Constitution & Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

OF THE FRIENDSHIP ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
(Adopted this Thirteenth day of August, 1980)
(Revised April 2006)

PREAMBLE

For the purpose of establishing and maintaining a place for the worship of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father; to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, where the Holy Ghost may be honored according to our distinctive testimony; to assume our share of responsibility and the privilege of propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ by all available means both at home and in the foreign lands; we, whose names appear upon the Assembly roster, do hereby recognize ourselves as a local Assembly, and adopt the following articles of church order and submit ourselves to the government of same.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this Assembly shall be Friendship Assembly of God of the City of Colorado Springs, State of Colorado.

ARTICLE II. PREROGATIVES AND PROVISIONS

Sec. 1. This Assembly shall have the right to govern itself according to the standards of the New Testament Scriptures, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... ‘til we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. 4:3, 13.

Sec. 2. In connection therewith, or incidental thereto, it shall have the right to purchase or acquire by gifts, bequests or otherwise, either directly or as trustee, and to own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of any real estate or chattels as may be necessary for the furtherance of its purpose; all in accordance with its constitution and bylaws or as the same may be hereafter modified or amended.

ARTICLE III. TENETS OF FAITH

This Assembly shall accept the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts the statement of Fundamental Truth approved by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

ARTICLE IV. ORDINANCES

Sec. 1. The ordinances of Baptism by immersion in water (Matt. 28:19) shall be administered to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of their salvation. (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12)

Sec. 2. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall regularly be observed as enjoined in the Scriptures. Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-26.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this Assembly shall be available to all those who give evidence of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who voluntarily subscribe to its tenets of faith and agree to be governed by its constitution and bylaws as herein set forth.

Sec. 1. Active Membership. All those who meet the Scriptural standards for membership whose names appeared on the original membership roll of the Assembly at the time the Assembly was first organized, together with those names which shall be added from time to time, shall constitute the legal voting membership of the Assembly, provided they are sixteen years of age, or over, that they regularly attend the means of grace and take part in the services, that they are living consistent Christian lives and are in agreement with our distinctive testimony.

Sec. 2. Inactive Members. Enrolled members who shall without good cause absent themselves from the services of the Assembly for a period of three months or more, and who cease to contribute of their means to its support, who may be out of harmony with its teachings or its ministries or who shall be under charges for misconduct or who have fallen under condemnation through worldly practices, shall be considered inactive members and shall lose their voting privileges until they are restored to the fellowship, their standing to be settled by the definite action of the Assembly through its elected officers.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

Sec. 1. There shall be an Official Board consisting of at least three members to govern the spiritual and business management of the Assembly. It is recommended that these individuals fill the qualifications of I Tim. 3:8-13, Acts 6:3 and be called deacons and be part of the Official Board. Those having had a prior marriage but being full of the Holy Ghost and meeting all requirements of Article II, Section 5, Subsection (a) of the Bylaws may be elected to the Official Board. Women may serve on the Official Board. Of the Official Board one person may act as secretary and/or treasurer and one may be the recording secretary.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Sec. 1. Meetings for the public worship shall be held on each Lord’s day and during the week as may be provided for under the direction of the Pastor and Official Board.

Sec. 2. There shall be an annual business meeting of the Assembly, at which time the election of officers shall take place and the report of all officers shall be read. This meeting shall be held after the first of the year, if possible the second Tuesday of January, the time and place to be announced at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.

Sec. 3. Special business meetings of the Assembly may be called when necessary, after at least ten days notice has been given by the Pastor or by the secretary of the Assembly, provided the meeting has been agreed upon by a majority of the Official Board. Special meetings may also be called by petition having been signed by not less than one-third of the active membership of the Assembly, the petition to be placed in the hands of the Pastor or the secretary and announcement made at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. In the event said circulated petition concerns the duration of the Pastor’s call, the Pastor shall remain in his pastorate upon a majority of the votes cast in his favor.

Sec. 4. Quorum. No record of any special or regular business meeting of the Assembly shall be made unless one-fifth or more members shall be present to constitute a quorum.

Sec. 5. The Official Board, with the Pastor, shall meet monthly for the transaction of routine business for the Assembly, time and place to be announced by the Pastor. The Board of Trustees (if one exists) shall meet for the discharge of their duties as necessity may demand, upon the request of the Pastor.

ARTICLE VIII. DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

The Assembly shall hereby provide for the establishment of other departments or committees as the needs of the work may require. All such departments shall be subordinate to the Assembly and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the Pastor and Official Board, and the Pastor shall be an ex officio member of all committees or departments.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCES

All funds for the maintenance of the Assembly shall be provided by the voluntary contributions of the tithes and offerings of the members and friends of the organization. Members of the local Assembly shall not send their tithes to individuals, projects, radio programs, etc., but according to Malachi 3:10, pay their tithes into their local church financial plan.

ARTICLE X. PROPERTY

All property of the Assembly shall be deeded to the Assembly and held in its name. No real property of the Assembly shall be sold, leased or mortgaged, or otherwise disposed of without the same shall have first been recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the voting membership who are in attendance at a regular called meeting of the Assembly which has been called for the consideration of the proposal. No chattel property of the Assembly shall be disposed of without the approval of the Official Board.

The Pastor and the secretary of the Assembly shall certify in such conveyance, lease or mortgage that the same has been duly authorized. Such certificate shall be held to be the conclusive evidence thereof.

In the event the corporation or Assembly should cease or fail to function all properties deeded it would become property of the Rocky Mountain District of the Assemblies of God.

This constitution may be amended or changed by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership of the Assembly who are in attendance at any regular or special business meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made available to all members at least ten days preceding the time of such meeting.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1. The Pastor shall be considered as the spiritual overseer of the Assembly and shall direct all of its activities. He shall be president of the corporation and shall act as chairman of all the business meetings of the Assembly and of the Official Board. He shall arrange for all special meetings, conventions or revival campaigns. No person shall be invited to speak or preach in the Assembly without his approval. He shall be granted a three-weeks vacation with pay. In the event the Assembly is temporarily without a pastor or the Pastor is unable to be present, the Official Board shall be empowered to provide for its own chairman from its membership in order to transact business for the Assembly.

Sec. 2. The Official Board. They shall act in an advisory capacity with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the Assembly in its spiritual life and in the ministry of its ordinances. They shall act in the examination of applicants for membership and also in the administration of the discipline of the Assembly.

Sec. 3. The Board of Trustees (if one exists) shall be the custodians of all property of the Assembly, and shall be responsible for the maintenance of same. They shall meet for the discharge of their duties as necessity may demand, upon request of the Pastor.

Sec. 4. The recording secretary shall keep the minutes of the official meetings of the Official Board and of the annual and special meetings (business) of the Assembly. He shall keep records of the membership and perform any other clerical work necessary to the proper discharge of his duties. He shall be custodian of all legal documents, and be in possession of the corporate seal.

Sec. 5. The treasurer shall be entrusted with the finances of the Assembly. He shall deposit all funds in a responsible bank in the name of the Assembly and shall disburse the same by check as authorized by the Pastor and the Official Board. The treasurer shall keep an itemized account of the receipts and disbursements. He shall be ready to give a financial report at the regular meetings of the Official Board and a summarized report to the Assembly at its regular business meeting.

ARTICLE II. ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

Sec. 1. Election of Pastor. In the event of a change in pastors the Church Official Board shall notify the District Superintendent and the sectional Presbyter. The Official Board shall then begin to accept applications from ministers interested in becoming pastor of the local Assembly, the number of applications to be considered will be left to the discretion of the Official Board. After weighing each applicant’s character, leadership, spirituality, and experience, three names shall be chosen from the applicants to be the first try-outs, one of these three shall be notified to become the first try-out; after the first one has tried out, the voting constituency shall decide immediately by secret ballot if they wish to have more try-outs or vote on the one that has just tried out. This decision will require a two-thirds majority of voting members present. This procedure can be followed after each try-out. In the event no one receives a two-thirds majority in the first try-outs, this procedure shall continue until an election is declared. A two-thirds majority vote cast shall be required to constitute an election.

Sec. 2. (Amended January 2004) The Pastor shall be elected for a two-year period of time. The date for re-election shall take place every four years thereafter.

Sec. 3. In the event of a change of Pastors, there shall be a thirty-day period of time allowed for adjustment, it being understood that this shall not apply should the Pastor leave immediately or be removed for the cause of unscriptural conduct involving doctrine or character.

Sec. 4. The Secretary and/or the Treasurer shall be appointed annually by the Pastor and the Official Board.

Sec. 5. Deacons/Official Board Members.

(a) Deacons/Official Board Members, in order to qualify for office in the local Assembly, must be filled with the Holy Ghost according to the scriptures and be a member of this Assembly for at least six months before election. Deacons/Official Board Members shall not be users of tobacco or intoxicating liquors or beverages. They are to refrain from questionable amusements and practices that the testimony of Jesus be not put in ill repute. Deacons shall not have more than one living spouse. I Tim 3:12. [See CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI. Sec. 1]

(b) The Official Board (Deacons or Trustees) shall be chosen from the membership of the Assembly. One shall be elected to serve one year, one shall be elected to serve two years, and one shall be elected to serve three years. Upon the expiration of the terms of office, the succeeding members of the Board shall be elected to serve a term of three years each. Should more than three be elected, the dates of expiration shall be staggered. Those who have served two full terms shall not be eligible for re-election for one year following the expiration of their second term. [See CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI. Sec. 1]

(c) Upon the expiration of the term of office as Official Board Member (Deacon or Trustee), the succeeding member of the Board shall be nominated by a nominating committee and this committee shall consist of the Pastor and two Board members still in office and two lay members to be appointed by the Pastor. At least two names shall be presented to the voting constituency, if two can be found to meet the requirements for the Official Board as a choice for office. The nominating committee shall endeavor to nominate persons qualified for the office of Deacon to serve on the Official Board.

Sec. 6. Vacancies.

(a) The Pastor. The tenure of office in the pastorate shall be terminated by resignation, removal, death or disqualification. Power is vested in the Official Board to ask for the resignation of the Pastor at any of its regular business meetings. If such resignation is refused the pastor-ate shall not be considered vacant until the action of the Official Board has been confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the active members of the church, at a meeting called for that purpose.

(b) Other officers.

(1) Any office may be declared vacant by any act of the majority of membership at any regular or special called business meeting.

(2) Grounds for such action shall be (a) Unscriptural conduct, (b) Departure from Doctrinal tenets of faith, (c) Incompetency in office, (d) for any other good and sufficient cause.

(3) Any incumbent under charges shall have opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing of his case before the Assembly if he so desires.

(4) When vacancy occurs in any office except that of the Pastor, the unexpired term shall be filled by appointment by the Pastor and Official Board.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1. The basis for membership in Friendship Assembly shall be:

(a) Profession of belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 3:16).

(b) Repentance and a turning from sins (Rom. 10:9-10, Acts 2:38).

(c) Baptism by Immersion (Matt. 28:19).

(d) Agreement with the doctrines of the Assemblies of God.

(e) Profession of a sincere belief in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God and final authority in matters of faith and conduct, and separation from the works of the flesh as recorded in Gal. 5:19-21 and I Cor. 6:9-10, which are and including: adultery, fornication, homosexuality, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, and revelings. Members shall abstain from all worldly amusements which promote such works of the flesh, including separation from alcoholic beverages, gambling, use of tobacco and dangerous or narcotic drugs, except as medically prescribed.

(f) Each member shall strive to walk in the Spirit according to Gal. 5:22-23, exhibiting love, peace, joy, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

Sec. 2 Ministries of the Church

General: All members are expected to be active in at least one of the ministries of Friendship Assembly listed below. All newly accepted members shall select at least one ministry with which to be identified and within which to work, although no one is limited to only one:

Ministries:

1. Youth
2. Music (Platform musicians)

a. technical
b. vocalist(s)

3. Royal Rangers
4. Missionettes
5. CE Teacher
6. Discipleship
7. Outreach (evangelism)

a. Visitation

1. elderly
2. vistors
3. hospital/nursing home
4. etc

8. Fellowship

a. food preparation
b. program preparation

9. Seniors
10. Church Maintenance
11. Children Church
12. Benevolence
13. Prayer Chain
14. Home Bible Study Host
15. Administrative Assistant
16. Usher
17. Greeter
18. Board Member
19. Altar Workers
20. Any other designated ministry approved by pastor/official board

Sec. 3. Membership application cards, reading as follows, shall be completed by candidates for membership.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Having personally experienced the new birth (John 3:5-8) through faith in the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, having repented and turned from my sin (Rom. 10:9-10 and Acts 2:38), having received, or am earnestly seeking, the baptism in the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4, and having considered favorably the doctrines and practices of the Assemblies of God, and being in complete agreement with them; and desiring to be associated with those of like precious faith in Christian fellowship, I hereby apply for membership in Friendship Assembly of God.

I agree to be governed by the rules of the church, to attend services regularly as I have opportunity,
and to support its ministries with my tithes and offerings as God shall prosper me. It is my earnest
prayer that God shall keep me true to Him, but if for any reason I shall depart from the faith, or cease to live a Godly life, or change my doctrinal beliefs, I shall consider it just to be automatically
released from membership in Friendship Assembly.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED:

Single Married Widowed Divorced Remarried_________
Name Signature_______________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________
Ministry________________________________________________________________
Remarks________________________________________________________________

(Pastor’s Use) When received as member__________ Manner of Reception_________

Sec. 4. Reception of Members.

(a) Persons desiring to become active members of the Assembly shall make the fact known to the Pastor, who shall examine the applicant according to the standard of membership.

(b) The Pastor shall present the names of those who apply for membership with his recommendation to the Official Board who shall act upon said recommendation. All persons who shall have met the membership requirements shall be received into the Assembly publicly and their names inscribed on the roster. Membership shall be opened at least twice a year.

(c) All transfer applicants from other Assembly of God churches must attend at least the local Constitution and Bylaws class and must reaffirm their belief in the sixteen fundamental faiths of the Assemblies of God and local Bylaw

Sec. 5 Discipline.

(a) Any member of the Assembly who shall willfully absent himself from the regular services for a period of three consecutive months, or who shall be under charges, shall be temporarily suspended from active membership pending investigation and final decision in his case.

(b) Unscriptural conduct or doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith held by this Assembly, shall be considered sufficient grounds upon which any person may be disqualified as a member. Matt. 18:15-17; Rom. 16:17, 18; I Cor. 5:11; Gal. 1:8, 9; Titus 3:1-14

Sec. 6. Members in good standing, who may wish to sever their membership with the Assembly, or who may desire to be transferred to some other congregation, may apply to the secretary for a letter, which shall be granted on the approval of the Pastor and Official Board, said letter to be signed by the Pastor and the Secretary of the Assembly.

Sec. 7. The Pastor and Official Board shall be authorized to revise the membership of the Assembly annually, and remove from the list of active members all names of those who may have become deceased during the year, together with the names of those who may have withdrawn from the fellowship, or who have fallen into sin and whose lives may have become inconsistent with the standards and teachings of the Assembly. If a name is removed for any cause, an appeal may be made to the Board for reconsideration of their action and if reinstatement is not granted, the dismissed member may appeal to the membership, by a majority vote, shall be considered final. Matt.18:15-17; Rom. 16:17,18; I Cor. 5:9-13; IIThess. 3:6-15.

Sec. 8 Members who may have violated Sec.5 (a) (b) may be placed on an inactive status. Inactive status shall be a suspension of all voting rights. Active status shall be reinstated when the Official Board feels the inactive member has shown evidence of repentance and a reaffirmation of the Constitution/Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV. SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School shall be conducted as a branch of the activities of the Assembly. Officers of the Sunday School shall be appointed by the Pastor. These officers, together with the Pastor, shall constitute the executive committee of the Sunday School. The executive committee shall supervise all of its activities and appoint such teachers from time to time as may be deemed advisable, and as the work may require.

ARTICLE V. MISSIONS DEPARTMENT

The Pastor shall appoint a missions board, which, under the supervision of the Pastor, shall encourage a missionary program.

ARTICLE VI. OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Any other departments established shall be under the supervision of the Pastor.

ARTICLE VII. PROPERTY RIGHTS

Sec. 1. All property or chattel shall be taken, held, sold, transferred or conveyed in the corporate name of the local Assembly.

Sec. 2. No real property of the Assembly shall be sold, leased, mortgaged or otherwise alienated without the same having been authorized by at least a two-thirds vote of the membership in attendance at the properly authorized meeting.

Sec. 3. The Pastor and the secretary of the Assembly shall certify in such conveyance, lease, or mortgage, that the same has been duly authorized by the vote of the membership. Such certification shall be held to be conclusive evidence thereof.

ARTICLE VIII. ORDER OF BUSINESS

The regular order of business for the annual business meeting of the Assembly shall be as follows:

1. Devotional
2. Reading of the previous minutes of secretary
3. Report of treasurer
4. Report of departments
5. Unfinished business
6. Election of officers
7. New business
8. Adjournment

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special business meeting of the Assembly by a majority vote of the membership present, provided the proposed amendment has been made available to the membership ten days prior to the voting.

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