Agape Communities
 of Grace

Christ the King Church
Bylaws

The Faith and Government of Christ the King Church
Agape Communities of Grace
Adopted 2 March 2003

Table of Contents

Article I: Name
Article II: Purpose
Article III: Statement of Faith
Article IV: Government
Article V: Affiliation
Article VI: Membership
Article VII: Ordained Leadership
Article VIII: Church Council
Article IX: Congregational Meetings
Article X: Amedments

Article I: Name

The name of this church is Christ the King Church. Its address is 515 Hickman, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Its official logo shall be a crown. (Top)

Article II: Purpose

The Church is created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and called to bear witness to God’s redeeming activity in the world.

In these bylaws, Christ the King Church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes and what it resolves to do.

To participate in God’s mission, the congregation of Christ the King Church as part of the Church universal shall:

• Proclaim and affirm the love of Jesus Christ for ALL people.
• Encourage and develop individuals by teaching God’s Word through study, fellowship, prayer and vital worship.
• Help each person to discover their particular giftedness for ministry by discipling individuals in spiritual growth and relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.

We value:

• The Bible, as the inspired self-revelation of God.
• All people regardless of gender, age, race, sexual or gender orientation, disability or worldly status.
• Worship and prayer as powerful connecting points with God in Jesus Christ.
• Fellowship in the community of believers as a training ground for spiritual growth and ministry.
• Individual involvement and ownership of the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we following His example of servanthood. (Top)

Article III: Statement of Faith

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father, who is Creator of all.
We believe Christ died on the cross as payment for our sins.
We have accepted this exhibition of the heart of God through personal faith in Jesus as Savior.
We believe Christ rose from the dead conquering sin and death and will return to gather ALL His children into eternal life.
We believe He is with us today by the presence of His Holy Spirit leading and empowering us to His service.
We accept the Bible as God’s written revelation of Himself and are committed to its study for personal growth and maturity in Jesus name. (Top)

Article IV: Government

The government of this church is representative and the right of God’s people to call officers is inalienable. Therefore, no person can be placed in any permanent office in the congregation or governing body of Christ the King Church except by election of that body.

This congregation is authorized to call a pastor, terminate the call of a pastor, approve the annual budget, and elect officers to Church Council which is responsible for the maintenance and protection of church property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs. (Top)

Article V: Affiliation

Christ the King Church shall be, by choice, an interdependent part of the Agape Communities of Grace. This congregation is subject to the discipline of the Agape Communities of Grace; accepts its Statement of Faith and agrees to the purposes and mission of the Agape Communities of Grace and shall act in accordance with them.

This congregation acknowledges its relationship with the Agape Communities of Grace in which Christ the King Church agrees:

• To be responsible for its life as a Christian community.
• Pledges its financial support and participation in the life and mission of the Agape Communities of Grace.
• Agrees to file these bylaws and any subsequent changes with the Agape Communities of Grace in order to ascertain that all provisions are in agreement with the bylaws of the denomination. (Top)

Article VI: Membership

Active membership at Christ the King Church requires participation in and commitment to the beliefs and governance of this church, fellowship with members of this local body, and the use of whatever gifts the individual has received to serve others.

The congregation of Christ the King Church includes active participating members,and adherents.

An adherent is one who attends church functions and participates in the church’s work and worship, at the discretion of the pastor, but has not completed the “Believing and Belonging” seminar and has not been confirmed as a member.

Active participating members may participate in the life and worship of the Church through an elected office on the local Church Council and in areas of local church service, at the discretion of the pastor. An active participating member is entitled to vote on local issues at any Congregational meeting.

Individuals may present themselves for active participatory membership at Christ the King Church upon making a public profession of faith, and completion of the three-part “Believing and Belonging” seminar. Each new member is required to obtain sponsorship by a member of the ordained staff. (Top)

Article VII: Ordained Leadership

Christ the King Church and it ministries are led by a Pastor, Deacons and Church Council as authorized by these bylaws. Both men and women shall be eligible to hold church offices.

Christ the King Church recognizes two categories of ordained leadership:

Pastor
The Pastor shall be an ordained minister with responsibility:

• for the spiritual welfare of the church and its members,
• for the general oversight of all aspects of the church and its ministries,
• to prayerfully seek and help implement God’s will for Christ the King Church,
• to keep the church’s vision before the congregation.

Consistent with the Statement of Faith and practices of Christ the King Church:

• each ordained minister shall preach and teach the Word, administer the Sacraments, conduct public worship, provide pastoral care and proclaim God’s love for all people.

When the congregation calls a pastor, that call shall constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment church Council may, within the context of oversight risponsibility, recommend to the congregation the removal of a pastor from office for any of the following reasons:

1. mutual agreement;
2. resignation of the pastor;
3. inability to conduct the pastoral office effectively;
4. the physical or mental incapacity of the pastor;
5. disqualification on grounds of doctrine, morality or continued neglect of duty;
6. the dissolution of the congregation.

Deacons
The ministerial staff of deacons, under the authority of the pastor, shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church and its members, and shall prayerfully seek to implement God’s will for Christ the King Church.

Persons seeking to become deacons must complete the "Believing and Belonging" seminar, and become active participating members in Christ the King Church. Under the sponsorship of the pastor, a deacon training course is to be completed and a licensure period of one year is to be served prior to eligibility for ordination.

Deacons shall be ordained, by the pastor, before the congregation, for a period three years of service that may be renewed. Deacons must be members in good standing in the church and each must be willing to serve and able to commit themselves to the priority of service in Christ’s church. In accordance with 1 Timothy 3:8, each deacon must have demonstrated leadership ability and a consistent Christian witness in all areas of their lives.

Consistent with the Statement of Faith and practices of Christ the King Church, an ordained deacon shall assist with preaching and teaching the Word, the administration of the Sacraments, conduct of public worship, in providing pastoral care and the proclamation of God’s love for all people. (Top)

Article VIII: Church Council

The Church Council shall be the elected board of directors of Christ the King Church, and as such shall be responsible for maintaining and protecting its property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs.

The voting membership of Church Council shall consist of the pastor, one ordained member, and not fewer than three active participating members of the congregation. Members of Church Council except for the pastor shall be elected by the congregation to serve for a period not to exceed three years. Four fifths of the voting members shall constitute a quorum and 4/5ths majority is required to pass any resolution.

Church Council shall normally meet once a month. Notice of any special meetings shall be announced during Sunday Worship service for two consecutive weeks prior to that meeting.

In order that the elected members of the Church Council be equipped to perform the duties for which they were elected and effectively represent the congregation eachmust participate in the life and worship of the church and in meetings of the Church Council. Therefore, the term of office for a council member may be terminated after absence from three consecutive council meetings and/or consistent absence from worship for two months.

Church Council shall prepare an annual budget for adoption by this congregation and shall supervise the expenditure of funds. Church Council shall ascertain that financial affairs of this congregation are being conducted efficiently, giving particular attention to the prompt payment of all obligations.

Subject to congregational approval, Church Council shall have the authority to:

• Acquire real and personal property by gift, purchase or other lawful means,
• Hold title to and use its property for any and all activities consistent with the purposes of Christ the King Church,
• Enter into contracts consistent with the purpose and ministry of the Church.
• Sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of its property by any lawful means, and conduct the regular business of the church and it’s ministry.
• Find, hire and terminate non-clergy employees of the church such as accompanist, maintenance, landscaping and bookkeeping or accounting

The officers of Church Council shall be Moderator, and Clerk. Church Council shall elect its own officers. A Moderator shall preside over all Church Council meetings and over the annual congregational meeting. The Clerk shall keep a written record of all meetings of the church. In addition, the Clerk shall hae the responsibility of insuring that all minutes are made available for review by a public posting not later than ten (10) days after any meetings.

Church Council shall appoint a Treasurer who shall receive, have custody over, and be responsible for all moneys belonging to the church. The Treasurer shall make no payment of money belonging to the church except as authorized by Church Council.

When the position of Pastor becomes vacant, Church Council shall form a Call Committee to seek out and recommend a candidate for the pastoral office. The Call Committee shall consist of the Moderator of the Church Council who will serve as chair and at least four other church members, two of which must be ordained. The term of office for this committee will terminate upon installation of the newly called pastor. (Top)

Article IX: Congregational Meetings

The annual meeting of the church shall be held in the month of November for the purpose of hearing annual reports, electing officers, adopting the budget, and transacting any and all business that may properly come before the church.

In order to seek to involve all members of Christ the King Church in worship, learning, witness, service and support, quarterly congregational meetings shall be held. The congregation at its meetings shall receive reports and exercise its opportunity to guide the activities and direction of the church.

Notice of all congregational meetings shall be given at worship service on the two consecutive preceding Sundays in advance of the date of the meeting.

Only active participating members of Christ the King Church shall have the right to vote at its congregational meetings. Voting by proxy or by absentee ballot shall not be permitted.

A majority of active participating members who are present at a congregational meeting shall constitute a quorum. (Top)

Article X: Amendments

Amendments to the bylaws of Christ The King Church may be made in the following manner:

• The approval of the proposed amendment by Church Council and the approval of the congregation.
• Four-fifths of the voting members shall constitute a quorum and a four-fifths majority is required to pass any amendment.
• All proposals requesting amendment of the bylaws shall be communicated in writing to the Moderator of Church Council no later than ninety (90) days prior to the annual congregational meeting held in November.
• Church Council shall examine the proposed amendment for clarity and compatibility with other provisions of the bylaws of Christ The King Church, and report its findings along with its recommendation to the congregation. (Top)