Church DoctrineBy-Laws
By-Laws
This revision of the by-laws was approved by vote of a congregational meeting on November 13, 2005.
Article I
Definitions
The affairs of this Congregation are to be managed by the following, who shall have been members of this Congregation for a minimum of six months:
A. Elders: The elders chosen shall conform to the spiritual qualifications of the New Testament as outlined in I Timothy 3, and faithfully perform the duties of their office. The elders shall attend to the Spiritual affairs of the Congregation. The elders shall also act as trustees of Crestview Christian Church.
B. Deacons: The deacons chosen shall conform to the spiritual qualifications of the New Testament as outlined in I Timothy 3, and faithfully perform their delegated ministries as determined by the elders, and work under the direction of the elders.
C. Treasurer: The treasurer shall keep a complete record of the finances of the Congregation, bank all moneys received by the church, and disburse such moneys as shall be approved for disbursement by the elders or the Congregation. An annual audit shall be made at the end of each year.
D. Board Secretary: The board secretary shall keep the minutes of Church Board and Congregational Meetings. The board secretary shall keep a complete record of church membership and such vital statistics as births, deaths, baptisms, and weddings. Also, the board secretary shall issue church letters upon request of the elders or Church Board. Some of these duties may be delegated to the church secretary.
E. Church Officers: The church officers shall consist of A, B, C, and D, above.
F. Ministry Team Chairpersons: These shall be those members who hold leadership positions as determined by the elders. Ministry Team Chairpersons will be presented to the Congregation at the time of appointment.
G. Minister: Any duly ordained individual hired by the congregation to perform such duties as specified by the elders.
H. Church Board: The Church Board will be made up of the elders, deacons, treasurer, board secretary, Ministry Team Chairpersons, and Minister(s). The Church Board will function as an advisory panel to the elders, particularly concerning matters pertaining to the budget. The chairman of the elders shall act as Chairman of the Board. The Church Board will meet as deemed necessary by the elders.
I. Church Secretary: Any individual hired by the elders to perform duties as assigned. Some duties of the Board Secretary may be delegated to the church secretary as deemed necessary by the elders.
Article II
Election of Officers
A. Nominations: Church Officers shall be selected in the following manner:
1. Two months prior to the election of officers a two week window will open during which any member of the Congregation shall be able to submit to the elders the names of persons they deem suitable for the offices of elder, deacon, board secretary and treasurer. The elders shall examine these candidates and determine which ones to bring before the Congregation for approval.
2. One month prior to the election the Congregation will be provided a list of those deemed suitable to serve by the elders.
3. After having applied biblical principles (Matthew 18:15-17) any member of the Congregation having knowledge of a biblical reason why any nominee should not serve shall present that reason in writing to the elders. The elders shall investigate this charge, consult with the candidate, and determine whether to approve this candidate to serve.
4. Two weeks prior to the election the elders shall present to the Congregation a list of those approved to serve.
B. Voting:
1. All those, age 18 or older, who have been immersed into Christ, hence becoming part of His body, and have placed membership in Crestview Christian Church, shall have the privilege of voting on the affairs of the church.
2. Absentee ballots from eligible-to-vote members who have legitimate reasons to be absent from the meeting as determined by the elders, shall be acceptable at all Congregational Meetings or elections. Absentee ballots shall be made available upon request.
C. Election: Elections for Church officers shall be held in the following manner:
1. The officers of Crestview Christian Church shall be elected at the annual Congregational meeting. A vote shall be taken on each candidate. Members of Crestview Christian Church shall vote by secret ballot. Any absentee votes shall be counted. In order to be elected, a nominee must receive yes votes equal to or greater than 75% of the votes cast yes or no for him/her. If there are more nominees than openings for a given office, those with the higher number of yes votes shall be elected, subject to the preceding 75% rule. Those elected shall take office January 1 of the following year.
2. Special elections may be called as determined by a vote of the elders.
3. Elders are elected to life terms unless their spiritual conduct disqualifies them at any time, or they choose to resign from their position.
4. Deacons shall serve for a term of two years. They may be returned to office by a vote of the Congregation at any election.
5. Treasurer and board secretary each shall serve for a term of one year. They may be returned to office by a vote of the Congregation at any election.
D. Dismissal:
1. Any officer or Ministry Team Chairperson who shall absent themselves without legitimate reason for an aggregate of three months from either church or their regular duties shall automatically be removed from office and so notified by the Chairman of the elders under the direction of the elders.
2. If charges of misconduct are preferred against any elected officer, Ministry Team Chairpersons, Teacher, or other appointed personnel, the elders shall investigate such information. If the charges are found to be true then said person will be removed from their position. The Church Board shall be informed of any such removal.
3. If necessary, the elders shall appoint a person to fulfill the duties of the position until an election can be held.