BYLAWS OF MAKARIOS BIBLE CHURCH, INC.
A Not-For-Profit Corporation
Original Issue Date: September 16, 2007
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this church shall be Makarios Bible Church, Inc., having its principal place of worship in the state of Florida, hereafter referred to as the/this Church.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The determination of this Church is to stand unequivocally for the fundamentals of the faith as contained in the Holy Scriptures, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. The purpose is the edification of believers by means of the systematic teaching of the Bible, which is done exegetically, categorically, isagogically, and employing the literal hermeneutic.
The goal of our teaching is to produce spiritually mature believers, who are equipped to perform the various aspects of ministry as presented in the Scriptures. Ephesians 4:12; ITimothy 1:5
ARTICLE III
STATEMENT OF TENETS
The following tenets are hereby adopted:
A. This Church shall not, at any time, join, sanction, or support the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, or any other religious organization.
B. This Church shall not solicit anyone to become a member. Those who desire to affiliate with this Church may do so by complying with the provision of Article IV.
C. This Church shall not knowingly accept gifts from unbelievers, or make solicitation of funds or pledges from believers.
D. The Church Board will not make solicitations but reserves the right to announce needs so believers can make application without coercion.
E. This Church shall not engage in any enterprises unrelated to the propagation of the word of God.
F. This Church is and will remain an independent, autonomous, body of believers that shall not surrender local sovereignty to any denomination or other entity.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
A person shall qualify for membership who:
1. Believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
2. Has read and accepts in its entirety the Doctrinal Statement of Makarios Bible Church.
3. Has read these Bylaws and accepts and acknowledges them as the governing document for this local Church.
4. Acknowledges and accepts the authority of the Royal Chain of Command (Pastor-Teacher and Deacons) in Church affairs.
5. Upon due examination by the Pastor-Teacher and a quorum of the Deacons, is approved for membership. ITimothy 5:22
a. The Pastor-Teacher and Deacons will determine the nature and extent of the examination on a case-by-case basis.
b. The candidate will be accepted, rejected, or may be subject to further examination as determined by the Church Board.
B. ACCEPTING MEMBERS
Any person who desires to become a member of this Church, makes such request of a Church Board member, and meets the qualifications of this article, shall be accepted as a member into the fellowship of this Church.
C. VOTING MEMBERS
The voting members shall be limited to members who are eighteen years of age or older.
D. REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
1. A person shall be removed from membership at their request.
2. A person shall be removed from membership upon their death.
3. A member may be removed from membership for cause as determined by the Pastor-Teacher and a majority of the Deacons. Causes include, but are not limited to:
a. Advocating heretical doctrines.
b. Disrupting the assembly.
c. Violating any of the qualifications for membership.
E. MEMBERSHIP ROLL
1. The Church Board will review the membership roll periodically, but at least annually, to determine the status of inactive members.
2. An inactive member shall be dismissed from the membership roll at the discretion of the Church Board.
3. Reinstatement shall follow the same procedure as new membership.
4. Only those on the membership roll are eligible to vote, hold office, or teach in the prep school.
ARTICLE V
CHURCH OFFICERS
A. FORMS OF OFFICERS
The Church will maintain two forms of officers, which will include corporate officers (also referred to as directors), and governing officers (the Church Board).
B. NUMBER OF CORPORATE OFFICERS
In order to comply with Florida law, this corporation must maintain at least three corporate officers at all times. These officers will include a president (the Pastor-Teacher, who presides over all meetings of the Church), a secretary, and a treasurer.
C. GOVERNING OFFICERS
1. The governing officers for the Church will include the Pastor-Teacher and the Deacons, referred to in the Bylaws as the Church Board. Preferably, the Church Board will consist of a minimum of two Deacons and the Pastor-Teacher.
2. The governing body of the Church will be the Church Board as long as there are at least two Church Board members. In the event there are less than two Church Board members, the responsibility for governing the affairs of the Church will revert to the corporate directors.
D. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
1. Corporate directors are appointed by the Pastor-Teacher and a majority of the Deacons for a perpetual term. However, should any of the following conditions arise; a director may be removed by the Pastor-Teacher and a majority of the Deacons.
a. He or she dies.
b. He or she refuses to serve.
c. The Church Board loses confidence in the director.
2. Deacons are appointed and may be removed as specified in Article VII.
ARTICLE VI
PASTOR-TEACHER
A. AUTHORITY
1. The Pastor-Teacher is the ranking authority in the Royal Chain of Command, established by the Holy Spirit in his canon for life, and is responsible for the spiritual content and edification of this local Church. Acts 20:28
2. The Pastor-Teacher has been given authority to study and teach the Word of God, administer the ordinances, and have charge of all worship services. IITimothy 4:1-2
3. The Pastor-Teacher shall chair all meetings of the Church (Board Meetings, Business Meetings, Special Business Meetings, etc.) and shall be a voting member of the Church Board.
4. The Pastor-Teacher shall have final authority in all Church matters so long as it does not violate Bible doctrine, any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws. Hebrews 13:17
B. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Pastor-Teacher must strive to meet and maintain the qualifications found in the Pastoral Epistles. ITimothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-9
2. The Pastor-Teacher is responsible to oversee all aspects of the local Church. ITimothy 3:1, 5; Titus 1:7
3. He is responsible to study and teach Bible doctrine a minimum of four hours each week.
4. He is responsible to teach via the literal hermeneutic, to teach isagogically, categorically, and exegetically.
5. He is responsible to remain faithful to the doctrines found in the Word of God, and to uphold the principles contained in the Doctrinal Statement of this Church.
C. SELECTION
1. The selection of a new Pastor-Teacher is necessary in the event:
a. The Pastor-Teacher dies.
b. The Pastor-Teacher becomes incapacitated and cannot teach at an adequate level as determined by the Church Board.
2. The Church Board will oversee the search and selection process and the selection criteria.
3. Upon approval by two-thirds of the Church Board, the candidate for Pastor-Teacher will be recommended to the congregation.
4. Upon approval by two-thirds of the membership, the candidate for Pastor-Teacher will be selected as the new Pastor-Teacher.
5. Upon selection of the new Pastor-Teacher, an ordination ceremony shall be conducted within thirty (30) days.
ARTICLE VII
DEACONS
A. THE OFFICE OF DEACON
Deacons are delegated authorities and are responsible to carry out the administration of the physical affairs of this Church under the leadership of the Pastor-Teacher. I Timothy 3:8-13
B. NUMBER
The Church Board shall consist of no fewer than two voting members, one of the members being the Pastor-Teacher.
C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF DEACON
1. An individual must strive to meet and maintain all of the biblical qualifications as set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13.
2. An individual must be a male.
3. An individual must be a voting member of this Church.
D. PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING A DEACON
1. If any man aspires to the office of Deacon, he should contact the Pastor-Teacher to make his desire known.
2. The Pastor-Teacher will brief the individual on the qualifications and requirements of the office of Deacon.
3. After a period of testing, observation, and approval by the Church Board, upon approval of a majority of all voting members, the qualified candidate will be selected to serve. I Timothy 3:10, 5:22
4. A Deacon will not officially assume office until he has been ordained in a formal ceremony, to be conducted no more than thirty (30) days from the date of his selection.
E. REMOVAL OF DEACONS
1. The office of Deacon is for a perpetual term.
2. A Deacon will remain in office unless any of the following conditions arises:
a. He dies.
b. He resigns.
c. He refuses to serve and support the Pastor-Teacher.
d. He refuses to serve in the capacity assigned by the Church Board.
e. He fails to consistently attend Board meetings, or the regularly scheduled Bible classes of this Church.
f. He violates the Charge administered at his ordination.
g. Repeated, significant failure in the areas described in the Scriptures. I Timothy 3:8-12
3. A Deacon may only be removed from office by a majority vote of the Church Board and with the approval of the Pastor-Teacher.
F. DUTIES
1. Under the leadership of the Pastor-Teacher, the Deacons shall administer the affairs of this Church.
2. The specific responsibilities of the Deacons are:
a. To cooperate with the Pastor-Teacher in the administration of this Church
b. To assist the Pastor-Teacher in the administration of all worship services and ordinances.
c. To take any action deemed necessary to maintain order in the assemblies.
d. To act for the members in the reception and dismissal of members.
e. To supervise and administer all contributions.
f. To determine the financial allocation of the Pastor-Teacher.
g. To acquire or dispose of real property or its fixtures.
h. To contract for any loans on behalf of this Church.
i. To take all necessary measures for the protection, management, and upkeep of all property and official documents.
j. To render a report to the members at the annual business meeting, outlining the activities of the Church Board for the previous year.
k. To assist the Pastor-Teacher in the interpretation of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII
WORSHIP SERVICES
Public worship services shall be held when, where, and as often as the Pastor-Teacher determines. The Pastor-Teacher shall be responsible for conducting these services.
ARTICLE IX
CHURCH BOARD MEETINGS
A. REGULAR MEETINGS
A regular meeting of the Church Board shall be held no later than thirty (30) days after the annual business meeting. Other meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Church Board may determine.
B. SPECIAL MEETINGS
A special meeting of the Church Board may be called at any time at the request of the Pastor-Teacher or a Deacon.
C. QUORUM
A quorum shall be one-half of the total number of deacons and the Pastor-Teacher, provided there are two or more Deacons and a Pastor-Teacher. In the event there is only one Deacon and the Pastor-Teacher, both must be present to constitute a quorum. The actions of the Board present shall be considered the actions of the entire Church Board, unless otherwise specifically required by law or by these Bylaws.
D. Church Board meetings may be attended by any member.
ARTICLE X
MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
A. PLACE
All business meetings of the membership shall be held at the principal place of worship of this Church, unless otherwise specified in the notice of meeting.
B. TIME OF ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
There shall be an annual business meeting of the members within the first quarter of the fiscal year; the exact date shall be determined by the Church Board, and called in the manner pre-scribed for special business meetings.
C. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS
Special business meetings shall be called upon notice from the Pastor-Teacher, three-fourths of the Church Board, or three-fourths of the voting members; the agenda for said meeting must be presented at the time notice is given. The Pastor-Teacher, on at least two services preceding said meetings, shall give a verbal announcement of said meetings from the pulpit, which shall include the agenda for the meeting.
D. QUORUM AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
1. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be one-half of the voting members. The majority vote shall prevail, unless Florida law or these Bylaws require the vote of a greater number.
2. The agenda of all business meetings of the members shall include:
a. Opening prayer.
b. Proof of notice of meeting and quorum.
c. Reading of minutes.
d. Reports as required by these Bylaws.
e. Disposition of business.
f. Closing prayer.
3. In all business meetings, the Pastor-Teacher shall preside.
4. In the transaction of business, Robert’s Rules of Order, 10th Edition shall be used in all cases not covered by these Bylaws.
5. The Church Board reserves the right to select a newer edition of Robert’s Rules of Order if it becomes necessary.
E. VOTING
The Pastor-Teacher shall determine the method of voting, except for the following, which shall be by secret ballot:
1. Purchase, sale, or transfer of real property.
2. The selection of a new Pastor-Teacher.
3. The selection of a Deacon.
ARTICLE XI
LIVING GRACE CONTRIBUTIONS
Living grace contributions will be used according to the living grace policy of this Church.
ARTICLE XII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this Church shall begin on the first day of January and end with the last day of December each year.
ARTICLE XIII
COMMITTEES
The appointment and supervision of committees shall be at the discretion of the Church Board.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at a duly called special business meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the Church Board. Any proposed amendment by the membership shall be submitted by a petition to the Church Board, and signed by three-fourths of the voting members. The written notice of such meeting, stating the proposed amendments, is posted at least fifteen (15) days prior to said meeting. Upon approval, the amendment will be effective immediately.
