NOTTINGHAM CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BY-LAWS
(Revised 10/21/07)
ARTICLE I - NAME
1. The name of this church shall forever be the Nottingham Congregational Christian Church.
2. Unless or until a Constitution shall be adopted, these By-laws shall be regarded as the guidelines and standards for the government and conduct of the church.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this church shall be to maintain public services for the worship of God, the teaching of the Gospel and to promote the interest of the Kingdom of God according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
1. Qualifications for Membership
a. Any person who has been baptized may become a Member by affirming their belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, whether by Confession of Faith, or Letter of Transfer from any recognized Trinitarian Christian body.
b. Membership is required in order to hold office, serve on a board or committee or teach.
2. Termination of membership shall be by the following means:
a. Death
b. Letter of Transfer
Any member in good standing desiring a letter of dismissal and recommendation to another church shall receive it upon request of the Church Clerk.
c. Release
Any member in good standing may request to have their name removed from the Membership List. This request shall be made in writing to the Church Clerk, and shall state the reason for the request.
d. Dismissal
Any member who fails to maintain good standing, may, upon consideration of the active Board of Elders and all inactive Elders (who are members in good standing of the church), and a two-thirds majority vote of all active and inactive Elders, be dismissed from membership. The member will be informed of this decision by letter from the Board of Elders, which shall include the reasons for the dismissal. The member may request a hearing with the Board of Elders, and inactive Elders, and that the matter be brought to a vote of the Congregation at a regular or a special meeting of the Congregation. A vote of the Congregation to dismiss must be by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at any meeting for that purpose.
3. Inactive Members
a. If any persons do not communicate with the church, by either attending worship, or another regular meeting of the church, contributing to the finances of the church, or by contact with the Minister, for a period of one year, they shall be placed on the “Inactive Membership List”, and they shall no longer be included in the Active Membership List or statistics.
b. Members moving away from the Nottingham area and desiring to maintain Membership in this church are expected to be in contact with the church at least once a year and to contribute to the finances of the church.
4. Associate Membership
a. Any person eligible for Membership, may, at the discretion of the Board of Elders and the Minister, become an Associate Member of the church with the full privileges of Membership. Associate members may maintain concurrent membership at other Trinitarian Christian churches.
5. Responsibilities of Membership
a. Members will regularly attend worship and share in the Lord’s Supper.
b. Members will faithfully contribute to the finances of the Church.
c. Members will use their gifts and talents to further the ministry of the Church.
ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 1- MINISTER
1. CALLING
a. When the church is without a Settled Minister, or has received notice from the Minister that they intend to end their service to the church, or when the church decides that they are in need of additional Ministers, a Pastoral Search Committee shall be formed by the Elders and shall include:
1. An active Elder, an active Trustee, a representative of the Finance Committee and two members of the Congregation at large.
2. The committee shall be appointed by the Congregation at a regular or special meeting of the church and shall be charged with advertising for and interviewing candidates, recommending and presenting a candidate for the position, to the Congregation, as well as making regular reports on their progress in the search process.
3. When a candidate for a settled Ministry position is approved by the Congregation, the Search Committee is charged with writing the first contract for the candidate and executing it according to the terms agreed upon between the candidate and the Church.
4. When the Search Committee has presented a candidate to the Congregation, they shall be called by a two-thirds vote of the active members in good standing, present and voting at a special meeting of the Congregation. The vote shall be a two-thirds majority of those members present and voting at that meeting. Any meeting, which shall include a vote to call a Minister, shall be called by the Moderator and advertised as such from the pulpit for the preceding two Sundays.
2. DUTIES
a. The senior Minister shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church.
b. The senior Minister and their staff, shall maintain the Reformed Doctrine of the Savoy and Westminster Standards.
c. The senior Minister shall preach the Gospel.
d. The senior Minister shall administer sacraments and rites including, Baptism, Communion, and officiate at Funerals and Weddings.
i. All marriages performed by the Minister [Pastor] or their assigns and all marriages performed in this church will be between a man and a woman, exclusively.
e. The senior Minister shall have charge of the public worship services of the church.
f. The senior Minister shall give pastoral guidance and oversight.
g. The senior Minister shall seek to enlist persons as followers of Christ.
h. The senior Minister shall administer church activities in accordance with the various boards and committees.
i. The senior Minister shall be a ex-officio member of all church bodies with full voting privileges, but may serve as chairperson only in the absence of the regularly appointed chairperson and their substitutes.
j. The senior Minister shall never serve as church Moderator
k. The senior Minister shall receive a review and evaluation not less than once a year. This evaluation and review is to be conducted by the Pastoral Relations Committee. Their recommendations are to be made known to the Congregation at a regular or special meeting of the Congregation.
SECTION 2- MODERATOR
1. The Moderator shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The Moderator’s term of office shall be for one year, and may be renewed annually, not to exceed three consecutive years with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Moderator shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the church using Roberts Rules of Order as a guideline.
4. The Moderator shall make short-term appointments to fill vacancies on committees and boards caused by removal, resignation or death. The Moderator may appoint any member in good standing to these vacancies. The appointment is for the remaining portion of the current year of the term, and not for the entire remaining term of the vacancy. The Nominating committee will reappoint to the position vacated during the regular annual nominating process. The Congregation does not vote on the Moderators appointments.
5. The Moderator shall appoint two Auditors each year to perform an audit of the church’s financial records for the previous year. This appointment shall be made at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
6. In the absence of the Moderator, the Collector shall serve as Moderator. In the absence of the Moderator and Collector, the Moderator shall appoint a substitute Moderator to assume the duties of the Moderator as necessary.
SECTION 3- CLERK
1. The Clerk shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The Clerk’s term of office shall be for one year, and may be renewed annually, not to exceed three consecutive years with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Clerk shall keep a register of membership, including names, dates of admission, dismissal, release or transfer, death, birth, baptism, marriage, and report the same at the regular annual meeting.
4. The Clerk shall conduct all communication voted by or required by the church including letters of dismissal, release and transfer, and inactive membership status, and letters of acknowledgement for donations to the church’s funds.
5. The Clerk shall keep the minutes of the regular and special meetings of the church.
SECTION 4- FINANCIAL COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
A. TREASURER
1. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The Treasurer’s term of office shall be a three-year term, with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the church, including all monies tendered to the collector, and secure them in appropriate banking facilities.
4. The Treasurer or authorized designee, on behalf of the Nottingham Congregational Christian Church, shall prepare and file all tax reports with state and federal agencies, to the extent required by law.
5. The Treasurer shall give proper receipts when asked, for all income received other than offerings.
6. The Treasurer shall pay all accounts and obligations of the church in a timely manner in accordance with the votes of the Congregation.
7. The Treasurer shall keep a correct record of all expenditures.
8. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of all money accounts of the church.
9. The Treasurer shall work closely with the Collector and the Bookkeeper, providing them with necessary information to fulfill their duties and assist in preparation of the annual budget.
10. The Treasurer shall present their records to the appointed Auditors at the end of the calendar year, and no later than January 31st of the following year.
11. The Treasurer shall sit as a member of the Finance Committee.
B. COLLECTOR
1. The Collector shall be nominated the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The Collector’s term of office shall be a three-year term, with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Collector shall be responsible for the collection of monies and keep a correct record of all monies collected.
4. The Collector shall work closely with the Treasurer for the timely deposit of church monies in appropriate banking facilities.
5. The Collector shall work closely with the Treasurer and Bookkeeper, providing them necessary information to fulfill their duties and assist in preparation of the annual budget.
6. The Collector shall provide to those contributing members and friends an annual statement verifying their contribution. This statement will be distributed no later than January 31st for the previous year.
7. The Collector shall present their records to the appointed auditors at the end of the calendar year and no later than January 31st of the following year.
8. The Collector shall prepare a Collector’s Report for the Annual Report.
9. The Collector shall serve as a member of the Finance Committee.
10. The Collector shall serve as Moderator in the absence of the Moderator.
C. BOOKKEEPER
1. The Bookkeeper shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers
2. The Bookkeeper’s term of office shall be a three-year term, with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Bookkeeper shall keep a record of all transaction of the finances of the church, including the income and expenditures, and balances in accounts of banking institutions, and shall make a written monthly report of this information to the Congregation at the regular monthly meeting.
4. The Bookkeeper shall present a report of all accounts at the annual meeting. The Bookkeeper shall work closely with the Treasurer and Collector, providing them necessary information to fulfill their duties and assist in the preparation of the annual budget.
5. The Bookkeeper shall present his or her records to the appointed auditors at the end of the calendar year and no later than January 31st of the following year.
6. The Bookkeeper shall serve as a member of the Finance Committee.
7. The Bookkeeper shall prepare a Bookkeeper’s Report for the Annual Report, to include the financial activities of the church over which they have had responsibility.
D. AUDITORS
1. Two Auditors shall serve each year, with one to be appointed by the Moderator and elected at a special meeting of the
Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The Auditors term of office shall be a two-year term, with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. The Auditors shall be members in good standing, and not a family member of the Treasurer, Collector or Bookkeeper.
4. The Auditors shall receive charge of the reports, and records of the Treasurer, Collector and Bookkeeper no later than January 31st of the year following the year of their appointment.
5. The Auditors shall examine the records and reports of the above named officers and make a written report to the Congregation no later than the regular April meeting of the Congregation.
6. The Auditors, by affirmative vote at a regular monthly meeting, may also request funding as required to pay for professional assistance in the execution of their duties
7. Following the audit, the Auditors are charged with the proper filing of the financial records with the archived records of the church
E. FINANCE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
1. The Finance Committee shall be comprised of the Treasurer, Collector and Bookkeeper.
2. The Finance Committee shall meet at regular intervals to facilitate their responsibilities.
3. The Finance Committee shall, with the assistance from all committees, prepare the Proposed Annual Budget.
4. The Finance Committee shall present the proposed annual budget at the regular annual meeting of the
Congregation.
5. The Finance Committee shall have the responsibility of the monies of the church.
6. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the annual financial commitment campaign, called Faith Promise, when the church shall seek support from the Congregation by written pledges and gifts.
7. The Finance Committee shall set such policies, as they deem necessary to most efficiently manage the finances of the church.
SECTION 5- ELDERS
1. There shall be four active Elders who are members in good standing of the church.
2. Each Elder will serve for a four-year term with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. Each year, one Elder shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
4. The senior Elder on the board shall serve as Chairman for a term not to exceed one year. If the senior Elder is unwilling or unable to serve as Chairman, the board shall choose a Chairman who shall serve for a term not to exceed one year.
5. Elders shall maintain the Reformed Doctrine of the Savoy and Westminster Standards.
6. Elders shall work with the Minister in overseeing the spiritual life of the church as well as the caring for the poor, the sick, the sorrowing and the indifferent.
7. Elders shall hold a regular meeting monthly prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
8. During an absence of the Settled Pastor, the Elders are responsible for supplying a worship lead/Pastor to include the following:
a. Lay Preachers
b. Pulpit Supply Pastor (per diem with no Employment Agreement – not subject to vote by Congregation).
c. Interim Pastor (named by Elders, has Employment Agreement executed by Pastoral Relations – not subject to vote by Congregation).
9. One Elder shall serve on the Pastoral Search Committee. One Elder shall serve on the Pastoral Relations Committee.
10. Elders shall provide a written report of their activities at the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
11. The Elders shall meet with perspective new members and present them for membership.
12. The Elders shall review the membership rolls on an annual basis prior to December of each year and recommend transfer to the inactive member list for those who have not met their responsibility for active Membership status.
13. Members being transferred to the Inactive Member List shall receive a letter from the Elders indicating this action prior to the publishing of the Active Member List for the upcoming year.
14. The Elders shall review the Nominating Committee proposed slate for the upcoming year and advise on it.
15. The Elders shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Elders shall also prepare a report for the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 6-TRUSTEES
1. There shall be three active Trustees who are members in good standing of the church.
2. Each Trustee will serve for a three-year term with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. One Trustee shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
4. The senior Trustee on the board shall serve as Chairman for a term not to exceed one year. If the senior Trustee is unwilling or unable to serve as Chairman, the board shall choose a Chairman who shall serve for a term not to exceed one year.
5. The Trustees shall hold regular meetings, and all business shall be conducted at these meetings with a quorum of three members present.
6. The Trustees shall oversee the care and custody of the church property, and see that the grounds and buildings and equipment are in safe and proper order.
7. The Trustees shall see that adequate fuel, water, electricity, insurances, septic and janitorial services and lawn care, as well as trash removal are provided.
8. The Trustees shall determine subject to the vote of the Congregation whether any part of the church property may be used by outside parties, and to set and collect the compensation for this use.
9. The Trustees shall present regulations for outside parties’ use of the church, and act to enforce them or designate Members to act to enforce them.
10. The Trustees have the authority and responsibility to contract for the maintenance, repair and improvement of the church property. With the exception of emergencies, all contracts over $1,500.00 will be awarded to the best of three bids. When a bid is accepted, and a contract offered, two of the three Trustees shall sign the bid or work order.
11. The Trustees shall with the approval of the Congregation, sell, auction, or otherwise dispose of church property as necessary.
12. The Trustees shall provide a written report of their activities to the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
13. The Trustees shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Trustees shall also prepare a report for the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 7-BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
1. All Christian Education activities shall be under the jurisdiction of the Christian Education Superintendent
2. The Superintendent shall be a member in good standing of the church.
3. The Superintendent shall serve for a three-year term with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
4. Every three years, or as needed, the Superintendent shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
5. The Superintendent shall oversee a Committee of volunteer members, hereafter referred to as the Committee. This committee shall be appointed by the Superintendent and shall consist of up to 4 members who shall serve a one-year term. Their duties shall be defined and assigned by the Superintendent.
6. The Superintendent shall have the supervision of the educational activities of the church and to that end shall enlist teachers for the Christian education classes of the church. All teachers shall be members or associate members in good standing and adhere to the Reformed Doctrine of the Savoy and Westminster Standards.
7. The Superintendent shall in conjunction with the committee, recommend materials for use in the church school with the approval of the Minister and the Board of Elders.
8. The Superintendent, in conjunction with the Minister will help to implement a confirmation class for appropriate aged students.
9. The Superintendent may recommend and implement programs and activates outside the scope of church school with the approval of the Minister and the Board of Elders.
10. The Superintendent shall provide for the training of the church school’s instructors either in house or as delegates to Christian Education Conferences.
11. The Superintendent shall provide a written report of their activities at the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
12. The Superintendent shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Superintendent shall also prepare a written report for the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 8- MISSIONS COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a minimum of three active Missions Committee members, and not to exceed six, who are members in good standing of the church.
2. Each Missions Committee member will serve for a three-year term with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. One or more Missions Committee member shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers
4. The senior Missions Committee member shall serve as Chairman for a term not to exceed one year. If the senior Missions Committee member is unwilling or unable to serve as Chairman, the board shall choose a Chairman who shall serve for a term not to exceed one year.
5. The Missions Committee is charged with administering the Mission funds as pledged by the Congregation.
6. To this end they shall investigate Mission opportunities, and make recommendation for expenditures to the Congregation at the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
7. With the exception of emergency needs, all recommendations of the Missions Committee, must be approved before dispersal by the Congregation at its regular monthly meeting.
8. The Missions Committee, after approval shall present a listing of expenditures to the Treasurer, along with current address information to facilitate in the distribution of the funds.
9. The Missions Committee shall bring before the Congregation, from time to time, Missionaries who will inform the Congregation of the status of the work of the Great Commission.
10. The Missions Committee shall provide a written report of their activities at the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
11. The Missions Committee shall prepare a report for the Annual Report.
SECTION 9- MUSIC COMMITTEE
1. There shall be up to four active Music Committee members who, with the exception of the organist, are members in good standing of the church.
2. Three member positions of the Music Committee are reserved for the current organist, choir director, and children’s music director. The fourth member shall be at-large from the congregation. The fourth member will serve a three-year term, with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. When the member-at-large term expires, the position shall be filled by nomination by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
4. The chairmanship of the Board shall be rotated among the three standing positions
5. In the event of a vacancy in the position of organist, choir director, or children’s music director, the committee shall recommend a replacement for the position
6. The Music Committee shall have charge of all the church’s musical instrument, and their care and keep.
7. The Music Committee shall work closely with the Minster in preparing the music for worship and other services.
8. The Music Committee shall provide a written report of their activities at the regular monthly meeting of the Congregation.
9. The Music Committee shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Music Committee shall also prepare a report for the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 10- NOMINATING COMMITTEE
1. There shall be three active Nominating Committee members, who are members in good standing of the church.
2. Each Nominating Committee member will serve for a three-year term with a one-year period of inactivity between terms.
3. Each year one Nominating Committee member shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers
5. The senior Nominating Committee member shall serve as Chairman for a term not to exceed one year. If the senior Committee member is unwilling or unable to serve as Chairman, the board shall choose a Chairman who shall serve for a term not to exceed one year.
6. The Nominating Committee shall present nominations for all offices, boards and committees not otherwise specifically provided for in these By-Laws.
7. The Nominating Committee shall explain the position and its responsibilities to the prospective candidate, including providing a copy of these Bylaws to the prospective candidate, and receive consent from prospective candidate prior to nomination.
8. The Nominating Committee shall keep an updated list of job descriptions to be made available to prospective candidates.
9. In the event of vacancies during the year, the Nominating Committee shall request that Moderator make an appointment to the vacant position.
10. The Nominating Committee shall present a written report to the Elders for review and advisement prior to a special meeting held annually on Faith Promise Sunday in November each year, for the purpose of electing officers. At that meeting the Committee shall take nominations from the floor, and make recommendations to the Congregation.
11. In the event that the slate of vacancies is not filled at the special meeting held for this purpose, the Nominating Committee shall propose nominations at the regular annual meeting to fill these positions. If the positions remain unfilled, the Nominating Committee shall ask the Moderator to appoint to the position for the duration of the year. All terms become effective on January 1st of the year for which the nomination is made.
12. All officers, boards and committee members, shall be installed into office on the first Sunday after January 1st of the year for which the nomination is made. Elders who are to be ordained will be ordained on the first Sunday following January 1st of the year for which the nomination is held. Note: Financial Officers will have a two-month transition period at the end of their term to complete reports.
13. The Nominating Committee shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Nominating Committee shall also prepare a report for the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 11 - PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
1. There shall be four active Pastoral Relations Committee members, who are members in good standing of the church.
2. Each Pastoral Relations Committee member will serve for a one-year term.
3. The Pastoral Relations Committee members shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee, after consultation with the Pastor and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers.
4. One Pastoral Relations Committee member shall be an active Elder, and one Committee member shall be an active Trustee, and one Committee member shall be any other member of the Congregation in good standing, and one Committee member shall be a member of the Finance Committee.
5. The senior Pastoral Relations Committee member on the board shall serve as Chairman for a term not to exceed one year. If the senior Committee member is unwilling or unable to serve as Chairman, the board shall choose a Chairman who shall serve for a term not to exceed one year.
6. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall act as liaison between the Minister, the Minister’s family, and the Congregation.
7. In addition, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall conduct a review and evaluation by December of each year of the Minster and report to the Congregation.
8. In addition, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall negotiate with the Minister regarding the compensation for the upcoming year by December and make recommendations to the Congregation.
9. In addition, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall prepare and execute an annual written employment agreement with the Minister, to be signed by the Minister and a representative of the Committee following an affirming vote at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
10. If the Pulpit is supplied by an Interim Pastor, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall negotiate with the Interim Minister regarding their compensation. For all Interim Pastor(s), the Pastoral Relations Committee shall prepare and execute an annual written employment agreement with the Minister, to be signed by the Minister and a representative of the Committee.
11. The Pastoral Relations Committee is not required to present written reports to the Congregation.
SECTION 12- WORSHIP COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a minimum of four active members of the Worship Committee.
2. Each Worship Committee member will serve for a one-year term.
3. Each Worship Committee member shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at a special meeting of the Congregation held annually for the purpose of electing officers
4. The Worship Committee shall be responsible for preparing the Sanctuary and the church rooms for worship and special services and activities of the church.
5. The Worship Committee shall submit a Proposed Annual Budget for the upcoming year by November 1st. The Worship Committee shall also prepare a report for the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VI- MEETINGS
1. The regular annual meeting of the Congregation shall be held during the third week in February. This meeting shall be called by the Moderator and advertised from the pulpit for the proceeding two Sundays.
2. In addition, a special meeting of the Congregation shall be held following the worship service on Faith Promise Sunday in November each year, for the purpose of electing officers for the upcoming year. This meeting shall be called by the Moderator and advertised from the pulpit for the proceeding two Sundays. No special meeting shall be held with less than two Sunday’s notice.
3. In addition, s [S]pecial meetings shall be held as necessary. These meetings shall be called by the Moderator, for the purpose of conducting special business, advertised from the pulpit for the proceeding two Sundays. No special meeting shall be held with less than two Sunday’s notice.
4. In addition, a special meeting for the formation of a Pastoral Search Committee may be held. This meeting shall be called by the Moderator and advertised as such from the pulpit for two Sundays preceding the meeting. No special meeting shall be held with less than two Sunday’s notice
5. In addition, a special meeting may be held for the amendment or revision of the By-Laws of the Church. This meeting shall be called by the Moderator and advertised as such from the pulpit for two Sundays preceding the meeting. Amendment or revision of these by-laws shall be made only by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing who are present and voting.
6. In addition, the Congregation shall hold regular monthly meetings to conduct the business of the church. Binding votes may only be taken when a quorum is present
7. At any meeting of the Congregation, motions dealing with previously voted actions, dismissals, finances or changes in the basic structure of the church shall require a two-thirds majority of those members in good standing present and voting in order to repeal or change previous Congregation action.
8. All meetings will be ordered by Roberts Rules of Order.
9. Eight members in good standing shall constitute a quorum except as specifically otherwise provided for in these By-Laws. The requirement for quorum may be changed at any regular or special meeting of the Congregation after notice of intent is advertised from the pulpit for the preceding two Sundays. Change of the required quorum shall be made only by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing who are present and voting.
ARTICLE 10- MISCELLANEOUS
1. In order to hold office, teach or chair a committee in this Church, one must be a member in good standing of this Church.
2. All weddings performed in this church or performed by its Minister shall be between a man and a woman, exclusively.
ARTICLE 11- DISSOLUTION
1. This Congregation may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the entire active members in good standing at a special meeting called by the Moderator and advertised from the pulpit for two Sundays preceding the meeting.
2. Should this Congregation be dissolved, the church building and all its assets shall be given to whatever Trinitarian affiliation we endorse at the time of dissolution, to be used in continuing the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, wherever they direct. Refer to deed for legal restrictions and covenants.