Bylaws
Article 1: Partnership
The partners of Auguston Neighbourhood Church are baptized believer’s, committed to the edification of the body, conformed to the character of Christ in mutual accountability and called into covenant to achieve its purpose.
Section 1: Partnership Requirements
1.1.1. A personal commitment to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
1.1.2. Public testimony of salvation through believer’s baptism by immersion as an initial step of obedience.
1.1.3. Agreement with the statement of faith in writing.
1.1.4. Completion of the Church’s partnership class.
1.1.5. Completion of Partnership Application.
1.1.6. Upon approval by the Leadership Team, the Church shall receive anyone as a member who fulfills the Partnership Requirements and subscribes to the Partnership Responsibilities.
1.1.7. The Leadership Team shall post or publish the names of prospective partners for the church to consider and give opportunity to respond with any concerns, to the Leadership Team for at least two (2) consecutive Sundays prior to their acceptance into partnership.
Section 2: Partnership Responsibilities
1.2.1. Be in agreement with the constitution and comply with these bylaws.
1.2.2. Work towards unity of the Church fellowship with love.
1.2.3. Participate in the corporate worship of God.
1.2.4. Be responsive to the Church Leadership Team.
1.2.5. Support the Church financially through regular giving; in prayer for the ministry of the Church; in faithful service to reach lost people.
1.2.6. Regularly attend a Care Group of the church for the purpose of discipling, equipping, prayer and building relationships.
1.2.7. Maintain a godly lifestyle that is winsome both to influence and impact people in order to achieve the purposes of the Church.
Section 3: Partnership Privileges
1.3.1. Partners in good standing may vote on the following:
i) Annual budget.
ii) Calling or removal of a Pastor.
iii) Election of Elders and Deacons and/or Leadership Team.
iv) Amendments to the Church constitution and bylaws.
v) Dissolution of Church.
1.3.2. Participate in all Church meetings, services, ministries and activities.
1.3.3. Attend and speak at all meetings of partners.
1.3.4. A member must be at least 18 years of age and in good standing to be eligible to vote.
1.3.5. A member has only one vote.
Section 4: Partnership Discipline and Termination
1.4.1. Conditions when a member shall cease to be in good standing:
i) Habitually absent for a period of twelve (12) months from Worship Service and/or Care Groups without just cause.
ii) A lifestyle, in character or conduct, which is not in accordance with biblical standards or living in that the partner, hinders the ministry influence of the church and the name of Jesus Christ.
iii) Refusal to be responsive to the Leadership Team.
1.4.2. Conditions for partnership termination:
i) Failure to comply with the Partnership Responsibilities.
ii) Refusal to be responsive to Church discipline.
iii) Transfer to another Church.
iv) Absence from regular church activities for one year, without just and reasonable cause.
v) Written request for removal of partnership must be submitted to the chair of the Leadership Team.
vi) Death.
1.4.3. Partnership Discipline:
Should discipline be required we will adhere to the process as described in Matt. 18:15-17. The Leadership Team will initiate this process. The partnership reinstatement process will be based upon the recommended steps of repentance and reconciliation.
Article 2: Leadership
Section 1: Pastors
2.1.1. Description:
The Pastors give leadership to equipping, teaching, encouraging, and shepherding. Acts 20: 28-29; Ephesians 4: 11-13; 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-11.
2.1.2. Responsibilities:
i) Diligent prayer.
ii) Maintain doctrinal purity, proclaim truth and keep the Church from error.
iii) Regularly attend and actively participate in a Care Group.
iv) Proclaim truth from God’s Word.
v) Foster the spiritual health of the church and oversee the provision of pastoral care to the church
vi) Give leadership to providing spiritual oversight and setting the goals of the Church.
vii) With the Ministry Team, Give direction, vision and guidance to the ministries of the Church.
viii) Provide day to day leadership to the church staff.
ix) With the leadership ensure the purpose, mission, vision, core values of the Church are being served
x) Be accountable to the elders at regular meetings by reporting on the fulfillment of responsibilities, and meeting the qualifications found in scripture.
2.1.3. Qualifications:
i) Character requirements of the minister 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
ii) Conduct requirements of the ministry 1 Timothy 4:11-16.
iii) Model good works for the attractive presentation of the Gospel. Titus 2:1-8.
2.1.4. Selection:
i) A search committee shall be elected by the partnership to interview and select candidates.
ii) The search committee shall consist of a minimum five (5) partners.
iii) At least three (3) partners of the search committee shall be on the Leadership Team.
iv) The best candidate shall be presented to the Leadership Team for approval.
v) Upon approval by the Leadership Team, the candidate shall be given opportunity to interact with the Church.
vi) A selected Preaching Pastors candidate shall have them preach in at least one worship service.
vii) The partnership shall vote at a special business meeting on whether to extend a call.
viii) A 75 percent majority of partners present is needed to extend a call to a Pastor.
2.1.5. Term:
i) Pastors may serve indefinitely.
ii) The relationship may be terminated by 30 days written notice, by the pastor.
iii) Dismissal of a Pastor shall be by vote at a special business meeting.
iv) Seventy- Five percent (75%) of partners present is required to dismiss a Pastor.
2.1.6. Remuneration: Pastors shall each be remunerated according to terms mutually agreed upon by themselves and the church. Such an agreement is to be worked out initially at the time of their call to ministry and reevaluated annually by the Leadership Team.
Section 2: Leadership Team
2.2.1. Description:
The Leadership Team shall be comprised of qualified men and women (1 Tim. 3; Titus 2,) who serve as Elders, Deacons, and Appointed Officers. The Leadership team shall be the directors of the church. The Leadership Team Members are the primary ministry leaders and will consist of all Pastors and other leaders, managers and trainers who are appointed to coordinate the life and ministry of the Church. Composition of the Leadership Team shall be comprised of no less than three (3) and no more than twelve (12) partners. The Pastors are ex-officio members of the Leadership Team with voting privileges and the authority to delegate ex-officio membership to other leaders, managers and trainers as deemed necessary. The existing Leadership Team shall determine the specific number of positions on the Leadership Team.
2.2.2. Roles: The leadership team will function as one with two distinct roles. They are described as follows:
i) Elders
a. Description: Men called of God to serve as spiritual leaders of the church and to provide general spiritual oversight to the ministries and life of the church.
b. Responsibilities:
i. Serve as Pastors and Teachers
ii. Provide Spiritual Direction, Leadership and oversight to the Church
iii. Mentor and develop leaders.
iv. Meet regularly both as elders and as members of the Leadership Team
v. An elder shall serve as chairman of the Leadership Team.
c. Election: Elders shall be elected annually by the church with a minimum vote of 75% of those present
ii) Deacons
a. Description: Men and Women called of God to serve as servant leaders of the church and to provide general leadership and guidance to the practical ministries and life of the church.
b. Responsibilities
i. Lead ministry groups and committees.
ii. Serve in practical church ministries
iii. Mentor and develop leaders.
iv. Meet regularly with the committees to which they give oversight and with the Leadership Team.
c. Election: Deacons shall be elected annually by the church with a minimum vote of 75% of those present
2.2.3. Leadership Team Responsibilities:
i) Plan for future events.
ii) Develop and implement strategy f or the Church to accomplish its purpose, mission, vision and on the basis of its core values for the effective operation of the Church.
iii) Develop and submit the annual budget of the Church.
iv) Manage the partnership roll.
v) Act on behalf of the Church on all matters not specifically reserved for the partnership.
vi) Provide mandates and supervise all Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees, and Task Forces.
vii) Give oversight to all policies and procedures for the operation of the Church.
2.2.4. Qualifications: Partners of the Church who have demonstrated the character qualities outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
2.2.5. Selection:
i) At a special Business Meeting, at least three months prior to the Annual Business Meeting a nominating committee shall be established.
ii) The nominating committee shall consist of three (3) partners from the Leadership Team and three (3) partners from the partnership, which should include one (1) Pastor.
iii) Candidates shall be interviewed by the Leadership Team for recommendation.
iv) Upon successful evaluation by the Leadership Team and the candidate’s consent, the names of the nominated candidates shall be posted for two (2) consecutive weeks.
v) The partnership present at the general meeting will shall vote to elect the Leadership Team members, by a minimum of a 75% majority vote.
2.2.6. Term:
i) The normal length of term on the Leadership Team is for a period of two years.
ii) Any leadership team member may serve a series of three (3) consecutive two year terms.
iii) After serving three consecutive terms a, one-year leave will be required of the person before be coming eligible for re-nomination to the leadership team.
iv) 30 days written notice is required to resign from the Leadership Team.
v) Failure to perform Leadership Team responsibilities may result in removal from the leadership team.
vi) If a written petition signed by, at least ten (10) percent of the partnership but not less than ten partners is submitted to the Leadership Team, the Leadership Team must call a special business meeting.
vii) Seventy- Five percent (75%) of partners present is required to dismiss a Leadership Team member.
viii) Upon the loss of a Leadership Team member, the existing Leadership Team may appoint a replacement until the next General meeting, at which time the partners will ratify the appointment
Section 3: Officers
2.3.1. Selection: The Officers of the church shall be Church leadership team members selected as previously stated, but for one year terms.
2.3.2. Chair and Vice-Chair: The Chair shall lead all congregational and Leadership Team meetings. The Vice-Chair shall serve as Chair in the absence of the chair and succeed to that post automatically should the office be vacated, for the remainder of the term.
2.3.3. Secretary:
i) Keep an accurate record of all congregational meetings and Leadership Team meetings.
ii) Maintain an accurate partnership roll.
iii) Carry on all official Church correspondence.
2.3.4. Treasurer:
Responsible for and/or to give oversight to:
i) Keeping an accurate record of all monies received and disbursed.
ii) Carrying on the Banking business in the name of the Church.
iii) Paying current accounts according to the Church budget.
iv) Making other expenditures as approved by the Leadership Team.
v) Preparing financial statement for business meetings and Leadership Team.
vi) Complying with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency as a “Charitable Organization” in processing all necessary financial and other documentation as required by law.
Article 3: Organizational Matters
Section 1: Annual General Meeting
3.1.1. In September – November of each year an Annual General Meeting of the Church shall be called.
3.1.2. The Annual General Meeting shall be held to ratify Church goals and the budget, to elect leadership team, to confirm partnership roll transactions, and to conduct other business as needed.
3.1.3. All Annual General Meetings must be announced to the Church partnership, verbally and in writing, a minimum of Fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting date.
3.1.4. Written notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be hand delivered to each partner or mailed to his or her registered address at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting.
3.1.5. The fiscal year end of the church shall be December 31.
Section 2: Special Meetings
3.2.1. Special Meetings may be called by the Leadership Team.
3.2.2. The Leadership Team must call a special business meeting upon receiving a written petition signed by ten (10) percent of the voting partnership (with a minimum of ten partners), with a specific statement of the business intended.
3.2.3. All Special Meetings must be announced to the Church partnership, verbally and in writing, a minimum of 14 days prior to the meeting date.
3.2.4. Written notice of Special Meetings shall be posted fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.
Section 3: Quorum
3.3.1. For Annual General Meetings, a quorum shall consist of 20 percent of the voting partnership, but never less than five (5) voting partners.
3.3.2. For Special Meetings, a quorum shall consist of 30 percent of the voting partnership, and never less than five (5) voting partners.
3.3.3. For dismissal of a Pastor or Leadership Team member, a quorum shall consist of 50 percent of the voting partnership.
3.3.4. A member must be at least 18 years of age and in good standing to be eligible to vote.
3.3.5. Voting by proxy is prohibited.
Section 4: Constitutional Revisions
3.4.1. Recommendations for amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws are presented to the partnership by the Leadership Team provided the amendment is in written form at least 14 days prior to being voted upon.
3.4.2. A 75 percent majority vote of the partnership present will be required to revise the Constitution, and/or Bylaws.
Section 5: Affiliation
3.5.1. Being in agreement with their Statement of Faith and Identity Statements, we affiliate with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in BC and Yukon,
3.5.2. Being in agreement with their Statement of Faith and Identity Statements, we affiliate with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada.
Section 6: Non-Profit Clause
3.8.1. The church shall carry on all activities without purpose of profit or financial gain for its partners.
3.8.2. Any profits or other gains to the organization shall be used in promoting the objectives of the Church.
3.8.3. No director, officer or non-staff member of the church shall receive any remuneration or benefit from the church save re-imbursement of valid out-of-pocket expenses.
Section 7: Activities
3.7.1 Conducting worship and teaching services for the worship of God and the edification of His people.
3.7.2 Providing and maintaining a place for worship, prayer and other religious purposes whether in a rented facility or a building owned by the congregation.
3.7.3 Providing pastoral care for all people.
3.7.4 Conducting retreats and seminars for religious purposes.
3.7.5 Commending, financing and sending missionaries and church planters to Canadian communities and other lands.
Section 8: Borrowing Powers
3.8.1. The Leadership Team may, on behalf of and in the name of THE CHURCH, raise or secure payment or repayment of money in the manner it decides, and in particular, but without limiting the generality of the forgoing, by the issue of debentures.
3.8.2. No debenture, mortgage or other charge against real property of the Church shall be issued without the sanction of a Special Meeting with at least 75 percent majority support from voting partners present.
Section 9: Dissolution of Assets
3.9.1. Division: In case of organic division of the Church partnership, the Church assets shall belong to the partners who abide by the statement of faith and constitution of this Church, as registered with the Societies Act in Victoria.
3.9.2. Dissolution: Should such conditions arise that the Church work cannot continue the Church assets shall be transferred to the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of BC and Yukon, for the purposes of Church Planting.