Village By-Laws
Our By-Laws outline how we operate as a church. They explain how our membership works, how we handle finances and how our leadership is structured.
Preamble
These By-Laws are intended to provide structure and order in the operation and ministry of Village Baptist Church (VBC). They can be changed at any regular quarterly members’ meeting where notice on two consecutive Sundays has been given. The meeting must have a 25% quorum and a majority vote greater than 50%.
Article I: Membership
All members of this church shall be born-again believers who have been baptized by immersion, following, and because of their regeneration. All candidates for membership shall have read the Constitution, By-Laws, Covenant, Purpose and Vision Statements, position statements, and Doctrine of VBC and be in substantive agreement with their content. All prospective members must meet with the elders and have their recommendation. This recommendation can be brought to the church at any regular or special members’ meeting for consideration by the congregation. Those candidates who are rebellious to the clear teachings of the Scripture or are under unresolved biblical discipline, as determined by the elders, by a former church will not be considered for membership.
Members may be admitted who are younger than 18 years of age. Such members will enjoy the responsibilities and privileges of membership with the exception of voting participation in members’ meetings.
A vital part of membership is active participation in the life of the church. Therefore, we strongly encourage all members to participate in in-person worship as often as possible. Members who participate in 10% or less of in-person worship services on a six-month rolling basis may be considered non-attenders.
Members can be removed from membership by:
a) Personal letter of request unless presently under church discipline as described in Article 1, Paragraph 5.
b) Death
c) Discipline according to Matthew 18 as described in Article 1, Paragraph 5.
d) Letter of transfer to a like-minded church.
e) Nonattendance. Members may be removed for non-attendance, as defined above.
In order to maintain its purity and peace, the local church has the Scriptural right and responsibility to discipline its members who consistently and willfully neglect the teachings of Scripture and are unwilling to repent. All discipline must accord with the pattern found in Matthew 18:15-20, and the spirit of Galatians 6:1 as outlined in our policy on church discipline. In the event that disciplinary action is required concerning a non-voting member (a minor), such action will be carried out in cooperation with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the non-voting member.
Article II: Members' Meetings
VBC will conduct its business in an orderly, dignified and open manner. Rules of parliamentary procedure will be observed.
There will be four regularly scheduled members’ meetings each year. The first meeting for each year will be an annual meeting where reports will be presented concerning the various areas of the church's ministries for the past year, and plans for the upcoming year. There will be three quarterly meetings scheduled following the annual meeting. At the third quarterly meeting, the budget for the following year will be approved, and officers for the following year will be elected.
VBC will be bound by its approved Constitution and Bylaws during these meetings.
There must be a quorum of 25% of the voting members of the church to conduct any business, unless otherwise stated in these By-Laws or Constitution.
Special members’ meetings may be called at any time to conduct business. These meetings may be called by a majority of the elders, a majority of the deacons, or by 50% of the voting membership of the church requesting the same by written petition. Notice and purpose of the special meetings shall be publicly read at two consecutive Sunday services and the agenda shall be posted in writing in a public place during the week prior to the meeting. No business except that which is posted may be transacted during special members’ meetings.
All church meetings will be officiated by the chairman of the elders, or another elder in his absence.
Voting members will be at least 18 years of age and attend services regularly.
The clerk will keep minutes of all business transacted during the meeting. This report will be a written and public record read during the following regularly scheduled meeting. The clerk will also be the keeper of the church minutes, and will maintain an accurate record of church membership. The clerk will be appointed by the church leadership.
Article III: Ecclesiastical Associations
This church shall be free to associate with whom it pleases, but in obedience to 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, this church shall not be involved in any cooperative ministry (to include mission organizations, para-church organizations and providers of teaching materials) that associates it with a group which would deny the fundamentals of the faith (e.g. Virgin Birth, Deity of Christ, Substitutionary Atonement, Sinfulness of Man, Inspiration of Scripture, etc.) as determined by the elders.
Article IV: Finances
It is expected that the church shall assume its financial obligation by discharging any and all indebtedness on a scheduled payment plan. The church shall provide regularly and adequately for those whom God calls to minister here.
The church shall annually approve an operating budget, to be financed by freewill offerings. The elders will work with relevant deacons and lay ministry leaders to construct a budget to be presented to the congregation. Staff elders may not determine staff compensation. Lay elders and deacons designated by the lay elders propose recommendations for compensation. The proposed budget is presented prior to a quarterly members’ meeting for discussion, and approved by majority vote of the membership.
The Elders will appoint a financial secretary who shall keep a record of all giving, and this record will be available for each contributor at the beginning of each year.
The elders will appoint a treasurer who shall perform those duties common to this office. The treasurer will present quarterly reports to the church concerning all receipts and expenses. All checks require a double signature. Authorized signers are the treasurer, any lay elder, or any deacon so designated by the elders. All bills that are budgeted expenses, and all budgeted disbursements shall be paid by the treasurer. No individuals may sign checks personally benefiting them.
No indebtedness may be incurred at any time without congregational approval. The elders are authorized to spend from the general funds up to 20% of the average weekly budget by majority vote of the elders and the treasurer for a single variance or non-budgeted disbursement. Such variances and non-budgeted disbursements are limited to a cumulative total of 1% of the annual budget. Non-Budgeted disbursements greater than 20% of the average weekly budget, or smaller non-budgeted disbursements exceeding the cumulative annual limit require a majority vote by the elders, and congregational approval (per Article II, Paragraph 5). Designated funds may be spent up to the available fund balance by the elders or any deacon or VBC committee authorized by the elders, by a majority vote of elders and the treasurer.
Article V: Church Leadership
Two offices are established to lead and serve the church: elders and deacons. Men who are (or elect to become) members of VBC and are transparently qualified according to the qualifications described in the Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9) may be called to the office of elder. Men or women who are members of VBC and are transparently qualified according to the qualifications described in the Scripture (1 Timothy 3:8-13) may be called to the office of deacon. The church may have as many of each as its size and work demands. No elder or deacon may belong to an organization that violates the Scripture.
The elders at Village are responsible, according to Scripture: to teach Scripture to God’s people (1 Tim. 3:2; 4:13; Titus 1:9); to give themselves to prayer (1 Thess. 5:17); to administer the ordinances; to counsel and correct God’s people (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 1:9); to protect God’s people (Acts 20:29-31; Titus 1:9-16 ); to lead by example and in service (1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Thess. 2:1-13); to be transparent in their own growth (1 Tim. 4:13-16; Acts 20:28-32). The elders are responsible for all aspects of the worship services. All elders at Village share in the general duties of pastoral ministries in the church. They take full responsibilities for duties assigned to them and report directly and regularly to one another in elders’ meetings. All other office, maintenance, and appointed personnel shall be under pastoral supervision.
The elders are responsible for final determinations in hiring, dismissing and management of all personnel. Candidate recruitment and selection may be delegated to deacons or a committee of members, at the discretion of the elders.
Two kinds of elders exist: staff and lay elders. All elders share in the pastoral leadership of the church, but are differentiated by time commitment, specialization and compensation. Staff elders devote themselves to pastoral work on a full-time basis and are financially supported by the congregation, and possess the title of “pastor.” Lay elders are non-staff shepherds who devote themselves to caring for the church alongside their other commitments.
Candidates for lay elders are identified and recommended by the elders. Men who are identified by the elders as those who exhibit the qualities and desire necessary to serve as an elder (1 Tim. 3:1ff), may be invited to become an Elder Candidate. Elder Candidates are those whom the elders recognize as qualified and competent to serve as elders at Village. Elder Candidates are then examined by the congregation at a special member’s meeting, and the elders solicit known concerns from the congregation. Upon a successful examination, Elder Candidates are presented for approval at a quarterly members’ meeting.
Lay elders require 75% approval with a 50% quorum. Candidates who receive this approval become elders, effective immediately.
Staff elders may be called from within, or outside of the congregation. When the need arises to hire a staff elder, elders may consider an existing lay elder for the role. Lay elders must receive recommendation by a majority vote of the elders, and forego the need for a Search Committee, and steps (a) and (b) described below.
If it is determined that outside applicants shall be considered, the elders will organize a Search Committee. Membership of this committee shall include elders, deacons and congregational members. Congregational members must be members in good standing, well-respected by the church at-large, having demonstrated maturity in life and service. They will be recommended by the congregation by a process of nomination, and a select number approved by the elders and deacons.
This committee shall perform preliminary inquiry concerning the suitability of potential candidates. The Search Committee will identify qualified candidates, and will make recommendation to the elders. Candidates are approved and invited by the elders. The congregation will be kept apprised concerning this process and will be notified by mail when a candidate is being considered.
Once suitable candidates have been identified and selected to advance,
a. He will be invited to visit and preach multiple Sundays.
b. He shall undergo further inquiry by the elders and congregation.
c. Following this, the elders will schedule a special members’ meeting. This meeting will be announced via written notice sent to each member's home, and from the pulpit on two consecutive Sundays preceding the meeting.
d. The membership will vote to call the candidate to serve as a staff elder. Candidates must receive 75% approval with a 50% quorum of voting members.
If an outside candidate is called and accepts the call to serve as a staff elder, he shall concurrently be added to the VBC membership record.
6. Lay elders are reaffirmed every three years by the other elders and the congregation. This reaffirmation assesses and confirms a lay elder’s continuing qualification, competency and willingness to serve, is reaffirmed by and is secured by a unanimous vote of the elders and 75% congregational approval with a 25% quorum at a members’ meeting. Lay elders may elect to take a sabbatical (up to one year) and return to service with a simple affirmation from the elders and congregation. An absence of more than one year will require the process outlined in article V, section 4.
Staff elders are not subject to this triennial reaffirmation, due to the nature of their calling by the church. Staff elders are eligible for a structured sabbatical every seven years of service
7. The Lead Pastor will serve as chairman of the elders. The chairman moderates all elders’ meetings and members’ meetings. This responsibility may be delegated in his absence. Elders are appointed to chair deacon meetings and serve as ex officio members of all organized groups and committees connected with the church.
8. For compliance purposes with nonprofit corporation laws of the State of Illinois, the Lead Pastor shall serve as president of the corporation, and the elders shall elect, from their number, a secretary of the corporation.
9. Prospective deacons will be nominated by the congregation to fill the deacon roles created by the elders. The elders will finalize a ballot to be considered at a members’ meeting. Nominations will not be accepted from the floor at this members’ meeting.
Deacons shall be elected from the membership for a term of three years by 50% congregational approval with a 25% quorum. At the end of each term, a deacon’s continuing qualification, competency and willingness to serve is reaffirmed by the elders, and 50% congregational approval with a 25% quorum at a members’ meeting.
The deacons shall meet at least monthly with at least one of the elders for prayer, encouragement, problem-solving and strategic planning.
10. Elders and deacons may resign their office at any time, if they are unable to meet the requirements placed upon them by the church, as long as they are not avoiding confronting some sin in their lives.
Elders and deacons may be removed from office if caught in disqualifying behavior or open sin. Charges must be brought by two or more members in good standing (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Timothy 5:17–22). If the severity of the charge warrants, the elders may temporarily suspend the elder or deacon pending investigation. If in the course of a thorough investigation the charges prove to be accurate and warranting removal, the elders will bring the recommendation for removal to the church at a regular or special members’ meeting. Removal of an elder or deacon requires 75% approval with a 50% quorum of voting members.
The goal of any removal is to bring about spiritual restoration to the individual so removed. However, reinstatement is left to the discretion of the elders, and the approval of the congregation.
11. All other leadership positions necessary for the efficient operation of the church will be appointed from the membership by the elders. These positions will be filled by individuals who have shown themselves to be mature and godly.
Article VI: Standing Policies
Policy statements are directives for ministry and operation of the church. They are developed by the elders to provide structure to carry out ministry objectives. Policy statements are always concordant with existing Policy statements, these By-Laws, the Covenant and the Constitution. In the event of conflict, the Constitution followed by these By-Laws prevail. Policy statements deal with a wide range of issues and are available for public viewing upon request. Each policy statement will be reviewed by the elders every three years.
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