The Constitution and Bylaws of Willow Creek Ministries Church were discussed, and approved by the present members of said church. The following is the first draft of the Willow Creek Ministries Church Constitution and its bylaws .

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Constitution and Bylaws of Willow Creek Ministries Church

Preamble

This Constitution and Bylaws are made to:

1. Preserve and secure the principles of our faith.
2. Preserve the liberties of each individual member of the church.
3. Ensure freedom of action of independence from any religious body or organization.
4. Provide for orderly conduct of internal affairs, in dealing with others, and of governing.

Church Members

I. Name

The name of this church shall be Willow Creek Ministries. It is non- denominational and affiliated with no other church, although it acknowledges that it is only a portion of the body of Christ as a whole, sometimes referred to as the universal church.

II. Business Location

The address of the principal office of this church shall be: 253 Redfield CT, Canton MI 48188.

III. Purpose

The purposes of Willow Creek Ministries Church are:

• To worship and serve God and to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as set forth in Matthew 28:19-20.
• To minister to the needs of the members and others as the church is able to do so.
• To do any and all things related to and in connection with the carrying out of the object and purpose herein above set forth.

IV. Articles of Faith

• We believe the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, without any error, the all sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living.
• We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

• We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God and man. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate.
• We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit can man's salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
• We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart from man's works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
• We believe in a regenerated church membership.
• We believe that baptism is by immersion and the Lord's Supper is a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man's salvation.
• We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His Second Coming inspires believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return.
• We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell.
• We believe in the autonomy of the local church. The church shall manage its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious body or organization. Willow Creek Ministries Church is an organic body of believers not an organization and only subject to the Lord Jesus Christ.

VII. Amendment

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended provided the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a regular church business meeting and then circulated to the membership. Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws shall be two-thirds vote of members of the church who are qualified to vote and are present in the business meeting

with a quorum to discuss and vote for this matter.

BYLAWS

I. Church Membership

a. Qualifications:

Membership of Willow Creek Ministries Church shall consist of people who have made a profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who, having been scripturally baptized by immersion, and are in agreement with the Articles of Faith, and Covenant of the church. (Church Covenant to be written soon).

b. Reception:

Membership in the church may be attained by majority vote of the church in any of its regular business meetings and in one of the following manners:

• By scriptural baptism by immersion after profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
• By transfer of church letter from another church of like faith.
• By a statement of faith of their prior experience of conversion and scriptural baptism by immersion in another evangelical church of like faith and practice.
• By restoration to the church membership after having been dropped.

c. Termination:

Membership in this church shall be terminated when a member:

• Requests a letter of transfer to join another church of like faith.
• Is dropped from the roll of membership when he or she joins another kind of church. A letter of transfer is not necessary.
• Dies
• Is dismissed by a vote of the church due to reasons and circumstances provided in the church discipline. The pastor and deacons will do all they can to counsel the member for restoration prior to action of dismissal or a request of the member to be dismissed from the church membership.

d. Orientation of New Members:

Candidates for membership and new members need to attend the Church Membership Class to learn and understand the privileges and responsibilities of members to God and the church.

• Members in good standing shall have the right to a voice and vote in all church transactions and shall have the right and privileges to full participation in the life and work of the church.
• It shall be the duty of church members to uphold the Articles of Faith, Constitution and Bylaws , and Covenant of the Church.

II. Church Officers

All church officers must be members of the church in good standing.

A. The Pastor:

• The qualifications for pastor shall be: above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
• Pastor’s responsibilities:
  • These generally fall into the following areas: Preaching, teaching, pastoral counseling, administration, planning, and guiding the church to grow and fulfill its purposes.
  • He shall lead the church, the organizations, and all leaders of the church in performing their tasks in worship, proclamation, education, and evangelism.
  • The pastor shall be an ex officio member of all church standing committees, except the Pastor's Selection Committee.
  • He shall assist the deacons in securing pulpit supply for times in his absence.

a. Call:

• A pastor shall be chosen and called whenever a vacancy occurs.
• A Pastor's Selection Committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable pastor and this committee's recommendation will serve as a nomination.
• The Pastor's Selection Committee will recommend only one candidate at a time.
• The pastor's election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week notice shall be given to the members.
• An affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of those present is necessary for a choice.

b. Terms of Service:

• The chosen pastor shall serve in the church as long as he maintains obedience to his qualifications and or decides to retire from the office.
• There shall be a no contract/agreement made between the pastor and the church other than the fulfillment of his qualifications as previously stated.

B. Church Staff:

This church shall employ or call staff, as it shall need.

• Staff members other than that of the pastor shall be recommended by the majority vote of active church membership.
• A mutual agreement by a majority of active members of the church.

C. Deacons:

• Number, term of office: the number to be determined by the majority vote of active church members and the term of office to be permanent as long as he is obedient to the same qualifications as the pastor or he decides to retire from the office.
• Qualifications:
• The church deacon shall be: above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
• A deacon shall demonstrate an exemplary Christian testimony in private, family, and public life; a committed Christian leader and partner of the pastor; supporter and promoter of the church faith, practice, programs, and ministries.

a. Election:

• When a deacon vacancy occurs, the chairman of the Deacons Committee shall announce that an election of a deacon will be held during a named church business meeting.
• The Deacon Committee will enlist active men to be recommended to the church.
• The duties, qualifications, and importance of the office of a deacon will be interpreted to the candidates and be reviewed to the church prior to the schedule election of deacons.

b. Ordination:

• Selection, election, and ordination of deacons is a privilege of the local church.
• When ordination of deacons is planned by the church, the congregation shall authorize the pastor and ordained deacons to assemble to examine the candidates concerning their qualifications to serve as deacons.
• The council directed to examine new deacons shall be composed of the pastor and ordained deacons.
• When all of the above by a majority vote recommend the ordination of deacons, the ordination service shall be scheduled as led by the pastor.
• The final ordination of new deacons will be decided by a majority vote of the pastor, deacons, and active church membership.

e. Duties:

• Deacons serve as a committee of counsel to assist the pastor concerning the progress and welfare of the church.
• Assist the pastor in ministering to the members of the church.

D. Moderator:

a. The church moderator may be the pastor or a lay leader elected t to this position.

b. The moderator shall preside at all regular and called business meetings of the church.

E. Treasurer:

a. The church treasurer shall be appointed by the pastor and deacons as the custodian of all moneys of the church and shall disburse these moneys by checks as authorized by the church.

b. He or she shall keep, at all times, an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and shall render a monthly and annually written report of his account to The church.

F. Financial Secretary:

a. The church financial secretary shall be appointed by the pastor and deacons and shall be responsible for seeing that the offerings are properly received, counted, and deposited in the church's bank account.

b. He or she shall properly credit each contributor and their offerings.

c. He or she shall be responsible for preparing for mailing a quarterly or annual record of contribution to donors.

revision 3/25/2007