WEST OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH - BYLAWS
I. MEMBERS A) Admission/Recognition - Individuals may be admitted to membership by either 1) baptism, 2) letter of transfer from another church of similar belief and practice, or 3) by testimony of personal faith in Christ and baptism according to the New Testament practice. Individuals shall be officially received into membership by the affirmation of the congregation. New members will be publicly recognized at the regular celebration of the Lord's Supper. Members who become unable to participate in the ongoing ministries of West Oaks Community Church (missionaries, military personnel, students, persons with health concerns, etc.) but desire to continue their membership, may be considered associate members. B) Discipline - In all cases of grievances between members, the persons involved shall follow the principles set forth in Matt. 5:23-24 and Matt. 18:15-17. If this procedure does not lead to reconciliation, the matter may be brought before the Elders for appropriate discipline or dismissal. Any member involved in conduct unbecoming to a believer, shall be admonished by the Elders in a spirit of love and concern. Following counsel by the Elders, such members may be dismissed from membership, if there is no change in conduct. C) Dismissal - Whenever a member joins another church, his/her membership in West Oaks Community Church automatically terminates. A letter of transfer, to another church may be granted upon request. A person's membership in West Oaks Community Church shall be terminated upon personal request, or upon death. Members who are inactive for a period of one year or under discipline may also be dismissed from membership. All dismissals from membership and letters of transfer shall be acted upon by the Elders, or appropriate representatives, and must be reported to the members. II. ELDERS A) Qualifications - Elders shall be members of West Oaks Community Church, preferably for one year, before being appointed as Elders and shall have demonstrated leadership, teaching, and shepherding gifts. The spiritual leadership qualifications listed below shall be considered standards for the consideration and selection of Elders.
SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATIONS Titus 1:5-9 Above reproach Husband of one wife
EXPLANATION Having integrity A one-wife kind of man or one-husband kind of woman, not a philanderer. This does not necessarily rule out widows or divorced. Children are Christians, not unruly on account of inadequate discipline.
Having believing children Not arrogantly self-satisfied. Not self-willed Not quick tempered Not overly fond of wine, nor drunken. Not addicted to wine Not violent Not a money lover Hospitable Loving goodness. Lover of good Sensible Just Devout Holding fast to the Word of God Self-controlled, sane, temperate. Seeks to be fair and right in all relationships. Sees self as wholly set apart to God. Committed to God's Word as authoritative. Knows doctrine well enough to share it with others to encourage or correct. Able to defend sound doctrine against falsehood. Not contentious or quarrelsome. Not greedy for money. Willing to entertain in the home welcoming spirit. Not prone to hasty anger. Not a grudge holder.
Able to teach sound doctrine
Able to refute objections
SCRIPTURAL QUALIFICATIONS I Timothy 3:1-7 Temperate
EXPLANATION
Calm and collected, sober, meek, not insisting on own rights or opinions. Kindly. A good leader in his own family. Not a new Christian. A good representative of Christ among nonbelievers.
Gentle Able to manage household Not a new convert Well regarded by outsiders
I Peter 5:1-4 Serves willingly, not under compulsion Not for personal gain Not lording it over the church Not being demanding or dictatorial in leading. Is a pleasure for others to follow as an example. Leads the church knowing he is accountable to God for his leadership. Not serving against his will or grudgingly. Not money motivated.
As an example
As accountable to the Lord
B) Selection - Annually, members of West Oaks Community Church shall be encouraged to submit names for potential Elders to the existing Elders. Candidates being presented, by the existing Elders, to the membership of West Oaks Community Church for the office of Elder will be appointed as Elders based upon an 80% affirmative vote by the members of West Oaks Community Church. An 80% affirmative vote by the membership of West Oaks Community Church shall also be required to call a Senior Pastor. Date, time and purpose of meeting to call a Senior Pastor must be announced publicly at least two consecutive Sundays prior to the meeting.
Associate Pastors shall be appointed by the Elders and must receive an 80% affirmative vote by the membership of West Oaks Community Church. They may also serve as Elders for an indefinite term.
C) Terms and Evaluation - All elders, other than the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor shall serve for three year terms. The Senior Pastor and any Associate Pastors shall be evaluated annually by the Elders. All Elders serving three year terms shall be evaluated by the other Elders annually, and based upon an 80% confirmation by the members of West Oaks Community Church each year, may continue to serve for the next year of their term. Following two successive three-year terms, an Elder shall vacate office for a minimum of one year. Any proposal to dismiss the Senior Pastor or an Associate Pastor must be recommended by the Elders and receive a majority vote by the membership of West Oaks Community Church. Date and time of meeting for proposed dismissal must be announced publicly two consecutive Sundays prior to the scheduled meeting, with the purpose of meeting stated. III. Deacons/Ministry Teams - Deacons and/or ministry teams may be appointed by the Elders to serve and provide leadership in specific ministries within the Body. Deacons/ministry teams are to be persons full of faith, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, having service, administrative or leadership gifts. Their qualifications are given in I Tim. 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3. Deacons are accountable to the Elders. Church officers or paid staff persons may be appointed by the Elders or designated representatives to enable the purpose of West Oaks Community Church to be effectively accomplished. IV. Meetings A) Regular Celebrations - West Oaks Community Church shall meet Sundays for regular worship celebrations and may meet other times as deemed necessary by the Elders or designated representatives. The observance of the Lord's Supper shall be monthly or as the Elders shall advise. B) Other Congregational Meetings - The annual meeting of West Oaks Community Church shall be held in January. At this time the proposed budget shall be presented by the Elders for the Affirmation by the membership. The appointment and confirmation of Elders shall also occur at this time. Other congregational meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Elders or
designated representatives. Any decision to purchase, sell, or mortgage property shall be ratified by the members of West Oaks Community Church at a meeting publicly announced two consecutive Sundays prior to the meeting scheduled for such action. C) Voting - All members of West Oaks Community Church in good standing may vote on congregational matters. Where legal matters are concerned, members who are of legal age as established by the laws of the State of Ohio are qualified to vote. Associate members may vote if present, but shall not affect the quorum count. D) Quorum - A quorum shall consist of 20% of the qualified voters. V. Amendments - These bylaws may be amended, provided that 30 days notice is given to the members of West Oaks Community Church. The notice shall be given in writing by the Elders and shall specify the proposed changes and time and place of the meeting for amending. A majority affirmative vote by all members present is necessary to amend.