NCC bylaws 12/2022 REV E.docx
Constitution and By-Laws of
Northridge Christian Church, Inc.
● We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit to write the words of Scripture. Therefore, the Bible is without error.
● We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity (the Son of God) who became flesh to reveal God to man and to become the Savior of the lost world.
● We believe that man was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his or her own effort.
● We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, salvation only occurs when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.
● We believe that every Christian should live for Christ and not for himself or herself. By obedience to the Word and daily yielding to the Spirit, every believer will mature and become conformed to the image of Christ.
● We believe that God ordained the institution of marriage as a gift to humanity. We believe marriage is an exclusive union between one man and one woman in which believers are called to love one another, encourage one another and serve one another per the example of Jesus Christ and under his authority.
● Marriage is more than a civil contract and establishes a covenant relationship that is united by God and illustrates Christ’s relationship with his church. Ephesians 5:22-28, Genesis 2:18-25
● We believe that the Church is the body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The partners are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making him known to a lost world.
Name, Location, Purpose, & Mission
The name of the organization shall be Northridge Christian Church, Inc., henceforth referred to simply as the "Church". The location of the main facility shall be in Baldwin County, Georgia, in the vicinity of Milledgeville, Georgia.
The mission of the Church is to help people take their next step to move closer to Christ. We believe that this is a journey and not a destination. Our mission is to spread the Gospel to Baldwin County and the entire world the truth, and to see all Christians mature in the faith, which binds all believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:12-16).
Partnership
The word “Partner” and “Partnership” is used in these Bylaws as terms solely reflecting the individuals who participate in the spiritual activities and ministries of Northridge Christian Church. The word "Partnership" referenced herein reflects only a spiritual unity and shall not be deemed to have any legal status under State Law.
Partnership is initiated by taking the following steps:
1) Confession of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before witnesses (Romans 10:9-10).
2) Baptism by immersion (Acts 2:38).
3) A stated desire to become a partner in the Church (Acts 2:47).
Partners of the Northridge Christian Church shall consist of those persons who have met, and continue to meet, all of the following qualifications:
2) Using spiritual gifts to serve the church and the community
3) Involved in relational community at Northridge
4) Focused on reaching others
5) Investing financially in the church’s mission (through regular giving and tithing)
Termination of Partnership
The Elders may discipline, suspend, or expel a partner of the congregation for cause in accordance with Scripture or the above qualifications. The desire of the Elders shall always be reconciliation of the partner to the Lord in accordance with Scripture (1 Corinthians 5:5; Matthew 18:15-17).
Resignation
Any partner of the congregation may resign by filing a written resignation.
Code of Discipline
1) Cooperative Action. The partners of Northridge shall conform to the Scriptural injunctions to ensure unity in the body of Christ, the Church.
2) Attitude toward strife. Partners may not engender strife but shall work in harmony with all other partners (1 Peter 3:8; Ephesians 4:3). If there is cause for concern, it shall be called to the attention of the Elders. Using scripture and prayer, the Elders shall work toward resolving any problems.
3) Church Discipline. The Elders are responsible for administering discipline in the Church. Grounds for exercising discipline, suspension, or expulsion from partnership may include but are not limited to:
a) Unscriptural conduct and failure to respond to discipline, or failure to maintain active partnership requirements (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
b) Intent to create strife or disharmony among the partnership (Romans 16:17).
c) The Elders shall prayerfully administer discipline according to Scripture (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
Elders
General Powers
The Elders, who have a fiduciary obligation to the Church, shall manage the affairs of the Church (1 Timothy 5:17)
Number, Term, Qualifications, Duties, and Selection
The desired number of Elders shall be no less than five and shall have no maximum number. The term for any elder is three years. Any Elder whose term may have expired in the current year may end or be renewed at the discretion of the Elders. The congregation will be informed of individuals that are invited to join the elder team and will have two weeks to voice any biblical opposition to the appointment of the role. The Lead Pastor shall be a non-elected partner of the Elders, and his term will coincide with his position as Lead Pastor.
The qualifications for Elder are defined in Scripture in 1 Timothy 3:1-4 and Titus 1:6-9. An Elder must be a partner of the congregation.
The duties of an Elder shall include but are not limited to:
1) Shepherd God's flock, the Church (Acts 20:2).
2) Resolve issues of doctrine (Acts 15:6-29).
3) Oversee the financial matters of the Church (Acts 11:30).
4) Direct the affairs of the Church (1 Tim. 5:17).
5) Encourage by sound doctrine and refute opposition (Titus 1:9).
6) Serve as overseers (1 Peter 5:2).
7) Set examples for the Church (1 Peter 5:3).
8) Speak the Word of God (Hebrews 13:7).
It is the responsibility of the current Elders and Lead Pastor to pray for, mentor, recruit, interview, and recommend candidates for the position of Elder.
A regular meeting of the Elders shall be held each month. The Elders may provide, by resolution, the time and place for holding additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution. Special meetings of the Elders may be called by or at the request of any two Elders.
Notice of the regular or any special meeting of the Elders shall be given by agreed upon communication methods, to each Elder.
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Elders under any provision of law may be taken without a meeting, if all Elders individually or collectively consent in writing, including electronic communication, to such action. Such consents shall be placed in the official minutes of the proceedings and shall have the same effect as the unanimous agreement of the Elders.
A majority of the Elders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. The act of a majority of the Elders present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Elders.
Real estate transactions $500,000 or less, may be approved and transacted by a 2/3’s vote of the Elders. Any properties willed or donated to Northridge, may be liquidated by 2/3 's vote of the Elders. Any vacancy occurring in the Elders may be filled by the chairman of the Elders, with the advice and consent of a majority of the Elders. Elders shall be removed only by a majority concurrence of the remaining Elders (1 Timothy 5:19-20).
Officers and Lead Pastor
The officers of the Church shall be chairman, secretary, treasurer, vice-chairman, and such other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this document. The chairman and vice chairman must be Elders.
The Elders at a meeting of the Elders shall elect the officers of the Church annually.
Elders and Lead Pastor will agree upon a salary and compensation package. This shall be reviewed annually.
The Elders may remove any officer, elected or appointed by the Elders, whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Church are being compromised. A vacancy in office, because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, may be appointed by the Chairman of the Elders for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event the vacant position being filled is that of the Lead Pastor, the Elders shall designate his successor
Resignation, Removal, Replacement of Lead Pastor
(a) Resignation / Replacement. Upon the resignation of the Lead Pastor the Elders shall choose his replacement subject to the affirmation of the partners.
(b) Removal for cause: The Lead Pastor may only be removed from office upon concurrence of the majority of Elders.
Officer Duties
Chairman of the Elders shall:
1) Preside over all Elder meetings, conducting them in an orderly manner.
2) Preside over congregational meetings in the absence of a Lead Pastor.
3) Set an agenda for all Elder meetings.
Vice chairman of the Elders shall perform the duties of the chairman in his absence or inability to serve, as well as, fill the vacancy of chairman should that office become vacant for any reason. The Secretary of the Elders shall attend and keep all minutes of all Elder meetings except for personnel matters, and spiritual issues regarding partners or staff that require confidentiality. As well, the secretary shall keep minutes of all congregational meetings. Minutes shall be maintained and stored for posterity. The secretary of the Elders is not required to be an Elder.
The Treasurer shall oversee all the following:
a) Receipt of funds of the Church.
b) Depositing of such funds in a bank depository designated by the Elders.
c) Paying of outstanding debts and bills.
d) Report financial results to the Elders and to the Church when requested.
e) Keep accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Elders shall not receive salaries or compensation for their services.
Meetings, Congregational Meetings, and Auxiliary Organizations & Committees
Annually, the Church shall prepare a report describing the state of the Church. Any congregational meeting will be announced no less than two weeks prior to the meeting date through current pre-established communication methods. Church partners may serve on various committees, ministry teams, or serve in capacities as volunteers in auxiliary organizations under the Church's direction and will be overseen by the Elders.
Indemnification of Agents, Volunteers, and Church Treasurer
The Church shall indemnify any voluntary partner of its finance committee, Elders, trustees, or any person who has served at its request in a volunteer capacity, against and for any expense, fine, penalty, tax liability or similar item or cost, or the expense actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding in which he or she is made a party by reason of being a committee partner or treasurer. The exception in relation to these matters is a case in which he or she shall be adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duty and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, or have reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. Any person who shall serve as the Church's pastor, chairman, elder or agent of the Church, or who shall serve at the request of the Church, as an agent for the Church, shall be deemed to do so with the knowledge of and in reliance upon the rights of indemnification provided in this Article, under applicable state law indemnification provisions, as amended from time to time, and in or under any similar law adopted in lieu thereof.
Books & Records
The Church shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its partners, Elders, and other committees having and exercising the authority of the Elders, and shall keep at the principal office a record of the names and addresses of the Elders entitled to vote. Any partner or his agent may inspect all books and records of account, with the exception of individual giving records or other confidential accounting information, for any proper purpose at any reasonably scheduled time.
Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Church, the Elders shall, after the payment of all the liabilities of the Church, dispose of all of the assets of the Church exclusively for the purposes of the Church in such a manner, or to such organizations operated exclusively for the purposes of the Church, operated for charitable, educational, or religious purposes as shall qualify as an exempt corporation or organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or of the corresponding provisions of any future United States Revenue Law) as the Elders shall determine. No part of the net earnings of the Church shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its partners, officers, trustees, elders, or any person except that the Church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation or reimbursements for services rendered, and to make payments in the furtherance of the Church. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these by-laws of the Church, the Church shall not carry on any activity not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax, under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (b) by a corporation, contributions, of which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Amendment of By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended as required when circumstances change, by the Elders. The Elders will have revised copies available at least 2 weeks prior to a congregational meeting for affirmation of these revised By-Laws by the Church.
This document rescinds and supersedes any previous editions of the Constitution and By-Laws of Northridge Christian Church, Inc.
Signed this _________________________ day of __________________ , 2023 Elder_____________________________ Elder _____________________________ Elder_____________________________ Elder _____________________________ Elder _____________________________
Lead Pastor__________________________