congregation at any called meeting. 

XII. OTHER GROUPS

Other groups may be organized and necessary to carry out the ministry of this church, subject to the approval of the Elders. 

XII. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

Upon dissolution of this corporation, all assets shall be distributed to an organization, organized and operated for one or more of the tax-exempt purposes, described in section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

XIV. AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be made at any regular or called meeting of the Elders at which a quorum is present. Such amendments shall be read at such meetings and then tabled until the next regular or called meeting of the Elders, at which time they shall come up for consideration. Each Elder shall be notified, in writing, of the proposed amendments and when they will come up for consideration. If such amendments are approved by 2/3 vote of the Elders, they shall then be presented to the congregation for acceptance A 2/3 vote in favor of those present and voting is required for approval by the congregation.