BYLAWS OF

OAKLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH

a non-profit corporation

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

The principal offices of the corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "Church", shall be located in the County of Oakland, State of Michigan.

ARTICLE II

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We Believe:

  1. In the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God. II Timothy 3:15-16.
  2. In One God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29.
  3. In the Virgin Birth of Christ, His vicarious, atoning death, bodily resurrection and ascension. Isaiah 7:14; Romans 8:34; Acts 1:9.
  4. In Salvation through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-13; I Peter 1:18-19; I John 5:10.
  5. In Water Baptism by immersion as instructed in Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:35-39.
  6. In Divine Healing through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:17; James 5:14-15; I Peter 2:24
  7. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. Acts 1:8; 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2-6.
  8. In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit which enables a believer to live a holy life. Hebrew 12:14; I Peter 1:15-16.
  9. In the observance of the Lord's Supper in accordance with I Corinthians 11:23-30.
  10. In the Church as the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission.
  11. Total Prosperity.

a.Spiritual. John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10

b.Mental. II Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.

c.Physical. Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24

d.Financial. III John 1:2; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-11; Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

e.Social. Proverbs 3:4

  1. In the lake of fire as the Second Death, the penalty for rejecting Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15.
  2. In the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 19:7-9.
  3. In the authority and plurality of the elders as overseers. 1 Timothy 3:2-7 & Titus 1:5-9 (qualification for elders/overseers); 1 Timothy 5:17 & 1 Peter 5:1-4 (responsibilities of elders); Acts 14:23 & 1 Timothy 5:17 (plurality of elders).

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.Qualifications of Membership.

Any born-again person (John 3:3) interested in becoming a member of the congregation of the Church shall be 18 years of age or older and submit a written and signed application, on a form approved by the Board of Elders, to the secretary of the Board. Each application shall be considered and approved by the Board of Elders. Upon application for membership, each person shall be required to complete a new member class in order to be considered. As Jesus said, “…if you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31). Any new member shall give testimony of his new birth in Christ and live a consistent Christian life.

Section 2.Voting Rights

Members of the Church in good standing shall have the following voting rights:

  1. To approve new Senior Pastor;
  2. Revision of Bylaws;
  3. Dissolution of the Corporation

A membership vote shall pass by a vote of the majority of a quorum of the congregational members unless otherwise required in these Bylaws.

Section 3.Termination of Membership

By affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum of the Board of Elders, a member of the congregation may be suspended or expelled for cause according to Article III, Section 6.

Section 4.Resignation of Membership

Any member of the congregation may resign by filing a written statement with the Secretary of the Board of Elders.

Section 5.Reinstatement

A former member of the congregation desiring reinstatement must do so by a signed, written request to the Board of Elders. By affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum of the Board of Elders, a former member of the congregation may be reinstated to membership on such terms as the Board of Elders may deem appropriate.

Section 6.Responsibility and Discipline

a)Cooperative Action. The members of the congregation of the Church shall give consent to its forms of government and to the policy of fundamental unity and agreement. The members shall conform to the scriptural injunctions that there be no division in the body. They shall be subject to the authority of the Elders as the Word of God plainly teaches. I Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

b)Attitude toward strife. Inasmuch as no Christian institution can comply with the plain teaching of Scripture unless unity and harmony prevail within its circle. Members of the congregation shall work in harmony with other members of the congregation and the Elders, as did the early church. (Acts 2:42). If there is cause for dissatisfaction, it shall be called to the attention of the Senior Pastor or another member of the Board of Elders. At their discretion, necessary action will be taken in accordance with the Word of God. (Matthew 18:15-18; Philippians 2:14-16)

c)Support. All members of the congregation shall be expected to support the programs and needs of the Church with their time and talents as well as their finances in proportion as the Lord shall prosper them. Malachi 3:10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 9:6-9.

d)Discipline. The responsibility of administering discipline in the Church is that of the Board of Elders. Some grounds for exercising discipline, suspension, or expulsion from membership in the congregation are as follows:

i.Any member of the congregation who shall without reasonable cause willfully absent himself from the regular services for a period of three (3) consecutive months or more and who ceases to contribute of his time, talents, and finances to the support of this body, shall be removed from active membership in the congregation.

ii.Unscriptural conduct or doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith, shall be considered sufficient grounds upon which any person may be disqualified as a member. Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:9-13; II Thessalonians 3:6.

ARTICLE IV

THE BOARD OF ELDERS

Section 1.General Responsibility and Authority

The affairs of the Church shall be managed by the Board of Elders. They shall rule, teach and give spiritual support to the Senior Pastor in discipling new converts, praying for the sick (James 5:15), and encouraging and developing spiritual gifts and ministries in the body. The Board of Elders has full authority to govern the Church, including its operations, finances, vision and mission.

Section 2. Number, Term and Qualification

The number of members of Board of Elders shall be no less than five (5) and shall have no maximum number. The term of membership shall be for a two (2) year period and an Elder may be re-elected for additional terms (see Article IV, Section 7). Any member of the Board of Elders must also be a member of the congregation of the Church.

Section 3.Meetings

The Board of Elders shall conduct regular meetingsat least once each month. No meeting of the Board of Elders shall be held without the presence or consent of a quorum of the Board of Elders. Special meetings of the Board of Elders may be called by or at the request of any two Elders.

Section 4.Notice of Regular or Special Meetings

Notice of the regular or special meetings of the Board of Elders shall be given by written electronic notice to each Elder. The business to be transacted at the meeting need not be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these Bylaws. The meeting shall not be considered official unless each Elder has been given 48 hours written electronic notice. If the meeting is to be held at a location other than the Church, the notice shall state the name and address of such meeting location. An Elder may waive such notice requirements only as to himself, either in writing or by his attendance.

Section 5. Quorum

A majority of the Board of Elders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Elders.

Section 6. Board of Elders

The act of a majority of Board of Elders present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Elders, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these Bylaws. Board Members may be present in person, by telephone, by written and signed absentee vote, or by written and signed proxy.

Section 7. Election and Removal of Elders

A simple majority of the Board of Elders shall be necessary to elect or remove an Elder from the Board. The Board of Elders shall seek to add members with staggered terms.

In the event all members of the Board simultaneously resign, the Senior Pastor may appoint a new Boardof Elders with majority approval of a quorum of the congregational membership.

Section 8.Compensation

The Board of Elders as such shall not receive any salaries for their services. The Senior Pastor, if serving on the Board of Elders, may be compensated for his duties as Senior Pastor, but not as a Board Member. The Senior Pastor shall not, in that event, vote on any matters impacting his compensation.

Section 9. Indemnity

The Board of Elders operating on behalf of the congregation and in the discharge of their duties shall not be held legally liable for any claims against them. The Church shall maintain Directors and Officers insurance along with General Liability insurance.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1.Officers.

The Officers of the corporation shall be a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other Officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

All Officers shall be Elders. No member of the Pastoral staff shall hold the office of treasurer, nor shall any staff member serve on the Board of Elders or as an Officer, save only the Senior Pastor.

Section 2.Naming of Officers.

TheOfficers of the Church shall be named annually by the Board of Elders. Any vacancies shall be filled immediately by majority vote of the Board of Elders.

Section 3. Removal

Any Officerelected by the Board of Elders may be removed by the majority vote of the Board of Elders whenever in their judgment the best interests of the Church would be served thereby.

Section 4. Pastoral Resignation, Removal & Replacement

a)Resignation. In the event the Senior Pastor should voluntarily choose to leave, he shall designate his successor. Said designated successor shall be approved by a two-third (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Elders, exclusive of the Senior Pastor. If approved by majority of the Board of Elders, exclusive of the Senior Pastor, then the nomination of the new Senior Pastor shall be presented at a special meeting called in accordance with Article XI, Section 3. Final approval must be by 2/3 majority of vote of a quorum of the voting congregational members.

b) Removal. In the event the Senior Pastor shall have serious charges proffered against him or his ministry has ceased to be effective, the matter shall be brought to the Board of Elders in accordance with I Timothy 5:19-20 to consider his removal. Upon recommendation of removal by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Elders, exclusive of the Senior Pastor, the Senior Pastor shall be asked to resign. In the event the Senior Pastor refuses, the matter shall be referred to the members of the congregation at a special meeting called in accordance with Article XI, Section 3. Final approval for removal must be by 2/3 majority of a quorum of the voting congregational members.

c)Pastoral Recruitment and Confirmation. In the event the Senior Pastor shall resign, be removed without having appointed his successor, or if the resigning Senior Pastor’s nomination is not approved by two-thirds of the Board of Elders, then a special committee shall be appointed by the Board of Elders to recruit and present a candidate for Senior Pastor.

i.Presentation. In the event two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Elders shall approve said candidate, he shall be presented to the congregation for final approval.

ii.Final Approval. The membership of the congregation shall be called together to vote, by secret ballot on the Senior Pastoral candidate. Final approval must be by two-thirds (2/3) majority of quorum of the voting congregational members at a special meeting called in accordance with Article XI, Section 3.

Section 5.Powers of Officers

a)President. The President shall be a member of the Elder Board. The President shall serve as a moderator pro tem in meetings of the Elder Board or the members. The President shall perform any other duties, which may be prescribed by the Elder Board from time to time.

b)Secretary. The Secretary who shall be the secretary of the corporation, shall keep the minutes of meetings of the members or Elder Board; shall see that all notices of meetings are duly given according to these Bylaws and State law; shall be custodian of the Church records; shall keep a register of the mailing address of each member as furnished by the member to the Secretary and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Elder Board.

c)Treasurer. The Treasurer of the Church shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Church; receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the Church from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the name of the Church in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and other such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Elder Board.

The Treasurer may select a Church member to handle the deposits of all contributions made to the Church. Said person shall maintain a record of individual donations and shall furnish each a statement at the end of the year.

d)Delegating Powers to Other Officers, Board Members, or Committee Members. In case of the absence of any Officer of the Church, or for any other reasons that may seem sufficient, the Board of Elders may delegate those duties and powers for the time being to any other Board of Elder. The Elders may also, by majority vote, authorize members of the Board or Committee(s) with signing authority to bind the Church. Absent majority vote of the Board, the Senior Pastor has no signing or management authority and may not bind the Church, irrespective of what Officer or Director position he may hold.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES, DEACONS, AND BOARD OF ADVISORS

Section 1. Committees. Committees comprised of members of the congregation may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the Board of Elders. Such committees shall exercise the authority only to the extent provided in such resolution. Such committees shall not operate to relieve the Board of Elders of any responsibility imposed on them by law. Any committee must be chaired by a member of the Board of Elders. Such chairmanship and membership shall be determined by majority vote of the Board of Elders.

The Finance Committee shall be a standing committee. The Board of Elders may, by majority vote, delegate some specific responsibilities of the Finance Committee to a Controller or like position.

Section 2.Deacons. Deacons may be chosen by the Board of Elders. Said Deacons, must conform to the scriptural qualifications as outlined in I Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 6:1-8. Deacons will assist in the administration of the ordinances of the Church and shall give assistance to the Board of Elders in the administration of business and work of the Church.

a.Selection and Approval. The Board of Elders shall select and approve those who will fill the office.

b.Number and Term of Office. No definite number or term shall be established for the office of deacon.

c.Removal. Deacons shall be removed from office by the Board of Elders.

Section 3.Board of Advisors. A Board of Advisors shall provide Godly counsel to the Board of Elders in organizational, financial, legal or other areas wherein the Elders determine that counsel is needed and/or desirable. The Board of Advisors shall have a minimum of 3 persons and no maximum number.

ARTICLE VII

MINISTERS

Section 1.Ordination. Board of Elders may ordain a person as a minister of the Gospel after first examining the applicant's background, moral and religious character, and what previous Bible courses and/or independent study the applicant has received. Final determination shall be within the absolute discretion of the Board of Elders.

Section 2.Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained minister of the Gospel. The Senior Pastor shall be principal minister of the Church; however, he shall have no management or operations authority independent of the Board of Elders.

Section 3.Application. Application for ordination as a minister of the Gospel shall be on the form provided by the Board of Elders. An application shall be either approved or denied within thirty (30) days of the completion of the investigation of the applicant. Those applicants who are approved shall receive a certificate evidencing the approval.

Section 4.School of Ministry. The Board of Elders may establish a School of Ministry, setting forth a prescribed curriculum and course of study leading to ordination of ministers. The School of Ministry shall prepare the student in the knowledge of the Word of God and in ministering to the needs of mankind through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

ARTICLE VIII

CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS, AND FUNDS

Section 1.Contracts. The Board of Elders must authorize any Officer or Officers, agent or agents of the Church who enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Church and such authority may be confined to specific instances.

Section 2.Purchase, Sale, or Lease of Property. No real property of the Church shall be purchased, sold, leased, mortgaged, or otherwise utilized without first being approved by the Board of Elders.

Section 3.Indebtedness. No indebtedness of the Church shall be incurred without first being approved by the Board of Elders.

Section 4.Budget, Checks, Drafts, or Orders. By December of each year, the Finance Committee shall recommend, and the Board of Elders shall approve, an annual budget for the following year. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Church shall be signed by an agent, Officer, or Board Member in such manner as shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Elders, in accordance with the Board approved budget. If any expenditure is not provided for in the Board approved budget, then such expenditure must first be approved by the majority of the Finance Committee. If the proposed expenditure, however, is not provided for in the Board approved budget, and is in excess of $1,000.00, then, upon recommendation by the Finance Committee, such expenditure must be then approved of the Board of Elders.