Name. The church shall be known as Leroy Community Chapel, hereafter referred to as LCC. 

Affiliation. LCC is organized as an independent, autonomous and self-governing body. We maintain affiliations with churches of like faith and practice to further the cause of Christ and the ministry of LCC. We can establish official or voluntary affiliation with organizations by 2/3majority vote at a duly called congregational meeting. 

Please refer to the Statement of Faith page to read this section in full.

Any person may become a member who professes saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; who agrees with our Statement of Faith; and who commits to worship, serve, support and grow with LCC. Each person must take the new membership class and give public testimony of his faith. The specific matters relating to membership can be found in the “By-Laws.” 

Form of government: The government of LCC will be vested in the Board of Elders, which represent and hold the trust of the voting membership. The Elder Board will cast vision, give direction and set policy for the supervision of the church. The lead pastor and pastoral staff will administer and implement the vision of LCC. The figure below illustrates the governance model for LCC.

THE BOARD OF ELDERS serves as the ruling body. It is comprised of the active elders.  

There shall be three types of Elders at Leroy Community Chapel: 

1. Pastoral Elders (PE) are individuals who have been called by the congregation of the Church. The Lead Pastor is an Elder by biblical precedent and shall enjoy ex officio voting privileges on the Elder Board upon Membership of the Church. Other pastors may be included on the Elder Board if their role is deemed necessary to the functioning of the Board. For an Associate Pastor to be added to the board as a voting member, this pastor must be nominated by the Lead Pastor and affirmed by a unanimous vote of the Elder Board. He will be added for a one-year term which is annually renewable by a unanimous vote.
   
2. Lay Elders (LE) are individuals who have been called from within the membership of the Church for three-year terms. They enjoy voting privileges upon installation. At the discretion of the Board of Elders an LE may be asked to take a sabbatical year, as a seventh year following the first two (2) three year terms, or following any three-year term, thereafter. In the case of a sabbatical rest, the former LE will agree to sit out one ministry cycle before allowing their name to be offered to the Congregation for another appointment as an LE. 
3. Associate Lay Elder (ALE) is appointed by the Board of Elders for a period of one fiscal year. Their appointment is by need or opportunity; and, their selection is secured by unanimous affirmation of the Board of Elders. An ALE must exit the Board of Elders at the end of the fiscal year of their appointment. They enjoy voting privileges upon appointment. A member cannot be affirmed as an ALE for two successive fiscal years; and, no more than two (2) ALE’s can be on the Board of Elders in a single fiscal year. The Board of Elders is not required to have an ALE during a fiscal year. 

The Elders cast vision, establish policy, and commission the Lead pastor with the pastoral staff to implement the vision and policies.

The Elders keep the ministry and the congregation in prayer before God, give supervision to the spiritual work of the church in general, and administer discipline. 

The Elders function as the legal trustees of the church and its property. In this function the elders will ensure that the following trustee duties are performed directly or by delegation:

1. Advise and recommend to the elders in all trustee related matters and carry out research projects assigned to them. 
2. Ensure all federal and state regulations concerning the church are in order. 
3. Stay abreast of the latest laws concerning the operations and status of the church and its personnel.
4. Research matters concerning insurance for the church and its personnel. 
5. Research all matters of real estate pertaining to LCC. 

An Elder is expected to uphold the Christian faith, maintain godly character, and lead with wisdom and maturity as expressed in 1 Timothy 3. 

THE PASTORAL STAFF implements the church vision and administers the ministry and life of the church. The pastoral staff consists of the Lead Pastor and the ministry pastors which are chosen by the congregation. The church administrative staff serves under the pastors to effectively accomplish the work of the Lord in the cause of Christ. The Lead Pastor is ex officio (by virtue of position) a member of the Elder Board. Other pastors may be included on the Elder board on a case-by-case basis if their role is necessary to the functioning of the board. The lead pastor will serve as the chief administrative officer and the head of the pastoral staff. It is his responsibility to direct the affairs of the staff, to lead the church in its mission and to feed the flock– giving attention to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). 

1. The Pastoral Staff is in charge of all aspects of the congregational worship. 
2. The Pastoral Staff is in charge of ministering to and feeding the flock. 
3. The Pastoral Staff is to direct and work with the Deacons and Deaconesses. 
4. The Pastoral Staff is to appoint Ministry Directors with approval of the Elders. 
5. The pastors of LCC must meet the qualifications of the elder as described in I Timothy 3. Each pastor is expected to fill his role as a godly man filled with the Holy Spirit, and to teach the word of God as guided by the LCC Statement of Faith. 

THE DEACONS serve the church by giving supervision to the physical aspects of the church’s ministry. The deacons serve under the direction of the pastoral staff to make the ministry function effectively.

1. The deacons are in charge of the development and maintenance of the properties and facilities of LCC. 
2. The deacons are responsible for the physical aspect of scheduled meetings at LCC. 
3. The deacons are in charge of facilitating the various aspects of the worship services at LCC, such as ushering the meetings and collecting the financial offerings, in cooperation with the pastoral staff and ministry directors. 
4. The deacons’ qualifications will be in accordance to I Timothy 3:8-13. 
5. Deacons are presented as nominees at the May congregational meeting, and chosen by a congregational vote of affirmation. A two-thirds majority vote by the membership present at the May congregational meeting is needed to affirm a nomination. A deacon serves a three-year term. The terms of the deacons should be staggered so that continuity is maintained from year to year. 

THE DEACONESSES serve the church in various “help” and “compassion” oriented ministries at the discretion of the pastoral staff. 

1. The deaconesses are in charge of preparing the elements of the Communion services and refreshments at church meetings.
2. The deaconesses are in charge of the kitchen and food arrangements for all wedding receptions and funeral wakes held in the church facilities. 
3. The deaconesses are to work with the sick and bereaved and to help in other programs that are instituted for this general area of care. 
4. The deaconesses’ qualifications will be in accordance to Acts 9:36, Titus 2 and I Timothy 3. 
5. Deaconesses are presented as nominees at the May congregational meeting, and chosen by a congregational vote of affirmation. A two-thirds majority vote by the membership present at the May congregational meeting is needed to affirm a nomination. A deaconess serves a three-year term. The terms of the deaconesses should be staggered so that continuity is maintained from year to year. 

THE MINISTRY DIRECTORS are appointed by the pastoral staff with the approval of the elders and are charged with the supervision of a specific ministry of the church, such as Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Jail Visitation Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Worship Ministry, etc. The ministry directors are to work with

the other leadership groups as needed to expedite the successful working of their ministry. The ministry advisory council has been created for this purpose. 

THE MINISTRY ADVISORY COUNCIL is an advisory and networking council. It is not a policy making council. It functions at the behest of and helps implement the policies set by the Board of Elders. Its purpose is to facilitate communication between the leadership and ministry groups, to promote unity and cooperation so that ministry can be accomplished, and to give insight and advice concerning the church vision and its outworking. It is comprised of a representative from each ministry group, each leadership group and other church officials as deemed necessary to the facilitating of the ministry. The lead pastor, or one appointed by him, will serve as the chairman of the Ministry Council. 

STANDING COMMITTEES are permanent committees that give advice to and carry out the duties assigned to them by the Board of Elders. The committee members are appointed by the Board of Elders, except for those members that are church officers elected by the congregation. 

1. The Benevolence Committee oversees the collection and distribution of so designated monies and gifts to those with special needs in our church family and the greater community. A staff pastor will chair the committee, and report its activities to the Board of Elders. 
2. The Personnel Committee oversees and gives council to the Board of Elders about all personnel matters of LCC, that are associated with paid staff – pastoral, administrative or ministry directors. The chairman of the Board of Elders, or his appointee, will serve on the personnel committee. 
3. The Financial Committee oversees the fiduciary matters of LCC, including the development and oversight of the budget. The treasurer will be the chairman of the financial committee. A non-staff elder will also serve on the committee. The treasurer is responsible to establish the fiduciary procedures necessary for maintaining proper fiscal responsibility and accountability. 

AD HOC COMMITTEES refer to non-standing committees created for temporary and specific purposes. They are terminated as soon as their purpose has been served. Examples of ad hoc committees are: the nominating committee, a pastoral search committee, a capital campaign or building committee. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an ad hoc committee is formed, the elders shall appoint a chairman

from the Ministry Council. The other members will be appointed by the leadership group to which the ad hoc committee reports.

1. The Nominating Committee will report to the Elders. All chosen officers of the church except for pastors will be nominated by the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall consist of at least six members: one from the pastoral staff, one from the elder board (who is finishing his term), one from the deacon board (who is finishing his term), one from the deaconess board (who is finishing her term), and two from the membership of the church, appointed during the October congregational meeting by popular vote. The nominating committee shall evaluate the qualifications and capabilities of every man or woman considered for office and review with the candidate the qualifications required for the respective officers before submission of such candidates to the elders for their review. The elders will submit the list of approved nominees at the May congregational meetings for election. Members are encouraged to submit names for consideration to the nominating committee before the February 1 deadline. Nominations for church officers will not be accepted from the floor at congregational meetings. Only members of LCC are eligible to serve as church officers. The Nominating Committee will be dissolved each year after the May congregational meeting. 
2. The Pastoral Search and Capital Campaign Committees will report to the Elders. 

For legal and fiduciary matters, elders and the treasurer are designated as officers of Leroy Community Chapel.  All elected officers shall serve until the first meeting of

said leadership group following the end of the fiscal year after their term of office has expired. Each church official shall sign the doctrinal statement embodied in this constitution at the beginning of appointment.

ELDERS: PROCESSES OF APPOINTMENT AND DISMISSAL

The number of elders will vary according to the number of members, the needs of the church, and the number of qualified men available. A head elder will be chosen by the elders to serve as Chairman of the Board for one year terms beginning in July. The Head Elder serves as the moderator of all Board of Elders and congregational meetings. It is his responsibility to appoint clerks to see that official minutes and records of LCC are kept secure and up to date. He also will declare whether a quorum is met for each congregational meeting.

Elders are presented as nominees at the May congregational meeting, and chosen by a congregational vote of affirmation. A two-thirds majority vote by the membership present at the May congregational meeting is needed to affirm a nomination. An elder serves a three-year term. The terms of the elders should be staggered so that continuity is maintained from year to year.

An elder may be dismissed if he no longer upholds the core values or doctrines of the church, or fails to support the ministry for an extended period of time.

1. The dismissal of an Elder requires a fair and impartial investigative process. The grounds of dismissal must be of biblical cause. If a man is determined, by the inquiry of the Board of Elders, and found to no longer comply with the standards set forth of I Timothy 3: 1-7 and as such cannot set the proper example for the congregation in lifestyle and faith, The Board of Elders must dismiss him immediately and remove him from their leadership assembly. The dismissal of an elder is to be done in love to him and his family and only after careful consideration and prayer.
2. When an Elder resigns for personal need, his resignation is to be accepted by the Board of Elders and be removed from their leadership assembly. The effective date of resignation is agreed upon by the resigning elder and the Board of Elders.
3. The elder who resigns or is dismissed from the Board of Elders prior to the completion of their term, shall be replaced by an ALE. Such person is not included in the limitation of two ALE’s in a fiscal year. However, the term limit of an ALE applies.
4. The dismissal of a non-elder officer will follow the spirit and intent of Article IV.B.1.c.1. and, 2.

PASTORS: PROCESSES OF APPOINTMENT AND DISMISSAL

Pastors are presented by the Pastoral Search Committee to the Board of Elders, who approve and present them as candidates to the congregation. Pastoral candidates must receive two-thirds of the members voting at a special meeting called for the expressed purpose of selecting a pastor before the elders will extend a call to the candidate. A pastor and his wife, upon acceptance of the call, shall become members of LCC. There are no term limits for a pastor.

A pastor shall serve until his pastorate is terminated by resignation or request by the Board of Elders.

1. The dismissal of a pastor should follow the same guidelines as for the dismissal of any other elder, see: Article IV, Paragraph B.1.c.1.
2. The date of resignation will be upon agreement of the resigning pastor and the Board of Elders.

TREASURER: DUTIES, PROCESS OF APPOINTMENT

The treasurer is the chief financial officer of the church. The treasurer is responsible for all matters relating to church finances. He will establish the procedures for collecting, counting, recording, depositing, dispensing, and reporting so that the monies contributed to the church are handled responsibly. He is also responsible for the accounting of the financial records and maintaining the proper state credentials required for (501) (c) (3) corporations. The financial procedures are found in the policy manual.

The treasurer is presented as a nominee at the May congregational meeting and chosen by a congregational vote of affirmation. The treasurer serves a two year term. He can serve as many terms as he is nominated and approved by the congregation at the annual meeting.

The Treasurer will have the qualifications of deacon.

There shall be two official congregational meetings each year, in October and in May.

1. In October the nominating committee will be selected. The financial report will be presented. Other items can be added to the agenda by the Chairman of the Elder Board. 
2. In May those nominated for church offices will be approved or rejected by vote of the members present. The yearly Budget will also be presented and voted on. The yearly vision, goals, and strategy for LCC will be presented. Other items can be added to the agenda by the Chairman of the Elder Board. 

Special meetings may be called by the elders. The date and purpose of said meetings must be posted two weeks in advance and clearly announced to the congregation through the Sunday bulletin. Such meetings are not to be used as open forums for new business or debate, but are restricted to the stated purpose. The elders shall call a meeting upon written request from 20% of the membership. The reason is to be clearly stated. Said meeting is to be convened within four weeks after the filing of the request. 

A quorum is necessary to transact any business at a congregational meeting. 20% of the active membership must be present at a congregational meeting to form a quorum. A majority vote of the voting members present at any constitutionally called congregational

meeting shall be required in all matters brought before the congregation for approval or decision, unless otherwise provided for in this constitution.

All LCC attendees are welcome to attend congregational meetings. Only members may introduce or vote on issues.

The Chairman of the Elder Board, or his appointee, shall moderate and establish the agenda for all congregational meetings.

The fiscal and program year for LCC shall extend from July 1 to June 30. A yearly report for the completed year will be drawn up and distributed to all active members during the month of July. 

In the conduct of business, any parliamentary questions not covered by this Constitution shall be decided by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

If the church membership votes to dissolve and cease to function as a church, or if the membership should dissolve through some disaster, the property and assets will be distributed representatively among the organizations that sponsor the current missionaries on monthly support by

LCC, with the intent that said missionaries receive their support in ministry for up to four years.

LCC will operate in a debt free manner.

Once the annual budget has been approved by the congregation, any unbudgeted expenditures that exceed 2% of the annual budget must be approved by a majority vote at a meeting where a quorum has been met.

A supplement to this constitution known as The By-Laws of Leroy Community Chapel shall provide a vehicle to implement and carry out the principles outlined by the Constitution. Examples of items included in the By-laws are:

1. Explanations in more detail how the church functions, frequency of meetings for committees, the process involved in Church discipline, etc.
   
2. Church position statements that are relevant to this local body, but are not deemed core doctrine as found in the Constitution Article II--Statement of Faith.
3. The vision statement and core values Leroy Community Chapel.
   
4. All matters dealing with membership.
   
5. Ministry purpose statements and procedures.
   

The Policy Manual of Leroy Community Chapel shall cover such items as:

1. Job descriptions for all positions in the church.
   
2. Grievance procedures and protocol.
   
3. Operational procedures, such as how the fiduciary matters of the church are handled.
   
4. Church office and administrative staff manual.
   
5. Church Policies, such as rental policies, wedding policies, etc.
   

New ”By Laws” or “Policy Manual” statements or changes to existing “By Laws” or “Policy Manual” statements will be presented to and reviewed by the Ministry Council and approved by the Elders.

Amendments to this constitution may be made at any duly called congregational meeting when said amendments have been presented to the Board of Elders in writing with signatures of 20% of the voting membership and posted for at least one month prior to the congregational meeting. A two-thirds majority vote is required for passage of the amendment at a meeting where a quorum has been met.