Church Bylaws 
Grace Community Church
of the
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Bellevue, Washington
Approved: August 16, 2006
Adopted: August 16, 2006
Article I – Objective of Bylaws
1. Objective – to adopt and support the objectives of the General Constitution of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Article II – Name
2. The legal name of this church shall be “Grace Community Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.” The operational name of this church shall be “Grace Community Church.”
Article III – Membership
3. The church membership shall consist of obedient born again believers in Christ who embrace the Word of God as their standard for Faith and Practice.
4. The minimum age for church membership is 18 years old.
5. Candidates for membership shall qualify by doctrinal belief and by Christian experience and testimony under the requirements of the Constitution for Churches: Article III, C&MA Manual (1995) Page A5-1.
6. To become a member one must follow the process for membership outlined in the most current Grace Community Church Membership Class Manual.
7. Membership status will be terminated for the following reasons: member leaves church, church discipline, personal request on the part of the member, member passes on. Terminated members may be reinstated upon request and approval.
8. Members of this church and all other adult professing Christians who regularly attend or fellowship with this church who err in doctrine, or who engage in conduct that violates Scripture as determined by the Board of Elders, shall be subject to church discipline, including dismissal, according to Matthew 18:15-18.
Article IV – Ordinances
9. Holy Communion (The Lord's Supper) shall be observed regularly in a manner and frequency determined by the elders. Baptism shall be administered upon request of believers who seek to follow their Lord in obedience. Prior to Baptism the believer will have a personal interview with a member of the pastoral staff, eldership, or other recognized body of church leadership.
Article V – Government
10. The governing authority of Grace Community Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance shall be known as the Board of Elders.
11. The number serving on the Board of Elders shall be a minimum of four, which may include the Senior Pastor.
12. Procedures for length of commitment, resignation, and reinstatement are outlined in the policy manual.
13. The Board of Elders shall consist of, but may not be limited to, the following offices: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurers. These offices must be filled at all times to comply with State of Washington requirements for incorporation. All offices are to be filled by elders based on a majority vote of the eldership. Description and commitment of each office is outlined in the policy manual.
14. The qualifications for elders are set forth in 1Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9 and are further specified in the policy manual. An elder must embrace the direction of the church. Each must be a member of Grace for a minimum of one year prior to becoming an elder. Exceptions to this one year period may be made at the discretion of the eldership.
15. No elder is an authority in his own right. The authority is in the eldership. Each elder is to be submissive to the eldership and together the eldership is to be submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ. The eldership shall abide by the duties listed in these Bylaws and ministry descriptions adopted by the Board of Elders, and shall operate within policies as outlined in the policy manual.
16. The process for becoming an elder is determined by the eldership and is to be outlined in the current policy and membership class manuals.
17. The business meetings of the Board of Elders shall be held monthly unless otherwise determined.
18. A quorum for the legal conduct of business shall be two-thirds of the board membership.
19. The chairman shall conduct the business meetings using the Roberts Rules of Order as a general guideline. The vice chairman shall conduct meetings in his absence. The eldership shall strive to reach unanimity for all motions that involve church direction, doctrinal application, or changes to these By-laws. In cases where unanimity is not possible, a two-thirds majority vote shall be required for a motion to carry.
20. The Secretary shall record and distribute minutes of each meeting to the board of elders for approval at the next business meeting.
21. The Treasurer shall provide account for all funds by all ministries within the church body. The Treasurer may utilize an assistant.
Article VI – Finance Team/Budget/Annual Meeting
22. The Treasurer shall establish the procedure and timeline for ministry coordinators, directors, or pastors to prepare and submit an annual budget for their ministries.
23. The Treasurer will meet with ministry coordinators, directors, or pastors as needed to review the church finances and prepare the annual master budget.
24. The annual master budget prepared by the Treasurer shall be approved by the Board of Elders prior to presenting the budget for affirmation by the congregation at the annual budget meeting.
25. The annual budget meeting shall be held during prior to the new fiscal year.
26. The annual budget meeting shall be announced to the congregation no less than two weeks in advance.
27. If more than one-third of the church membership opposes the proposed budget, the budget will not be considered affirmed. If the budget is not affirmed the Treasurer shall propose a new budget within 90 days.
Article VII – Ministry Teams
28. All ministry coordinators, directors, or pastors shall be approved of and appointed by the eldership and shall abide by the duties listed in their respective ministry descriptions and operate within policies as outlined in the policy manual.
29. Ministry coordinators, directors, or pastors shall appoint volunteer leaders to serve on their respective ministry teams as needed in accordance with the guidelines and procedures outlined in the policy manual. Volunteer leaders shall abide by the duties listed in their respective ministry descriptions and operate within policies as outlined in the policy manual.
30. Ministry volunteers are appointed by ministry coordinators, directors, or pastors and shall abide by the duties listed in their respective ministry descriptions and operate within policies as outlined in the policy manual.
31. All ministry coordinators, directors, and pastors shall prepare and submit an annual budget to the finance team following the procedure and timeline established by the finance team.
32. Ministry coordinators, directors, and pastors shall prepare and submit ministry and finance reports in a format and on a schedule determined by the eldership.
33. All ministry teams, ministries, and church activities shall be under the control and authority of the Eldership.
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