Transparency
As we come to the annual vote, we want to ensure that you know everything you need about the proposed changes.
Below you will find the original by-laws, and then you will find the proposed changes.
On Feb 19th, you can ask the elders about the proposed changes after service.
On Feb 26th, we will be voting after service. We ask that if you are voting that you stay afterward.
Below you will find the original by-laws, and then you will find the proposed changes.
On Feb 19th, you can ask the elders about the proposed changes after service.
On Feb 26th, we will be voting after service. We ask that if you are voting that you stay afterward.
Proposed Changes to Church By-Laws
ARTICLE 5
CHURCH BOARD
Section 5.5 Qualifications
P) For elders who do not attend Living Grace Church, the following criteria also apply:
ii. External elders who do not attend a Church of God, Anderson, IN congregation cannot make up more than one quarter of the board of elders,
Proposed Change:
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION (CHURCH)
Section 7.1 Annual Meetings
The church shall convene, annually, during the last quarter of the calendar year as determined by the board. The purpose of this meeting is the following:
Section 7.1 Annual Meetings
The church shall convene, annually, during the last quarter of the calendar year as determined by the board. The purpose of this meeting is the following: Clarify church mission, values, vision, and beliefs to be united and of one mind
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION (CHURCH)
Section 7.6 Church Vote
Recognizing the role of the membership of the church in discerning the will of God in major decisions of the church, the following items require a church vote in a duly called congregation meeting of the association.
a) Ratification of a senior pastor proposed by the board of elders,
b) Appeal from the removal of a senior pastor, if requested pursuant to Section 8.4.,
c) Purchase or sale of real property or buildings,
d) Incurring long-term debt in excess of five (5) years,
e) Incurring short-term debt less than (5) years as a per year amount in excess of twenty (20) percent of the annual general operating budget,
f) Ratification of the annual general operating budget as proposed by the board of elders,
g) Ratification of board of elders members,
h) Alteration, amendment, or repeal of the bylaws including changing the church name,
i) Dissolution of the corporation,
j) Congregational votes of any additional item not on this list shall only be taken at the request of the board of elders.
Changed to:
Section 7.6 Church Vote
Recognizing the role of the membership of the church in discerning the will of God in major decisions of the church, the following items require a church vote in a duly called congregation meeting of the association.
a) Ratification of a senior pastor proposed by the board of elders,
b) Appeal from the removal of a senior pastor, if requested pursuant to Section 8.4.,
c) Ratification of members of the board of elders,
d) Congregational votes of any additional item not on this list shall only be taken at the request of the board of elders.
Purpose of Change: This change would further clarify changes to the Annual Meetings requirements, eliminating some items that currently require a vote and allow Church Elders, ratified by the General congregation, to make decisions independent of a vote from the Church membership for each of those changes.
CHURCH BOARD
Section 5.5 Qualifications
P) For elders who do not attend Living Grace Church, the following criteria also apply:
ii. External elders who do not attend a Church of God, Anderson, IN congregation cannot make up more than one quarter of the board of elders,
Proposed Change:
- External elders who do not attend a Church of God, Anderson, IN congregation cannot make up more than one third of the board of elders,
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION (CHURCH)
Section 7.1 Annual Meetings
The church shall convene, annually, during the last quarter of the calendar year as determined by the board. The purpose of this meeting is the following:
- Celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year such as the number of decisions to follow Christ
- Convey the goals of the next year to make more and better believers in Christ
- Clarify church beliefs to be united and of one mind
- Ratify elder candidates
- Approve the annual budget
- Update bylaws
Section 7.1 Annual Meetings
The church shall convene, annually, during the last quarter of the calendar year as determined by the board. The purpose of this meeting is the following: Clarify church mission, values, vision, and beliefs to be united and of one mind
- Celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year such as the number of decisions to follow Christ
- Convey the goals of the next year to make more and better believers in Christ
- Discuss annual budget to accomplish mission and meet goals
- Ratify elder candidates
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION (CHURCH)
Section 7.6 Church Vote
Recognizing the role of the membership of the church in discerning the will of God in major decisions of the church, the following items require a church vote in a duly called congregation meeting of the association.
a) Ratification of a senior pastor proposed by the board of elders,
b) Appeal from the removal of a senior pastor, if requested pursuant to Section 8.4.,
c) Purchase or sale of real property or buildings,
d) Incurring long-term debt in excess of five (5) years,
e) Incurring short-term debt less than (5) years as a per year amount in excess of twenty (20) percent of the annual general operating budget,
f) Ratification of the annual general operating budget as proposed by the board of elders,
g) Ratification of board of elders members,
h) Alteration, amendment, or repeal of the bylaws including changing the church name,
i) Dissolution of the corporation,
j) Congregational votes of any additional item not on this list shall only be taken at the request of the board of elders.
Changed to:
Section 7.6 Church Vote
Recognizing the role of the membership of the church in discerning the will of God in major decisions of the church, the following items require a church vote in a duly called congregation meeting of the association.
a) Ratification of a senior pastor proposed by the board of elders,
b) Appeal from the removal of a senior pastor, if requested pursuant to Section 8.4.,
c) Ratification of members of the board of elders,
d) Congregational votes of any additional item not on this list shall only be taken at the request of the board of elders.
Purpose of Change: This change would further clarify changes to the Annual Meetings requirements, eliminating some items that currently require a vote and allow Church Elders, ratified by the General congregation, to make decisions independent of a vote from the Church membership for each of those changes.
Ratification of Budget
Absentee Voting
If you cannot attend on the 26th, email us at [email protected] for further instructions on voting remotely.