BY-LAWS OF GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH

ARTICLE I: STATUTORY ROLES & CORPORATE POWERS

To ensure compliance with the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporations Act, the following designations shall apply throughout these By-Laws:

• Section 1: Corporation. Any reference to the word “Church” shall mean “Corporation.”
• Section 2: Secretary. Any reference to the word “Treasurer” shall mean “Secretary.”
• Section 3: President. Any reference to the word “Pastors” shall mean “President.”
• Section 4: Board of Directors. Any reference to the word “Elders” or the phrase “Council of Elders” shall mean “Board of Directors.”
• Section 5: Powers. Regarding the Charter of Incorporation, Paragraph 13(a), all powers vested in a Board of Directors under the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporations Act are hereby vested in the Council of Elders.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Biblical Basis for Membership

Scripture demonstrates a pattern to follow in the book of Acts. When a person was saved and baptized, they were “added” to the church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14). These believers were numbered, indicating they were added to a roll and committed to the local body (Acts 1:15; 4:4; 6:1, 7). Becoming a member of Grace Community Church is to formally commit to this local body of believers gathered to worship the risen Christ and build one another up in the faith (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Section 2: Requirements for Membership

• A. Application Process: Requests for initial or restored membership shall be made to the Pastors (or Elders). Applicants will receive an application, the Statement of Faith, and these By-Laws. Following receipt, the Pastors or an Elder shall meet with the prospective member.
• B. Evaluation: If, after evaluating beliefs and testimony, the Council of Elders determines there is lacking evidence for salvation, the Council shall deny membership. Eligibility is at the sole discretion of the Council.
• C. Membership Criteria:
  1. Testimony: Persons who have provided their salvation testimony to the Elders and have been affirmed to have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
  2. Baptism: Persons who have been water baptized by immersion in a Bible-believing church. Those not yet baptized must be baptized upon membership as a priority in obedience to Christ.
  3. Agreement: Persons in agreement with the Statement of Faith and these By-Laws. Doctrinal disputes should be addressed to leadership in a manner befitting biblical character without stirring dissent.
• D. Welcome: Having testified to their salvation and completed the requirements, the Elders shall welcome the new member before the Church during a Sunday service.

Section 3: Pastoral Staff and Spouses

Upon commencement of their pastoral service at Grace Community Church, pastoral staff and their spouses shall be considered members.

Section 4: Attendance and Inactive Status

Members shall attend regular Sunday worship when physically able (Hebrews 10:25).

• Inactive Status: Members absent for three months or more without reasonable excuse (as determined by the Council of Elders) shall be considered inactive. Inactive members shall have no vote in Business Meetings.
• Removal: Continued absence for six months may result in removal from the membership roll at the Council’s discretion.

Section 5: Voting Privileges

Membership does not grant ownership rights in the Church but entitles the member to vote at scheduled Business Meetings. Voting is restricted to active members who have reached their sixteenth (16th) birthday. Under the leadership of the Council of Elders, members shall vote on:

• Financial Matters: Appointment of the Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer and the Financial Accountability Team; approval of or modifications to the Church Budget; and authorization to sell the Church Building.
• Church Discipline: (See Article II, Section 7).

Section 6: Responsibilities of Members

Members shall seek to exercise their spiritual gifts for the mutual benefit of the body and humbly submit to the loving leadership of the Council of Elders (1 Timothy 5:17; Romans 12:1-8).

Section 7: Church Discipline

• A. Purpose: To glorify God by maintaining purity (1 Cor 5:6); to edify believers by deterring sin (1 Tim 5:20); and to promote spiritual welfare by restoring wayward believers (Gal 6:1).
• B. Scope: Members who err in essential doctrine or engage in conduct violating Scripture shall be subject to discipline, including potential removal from fellowship (Matthew 18:15-18).
• C. Process: The witness must first confront the individual. If they do not repent, one or two other witnesses must confront them. If they still do not repent, the matter is brought to the Council of Elders.
• D. Removal: If restoration is not achieved, the Council shall bring the matter to the Church. A simple majority (51%) vote is required for the removal of a member (1 Cor 5:4-5).

ARTICLE III: BUSINESS MEETINGS

• Section 1: Annual Meeting. Held in January to vote on the budget, consider reports, and receive business from the Council.
• Section 2: Special Meetings. Called by the Council of Elders at any time.
• Section 3: Notice. Notice must be given from the pulpit at least one Sunday prior to the meeting.
• Section 4: Quorum. Consists of 20% of the active membership.
• Section 5: Conduct. Meetings shall be opened/closed with prayer and conducted in an orderly manner. Voting is conducted by yea/nay or another method determined by the Moderator. A simple majority of the quorum is required unless otherwise stated.
• Section 6: Budget Changes. Changes exceeding parameters in Section 7 require a Church vote.
• Section 7: Emergency Expenses.
  • A. Expenses $\le$ $5,000 require Council approval only.
  • B. Expenses $>$ $5,000 require Council approval and a Church vote. No preliminary notice is required in emergency circumstances.

ARTICLE IV: CHURCH STAFF

Section 1: Pastors and Elders

Pastors must meet Elder qualifications (Article V, Section 3). They are selected by the Council and presented to the Church at a Special Business Meeting. They remain in office indefinitely unless they violate their divine calling, fail to teach sound doctrine, or fail to live in a holy manner.

Section 2: Duties of the Pastors

The Pastors are ex-officio members of all teams. They conduct or delegate worship services and are responsible for the Church’s vision, direction, and spiritual welfare. Their primary responsibilities are prayer, study, and preaching (Acts 6:4a; 1 Peter 5:2-3).

Section 3: Associate and Assistant Pastors

Qualifications are the same as those for Elders. Potential candidates may undergo an internship (particular discipleship) not exceeding one year. Associate Pastors are selected by the Council and presented to the Church.

ARTICLE V: CHURCH GOVERNMENT

Section 1: The Council of Elders

The Council is responsible for leading, governing, and shepherding the Church. This includes financial oversight, drafting the budget, and staff compensation. They have the authority to create or dissolve all teams except the Financial Accountability Team.

Section 2: Number and Qualifications

The number of Elders is determined by the qualified male members available (minimum of three whenever possible). Qualifications include being blameless, a “one-woman type of man,” sober-minded, able to teach, and having a good reputation with outsiders (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9).

Section 3: Financial Accountability Team

Nominated by the Council and confirmed by a 75% majority vote of the Church. Consists of the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, at least one Elder, and one member-at-large. Members serve three-year terms followed by a one-year sabbatical.

Section 4: Treasurer

The Treasurer ensures the stewardship of financial resources and maintains correct accounts. The Treasurer shall not be a paid staff member or active Elder. Confirmation requires a 75% majority vote.

ARTICLE VI: CHURCH BUILDING

The Church building shall be held in the corporate name. Sale of the property requires a Council proposal and a two-thirds (66%) vote of the quorum. Proposed sales must be announced one month prior to action.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION & AMENDMENTS

• Dissolution: Upon dissolution, assets shall be distributed to another Bible-believing Church of similar doctrine.
• Amendments: The Council may amend these By-Laws at any time, with notice provided from the pulpit one month prior to the effective date.