PREAMBLE
Pursuant to custom, the following By-Laws are hereby adopted for the government and policy of CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Redwood Falls, MN. The same is in harmony with the Articles of Incorporation of said CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Redwood Falls.
ARTICLE I - NAME, LOCATION, PURPOSE AND SELF-GOVERNMENT
Section 1. Name: The name of this congregation shall be “Cornerstone Christian Church.”
Section 2. Location: 241 East Third Street, Redwood Falls, Redwood County, MN, United States of America.
Section 3. Purpose: The purpose of this congregation shall be to carry out the plan of Christ as expressed in the New Testament: the winning of souls to Christ throughout the world and providing a local church home for the spiritual development of those in this vicinity. To this end, the Bible shall be the only and final authority in all matters pertaining to the governing of this congregation. The purpose of the By-Laws is to facilitate the advancement of that work in an orderly manner.
Section 4. Self-Government: This congregation shall continue as a local, self-governing, New Testament church and shall not be made, nor become, subject to any ecclesiastical authority, jurisdiction, or direction by any person, missionary society, organization, or any outside board whatsoever.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in Cornerstone Christian Church shall require no more or no less than that which is required for salvation in the New Testament, specifically:
(a) A belief in Jesus as the Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God - John 1:14; 1 John 4:1-3.
(b) Repentance - a decision to turn from sin to an active obedience to the commands of God recorded in the New Testament - Acts 2:38; 17:30.
(c) A verbal confession of [a] before adult witnesses - Romans 10:9-10.
(d) Immersion (Baptism) in water in obedience to Christ - Acts 2:38.
Section 2. Anyone requesting membership and submitting to the above [a-d] under the direction and teaching of Cornerstone Christian Church shall be considered a member of Cornerstone Christian Church.
Section 3. Anyone having submitted to the above [a-d] elsewhere and indicating a desire to be a member of Cornerstone Christian Church shall be publicly introduced to the congregation as having that desire and accepted as a member in good standing.
Section 4. A member’s name shall be removed from official Church records when one of the following happens:
(a) The member requests removal.
(b) The member transfers membership to another congregation.
(c) The member dies.
(d) The member’s life, by specific knowledge, is determined to be in violation of Christian principles and detrimental to the aims and purposes of this Church, and the Elders have attempted to reconcile the member to the congregation according to Matthew 18:15-17, but have failed.
Section 5. Expectation of Members: To live lives becoming of the name “Christian.” This would include regular Bible study, regular attendance at worship services and regular financial contributions according to their means to this congregation. Members must be 18 or older to vote on congregational issues.
ARTICLE III - GOVERNING OF THE CHURCH BODY
Section 1. The oversight of the congregation shall be the responsibility of the Elders.
(a) To hold office, a man shall meet the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, be nominated by any active member of the congregation, interviewed by the existing Elders and approved by a congregational vote. Candidates for Eldership shall be a member of the congregation for a minimum of 2 years, present himself before the congregation, and have completed a “What We Believe” session with the current Elders.
(b) The Elders shall meet as frequently as needed to oversee the work of the church.
(c) In the event the occasion arises where there is not at least 3 active Elders, a committee of available eligible members of the congregation will convene for the purpose of appointing Elders. The appointed Elders shall be approved by a congregational vote and serve as Elders until the next annual meeting.
Section 2. The Elders shall call upon qualified men and women to serve as Ministry Team Leaders to aid in the functioning of the church. They shall be assigned specific ministries according to their abilities by the Elders and shall be given freedom to fulfill those ministries to the best of their ability under the oversight of the Eldership. The Elders may appoint other leaders as the need arises.
Section 3. The Elders shall seek input from the congregation and the congregation shall feel free to volunteer input on any subject to the Elders.
Section 4. Tenure:
(a) Elders shall be elected for terms not to exceed three years, unless terminated by death, moving from the area, resignation or Scriptural ineffectiveness as determined by the Elders according to Article III, Section 1(a) above. When an Elder’s position has been vacated, the congregation will be informed.
(b) An elder may request at any time a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons, not to exceed a period of 6 months.
Section 5. Additional Elders may be added as needed.
Section 6. Voting: Except on issues related to ministerial staffing decisions set out in Section 9, Elders and Pastor(s) shall, consistent with the purpose of the congregation set out in Article 1 above, seek to reach consensus on all decisions. Two-thirds (2/3) of the Elders and Pastors voting in favor of any item shall constitute passage.
Section 7. The Elders shall serve as the legal trustees of the congregation. As trustees, the Elders shall handle all legal matters and oversee all of the physical assets of this congregation. Trustees serve no Biblical leadership role but they do meet a legal requirement for corporations in MN.
Section 8. Limitations:
(a) Any expenditure in excess of 10% of the annual budget must have prior approval of the congregation.
(b) No loans or indebtedness shall be entered into on behalf of the congregation without the expressed prior approval of the congregation at a congregational meeting called for that purpose, except in cases of emergency where they may borrow up to 10% of the annual budget.
Section 9. Hiring:
(a) Ministerial staff should meet the same qualifications of the Elders stated in Article III Section 1(a). The Elders shall contact, investigate, and interview all prospective ministers before submitting their choice to the congregation for approval. The Elders may involve members of Cornerstone Christian Church in the selection process.
(b) Resignation by or termination of a minister shall be by written notice tendered to the Elders or minister, which shall be delivered at least 60 days before leaving unless both sides agree to an alternative time frame.
(c) Salary and vacation recommendations for all paid staff shall be by the Elders.
(d) Salary shall continue until termination date.
(e) Other non-ministerial positions shall be hired by the Elders with input from the minister(s) and/or the congregation.
ARTICLE IV - MINISTRY GROUPS
Section 1. Approval: In order to meet the various needs of the congregation (edification) and the surrounding community (evangelism), the Elders may approve ministry teams to provide for those needs. The size and duration of these ministry teams shall vary according to the need to be met (Acts 6:1-7).
Section 2. Composition: The Elders shall be responsible for approving the Ministry Team Leaders who must be members of this congregation. The Ministry Team Leaders shall be responsible for approving the ministry group members. Ministry group members with two or more unexcused absences from meetings may be removed from the ministry team by the Ministry Team Leader after consultation with the Elders. Each ministry team will operate under the direction of the Elders.
Section 3. Responsibilities: All ministry teams shall have a stated purpose that will determine the direction and duration of the team. This purpose statement shall be approved by the Elders before the ministry team may begin its ministry.
Section 4. Budget: All ministry teams shall propose a budget (if needed) to the leadership team on or before the regular September meeting for approval.
Section 5. Ministry Team Leaders: The Ministry Team Leaders shall be servants of this congregation, and shall promote the general welfare of this congregation according to the New Testament (Acts 6: 1-3; 1 Timothy 3: 8-13).
(a) Removal from Office: A Ministry Team Leader may be removed from the office for just cause by a consensus of the current Elders. If action is to be taken against a Ministry Team Leader, the Ministry Team Leader is to be notified by the chairman of the Elders prior to the meeting and shall have the right to a hearing before the current Elders.
Section 6. Building and Property Committee: The building and property committee shall oversee the maintenance and care of the church buildings, and other real estate and personal property owned by this congregation, including the supervision of lending and borrowing of property.
Section 7. Leadership Meeting: The following comprise the leadership team and should attend the leadership meetings: chairperson of the leadership team, vice-chairperson of the leadership team, all elected Elders, all Ministry Team Leaders, the clerk, financial secretary, treasurer, and all paid professional staff. Congregation members are welcome to attend. This team will meet on the second Tuesday of each month, or as called by the chairperson of the leadership team, for the primary purpose of sharing information and reports from ministries of the church. The leadership team will be a decision making body when a decision needs to be made only if no ministry team is responsible for that matter and/or if the decision being made affects more than one ministry team. Elders, the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the leadership team, and all Ministry Team Leaders may vote. Those present (listed in the previous sentence) shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V - CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Section 1. Annual: The annual congregational meeting shall be held at the church building, the last week in October, time and date to be announced. The purpose of the annual congregational meeting shall be to elect the Elders and to hear business reports of the previous year; to act upon any recommendations of the church leadership; and to hear annual reports from the Elders, Ministry Team Leaders, trustees, and staff.
Section 2. Special: Special congregational meetings shall be held when required to conduct the business of this congregation. The Elders shall approve all requests for a special congregational meeting and the purpose of the special congregational meeting shall be announced at the time the meeting is first called. No business other than that stated when the meeting is first called shall be conducted at the meeting.
Section 3. Announcements of Congregational Meetings: All annual and special congregational meetings shall be announced from the pulpit during the morning worship service at least twenty-eight (28) days prior to the meeting or by a ten (10) day written notice to all members and, in the case of a special congregational meeting, the purpose of the meeting shall be stated.
Section 4. Quorum: The quorum shall be all congregational members in attendance. Emergency requests for absentee ballots will be considered by the Elders if requested prior to the annual congregational meeting.
Section 5. Voting: All motions shall require at least two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote for approval. Voting for Elders shall be by secret ballot. All other votes will be by voice votes unless a secret ballot is requested. Election results for Elders will be made during services the Sunday after the congregational meeting.
Section 6. Presiding: All annual and special congregational meetings shall be conducted by the current leadership chairperson or, in his absence, the vice chairperson. In the absence of both of these positions, one of the Elders may preside over the meeting.
Section 7. Items for Congregational Vote: Congregational votes will be for the following:
(a) presenting of the next annual general operating budget.
(b) amending of the By Laws.
(c) calling of the ministry staff.
(d) selection of Elders.
(e) any other business that comes from the floor from the congregation.
ARTICLE VI - UNCOVERED SITUATIONS
All situations not covered by these By-Laws shall be dealt with by the Eldership.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Procedure: All suggested additions, amendments or changes to the By-laws shall be presented in writing to the chairman of the Elders for consideration. The chairman of the Elders shall appoint a committee of two Elders and two other members of the congregation to review the suggested addition, amendment, or change and to make their specific recommendation to the Elders as soon as practical. The Elders shall approve or disapprove the recommendation of the committee at their next meeting. If the Elders approve the addition, amendment, or change, a vote shall be taken at the annual meeting or at a special congregational meeting called (see Article V, Section 2) for approval or disapproval by the membership of this congregation. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote shall be required of those present.
Section 2. Restrictions: Article I, Sections 3 and 4; Article II, Section 1
[Current as amended on October 29, 2017 at the annual meeting]