By-laws for Prestonsburg Church of God
PREAMBLE
These By-laws are hereby adopted in order to govern and facilitate the business affairs of the Prestonsburg Church of God, Inc. according the civil law of the State of Kentucky and order to facilitate the fulfillment of the following purposes:
1. Evangelism and Missions: We exist to share the good news of new life in Christ with those in our community, Eastern Kentucky and throughout the world.
2. Education: We exist to enable members to move toward Christian maturity and to equip them for effective ministry.
3. Worship: We exist to worship God publicly and to cultivate personal daily devotions.
4. Fellowship: We exist to support, encourage and share with each other as members of the Family of God.
5. Service to others: We exist to serve others in the name of Jesus and to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in our congregation, our community and our world.
Each of the herein above enumerated purposes shall hereafter be designated as a “Ministry Area.”
NAME:
The name of this organization shall be PRESTONSBURG CHURCH OF GOD.
LOCATION:
The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation is situated at 202 University Drive, Prestonsburg, Kentucky.
Affiliation:
The General Assembly of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana.
PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION
The purpose of the Corporation is as stated in the Preamble to these By-laws. The Corporation recognizes the Word of God as the only divine standard of faith and practice and as the final authority on all matters of life and conduct.
MEMBERSHIP:
The membership of this congregation shall be restricted to those who meet the following conditions:
a) They shall express a definite experience of Christian salvation.
b) They shall have worshiped regularly with the local congregation for a period of at least six (6) months immediately preceding any meeting in which they exercise their right to vote.
c) They shall have lived during this period of six (6) months in harmony with the accepted moral standards of the congregation.
d) They shall have reached Eighteen (18) years of age.
e) In the event a person has not worshiped regularly with the local congregation for the previous six months, but wishes to vote, they can request an exception to the rule. It must be made in writing 7 days before the scheduled business meeting they wish to vote to the Board of Elders, as long as they meet the aforementioned criteria.
BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS:
If any member of a board, committee or council is absent three (3) consecutive times from a meeting except for a death in the family, illness or working at their normal vocation or out of town on regular scheduled vacation, their absence is to be considered a resignation and steps would be taken to fill the vacancy.
A. BOARD OF ELDERS
The Board of Elders shall be composed of five (5) voting members. Each elder shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. After a lapse of one (1) year, a person who has previously served as an elder may be re-elected to membership to this board.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS
a) It shall be responsible for executing all legal transactions related to any property.
b) Adopt, amend and repeal guiding principles, policies and procedures
c) It shall manage the business affairs of the congregation.
d) It shall elect a chairperson of the board from its members.
e) It shall give charge of collecting and disbursing the money in accordance to the approved budget.
f) It shall provide a balanced budget for the annual business meeting.
g) It shall meet on a consistent basis.
h) A representative shall attend to all improvements, leases, buying and selling, renting, firing and supervising of labor or maintenance to the property.
i) It shall enforce restriction of usage of property to members or immediate family only.
j) It shall conduct business only when a quorum of four elders are present.
k) If the board needs to replace one of its members due to resignation or dismissal, it shall appoint a members to serve as interim elder until a successor is ratified during the annual business meeting.
l) It shall review all salaries, provision for housing, fringe benefits and similar consideration during preparation of the budget.
m) It shall be responsible for all services in the event the congregation is without senior pastoral leadership.
n) It shall act as the pulpit committee if the congregation is without senior pastoral leadership.
o) It shall call a special business meeting to present the qualifications of a prospective senior pastor to the congregation for calling. Elders may submit the name of only one minister at a time for ratification to the congregation.
p) It shall be responsible for designating a committee of three voting members present at business meetings to count all recommendations subject to ratification.
q) It shall consider complaints lodged against the Senior Pastor for dismissal. After an extensive investigation, if four-fifths majority of the elders agree the complaint warrants dismissal, then a special business meeting will be called for affirmation of dismissal. If affirmed, the position is eliminated immediately.
r) It shall notify a dismissed senior pastor they have 30 days from date of dismissal to vacate the parsonage.
s) It shall consider complaints lodged against Elders for dismissal. If three-fourths majority of the remaining elders agree the complaint warrants dismissal, then a special business meeting will be called for affirmation of dismissal. If affirmed, the position is eliminated immediately.
B. PASTORS & STAFF
SECTION I
SENIOR PASTOR
a) The Senior Pastor shall exercise supervision over the congregation. He shall be a member ex-officio of all boards and committees. Once ratified, he shall hold the office indefinitely, or until the time he or the congregation terminate his office.
b) The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained or licensed minister with credentials recognized by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana.
c) The Senior Pastor will appoint the pastoral staff. They can include a secretary, Sunday school superintendent, associate pastor, youth pastor, usher, children’s church director, worship leader and a treasure.
SECTION II
Staff
All elected, appointed staff, teachers and assistants must meet the qualifications of a voting member. An exception to time can be approved by the Board of Elders if all other qualifications are met.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
1) Regular business meeting
a) The purpose of a regular business meeting is to update the Board of Elders & pastoral leadership on any pending issues regarding the business affairs of the congregation. This meeting is open to those in a staff position and their spouses, if they meet the qualification of a member.
b) A financial report and budget update shall be provided.
c) The meeting shall take place on a day and time designated by the Senior Pastor, or in his absence the chairman of the Board of Elders.
2) Special Business Meetings
a) Special business meetings are to be called if the congregation needs to affirm a recommendation for approval or dismissal of the Senior Pastor or an Elder.
b) The meeting is to be publicly announced at least two weeks in advance and must be displayed in writing.
c) During the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Elders shall read aloud the recommendation up for affirmation and open to questions from the congregation before casting their vote.
d) No absentee ballots will be permitted.
e) Only the elected committee is permitted to be present while ballots are counted.
f) 75% affirmation of voting members present is necessary to pass recommendations for dismissal or approval.
g) Only a notice of “Ratified” or “Not ratified” will be announced concerning proposals presented to the congregation for consideration.
h) Special business meetings will be open to all voting members but closed to the general public.
3) Annual Business Meetings
a) The annual business meeting of the congregation shall be held in December on a day designated by the Board of Elders. This meeting will include reports from all directors, superintendents, officers, boards and committees.
b) Annual business meetings will be open to all voting members but closed to the general public.
c) 75% affirmation of voting members present is necessary to pass recommendations.
d) Only a notice of “Ratified” or “Not ratified” will be announced concerning proposals presented to the congregation for consideration.
e) In the event that a Senior Pastor or Elder is not ratified, the Board of Elders shall select an individual to hold the position interim until the next business meeting.
AMENDMENTS
a) Amendments shall be presented to the Board of Elders.
b) If the Board of Elders recommends by a 4/5th majority to amend the by-laws, they shall present the recommendation for consideration of ratification at the next annual business meeting.
PLAN FOR DISSOLUTION
a) Upon the dissolution of Prestonsburg Church of God, any assets remaining after payment or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed to
1st - East District of the Kentucky Church of God ministries, Inc.
2nd - Church of God Ministries Anderson Indiana
3rd - or an existing exempt organization which shares like faith, mission, and purpose, and which is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (3).
b) Such distribution shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Kentucky and the membership of Prestonsburg Church of God.
These By-laws are hereby adopted in order to govern and facilitate the business affairs of the Prestonsburg Church of God, Inc. according the civil law of the State of Kentucky and order to facilitate the fulfillment of the following purposes:
1. Evangelism and Missions: We exist to share the good news of new life in Christ with those in our community, Eastern Kentucky and throughout the world.
2. Education: We exist to enable members to move toward Christian maturity and to equip them for effective ministry.
3. Worship: We exist to worship God publicly and to cultivate personal daily devotions.
4. Fellowship: We exist to support, encourage and share with each other as members of the Family of God.
5. Service to others: We exist to serve others in the name of Jesus and to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in our congregation, our community and our world.
Each of the herein above enumerated purposes shall hereafter be designated as a “Ministry Area.”
NAME:
The name of this organization shall be PRESTONSBURG CHURCH OF GOD.
LOCATION:
The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation is situated at 202 University Drive, Prestonsburg, Kentucky.
Affiliation:
The General Assembly of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana.
PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION
The purpose of the Corporation is as stated in the Preamble to these By-laws. The Corporation recognizes the Word of God as the only divine standard of faith and practice and as the final authority on all matters of life and conduct.
MEMBERSHIP:
The membership of this congregation shall be restricted to those who meet the following conditions:
a) They shall express a definite experience of Christian salvation.
b) They shall have worshiped regularly with the local congregation for a period of at least six (6) months immediately preceding any meeting in which they exercise their right to vote.
c) They shall have lived during this period of six (6) months in harmony with the accepted moral standards of the congregation.
d) They shall have reached Eighteen (18) years of age.
e) In the event a person has not worshiped regularly with the local congregation for the previous six months, but wishes to vote, they can request an exception to the rule. It must be made in writing 7 days before the scheduled business meeting they wish to vote to the Board of Elders, as long as they meet the aforementioned criteria.
BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS:
If any member of a board, committee or council is absent three (3) consecutive times from a meeting except for a death in the family, illness or working at their normal vocation or out of town on regular scheduled vacation, their absence is to be considered a resignation and steps would be taken to fill the vacancy.
A. BOARD OF ELDERS
The Board of Elders shall be composed of five (5) voting members. Each elder shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. After a lapse of one (1) year, a person who has previously served as an elder may be re-elected to membership to this board.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS
a) It shall be responsible for executing all legal transactions related to any property.
b) Adopt, amend and repeal guiding principles, policies and procedures
c) It shall manage the business affairs of the congregation.
d) It shall elect a chairperson of the board from its members.
e) It shall give charge of collecting and disbursing the money in accordance to the approved budget.
f) It shall provide a balanced budget for the annual business meeting.
g) It shall meet on a consistent basis.
h) A representative shall attend to all improvements, leases, buying and selling, renting, firing and supervising of labor or maintenance to the property.
i) It shall enforce restriction of usage of property to members or immediate family only.
j) It shall conduct business only when a quorum of four elders are present.
k) If the board needs to replace one of its members due to resignation or dismissal, it shall appoint a members to serve as interim elder until a successor is ratified during the annual business meeting.
l) It shall review all salaries, provision for housing, fringe benefits and similar consideration during preparation of the budget.
m) It shall be responsible for all services in the event the congregation is without senior pastoral leadership.
n) It shall act as the pulpit committee if the congregation is without senior pastoral leadership.
o) It shall call a special business meeting to present the qualifications of a prospective senior pastor to the congregation for calling. Elders may submit the name of only one minister at a time for ratification to the congregation.
p) It shall be responsible for designating a committee of three voting members present at business meetings to count all recommendations subject to ratification.
q) It shall consider complaints lodged against the Senior Pastor for dismissal. After an extensive investigation, if four-fifths majority of the elders agree the complaint warrants dismissal, then a special business meeting will be called for affirmation of dismissal. If affirmed, the position is eliminated immediately.
r) It shall notify a dismissed senior pastor they have 30 days from date of dismissal to vacate the parsonage.
s) It shall consider complaints lodged against Elders for dismissal. If three-fourths majority of the remaining elders agree the complaint warrants dismissal, then a special business meeting will be called for affirmation of dismissal. If affirmed, the position is eliminated immediately.
B. PASTORS & STAFF
SECTION I
SENIOR PASTOR
a) The Senior Pastor shall exercise supervision over the congregation. He shall be a member ex-officio of all boards and committees. Once ratified, he shall hold the office indefinitely, or until the time he or the congregation terminate his office.
b) The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained or licensed minister with credentials recognized by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana.
c) The Senior Pastor will appoint the pastoral staff. They can include a secretary, Sunday school superintendent, associate pastor, youth pastor, usher, children’s church director, worship leader and a treasure.
SECTION II
Staff
All elected, appointed staff, teachers and assistants must meet the qualifications of a voting member. An exception to time can be approved by the Board of Elders if all other qualifications are met.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
1) Regular business meeting
a) The purpose of a regular business meeting is to update the Board of Elders & pastoral leadership on any pending issues regarding the business affairs of the congregation. This meeting is open to those in a staff position and their spouses, if they meet the qualification of a member.
b) A financial report and budget update shall be provided.
c) The meeting shall take place on a day and time designated by the Senior Pastor, or in his absence the chairman of the Board of Elders.
2) Special Business Meetings
a) Special business meetings are to be called if the congregation needs to affirm a recommendation for approval or dismissal of the Senior Pastor or an Elder.
b) The meeting is to be publicly announced at least two weeks in advance and must be displayed in writing.
c) During the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Elders shall read aloud the recommendation up for affirmation and open to questions from the congregation before casting their vote.
d) No absentee ballots will be permitted.
e) Only the elected committee is permitted to be present while ballots are counted.
f) 75% affirmation of voting members present is necessary to pass recommendations for dismissal or approval.
g) Only a notice of “Ratified” or “Not ratified” will be announced concerning proposals presented to the congregation for consideration.
h) Special business meetings will be open to all voting members but closed to the general public.
3) Annual Business Meetings
a) The annual business meeting of the congregation shall be held in December on a day designated by the Board of Elders. This meeting will include reports from all directors, superintendents, officers, boards and committees.
b) Annual business meetings will be open to all voting members but closed to the general public.
c) 75% affirmation of voting members present is necessary to pass recommendations.
d) Only a notice of “Ratified” or “Not ratified” will be announced concerning proposals presented to the congregation for consideration.
e) In the event that a Senior Pastor or Elder is not ratified, the Board of Elders shall select an individual to hold the position interim until the next business meeting.
AMENDMENTS
a) Amendments shall be presented to the Board of Elders.
b) If the Board of Elders recommends by a 4/5th majority to amend the by-laws, they shall present the recommendation for consideration of ratification at the next annual business meeting.
PLAN FOR DISSOLUTION
a) Upon the dissolution of Prestonsburg Church of God, any assets remaining after payment or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed to
1st - East District of the Kentucky Church of God ministries, Inc.
2nd - Church of God Ministries Anderson Indiana
3rd - or an existing exempt organization which shares like faith, mission, and purpose, and which is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (3).
b) Such distribution shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Kentucky and the membership of Prestonsburg Church of God.