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THE BYLAWS OF

THE DISCIPLES FELLOWSHIP

 

 

ARTICLE 1 — PURPOSE AND MISSION

 

SECTION 1.1 – NAME

 

This body of believers shall be known as The Disciples Fellowship.

 

SECTION 1.2 – PURPOSE

 

This body is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the evangelizing of the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the educating of believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture; and the maintaining of missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country.

 

SECTION 1.3 – MISSION

 

The Disciples Fellowship exists to glorify God by making disciples—of ourselves and others. All activities, events, missions, and resources are measured and allocated exclusively for the purpose of making disciples.

 

SECTION 1.4 – STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

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ARTICLE 2 – MEMBERSHIP

 

SECTION 2.1—AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

Scripture is the final authoritative guide to our beliefs. The Statement of Faith accurately summarizes much of Scripture. All members of The Disciples Fellowship affirm the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, and the summary of Scripture’s teaching represented in the Statement of Faith. All literature, teaching material, and other media used in the church shall be in agreement with the Statement of Faith.

 

SECTION 2.2— MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

 

The Covenant of The Disciples Fellowship is an affirmation of our commitment to one another and to the Church of Jesus Christ. Upon membership, each member will affirm the Covenant. Additionally, all members will reaffirm the Covenant annually.

 

Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully enter/renew our covenant with each other.

 

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.

 

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.

 

We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.

 

We will rejoice at each others’ happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.

 

We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.

 

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

 

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

 

SECTION 2.3 – QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

 

Membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin; who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith contained herein; who enter into the church covenant contained herein; who agree to submit to the authority of the church and its leaders as set forth herein; completion of a signed membership covenant and with any one of the following conditions:

 

  1. By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior;

 

  1. By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement of good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by immersion subsequent to a profession of faith;

 

  1. By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion.

 

SECTION 2.4 – DUTIES OF A MEMBER

 

Upon becoming a member, each member agrees to love, honor, and pray for the church and each member; to support the church financially; to provide a positive witness to Jesus Christ; to support and pray for the Pastor, Elders, and Deacons; to recognize the spiritual authority of church leadership; and to provide a positive witness to Jesus Christ through a lifestyle consistent with the teachings of Scripture and the practices of this church.

 

SECTION 2.5 – PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP

 

  1. Members at least sixteen years of age who are physically present at a duly called meeting of the church are entitled to vote.  There shall be no proxy or absentee voting. 

  2. Members who are not subjected to matters of church discipline are entitled to receive the Lord’s Supper at such times that the church observes the Supper.

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SECTION 2.6 – DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER

 

  1. There shall be a discipline committee consisting of the Elders.  These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the Statement of Faith and violations of the church covenant.  If an Elder is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the discipline committee.  The Elders shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same discipline.

 

  1. Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another.  When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he/she is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother/sister.  Before he/she goes, he/she should first examine himself.  When he/she goes, he/she should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.

 

  1. If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, an elder is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter.  This second step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.

 

  1. If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, the discipline committee, as the church representatives biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter.  If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the discipline committee, the committee shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek the member’s restoration.

 

  1. If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsection (B), (C), and (D) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the membership present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.

 

  1. No matter may be heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.

 

  1. If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward (except by family members) must be for the sake of restoration.

 

  1. Members undergoing a disciplinary process may not resign membership.

 

  1. The procedures provided in this section are based on Matt. 18:15-20; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:1-11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 10-15; 1 Tim. 5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.

 

SECTION 2.7 – TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

 

Members, not under the disciplinary process of Section 3.04, may request that letters of transfer be sent to another church.

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SECTION 2.8 – CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 

  1. The Disciples Fellowship will reaffirm members annually. Members are reaffirmed through their affirmation of the Covenant. Membership will not be renewed for those members choosing not to reaffirm the Covenant. 

 

  1. No member of The Disciples Fellowship may hold membership in another church.  If any member unites in membership with another church, that person is automatically terminated without notice from membership in The Disciples Fellowship.

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ARTICLE 3 – LEADERSHIP

 

SECTION 3.1 – PASTOR

 

The Disciples Fellowship recognizes the distinct calling and position of the Pastor. The Pastor is the spiritual shepherd of the body. Though he serves in a plurality of Elder leadership (see Section 3.2), he also provides overall spiritual leadership to the church. His primary duty is to teach and preach the Scriptures (2 Tim. 4:2) for the purpose of equipping the body to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

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SECTION 3.2 – ELDERS

 

Elders are appointed by the elders (Tit. 1:5) to fulfill the role of spiritual leadership. While no human is perfect, the Scriptures outline the general character qualifications for Elders (1 Tim.3:1-7, Tit. 1:6-9). All of these character qualifications are elsewhere prescribed for all believers except the requirements to be mature in the faith (1 Tim. 3:6) and to be “able to teach” (2 Tim 2:24-25, Tit. 1:9). We take this to mean that the role of Elder is to provide spiritual leadership for the body (Acts 6:2). As such, the office of Elder is limited by Scripture to males (1 Tim. 2:12).

 

The Disciples Fellowship will be led by a plurality of Elders (Acts 14:23, 20:17; Phil 1:1; 1. Tim 5:7; Jas. 5:14). These Elders are entrusted by the church to provide leadership and spiritual discernment in a Christ-like manner. The role of Elder is defined by spiritual care of the body (Acts 20:28), including but not limited to matters of church discipline (Heb. 13:17).

 

The Pastor is also an Elder. Should the pastor fail to meet the requirements of Elder, he is necessarily disqualified from the pastorate.

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SECTION 3.3 – DEACONS

 

Deacons are recommended to the body by the Elders, and approved by the membership (Acts 6:5-6) to fulfill the role of service leadership. Just as the first deacons were appointed to meet the physical needs of the body (Acts 6:1-7), so also do the Deacons of the Disciples Fellowship lead in service first to members and secondly to our community. While no human is perfect, the Scriptures outline general character qualifications for Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13).

 

Deacons will lead in the areas including, but not limited to, management of church assets, benevolence ministries, and community service.

 

SECTION 3.4 – FINANCIAL SECRETARIES

 

Elders shall recommend (2) individuals for the office of Financial Secretaries. These individuals shall be approved be a majority vote of the members. Their duties shall include all matters related to the handling and management of monetary funds, including, but not necessarily limited to; deposits, bill payment, and the preparation of annual reports on receipts and expenditures. The division of duties between themselves shall be left to their own judgment. The term of Financial Secretaries shall be one year, and may be extended in accordance with (a) the willingness of the Financial Secretaries to continue, and (b) the continued approval of the Elders and the body.

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SECTION 4 – BUSINESS MEETINGS

 

SECTION 4.1 – ANNUAL MEETING

 

The membership of the Disciples Fellowship will convene at least once annually, at such time and place designated by the Elders. Church business matters may be advanced according to Roberts Rules of Order with the presence of a quorum of not less than 30% of membership. Meetings will be moderated by an Elder.

 

SECTION 4.2 – ADDITIONAL MEETINGS

 

Additional meetings may be convened as deemed necessary by the Elders.

 

SECTION 5 – AMMENDMENTS

 

Amendments may be made to these Bylaws through 2/3 majority vote by the membership. Proposed changes must announced one month prior to membership vote.

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