CHARTER
OF
St. Andrew by the Sea,
A Community Church
We, as persons in need of redemption through Jesus Christ and
who seek his presence in our lives and in congregation with one another, acknowledge
before Christ and by witness of our signature to this Charter of St. Andrew by
the Sea, A Community Church that we form St. Andrew by the Sea, a Community
Church.
St. Andrew by the Sea, A Community Church (hereinafter "The
Church") is a non-hierarchical, non-denominational Protestant church that maintains
that every member is called to ministry. This congregation is self-governing and selects
and calls its own pastoral leadership.
While members of the Church embrace a wide diversity of
theological positions, its beliefs can be summed up in the following statement:
The Church acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, Son of
God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It
looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy
Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own,
the faith of the historic Church, expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the
basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the church in
each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought
and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our
Lord and the practice prevailing among Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism
and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
All are welcome into the unifying experience of Christ and this
congregation welcomes into membership people from a diversity of religious backgrounds.
The Charter members of the Church recognize their historic
connection with Methodism and their familiarity with its Wesleyan roots.
They NEVERTHELESS desire to form a non denominational Protestant
Church in the form of historic community Churches in which their experience of Christ may
be enriched.
BYLAWS
FOR
St. Andrew by the Sea,
A Community Church
Article I
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of St. Andrew by the Sea, a Community
Church, an Alabama Non Profit Corporation, hereafter
referred to as the Church, is to teach the Truth of Jesus Christ as interpreted by the
Scripture. The Church shall endeavor to conduct services of worship and classes of
instruction, to develop mission programs and to adopt other means that in the judgment of
the Congregation will further the principles of Christianity among mankind.
The Church is a non-hierarchical,
non-denominational church that maintains that every member is called to ministry. This
congregation is self-governing and selects and calls its own pastoral leadership.
The Church acknowledges as its sole head,
Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in
this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It
claims as its own, the faith of the historic Church, expressed in the ancient creeds and
reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility
of the church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in
honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with
the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Christians, it recognizes two
sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.
All are welcome into the unifying experience of Christ and this
congregation welcomes into membership people from a diversity of religious backgrounds.
(a) Leadership - This Church shall have as its spiritual leader
a Seminary Graduate who has a Masters of Divinity degree and who follows Christ.
(b) Teaching The Principles of practical Christianity shall be
taught through this Church using methods, textbooks, literature, and other material approved by the Congregation and/or its Minister and/or its Sunday School
Teachers. Adult Sunday School Classes in conjunction with their teachers may choose the
textbooks and subjects that they wish to study.
(c) Mission and Ministry God, through Jesus Christ, calls
the church to ministry in the world through action by word and deed. This church as a body
of Christ and a community of persons affirms the worth of all humanity and the value of
interrelationship in all of God's creation. The Church endeavors to reach beyond the local
community in its missions and programs while serving the needs of those within this
community.
ARTICLE II
Membership
QUALIFICATIONS
A member of the Church shall endeavor to live in
accord with Jesus Christ's principles of Love and Truth as taught in the Scriptures. A
member shall further the work of this Church through active interest, love, and support.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS
The Church shall have four classes of membership. They are:
Member: Anyone desiring membership
in the Church may do so either by transfer of membership from
another denomination or Faith, or by profession of faith and baptism.
Associate Member: Anyone
desiring to form an association with the Church without severing his/her
relationship with another church or denomination or anyone who is not a member of another
church or denomination, may do so by becoming an Associate Member. An associate member may
be elected to serve on any of the Program Committees in the Church, and
may fully participate in all functions of the Church except that he/she may not vote on
Church matters provided for in these By-laws or be elected to the Board of Directors.
Youth Member: Any active
member under the age of eighteen(18) shall be designated a Youth Member and shall not vote
or be counted toward the number present needed for a quorum at Congregational meetings.
Members in Absentia:
Any active member temporarily absent from the community or otherwise unable to attend a
meeting, and the Minister or the Membership Secretary is aware that and such member cannot
attend, such member shall not be counted toward a quorum. Such member retains the
right to vote if present at a Congregational meeting and, if present, shall be counted
toward a quorum.
TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP
(a) Tenure A member shall
retain membership until it is voluntarily severed by that member.
(b) Status: A member's name shall be
transferred to an inactive, non-voting member list after he or she has not attended
services for a period of one year and has not attended biannual Church Meetings for a
period of one year.
(c) Records: The
Church shall appoint a Membership Secretary and Assistant Membership Secretary to
establish and keep an official record of the names of all members and the dates of the
initiation of their memberships. The Membership Secretary in conjunction with the Minister
shall establish a list of all active voting members at least five (5) days before a
congregational meeting.
POWERS OF MEMBERS
Members of the Church shall have the power to do the
following:
(a) Vote by secret ballot at any membership meeting, at which the
member is present.
(b) Elect members to the Board of Directors and the Chairperson of the
Church Council.
(c) Ratify the Bylaws of this Church or any amendments thereto. See
Article IX for further details.
(d) Vote on any question of sale or pledge of real property owned and
used for the operation of this Church which exceeds Twenty Five Thousand Dollars
($25,000.00) in value. A seventy- five percent (75%) affirmative vote of those present and
voting is required to approve the sale or pledge.
(e) Elect all members, and one alternate, to serve on the nominating
committee.
(f) Elect all members of all standing committees on a yearly basis
except for the Minister-Congregation Relations, Trustees, Board of Directors, Nominations
and Finance committees which shall be elected on staggered three year terms.
(g) Call a special membership meeting when the affairs of this Church
warrant such action.
(h) Attend any Board of Directors Meeting and provided that a seven (7)
day notice is given, present items for the agenda and speak to that item if so desired.
(i) Vote to override any action of the Board of Directors providing it
is communicated to the membership in writing ten (10) days prior to the subsequent meeting
of the membership and seventy-five percent (75%) of those present and voting have the
authority for determination.
(j)Vote to employ the Minister on an annual or multi year contract. Seventy-five
percent (75%) of those present and voting must affirm the Ministerial appointment.
(k) Vote to fire the Minister before the end of his contract. Fifty-one
percent (51%) of those present must vote to fire the Minister. If removal is not for
cause, the remainder of the contractual salary must be paid to the former Minister.
The contract may provide for payment of less than the full contractual term.
MEETINGS AND QUORUM
(a) Membership Meetings The
congregation shall have two(2) membership meetings per year. Such meetings shall be
announced at the regular Sunday worship for two (2) weeks in advance of said meeting. The first Membership Meeting shall be held on the third Sunday in January
shall also serve as an Annual Meeting.
(b) Special Membership
Meetings
Anytime the affairs of this Church warrant, a Special Meeting may be
called by:
(1) the Minister
(2) a simple majority of the Board of Directors
(3) by petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the membership.
(c) Written Notice Written Notice
stating the date, time and place shall be mailed to all members at least ten (10) days
before any membership meeting.
(d) Quorum Fifty per cent (50%) of the
active and voting membership less the members in absentia, shall constitute a quorum at
any Membership Meeting.
(e) Participation Each adult
member of the Church may participate in any Membership Meeting of the Church. An adult
member is defined as a member of the church who has reached the age of eighteen (18).
Members may not designate their votes or vote by proxy or participate in any other method
except actual attendance.
(f) Voting Except as specifically
provided herein, the vote by secret ballot of a majority of the members present and voting
shall be necessary for approval of any action being voted upon. A vote may be called
for on any issue by 10% of the members present.
(g.) Failing a quorum at the Annual Meeting, all
elected officials and committee memberships shall have their term of office extended until
they are replaced. The terms of the previously adopted budget shall remain in effect
until a new budget is adopted by the congregation.
Article III
DUTIES OF THE MINISTER
(a) Duties As the Spiritual
Leader, the Minister in concert with the members of the Church shall be responsible for
the scheduling, conduct, and content of services, classes, and all other activities that
further the purpose of this Church. He/She shall be expected to love the Church and each
of its members and to prayerfully work for the spiritual growth of everyone. He/She will
be expected to conduct confidential pastoral conferences for those who request them and to
stay informed of the personal needs of the members of the congregation. He/She will be
expected to visit and comfort the sick and grieving. He/She will also be expected to
celebrate with the members at joyful occasions
and to lead the congregation by his/her example into a greater understanding of and
commitment toward a true dedication to the two great Commandments to love the Lord with
all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves. He/She will be expected to foster
unity and heal division and generally promote the development of a family in Christ,
filled with loving cooperation and dedication to a common purpose. As Administrative
Director, the Minister shall be
(1) Responsible for the complete functioning of this Church in
concert with the Board of Directors and the congregation.
(2) An ex-officio member of all committees.
(b) Compensation The compensation of
the Minister shall be fixed by agreement between the Minister and the Board of Directors.
(c) Vacancy Should the vacancy occur in
the office of the Minister, the Congregation shall elect a Pulpit Committee of seven
members.
(1) The Chairman of the Pulpit Committee shall be a director chosen
from and by the Board of Directors
(2) Nominees for the Pulpit Committee shall be presented to the
congregation at a called Congregational Meeting. Church members may nominate from the
floor and elected by a majority present and voting.
(3) Only one pastoral candidate will be present at a time.
(4) The pastor will be chosen by:
(aa) A majority vote of the Pulpit Committee prior to the candidate's
presentation to the Church. The Committee vote shall be by closed ballot;
(bb) A seventy five percent (75%) vote of the Church members voting by
closed ballot;
(cc) A special announcement of such a vote shall be made publicly on
two consecutive Sundays at the morning worship services and by written notice to the
members.
Article IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEMBERS
(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of the Minister, Finance
Committee Chairperson, and Church Council Chairperson as a non-voting members and nine (9)
Directors, elected from the Membership of the Church. Each
elected Director shall hold office for staggered three year (3) year terms (initial Board
of Director terms shall expire for three Directors at the end of the first year, three
Directors at the end of two years, and for three Directors at the end of three years), or
until his/her successor is duly elected. The expired directorships shall be filled at the
annual membership meeting. No elected Director shall serve more than two (2) terms without
an interval of one year between terms.
(b) Duties As representatives of
the Membership, the Board of Directors shall:
(1) Uphold the spiritual purpose of this Church as stated in the
Charter and Scripture.
(2) Uphold the highest interest of the Membership in conducting the
business of this Church.
(3) Be conversant with these Bylaws
(4) Be faithful in attendance at services, board and membership meetings of this
Church.
(5) Make determinations of the business needs of this Church and authorize payment of
monies for those purposes.
(6) Administer the property of this Church, both real and personal.
(7) Make determinations on the sale or pledge of real or personal property belonging to
this Church. All decisions in favor of the sale or pledge of real property exceeding
Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in value shall he presented to the Membership at
a properly constituted membership meeting and voted on.
(8) Authorize the employment of all staff personnel of this Church, and set and approve
their salaries.
(9) Set dates for the fiscal year.
(10) Have a qualified accountant audit the financial records of this Church at the end
of each fiscal year.
(11) When deemed advisable, secure a fidelity bond for the Treasurer, the amount to be
set by the Board.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - ELECTION
(a) Qualifications Any person elected to the
Board of Directors must be an active member of the Church. He or she shall be a person who:
(1) Desires to serve on the Board.
(2) Endeavors to live in accord with Jesus Christ's principles of Love and Truth.
(3) Furthers the work of this Church through his active interest, love and support.
(4) Is a sincere and continuing student of the Scriptures, conversant with its
teachings.
(5) Has demonstrated leadership capabilities.
(b) Nominating Procedure As the presiding
officer of the annual membership meeting, the President shall:
(1) Call upon the Chairman of the Nominating Committee to present the
Committee's nominations,
(2) Call for additional nominations from the floor.
(c) Election Votes shall be cast by
secret ballot only if more than one nomination for each vacant Director position has been
made. The nominee receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected to the Board of
Directors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - VACANCY AND REPLACEMENT
(a) Vacancy The office
of a Director may be vacated by any of the following means:
(1) The resignation of the Director.
(2) The board voting for the removal of a Director due to absences from three successive
regular board meetings. Absences may be excused by the
Board upon written request.
(b) Replacement Should a vacancy occur
on the Board of Directors, the Board shall proceed to fill the vacancy at its regular next
meeting. In case of emergency, a special meeting may be called. Only persons meeting the
qualifications in Article IV(a) may be considered as replacements. No replacement shall
have served as a Director during the year prior to his/her election. A majority vote of
those present and voting shall be necessary to elect. The term of the newly elected
Director shall expire on the same date as the term of the Director he/she succeeds.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - MEETINGS
AND QUORUM
(a) Regular Board
Meetings The regular business meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at
the headquarters of this Church on the Third Thursday of each month, unless otherwise
specified by the Board.
(b) Special Board Meetings -Special
meetings of the Board shall be called by the President under any of the following
conditions:
(1) By request of the Minister
(2) By request of two or more Directors
(3) As the President deems it necessary
The request shall be filed in writing with the Board Secretary.
Reasonable effort must be made to notify all Directors of any special meeting.
(c) Quorum Four Directors, including
the Minister, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(d) Minister Attendance The
Minister has the right to attend all board meetings. He/she must be notified of all
special meetings
(e) Executive Session Any
discussion of personnel affecting the good name and character of the personnel shall be
held in Executive Session.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS
Officers of the Board of Directors shall consist of a
President, Vice-President1 Secretary, and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected at a
special called Board meeting no less than two weeks after the annual membership
meeting. The outgoing president shall call and preside over the special meeting
until such time as the new president is elected. They shall assume office at the
first regular board meeting following the annual membership meeting. All officers shall be
elected by a majority vote of Directors present and voting, and shall hold their
respective offices for one year, or until their successors are duly elected or qualified
(a) President The President shall:
(1) Preside at all Board of Directors meetings.
(2) Preside at all membership meetings.
(3) Be a ex-officio member of all committees.
(4) Sign such papers and documents, upon proper authorization, as may
be necessary.
(b) Vice-President The
Vice-President shall:
(1) Perform all the duties of the President in his absence.
(2) Become President in case the office of the Presidency becomes
vacant.
(c) Secretary The Secretary
shall:
(1) Keep, or cause to be kept, an accurate record of the minutes of all
board and membership meetings.
(2) Hold in custody and be responsible for all reports, contracts,
other than legal papers, minute books, and the corporate seal, which items shall be kept
in the Church office at all times, or in such other depository as prescribed by the Board.
(3) Attend to all official business requested by the Board.
(d) Treasurer The Treasurer shall:
(1) Be custodian of the funds of this Ministry. He/she shall pay out,
or cause to be paid out, funds authorized by the Board.
(2) Keep, or cause to be kept, a record of all financial transactions,
and submit a monthly financial report at each regular board meeting.
(3) Submit a financial report, covering the last complete fiscal
period, at the annual membership meeting.
(4) Count, or cause to be counted by the appointment of qualified
persons, all funds received, and be responsible for their deposit.
(5) Place, or cause to be place, the funds of this Ministry in the bank
or other depository approved by the Board.
ARTICLE V
Committees
DEFINITION
Standing Administrative Committees
shall be: Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Finance
Committee, Minister Staff Congregation Relations Committee, and the Nominating
Committee. The Administrative Committees shall have no less than nine members
elected in three year classes.
Standing Program
Committees. shall be: Nurture, Worship, Music, Education, Outreach,
Fellowship, Welcome, Membership, and Spiritual Development.
FORMATION
Nominating
Committee At an annual meeting, a Nominating Committee shall be elected
by the Membership. The committee shall be made up of nine members.
The Nominating Committee will present a list of suggested members for
each of the major organizational committees to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
Further nominations may be made from the floor The elections will be by secret ballot and
election shall be achieved by a simple majority. The term of each member shall be for one
year except as otherwise provided herein.
Each standing program committee shall consist of at least three members
and shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from its members. The
Chairpersons of each standing committee will form the Church Council and will meet
together monthly to coordinate their activities. The Chairperson of the Church
Council shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee from the membership. The
Church Council shall prepare and the chairperson shall present an Annual Report at the
Annual Membership Meeting.
REPLACEMENT
OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(a.) Administrative Standing
Committees: Unless Otherwise specified herein, should a vacancy occur on any
administrative standing committee, that same committee shall proceed to fill the vacancy
at its next regular meeting. In case of an emergency, a special meeting may be
called. Only persons meeting the qualifications of membership shall be considered as
replacements. No replacement shall have served on that same committee during the
year prior to his/her election. A majority vote of those present and voting shall
be necessary to elect. The term of the newly elected committee member shall expire
on the same date as the term of the committee member he/she succeeds.
(b.) Program Standing Committees:
The duly elected chairperson has the right to solicit and add new members to the
committee as needed.
ARTICLE VI
DESCRIPTION
The corporate seal of this Church shall
include the name of the Church and state of incorporation in a circle, which encloses the
year and words "Corporate Seal".
ARTICLE VII
Meeting Procedures
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The regular order of business at Board and Church membership
meetings unless otherwise agreed on shall be.
(1) Opening prayer.
(2) Roll call.
(3) Reading and approval of minutes of the previous meeting.
(4) Treasurer's report.
(5) Bills and communications.
(6) Elections.
(7) Reports of committees.
(8.) Minister's Report
(9.) Unfinished Business
(10) New business.
(11) Closing Prayer
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the
authority of this Church on parliamentary law and its usage,
unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws Amendments
Procedure
Amendments to these Bylaws must be made by a vote of 2/3 of the voting members of this
Corporation at a legally constituted membership meeting. Written notices setting forth the
proposed amendments must be mailed to all members at least 10 days
prior to such meeting
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE THIS 21st DAY OF January 2001
Perry Hand, Chairman
FORMATION OF NON PROFIT CORPORATION
We, the undersigned, authorize a committee to be formed from the
signers of this charter to prepare Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the Alabama Non
Profit Corporation Act and to seek non profit status as defined by the Internal Revenue
Code. We shall meet to establish the form of governance and the structure of the Church
and adopt such other Articles as are necessary to unite us in the body of Christ.
THE COVENANT
IN AS MUCH AS we the undersigned, Charter Members of the Church,
have met and determined that there is a necessity to unite as a body of Christ, in
relationship to God through his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, we do,
HEREBY DECLARE that we have FREELY AND BY CONSCIOUS CHOICE
formed a Congregation united in Christ and by Christ to all who proclaim a faith in
the mystery of salvation in and through God's incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth
and the Scriptural witnesses to the redeeming love of God in Jesus' life and teachings,
his atoning death, his resurrection, his sovereign presence in history, his triumph over
the powers of evil and death, and his promised return.
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