|
By-Laws
PREAMBLE
The by-laws of Fellowship are a statement of the
guidelines and principles the direct this body in
carrying out the teaching of scripture “decently and
orderly” (1Cor. 14:40). It is our desire to “have
regard to what is honorable, not only in the sight
of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (2Cor.
8:21).
ARTICLE I.
Membership
The biblical basis for a church
membership roll may be found in the exhortations to
mutual care and accountability in the scriptures.
As members of Fellowship we agree that both our
public and private lives need to honor Christ and
that we will conduct ourselves in such a way that we
will not hinder Fellowship's ministry or its
influence in the community.
Luke 9:57-42; 14:25-33;
18:18-23; John 6:66-69; Acts 20:31; Romans 15:14;
1Thessalonians 5:14; Colossians 3:16; 1John 3:16-18;
Ephesians 2:19-20
1.
Qualifications: The membership of this
church shall consist of:
(a)
Such persons who make a statement of
repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in one
of the following forms:
i.
A personal profession of faith in Jesus
Christ
ii.
Promise letter from a church of like faith
and order
(b)
Such persons who have been scripturally
baptized evidenced in one of the following ways:
i.
Performed by Fellowship
ii.
Confession by the individual of scriptural
baptism
2.
Process: The steps to joining Fellowship
consist of:
(a)
Completion of a membership class
(b)
General agreement and adherence with the
church constitution and by-laws as indicated by the
completion of the Fellowship decision card
(c)
Personal meeting and recommendation by a
pastor or active church leader
(d)
Recommendation for membership announced at a
regular Sunday service
(e)
Acceptance by a majority vote of the church
membership at a regular church conference
(f)
Children of members who have met the
qualifications for membership have the opportunity
at the age of 16 to complete the membership process
and become full voting members of Fellowship.
3.
Privileges and Responsibilities: It is the
privilege and responsibility of all members to live
in accordance with the church covenant, as outlined
in Article IV of the constitution.
4.
Termination: A person's membership may be
terminated in one of several ways:
(a)
By the death of the member
(b)
By letter to a sister church of like faith
and order
(c)
As a last resort in cases of disciplinary
nature as prescribed in one of the following
passages Matthew 18:15-17; 1Corinthians 5:1-13;
Galatians 1:8-9; 6:1, Titus 3:10-11, 1John 4:2-3;
2John 9
(d)
By a person uniting with a church of another
faith or denomination
(e)
By the personal request of a member in good
standing. A member in good standing is an
individual who:
i.
Is living in a manner consistent with the
Heart Attitudes of Fellowship
ii.
Is not under church discipline
iii.
actively participates and attends
(f)
By inactivity of the member in the the church
life of Fellowship for a period equal to or greater
than 1 year. During this time, attempts will be
made to contact and determine the status of the
member. Exceptions to inactivity may be granted due
to health, handicap or other exception agreed upon
by the congregation.
5.
Restoration: Any person whose membership has
been terminated for any reason may be restored by a
vote of the church, upon evidence of their
repentance and reformation or upon satisfactory
explanation. 2Corinthians 2:6-11
6.
Associate Membership: Associate members are
individuals that due to temporary circumstances
affiliate with Fellowship or another church of like
faith. Membership qualifications and process for
individuals over 16 remain the same as that of a
regular member. Associate members differ from
regular members in that they cannot vote on church
business. Circumstances for associate membership
include, but are not limited to:
(a)
Members who are away on a temporary basis,
but do not wish to transfer or revoke their
membership such as college students, field partners,
short term work related projects or other life
circumstances as acknowledged by the congregation.
(b)
Members of other churches who are attending
Fellowship such as college students, missionaries,
short term workers, etc.
|
