CCSC Church Bylaws

Leadership

Section C: Leadership Scriptural Qualifications

Elders and Deacons shall be only those men who meet the Scriptural qualifications for each area of leadership. For Elders, see I I Tim. 3:1-7, I Tim. 5: 17-22, Titus 1:5-9, I Peter 5:1-4; for Deacons, see Acts 6:1-6, I Tim. 3:8-13, Phil. 1:1. Christian Service women shall be subject to the qualifications found in I Tim. 3:11 and should be of the character seen in examples noted in Acts 9:36, Rom. 16:1-2,12. Trustees should be of the same character and qualification as a Deacon or Christian Service Woman. There may be as many Elders, Deacons and Christian Service Women as there are qualified individuals available, willing, and able to serve if selected.

An individual selected for any of the aforementioned areas of leadership shall (unless he or she resigns or ceases to be a member of this local congregation) continue as long as his or her faith, character, and functioning are in harmony therewith. This continuance shall be subject to the agreement of the congregation which shall be asked to respond by secret ballot at each regular annual meeting or when designated by the Eldership. Each leader is to be thus considered every year.

Statement of Purpose/Organization

Section B: Organization

1. We are a non-denominational body of believers in Christ, independent of outside religious organizations, with loyalty only to Jesus Christ.
2. Our leadership structure is congregational in nature, with leaders selected from the congregation in accordance with the Word of God. The congregation is self-governing.
3. The congregation is independent of other churches and organizations, but is open to fellowship with all Christians who hold Christ as Lord and Savior and follow His Word. We want to be known as Christians only, recognizing that we are not the only Christians.
4. We as a congregation seek to serve our community by offering a place of refuge, worship, study of God's Word, fellowship, and service.

Statement of Purpose/Organization

Section A: Statement of Purpose

This congregation exists for the sole purpose of glorifying God by the making of disciples - bringing people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and teaching them how to grow in their walk with God and their fellow man. Our method to accomplish this statement of purpose is the implementation of God's Word through:

Membership

The membership of this congregation shall consist of immersed believers in Jesus Christ, united through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism; or by the transfer of membership of Christians who have fulfilled the above requirements.

Leadership

Section A: Leaders

The leaders of the Christian Church of Santa Clara shall be selected from the membership of the congregation.

Leadership

Section B: Leadership Selection

Responsibilities

Section A: Elders

1. The purpose of the Eldership is to ensure that God's purpose and goals are carried out in the life of this congregation. These goals are stated in God's Word, and defined in our statement of purpose.
2. The Elders shall be responsible for the spiritual care and well being of the members of the church.
3. The Elders shall be responsible for the management of the ministries of the church. Each Elder shall specifically participate in the management of an individual ministry. If the size of the Eldership is insufficient to oversee each ministry of the Church, the Eldership shall appoint Ministry Leaders as needed.
4. The Elders shall be responsible for ensuring that all ministry activities are constructive for the fulfilling of the Church's mission (Statement of Purpose) and are consistent with Scriptural teaching and guidelines.
5. The Elders shall encourage by example and word the missionary, evangelistic, educational, worship, and stewardship responsibilities of the Church.

Responsibilities

Section B: Deacons

1. The Deacons shall assist the Elders in fulfilling the purpose and goals of the Church. Their ministry will be functional in nature, as they are called to serve out of Christ's Church.
2. The Deacons shall be responsible for carrying out of functional tasks of the ministry of the Church as assigned and guided by the Eldership. Assigned duties shall be carried out within the ministry structure of the Church, under the guidance of an Elder or ministry leader. Each Deacon is to be actively involved in an area of ministry within the Church.
3. It shall also be the purpose of each Deacon to actively encourage participation of the members of the Church in the various ministry tasks assigned.

Responsibilities

Section C: Christian Service Women

1. The Christian Service Women shall assist the Elders in fulfilling the purpose and goals of the Church. Their ministry will be functional in nature, as they are called to serve out of Christ's Church.
2. The Christian Service Women shall be responsible for the carrying out of functional tasks of the ministry of the Church as assigned and guided by the Eldership. Assigned duties shall be carried out within the ministry structure of the Church, under the guidance of an Elder or ministry leader. Each Christian Service Woman is to be actively involved in an area of ministry within the Church.
3. It shall also be the purpose of each Christian Service Woman to actively encourage participation of the women of the Church in the various ministry tasks assigned.

Responsibilities

Section D: Trustees

1. Working under the direction and as part of the Finance and Stewardship ministry of the Church, the Trustees shall act as legal agents of the Church in all business matters.
2. The Trustees shall hold legal title to all Church property, have supervision over all endowments and trust funds, and perform such duties as may be required by the laws of the State of California. Title to all such property shall be taken, held, and transferred in the name of the Church in trust of use and benefit of the members as a religious congregation. This Church shall remain free from affiliation with any group or organization that makes any claim, express or implied, to the use or control over the property of this congregation.
3. The Trustees shall not sign papers of any character on behalf of the Church until such action has first been authorized by the Eldership. Any mortgage on, or conveyance of the real estate owned by the Church must be authorized at a regular or special meeting of the congregation; provided, however, that a written notice of such meeting and purpose thereof shall be made to each active member of the congregation to allow at least one week advance notice of the date of the aforesaid meeting.
4. The Trustees, with approval of the Eldership, shall appoint a Church Treasurer. The Treasurer shall also function as a member of the Finance and Stewardship ministry.

Responsibilities

Section E: Ministers

The Senior Minister of the Church shall be seen as a member of the Eldership of the Church. He shall participate in all matters of business conducted by the Eldership except areas pertaining to salary/compensation. Other ministers shall be seen as ex-officio members of the Eldership.

Ministries

Section A: Ministries of the Church

The ministries of the Church shall be established as deemed necessary by the Eldership and the congregation in seeking to fulfill the statement of purpose of the Church.

Ministries

Section B: General Ministry Leadership Structure

1. Each area of ministry within the Church shall be under the oversight of the Eldership, either with an Elder directly overseeing the ministry or by a ministry leader appointed by the Eldership and accountable to the Elders through the monthly ministry leaders meetings. It shall be the function of the Elders/ministry leaders to establish coordinated ministry goals and objectives consistent with the accomplishment of the Church's statement of purpose. It will be the responsibility of each Elder/ministry leader to communicate their ministry goals and objectives to the functional leaders within that ministry.
2. Supporting each Elder or ministry leader shall be a team of Christian Service Women. The size of this team will depend upon the number of individuals with interest and spiritual gifts in each identified area of ministry. The team will be responsible to plan and implement the goals and objectives of the ministry through the areas, which make up the ministry. These functional leaders shall be accountable to their ministry leader through the monthly ministry meeting.
3. Other individuals will be raised up to work in the areas of ministry of the Church. Every member of the Church as a Spirit filled and gifted believer should be encouraged to participate in the area of ministry where they can serve God according to His purpose.

Calling a Minister

Section A: Search Committee

The Eldership shall form a search committee, which shall be made up of two Elders, one Deacon or Trustee, one Christian Service Woman, and two representatives from the congregation. The search committee shall be responsible for screening all prospective ministers. They will present those men whom they deem most qualified to the Eldership. The Elders shall present the best-qualified candidate to the congregation. A called congregational meeting shall be held within a two week period or sooner, for the purpose of accepting the minister. A 2/3 vote (66-2/3 %) of the members present will be needed to call the minister. It will be the policy of this congregation to consider only one prospective minister at a time. Notification of acceptance or rejection must be given to the prospective minister within a reasonable period of time following his appearance before the congregation.

Calling a Minister

Section B: Length of Service

A minister shall be called by the congregation to serve for an indefinite period of time. This relationship may be terminated at any time by either party in writing upon a 60-day notice. The time between the notice and termination may be modified by mutual agreement.

Calling a Minister

Section C: Contractual Relationship

All contractual relationships between each Minister and the Church; including such things as salary, vacations, convention, and other absences, shall be arranged and approved by the Eldership. They shall be set out in written statement for the Church records and a copy given to the Minister. The Minister's contract shall be reviewed annually by the Eldership.

Selection of Leaders

Section A: Nomination Committee Formation

Annually (by the end of August), the Eldership shall appoint a nomination committee for the purpose of assisting in the selection of leaders. The nucleus of the committee shall be formed of at least one Elder, one Deacon, and one Christian Service Woman. The remainder of the committee shall be appointed from the membership of the Church choosing individuals exhibiting maturity in their walk with God, and having been members of the Church for a sufficient length of time to become aquatinted with a large segment of it's membership. At least three additional persons shall be appointed. The participating Elder shall chair this committee.

Selection of Leaders

Section B: Nomination Committee Duties

For a period of thirty days, it shall be the duty of the nomination committee to accumulate nominations from within its membership and the congregation (in writing). Appropriated notice shall be given to inform the congregation of this.Upon receipt of a group of names, the chairman of the committee shall call a meeting of the committee for the purpose of reviewing nominations received. In reviewing, it shall be the committee's purpose to review the qualifications for the area of leadership in question as found in Scripture as well as appropriate sections of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Church. After devoting much time to prayer, the committee shall review the nominations in light of the aforementioned qualifications. It shall not be the purpose of the committee to eliminate any nominations from consideration, rather the chairman of the committee shall report each nomination to the Eldership, as well as a recommendation from the committee. The Eldership shall retain final authority to determine the acceptability of each nomination. The chairman of the committee shall call meetings at his discretion, and shall preside at those meetings. It is essential that the committee in complete confidentially. All nominees approved by the Eldership shall be approached by the Eldership to confirm their willingness to serve. Names of nominees who accept ministries shall be placed before the congregation for their prayerful consideration at least two weeks before the annual congregational meeting.

Selection of Leaders

Section C: Balloting

A list of approved nominees shall be given by the Elders to the nominating committee for the preparation of the ballot. At the annual congregational meeting (no later than 45 days prior to the expiration of the calendar year), the congregation will be called upon to indicate 1) their agreement that the nominees meet Scriptural qualifications, and 2) their willingness to support the nominee in the ministry to which he/she is called, by the marking of a ballot. To be selected, a nominee must receive a minimum of 66-2/3% affirmative vote of the eligible members present and voting.

Selection of Leaders

Section D: Other Leadership Selections

In between annual selection of leaders, the Eldership may initiate consideration of additional leaders as required to strengthen areas of ministry or fill vacancies. Names of nominees so identified shall be placed before the congregation for their consideration and endorsement. To be selected, a nominee must receive a minimum of 66-2/3% affirmative vote of the eligible members present and voting at a special congregational meeting.

Voting

Only active members of the Church, as indicated by the Church's active member list that are 16 years old or older, are entitled to vote at any congregational meeting, unless otherwise restricted by California law.

Ordination/Installation

It shall be within the power of this congregation to exercise the New Testament right of ordination of evangelists (preachers) and missionaries, and the installation of Elders, Deacons, and Christian Service Women.

Order

All business meetings of the congregation and the board of Elders shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

Church Year

The Church fiscal year shall be in accordance with the calendar year from January 1st to December 31st.

Meetings

Section A: General Services

On every Lord's Day morning, there shall be Bible School for the study of God's Word and worship services observing the Lord's Supper, prayer, praise, the bringing of tithes and offerings, and the preaching of the Word. On each Lord's Day evening, there may be study programs for various age groups and a worship service. The Lord's Supper shall also be observed at the evening service. Such other services may be held as deemed advisable by the congregation.

Meetings

Section B: Congregational Meetings

1. An annual business meeting of the congregation shall be held no later than forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the church year for the purpose of selecting leaders, and voting on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
2. An annual business meeting or meetings of the congregation may be held in the first calendar month of the year, or at a time appointed by the Eldership to install church leaders, and receive reports covering the previous calendar year from the departments of the Church.
3. Special business meetings of the Church shall be held upon the call of the chairman of the Eldership, upon majority vote of the Eldership, or upon petition to the Eldership by at least one-third (1/3) of the active members of the congregation.
4. Notice of all regular and special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at least one-week in advance of the meeting at a regular Lord's Day service of the Church, and by publication in the church newsletter.
5. A calendar of meetings, committees, reviews, etc., as required by the by-laws and deemed necessary by the Eldership, shall be an addendum to, but not part of, these by-laws.

Meetings

Section C: Monthly Ministry Leaders Meetings

On the second Saturday of each month, or as designated otherwise, there shall be a meeting of the Ministry Leaders to review areas of ministry and to make recommendations/requests for action to the Eldership. The order of business of this meeting shall be as follows:

1. Call to order by the Chairman of Elders.

2. Opening time of prayer.

3. Reading of minutes from previous meeting.

4. Elders Report (Activities and action).

5. Ministry Reports.

6. Recommendations/Action requests to the Eldership.

7. Adjournment.

Meetings

Section D: Elders Meetings

The Eldership shall meet monthly (preferably the week following the monthly ministry leaders meeting) for the consideration of items resulting from the Monthly Ministry Leaders meeting. The Elders shall also meet as necessary to conduct other matters of business.

Meetings

Section E: Ministry Meetings

Monthly, or as required, each Ministry Leader shall meet with the key leaders of areas within his/her ministry for status and planning. On-going evaluation should be undertaken to ensure that each aspect of ministry is accomplishing goals and objectives of the ministry.