Freedom Fellowship Church
Constitution and Bylaws
Constitution
Name
This body will be known as Freedom Fellowship Church constituted August 9, 2001 in Bradley County,Tennessee.
Vision Statement
Exercising freedom to worship together our Father, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit with a loving, joyous heart; sharing the love of Jesus by embracing the people in our circle of influence, our community, and our church by meeting their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
Preamble
This is the message we have Heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1st John 1:5-7 NKJV
Covenant
Definition: Hebrew translation: berith meaning, “to fetter”, as in chains or shackles for the ankles of prisoners. A two sided covenant between human parties,both of which voluntarily accept the terms of the agreement.
Having been led as we believe by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, with the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, in comfort; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain it’s worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards it’s expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern as defined in the bylaws.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind
and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of Heart and goodwill towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith, and to live our lives as described by Paul in Galatians chapter 5.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give and take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the 18th chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live for the glory of God who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
When we remove from this place we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.
Bylaws
Membership
After making a public, personal profession of faith, subscribing to the covenant and constitution of this church, and completing the new member orientation, candidates for membership will be accepted through the following means:
1. New believers being baptized by immersion.
2. By statement of faith indicating prior salvation and having been scripturally baptized after salvation.
3. By letter of recommendation from another New Testament Church that believes in salvation and baptism by immersion.
Active member
Active members are eligible to act and vote in the transactions of this church. Any member not attending at least one Sunday School or worship service for a period of one month prior to any business meeting will be considered inactive and ineligible to vote for that meeting only. Voting privileges will be based on the honor system and the above requirements.
Lord’s Supper
The Church shall observe the Lord’s Supper at least six times per year or as otherwise scheduled by the Pastor. The Pastor will have the freedom to schedule the observance as led by the Holy Spirit. The Pastor and Deacons will administer the Lord’s Supper. The Deacons will be responsible for physical preparations. Any born again believer, confessing Jesus as Lord, may partake of the Lord’s Supper as described in: 1st Corinthians 11:23, 29.
Baptism
We will always be willing to baptize new believers in Christ without expecting them to join our local congregation. Our desire is to focus on building the Kingdom of God, not the local congregation.
General Duties of Pastor
The Pastor is responsible for leading this church to function as a New Testament church. The Pastor will lead the congregation, the organizations, and the church staff to perform their tasks. He is the leader of the pastoral ministries of the church. He will work with the elders, the deacons, and the church staff to lead the church in achievement of its mission. Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers and caring for the church’s members. He will preside at meetings of this church and will serve as moderator in all business meetings in keeping with the rules of order as authorized by these bylaws.
When the pastor is unavailable to fill the pulpit for normally scheduled services, his replacement will be paid no less than $50.00 per service. This amount will be reviewed and approved annually by the membership. In the event of special services, such as revivals, seminars, etc, and compensation is required, the amount paid will be presented to, and approved by, the body of Freedom Fellowship.
Additional Staff Hiring/Termination
Hiring and termination of additional staff positions will be performed by the Personnel Committee and the pastor. This procedure will use policies developed by the committee and the pastor and approved by the membership. The pastor, as manager of all staff positions, will have the final hiring and termination authority, subject to the written hiring/termination policies.
Election of Pastor
The Pastor will be chosen and called whenever a vacancy occurs. The election will take place at a meeting called for that purpose. There will be at least one week’s notice given via oral announcement in church to resident members informing them of the meeting. Voting will occur if 25% of the
membership is present. Election of the Pastor will be by secret ballot. An affirmative vote of three fourths of those present will elect the Pastor.
The Pastor will serve until the relationship is terminated by his or the church’s request.
Resignation/Termination of Pastor
The Pastor may relinquish his office by giving 30 days notice to the church at the time of resignation. Upon his resignation, the church may declare the office of Pastor to be vacant. The procedures for this action will be the same as those for electing the Pastor. The moderator for this meeting will be the chairman of the deacons. If the chairman is unavailable, the vice-chairman will serve as moderator. If the vice-chairman is unavailable, the church clerk will serve as moderator. If the office is declared vacant, termination will be immediate. Except in the instances of gross misconduct by the Pastor, so excluded from office, the church will compensate the Pastor with not less than one month’s salary. Such compensation will be rendered in not more than 30 days. If the church votes to allow the pastor to work the notice, salary payments will continue until the pastor stops working.
If the church desires to terminate the relationship with the Pastor, the process for scheduling a special business meeting and voting procedures as described in the preceding paragraph will be followed. If the decision is made to terminate the relationship, the pastor will be compensated with one month’s salary to be paid in not more than 30 days.
Voting Procedures
All church business, other than that concerning the employment of the Pastor, will require 2/3 majority of those members present to be approved.
Changes in Bylaws
The bylaws of Freedom Fellowship may be changed, edited or amended as determined by the needs of, and the direction of, the congregation.