UNIFORM CONSTITUTION FOR ACCREDITED CHURCHES
OF THE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE
Highlighted text = Bylaws for LAC
PREAMBLE
The New Testament teaches that the local church is the visible organized expression of the Body of Christ. The people of God are to live and serve in obedience to the Word of God and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance operates on the presupposition that the congregation finds broader meaning and outreach in fulfilling its biblical responsibilities within the life and witness of the denomination.
This Constitution has three objectives:
Set out in general an outline for organization and administration for this church.
Define the relationship of this church to the district of which it is an integral part.
Relate this church to the denominational framework through which the worldwide work of The Christian and Missionary Alliance is carried out.
The Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches has been framed and adopted by the General Council, the denomination’s highest governing body. The accredited churches of The Christian and Missionary Alliance have participated in this process through their authorized delegates. This church can, in accordance with this Constitution and in a manner that is consistent with the Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, formulate its bylaws so as to carry out its ministry appropriately and efficiently.
This church is an integral part of the district and worldwide fellowship and is united in governance, fellowship, and service in order to promote unity of faith in the fullness of Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King, and to facilitate the spread of the gospel at home and abroad under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The official name under which this church is incorporated or organized is Lansdowne Alliance Church
ARTICLE II – RELATIONSHIP
This church is connected with and subordinate to its parent religious organization, The Christian and Missionary Alliance, an Ohio nonprofit corporation. In consideration of the mutual benefits generated and derived from this relationship, and understanding that The Christian and Missionary Alliance is relying hereon in agreeing to initiate or continue such relationship, this church agrees to be subject to and abide by the terms and conditions of Article XV hereof relating to the reversion of property of accredited churches.
Bylaws Related to Article II – Relationships
Pursuant to Article VI, Section 6.2, paragraph A, Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, lay delegates to General Council shall be appointed for each General Council by the Board of Governance. The delegate(s) shall be certified by the Lead Pastor and reported to the proper authority upon request.
Pursuant to Article II, Section 1, paragraph A, Uniform Constitution for Districts of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, lay delegates to District Conference shall be appointed for each District Conference by the Board of Governance. The delegate(s) shall be certified by the lead pastor and reported to the proper authority upon request.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications for membership shall consist of:
Confession of faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of regeneration.
Belief in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in the verbal inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as originally given; in the vicarious atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the eternal salvation of all who believe in Him and the eternal punishment of all who reject Him.
Acceptance of the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.
Full sympathy with the principles and objectives of The Christian and Missionary Alliance and cooperation by systematic support of its work.
Such other qualifications for membership as may be stated in the bylaws.
Bylaws Related to Article III - Membership
Application
Membership shall be granted by the Elders upon the written application of any applicant who has fulfilled the qualifications for membership as outlined in the Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
All applicants will be provided with a copy of, and be required to read and consent to this Constitution, and these bylaws. Further, they must affirm their willingness to subscribe to the Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal, as found in the current edition of The Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Such consent and affirmation exists when applicants place their signature on the membership covenant.
Satisfactory completion of a newcomer’s orientation class and an interview by one or more Elders shall be necessary for all membership applicants.
Types of Membership
Active Membership:
Active members shall consist of those members who adhere to the conditions stated in Membership Covenant and the Constitution and Bylaws.
Active members may keep membership with a separate “home” church. Requests for dual membership shall be processed for approval by the Elders.
Inactive Membership:
Members who have permanently moved from the community but have not transferred their membership to another church shall be placed on the inactive membership list. A letter or email shall be sent informing them of this action.
Members who, for any cause except physical disability or by exception approved by the Elders, are willfully absent from the regular ministries of the church for a period of six months may be placed on an inactive membership list. A letter or email shall be sent informing them of this action.
Inactive members shall not be granted voting rights and may not hold office.
Inactive members may be removed or reinstated at the Elders discretion.
Some Kind of “Online Membership”??
Membership List Review - The Elders shall review the membership at regular intervals throughout the year and shall certify a roster of eligible voting members prior to all congregational meetings.
Transfer of Membership - Upon request, members in good standing may be granted a letter of transfer to other evangelical bodies upon approval of the Elders.
Children - Children under the age of 16 shall not be placed on the membership list. Children ages 16 or older may be accepted into membership of the church upon Elder approval with the consent of their parent(s) or guardian, provided they meet all qualifications stated herein.
Church Discipline - Members may be suspended and/or removed from the membership of the church at the decision of the Elders in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17 and the “Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal”, as found in the current edition of “The Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance”.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE IV – ORDINANCES
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as the two ordinances of the church.
Believers’ baptism by immersion is taught and practiced as the scriptural mode. The Pastor or other Elders shall oversee baptism. They shall provide the instruction about baptism and shall administer the baptisms themselves or choose other spiritually respected people to do these ministries.
The Lord’s Supper is administered regularly. The Pastor or other Elders shall oversee Communion. They shall provide the instruction about Communion and shall administer the Communion themselves or choose other spiritually respected people to do these ministries.
ARTICLE V – GOVERNMENT
There shall be an annual meeting of the members of this church to be held at a time specified in the bylaws at which time the members shall receive reports of ministries, including reports of the treasurers, and shall elect church officers, elders, and members of the governance authority. Additional ministry positions shall be filled as specified in the local church bylaws. The governance authority, as specified in the local church bylaws, shall conduct the affairs of the church between annual meetings and shall be amenable to the membership and the district superintendent as constitutionally defined. Other meetings of the members may be called by proper notice to the membership as specified in the bylaws. On general church matters in which no legal questions are involved, it is understood that all members in good and regular standing who have reached the age of 16 years are entitled to vote, but in matters involving titles of property or legal procedure, the laws of the state determine the age at which members are eligible to vote.
Bylaws Related to Article V – Government
Annual Meeting
The Ministry Board shall determine the actual time and location. (Refer to Section XIV Elections for details of the election process.)
Annual reports are to be submitted by the pastor(s), Treasurer, and others as deemed necessary by the Ministry Board. The Ministry Board shall determine the method of reporting.
Notice of Meetings
Notice of congregational meetings shall be given two weeks in advance.
The Ministry Board shall have the authority to change the date of the meeting in a given year when necessary.
Quorum: A quorum consists of the majority of eligible voting members in attendance.
Special Congregational Meetings: When determined appropriate by the Ministry Board, special congregational meetings may be called. Notice of the meeting shall be posted two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE VI - LOCAL CHURCH GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY
Section 1.General. Each local church shall structure its governance authority in accordance with the governing documents of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the definition of elder authority, the bylaws of the district, and the laws of the state in which the church is located. The members of the governance authority shall satisfy the scriptural standards for church leadership and shall be members of this church.
The lead pastor shall be chairman, or at his request, the governance authority shall elect an elder as chairman. An elder also shall be elected as vice chairman. Meetings shall be held for prayer and business, and abbreviated minutes shall be reported to the church as the church may decide. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by written request of one-half of the governance authority membership. All officers, committees, and organizations except the Nominating Committee are amenable to the collective oversight of the governance authority.
Bylaws Related to Article VI - Governance Authority
Name: The governance authority of Lansdowne Alliance Church shall be known as the “Ministry Board”.
Number: The number serving as the Ministry Board shall be no more than thirteen (13) members, some appointed, some elected. The exact number shall be determined each year by the Ministry Board and in keeping with a majority-Elder board. Notice of this number shall be determined before the convening of the Nominating Committee.
Composition: The Ministry Board shall consist of:
Appointed positions: Chair (Lead Pastor), Vice Chair (Head Elder), Treasurer, and other Elders as needed to maintain an Elder-majority board. All appointed positions are appointed by the Elders.
Elected positions: a predetermined number of members-at-large (see Bylaw VI.B). The Secretary will be selected by and from among the Ministry Board.
Term: Elected Ministry Board members shall serve 2-year terms with no more than 3 consecutive terms. A term will be from July 1 of that year through June 30 of the year their term expires.
Qualifications: Non-elder members of the Ministry Board must be active members of the church, and must maintain a lifestyle in keeping with the scriptural standards for church leadership.
Quorum: A quorum for the legal conduct of business shall consist of those members who are present.
Duties: The duties of the Ministry Board are set forth in the Constitution, these Bylaws, position descriptions, and the Guiding Principles as adopted by the Ministry Board.
Meetings: Meetings of the Ministry Board shall be open to all members of the church. The Ministry Board reserves the right to meet in executive session.
Frequency of Meetings: Meetings of the Ministry Board shall be held at least six (6) times per year. The Chair may call for additional meetings at his discretion.
Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the Ministry Board shall be recorded and maintained by the Secretary. These minutes will be made available to any member of the congregation upon request.
End of Bylaw
Section 2. Removal. In consultation with the district superintendent and the lead pastor, any officer or auxiliary official, except licensed pastoral staff, of this church, whether elected at the church annual meeting or appointed by the governance authority, or any individual member of the governance authority, may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the governance authority and the approval of the district superintendent if, in the judgment of the governance authority, the best interests of this church will be served thereby.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS
The officers shall be members of this church and shall satisfy the scriptural standards for church leadership. They shall consist of the following who, with the exception of the senior pastor, shall be elected at the annual meeting of the church: senior pastor, secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, and such other officers as may be designated in the church bylaws or in the state law.
Bylaws related to Article VII- Officers
The succession of officers shall be as follows:
Chairman: Lead Pastor
Vice Chairman: Head Elder
Secretary
Treasurer
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE VIII - PASTORAL STAFF
The governance authority shall not give consideration to any candidate for the pastoral staff without the approval of the district superintendent. Pastoral staff members shall be called by the governance authority and appointed by the district superintendent. The district superintendent shall suggest to the governance authority the names of such workers as in his judgment have proper qualifications for pastoral staff. Upon appointment by the district superintendent, a pastoral staff member and spouse become members of this church. Pastoral staff include all those whose position calls for licensing as an “official worker,” as defined in the General Regulations in the Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Any member of the pastoral staff may resign from this church by giving due notice of this intention to the district superintendent and the governance authority. The governance authority may, in conjunction with the district superintendent, ask for the resignation of any member of the pastoral staff. Before such action is taken, the governance authority and that member shall follow the guidelines as prescribed by the district superintendent. The district superintendent, with the approval of the District Executive Committee, shall have the authority to remove or transfer a member of the pastoral staff when the governance authority is in disagreement or whenever circumstances make such removal or transfer advisable.
Bylaws related to Article VIII- Pastoral Staff
In accordance with the Guiding Principles, the Lead Pastor shall issue individual position descriptions for pastoral staff. Such position descriptions shall define responsibilities, delegate authority and specify accountability and are considered directive in nature.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF CHURCH OFFICERS
Section 1. Lead Pastor. The lead pastor shall have oversight of this church. He shall be chairman of the governance authority except as he may choose to proceed according to the provisions in Article VI. He shall preside at all regular or special meetings of the church membership. He is a member ex officio of all church committees and organizations. When the membership has no pastor, the chairman or vice chairman of the governance authority shall have oversight of the church in conjunction with the district superintendent. The lead pastor shall be the president of this church where such office is required by law.
Section 2. Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of membership meetings and conduct the correspondence of this church as directed by the governance authority. The secretary shall attend and keep minutes of other meetings as specified in the local church bylaws.
Section 3. Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive all monies of this church and shall be responsible for the payment of all bills on the order of the governance authority as specified by the local church bylaws, keeping proper book records of all transactions, and filing canceled vouchers and receipts for payments made. The governance authority shall determine where funds of this church shall be kept. No offerings shall be solicited from the membership except upon approval of the governance authority.
Section 4. Missionary Treasurer. When required by local church bylaws, the missionary treasurer shall account for all missionary monies and oversee the forwarding of the same to the treasurer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance on or before the tenth of the following month.
Section 5. Assistant Treasurer. The assistant treasurer shall, with another person or persons appointed by the governance authority, be responsible to count all monies and keep a separate record of all receipts. The assistant treasurer may be empowered to issue receipts to the donors.
Bylaw related to Article IX- Duties of Church Officers
Treasurer: The Treasurer and Missionary Treasurer (Section 4) shall be the same person.
Assistant Treasurer: An Assistant Treasurer (Section 5) may be appointed by the Ministry Board.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1. Elders. The elders shall be male members of this church and shall be elected as specified in the church bylaws. With authority from Christ the Chief Shepherd and confirmed by the church membership, the pastor and the other elders are the highest level of servant leadership in the local church. As undershepherds, elders shall serve with the lead pastor to oversee the local church and its ministries to accomplish Christ’s mission. They shall constitute the Committee on Membership. They shall be the Committee on Discipline in accordance with the Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Section 2. Deacons. The deacons shall be members of this church and shall be appointed or elected as specified in the local church bylaws. The deacons shall have charge of those ministries and charities of the church as specified in the bylaws, receive offerings for such purposes and dispense the same, and make monthly reports as directed. Where there are no deacons, the governance authority shall assume responsibility for their ministries until such are elected or appointed.
Section 3. Deaconesses. Deaconesses shall be members of this church and shall be appointed or elected as specified in the local church bylaws. The deaconesses shall have charge of those ministries as specified in the bylaws. Where there are no deaconesses, the governance authority shall assume responsibility for their ministries until such are elected or appointed.
Section 4. Trustees. The trustees shall be members of this church and may be appointed or elected as specified in the local church bylaws. Trustees shall have charge of those ministries and duties as specified in the bylaws, or the laws of the state in which the church is located. Where there are no trustees, the governance authority shall assume responsibility for those ministries and duties until such are elected or appointed.
Section 5. Missions Committee. A Missions Committee shall be appointed by the governance authority as specified in the local church bylaws. The purpose of the Missions Committee is to assist the pastor in administering the year-round missions program, planning and promoting the annual Missions Conference, recruiting candidates, and promoting the financial and prayer support of the worldwide ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Section 6. Sunday School/Bible Teaching. Each church shall have a Sunday school or a comparable disciple-making ministry. The mission of disciplemaking ministries is to bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ, teach biblical principles emphasizing missions and the centrality of Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King, and equip people for evangelism and Christian service.
Section 7.Disciple-making Ministries Council. A Disciplemaking Ministries Council shall be appointed as specified in the local church bylaws. The Council shall oversee the disciplemaking ministries for children, youth, and adults.
Section 8. Alliance Women Ministries. Local church Alliance Women Ministries may be established. They shall be organized as outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual for Districts and Churches. Alliance Women Ministries is organized to promote fellowship, outreach, and prayer among the women and encourage support and prayer for Alliance missionaries and worldwide ministries.
Section 9. C&MA Men’s Ministry. A C&MA Men’s Ministry may be established in the local church. They shall be organized as outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual for Districts and Churches. C&MA Men’s Ministry is committed to discipling men in and through C&MA churches.
Bylaws related to Article X- Committees and Organizations
Section 1 – Elders
Elected: The congregation shall elect Elders (with exception of staff pastors) according to the qualifications for elders set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-14 and Titus 1:6-9.
Number: Elders shall be no fewer than three (3).
Composition: The elders shall consist of the lead pastor, other staff pastors (at the discretion of the lead pastor), and no less than two additional elders elected by the congregation. Elected elders should be, at minimum, one more than the number of staff pastors serving as elders.
Frequency of meetings: The elders shall meet at least quarterly. Additional meetings may be called by the lead pastor at his discretion.
Head Elder: The “Head Elder” will be selected from among the elders as an item of first business in each new term. He will be responsible for leading in the absence of the lead pastor.
Ministry Board: The “Head Elder” will serve as Vice Chair on the Ministry Board. A select number of elders will be appointed to the Ministry Board in order to keep elder-majority Ministry Board.
Term: Elected elders shall serve 2-year terms with no more than 3 consecutive terms. A term will be from July 1 of that year through June 30 of the year their term expires.
Section 2 – Deacons, and Section 3 – Deaconesses
Name: Deacons and deaconesses will be known by the name “Deacons”.
Men and Women: Deacons and Deaconesses shall serve as one team of deacons.
Appointed: The Ministry Board shall appoint deacons.
Qualifications: Deacons should display the Scriptural qualifications for leadership set out in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Duties: Each deacon, respective of his/her gifts and abilities, shall serve as a leader over a specific ministry, mission, finances, and/or facilities.
Term: Appointed deacons, with the exception of paid staff, shall serve 2-year terms with no more than two (2) consecutive terms. A term will be from July 1 of that year through June 30 of the year their term expires.
Section 4 – Trustees: The Ministry Board will appoint no less than two (2) trustees as part of the team of deacons.
Section 4 – Sunday School/Bible Teaching: The Elders shall oversee Sunday School / Bible Teaching.
Section 5 – Disciple-making Ministries Council: The Elders shall make up the Disciple-making Ministries Council.
Section 6 – Missions Committee: The Ministry Board shall make up the Missions Committee.
End of Bylaws
ARTICLE XI - MISSIONS CONFERENCE
A missions conference shall be held annually for the promotion and support of the worldwide work of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
ARTICLE XII - PROPERTY AND RECORDS
Section 1. Property. This church may acquire, own, dispose of, improve, encumber, and convey property, real and personal, for church purposes, in conformity with the laws of the state where the property is situated. Real property may be purchased, sold, conveyed, exchanged, mortgaged, or
encumbered only by order of the membership through the governance authority in consultation with the district superintendent. In states where trustees are required, the order of the membership shall proceed through them.
Section 2. Records. The official records of all officers of the church and all its departments are the property of the church. In the event of the death or resignation of the incumbent or upon the election of his successor, the current records of the office shall be passed on to the newly elected officer.
All records other than current shall be kept in a secure repository selected by the governance authority.
Section 3. Audit. All financial records shall be examined annually or at more frequent intervals on order of the governance authority. At least three persons, none of whom is a financial officer or a church staff member, shall be appointed by the governance authority to conduct the examination. They shall follow procedures set forth in the current edition of the Manual for Alliance Church Treasurers (and Pastors). The governance authority shall authorize actions to conform with additional audit standards that may be required by the jurisdiction in which the church is located.
Bylaw related to Article XII - Property and Records
Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the church shall be July 01 to June 30.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE XIII - NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A Nominating Committee shall consist of the Lead Pastor, two elected by but not necessarily from the governance authority, and two elected from the church membership-at-large, as stipulated by the local church bylaws, at least one month prior to the annual meeting. Members of the Nominating
Committee shall be members of this church.
Bylaws related to Article XIII - Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall distribute its report to the membership two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE XIV – ELECTIONS
In consideration of elections, the Nominating Committee shall present at least one name for each office to be filled. Other nominations may be made from the membership. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting. Where only one name is presented, the ballot may be waived by unanimous vote.
Bylaws related to Article XIV - Elections
Those being elected: Those to be elected at the Annual Meeting shall be the Elders (excluding staff pastors) and non-Elder Ministry Board members.
Nominations from the Membership:
The member wishing to place someone in nomination must contact and obtain permission from the person to be nominated and receive assurance that the person will allow his/her name to be considered.
The member wishing to place the name in nomination will then submit the name to the Nominating Committee at least 30 days prior to the congregational meeting.
The Nominating Committee will satisfy itself that the person to be nominated meets the criteria of the Constitution and bylaws for holding elected office.
The Nominating Committee may consider the person to be nominated as their nominee if so desired. The Nominating Committee may also elect NOT to consider the person as their nominee.
Once the Nominating Committee has completed its work and rendered its report (that may or may not include names presented by the congregation), an Official Ballot will be prepared for use at the annual meeting. The Official Ballot will contain the names as presented for each position by the Nominating Committee.
There will be no nominations received from the floor during the election process.
Determination of Election: All officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote at the officially called Annual Meeting.
Term of Office:
Term of office will be from July 1 of that year through June 30 of the year his/her term expires.
In cases where elected members cannot complete their term, the Ministry Board shall have the authority to appoint qualified persons to fulfill the unexpired terms.
Order: Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all matters of church business.
Quorum: A quorum of any properly-called congregational meeting shall consist of those members who are present.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE XV - REVERSION OF PROPERTY
Recognizing the purpose of the members of this congregation to support both the doctrines and the mission of The Christian and Missionary Alliance through the contribution of their tithes, offerings, and special gifts, and to ensure that the future use of such assets and real property as this church may from time to time acquire shall not be diverted from this purpose, this church adopts the following property reversion clause.
Section 1. Property Reversion Events. Any of the following shall constitute a “property reversion event:” (a) the decision or action of this church to disaffiliate or otherwise separate itself from The Christian and Missionary Alliance without the prior written approval of such decision or action by the District Executive Committee (or its equivalent) of the district in which this church is located, (b) the failure for any reason of this church to be subject to or abide by any of the purposes, usages, doctrines, or teachings of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, (c) the failure for any reason of this church to qualify as an “accredited church” of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (as such term is defined in the Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance), or (d) the termination of this church’s existence for any reason.
Section 2. Determination of a Property Reversion Event. The determination of whether a property reversion event has occurred shall be considered and decided by the District Executive Committee (or its equivalent) of the district of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in which this church is located in
accordance with procedures established from time to time by the Board of Directors of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. The decision of such District Executive Committee (or its equivalent) shall be final and binding on The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the district of The Christian and
Missionary Alliance in which this church is located, and this church, and may not be challenged by any party in the absence of fraud, collusion, or arbitrariness.
Section 3. Consequences of a Property Reversion Event. Upon the occurrence of a property reversion event as determined in accordance with item 2 above, legal title to all real and personal property (tangible and intangible), appurtenances, fixtures, and effects of whatever type then owned, held, or used by this church, without regard to how or from whom acquired, shall, upon the demand of the district of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in which this church is located, revert to and become the property of such district of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. During the period of time between the occurrence of the property reversion event and the complete and final transfer of legal title to the district of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in which this church is located, this church shall hold such property in trust for such district to be used exclusively to further the purposes, usages, doctrines, and teachings of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Section 4. Waiver of Certain Property Reversion Events. In the event of a property reversion event attributable to differences in doctrine between this church and The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the property reversion process set forth above may be waived upon the approval of (a) at least two-thirds of the members in good standing of this church, (b) the District Executive Committee (or its equivalent) of the district of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in which this church is located, and (c) Church ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
ARTICLE XVI – BYLAWS
Church bylaws not in conflict with this Constitution, the provisions of the Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, or the laws of the state are required and will be adopted by a duly called meeting of the church. As a minimum, the church bylaws will include provisions for the composition and name of its governance authority that is in keeping with Article VI above. A copy of such bylaws shall be filed with the district superintendent.
Bylaw related to Article XVI- Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a simple majority of the votes cast at any official congregational meeting of the membership. A quorum of any properly-called congregational meeting shall consist of those members who are present.
End of Bylaw
ARTICLE XVII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended only by the General Council of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2 of the Amended and Restated Constitution and Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance as applied to the Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches.
ARTICLE XVIII - CONFORMANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
In cases where any provision of this Constitution may not conform to state laws, the district concerned shall be authorized to make such adjustments as necessary in counsel with the vice president for Church Ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance so as to conform to such laws.
Bylaw related to Solicitation
Solicitation: No one shall solicit or sell anything in the name of the church or any part thereof, without the approval of the Ministry Board.
End of Bylaw
Bylaw related to Disputes and Lawsuits
Any claim or dispute arising from or related to this church shall be handled in accordance with the Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal, as found in the current edition of The Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
End of Bylaw