Becoming an official member of any group helps to give a sense of belonging, connectedness, and ownership.
An official member also feels the responsibility that he or she is really entrusted with the care of God’s family and God’s ministry in the community.
Membership lunches are offered regularly for the opportunity to learn more about our local church and answer any questions about becoming a member.
You can learn a bit more below, but for a deeper dive into the history, beliefs, and leadership, your best option is signing up for a membership class.
Attending the session doesn’t commit you to joining, but it does give you all the information you need to take that step. If you are interested in more information contact the church office at 814-237-8020 or church@scefc.org.
Check an abbreviated history here.
From the Blue Course Community Church Membership Class Download here
Session I – EFCA Statement of Faith
The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these
theological convictions:
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity
of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and
sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all
things new for His own glory.
Deuteronomy 6:4
• Creator – this is over against naturalism
• Holy and loving – both of these attributes are to held in union not in opposition
• Trinity – this is central to the Christian faith, and is critical to know as one engages Islam
• Limitless knowledge and sovereign power – open theism
• Redeem a people for Himself – purpose of our existence
• Make all things new – physicality, which is over against material-immaterial dualism
• For His own glory – God-centeredness over against man-centeredness
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of
human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the
complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human
knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all
that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
• God has spoken – God is both transcendent and immanent, He is personal, over against a God who is absent or
hidden
• Old and New Testaments – biblical canon, over against Nag Hammadi texts, Roman Catholic Bible, Orthodox,
and popular writings like The Da Vinci Code
• Through the words of human authors – no mechanical dictation
• Verbally inspired – full inerrancy, over against limited inerrancy
• Complete revelation – over against mysticism, subjectivism
• Ultimate authority – every realm submits to Scripture
• Believed, obeyed, trusted – belief and behavior
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union
with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only
through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Romans 5:12-14
• God created Adam and Eve – historical particularity of creation of mankind
• Created in the image of God – human worth and dignity, bioethics
• In union with Adam, sinned and sinners by nature and choice – anthropology
• Satan – historical figure as opposed to a myth
• Alienated from God and under His wrath – sin incurs God’s personal wrath, this is not simply a cause and
effect, God is both loving and holy, not just loving.
• God’s saving work in Jesus Christ – God’s initiative, exclusivity of Jesus Christ to rescue, reconcile and renew
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless
life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right
hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
John 1:18
• God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two Natures – hypostatic union – Jesus is the second
person of the Godhead from eternity; this was not a truth determined after the fact at the Council of Nicaea
(325)
• Jesus lived a sinless life – active obedience
• He was crucified – passive obedience
• Jesus arose bodily from the dead – over against a spiritual resurrection only
• Jesus resurrected body is the first fruits – this emphasizes the importance of the body, not only Jesus’ body,
but our body as well.
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the
perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only
ground for salvation.
Hebrews 10:11-14
• Jesus is our Representative and Substitute – His substitutionary death is being denied by some in broader
evangelicalism today.
• Jesus shed His blood – this is important to emphasis today because it is biblical, without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness, and He did this voluntarily. For some, this is considered “cosmic child abuse.”
• Perfect, All-sufficient sacrifice for our sins – nothing can be done or added to atone for sins, and this is being
denied in many places. Any time anything is added to the work of Christ, it is being denied.
• Jesus’ death is an atoning sacrifice – this means God’s wrath is propitiated, and our sins can be forgiven.
• Jesus’ victorious resurrection – this is the first stage of His exaltation. This, too, is denied by some as they
will make a distinction between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith.
• Salvation – salvation sin, ultimately God’s wrath. There are many ideas about salvation today, but the only
true salvation that gets at the heart of our problem is what has been stated here about the work of Christ.
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of
its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in
the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living
and service.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
• Glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ – when He ministers, Jesus is always exalted
• Convicts the world of its guilt – the world does not believe it is guilty before an Almighty God.
• Regenerates sinners – salvation is a work of God the Holy Spirit, not a work of man.
• Baptized into union with Christ – conversion and Spirit-baptism are simultaneous
• Adopted as heirs in the family of God – He addresses the problem of alienation, cosmic orphans. It
emphasizes familial and legal aspects of our union with
Christ.
• Illuminates – the Holy Spirit who inspires the Word of God also illuminates that Word in interpretation so we
can understand it.
• Empowers believers for Christ-like living and service – belief and behavior are connected, and this has
individual and corporate implications
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in
Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church
is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus
mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel.
Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances
confirm and nourish the believer.
Ephesians 1:22-23
• Justification – this affirms the biblical teaching, over against the teaching of the Roman Catholic
understanding, and the New Perspective on Paul (covenantal nomism, i.e. one enters into the covenant by
grace, but one remains by works)
• Faith alone in Christ alone – solas of the Scripture, rediscovered during the Reformation, and essential to
reaffirm today
• True church is manifest in local churches – this is contrary to the notion of lone ranger Christian, or the
churchless Christian
• Not the means of salvation – over against those who claim they are – Roman Catholics, Lutheran, and other
denominations or groups that claim salvific efficacy of the ordinances
• Celebrated in genuine faith – this is a celebration as the church body participates, and it is for those who
have been justified, those who have true saving faith, i.e. genuine faith, and those alone come to celebrate,
faith is not created by the participation in the ordinances
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God
commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one
another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and
fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s
commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and
deed.
Titus 3:3-8
• Justification and sanctification are components of salvation, and they cannot be separated, which is
happening in many evangelical circles, pitting one against another
• Life together is emphasized such that the Christian life is to be lived in community, over against many in the
broader evangelical community that attempt to be lone ranger Christians
• We are to care for others, remember the one another commands of Scripture, beginning with one’s own life
and family, but not ending there. There is a larger family, this new community to whom we are accountable
and responsible, and then the broader world
• True faith has implications – it is mental, but it has other entailments
Christ’s Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at
a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to
godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Matthew 24:42-44
• Bodily – This is important to reaffirm over against those who would conclude that it is only spiritual.
• Certainty – The certainty of Christ’s return is part of the gospel. If this is denied the gospel is denied.
• Future – This affirms Christ’s faithfulness to His promises, over against those who would say that either He
will not return, or those who conclude that all the prophetic promises of Christ’s return happened in the fall of
Jerusalem, 70 AD (full-preterism).
• Humility – At a time known only to God the Father is s recognition that He knows and we do not. This is over
against those who would attempt to set dates.
• Demands constant expectancy – This is an exhortation to believers. Though they profess and confess the
coming of Christ, it has very little bearing in the lives of believers. We are aliens and strangers, and we await
our return home.
• Motivates the believer – This awaiting Christ’s return is not “pie in the sky” and an avoidance of “living in the
world,” but a strong incentive to be “in the world but not of the world.”
Response and Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance
and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world,
assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal
blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace.
Amen.
Acts 17:30-31
• All commanded to believe the gospel – repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ this is essential to emphasis
the exclusivity and necessity of responding to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Bodily resurrection and judgment – this is not all there is, and we are embodied.
• Unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment – this is being denied by many today, and
softening, e.g. annihilationalism.
• To God’s glorious grace – this is the reason for being!
Note: “Blue Course Community Church” is a Fictitious Name (aka DBA, or Doing Business As) under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The “legal” name is shown below. Download here.
STATE COLLEGE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
ADOPTED OCTOBER 1, 1987
AMENDED OCTOBER 16, 1988, APRIL 30, 1995,
OCTOBER 28, 2001, APRIL 25, 2004, November 18,
2007, April 18, 2010, and April
28, 2019
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
CONSTITUTION 3-6
PREAMBLE 3
ARTICLE I NAME 3
ARTICLE
II PURPOSE 3
ARTICLE III STATEMENT OF FAITH 3
ARTICLE
IV AFFILIATION AND AUTHORITY 5
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP 5
ARTICLE VI CHURCH GOVERNMENT 5
ARTICLE VII PROPERTY 5
ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS 6
BYLAWS 6-21
ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP 6
ARTICLE
II CHURCH OFFICIALS 8
ARTICLE III STAFF 12
ARTICLE IV DISCIPLINE 16
ARTICLE V STANDING COMMITTEES 17
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS 19
ARTICLE VII ELECTIONS 20
ARTICLE VIII AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS 20
ARTICLE
IX AMENDMENTS 21
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the members of State College Evangelical Free Church, a congregation
of the Evangelical Free Church of America, do hereby commit and voluntarily
submit ourselves to the following articles.
ARTICLE
I “NAME”
The name of this corporation shall be State College Evangelical Free
Church. Hereafter this corporation may be referred to as the
“Corporation”, the “Church” or “State College
Evangelical Free Church”.
ARTICLE
II “PURPOSE”
God calls us to
glorify Him by growing a life-changing community of fully devoted Christ-
followers in the Centre Region and beyond.
As such, State
College Evangelical Free Church of State College, Pennsylvania is incorporated
as a non-profit religious organization.
ARTICLE
III “STATEMENT OF FAITH”
God
1.
We believe in one God, Creator of all things,
holy, infinitely perfect,
and eternally existing in a loving unity of three
equally divine Persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having
limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from
eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
The Bible
2.
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both
Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally
inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the
complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by
which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore,
it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires,
and trusted in all that it promises.
The Human
Condition
3.
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image,
but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human
beings are sinners
by nature and by choice,
alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work
in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Jesus Christ
4.
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully
God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised
Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He
lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily
from the dead,
ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High
Priest and Advocate.
The Work
of Christ
5.
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute,
shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our
sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground
for salvation.
The Holy
Spirit
6.
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does,
glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He
regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family
of God. He also indwells,
illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like
living and service.
The Church
7.
We believe that the true church comprises all who have
been justified by God’s grace through faith alone
in Christ alone.
They are united
by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches,
whose membership should be
composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper,
which visibly and tangibly express
the gospel. Though
they are not the means of salvation, when
celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish
the believer.
Christian
Living
8.
We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be
separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one
another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s
Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat
the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to
make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word
and deed.
Christ’s
Return
9.
We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return
of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God,
demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to
godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Response
and Eternal Destiny
10.
We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to
believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus
Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world,
assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and
the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and
the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
ARTICLE
IV “AFFILIATION AND AUTHORITY”
State College Evangelical Free Church has voluntarily chosen to affiliate
itself with the Evangelical Free Church of America and the local District
Association of that denomination. Although this affiliation involves an ongoing
commitment to the ministries and activities of the Evangelical Free Church of
America, State College Evangelical Free Church remains a totally autonomous and
self- governing body. Through the chosen officers and leaders of State College
Evangelical Free Church, the final authority for all decisions affecting the
assets and activities of State College Evangelical Free Church rests with the
active membership of the congregation.
ARTICLE
V “MEMBERSHIP”
Any individual who confesses a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who subscribes to the “Statement of Faith” in Article III, who
manifests the fruit of a true Christian life, who is willing to support
the church by their prayers,
contributions, service, and attendance, and agrees to adhere
to the Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of this church is eligible for
membership as outlined in the Bylaws.
While State College
Evangelical Free Church holds the same Statement of Faith as the EFCA, we
allow local members to hold a different position on Christ’s return than the
Statement of Faith. Members who hold a different
position on Christ’s
return than premillennial are asked to agree not to make this a matter of contention
within the church body or lead in a way contrary to the Statement of Faith. No
other exceptions to the Statement of Faith are
permitted.
ARTICLE
VI “CHURCH GOVERNMENT”
A.
The active membership of State College Evangelical
Free Church shall govern congregationally by: (1) approving/amending the Constitution
and Bylaws; (2) having representation on the Nominating Committee;
(3) electing/removing the Church leaders;
(4) calling/dismissing Senior Pastor(s); (5) approving the Annual Budget;
(6) approving the purchase and/or sale of real property; and (7) approving the
creation of/abolishing of Pastoral Staff positions.
B.
The active membership shall confer all other
responsibility and authority, except as specified otherwise in the Constitution and Bylaws, upon the Elders
as the Church leaders.
ARTICLE
VII “PROPERTY”
A.
This corporation shall have the power to receive,
purchase, hold and dispose of real, personal or mixed property as authorized by
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Bylaws of this corporation.
B.
In the event
of a division within the corporation, the name and all property
shall be retained by those members adhering to this Constitution.
C.
In the event of a dissolution of the corporation (the
corporation shall be considered dissolved if so decided by a ballot vote of 75%
of the active members), the title to all property, real, personal and mixed, shall be first
offered to the local District
Association of the
Evangelical Free Church of America. If declined by the local District
Association, the title to all property shall
then be offered
to another Christian
non-profit organization which publicly professes beliefs wholly
in accordance with those contained in Article III, “Statement of Faith”.
ARTICLE
VIII “AMENDMENTS”
A.
Any proposed amendment(s) to the Articles of this
Constitution must be approved by the active membership at the annual business
meeting. To be presented at that meeting, the proposed amendment must either
have been submitted in writing to the Elders and approved, or if not approved
by the Elders submitted as a petition which has been signed by not less than
50% of the active membership. The proposed amendment(s) must have been presented in writing and discussed at a business
meeting held not less than one month prior to the annual business
meeting. The inclusion of a proposed amendment to the Constitution on the
meeting’s agenda must have been publicly announced at the morning church
services on the three previous consecutive Sundays.
B.
The proposed amendment(s) shall be available and/or
provided to each active member at least two (2) weeks prior to the annual
business meeting.
C.
A quorum of sixty-seven per cent (67%) of the active
membership must be present at the annual business meeting to amend the
Constitution. Not less than three-fourths (75%) of the ballots cast must
approve any proposed amendment(s).
BYLAWS
ARTICLE
I “MEMBERSHIP”
A.
Admission.
1.
Any person meeting the qualifications listed in
Article V of the Constitution is eligible to apply for membership. An
applicant, after notifying an elder of the desire for membership and indicating the desired membership status, must attend
membership classes as specified
by the Elder Board and must have a personal interview with the Elder Board.
2.
If the Elder Board approves the applicant for
membership, the name of the applicant will be posted in the Church for a period
of two weeks for input from the congregation. If anyone brings to the Elder Board
any reason why the applicant should not be accepted into membership, the Elder Board must
reconsider the applicant’s request. Otherwise, the applicant will be considered
a member at the end of the two-week posting
period.
3.
Membership may be denied to any individual who does
not meet the qualifications specified in Article V of the Constitution or in
Article I of these Bylaws.
B.
Status.
1.
ACTIVE MEMBER. Anyone
who has satisfied the requirements for admission and who is not younger than 18 years of age may
request active membership. Active members are members who have committed
themselves to State College Evangelical Free Church as their home church, and
who commit themselves to supporting State College Evangelical Free Church
through their prayers,
contributions, service, and attendance. Active
members are eligible to vote and to hold offices within the church
except as outlined elsewhere in the Constitution/Bylaws.
2.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER. Anyone who has satisfied the requirements for admission and
(1) who is
younger than 18 years of age OR (2) who maintains an affiliation with another
church as home church or who does not expect to be committed to State College Evangelical Free Church to
the degree required for active membership, may choose to be an associate
member. An associate member may not vote nor hold any elected office as
specified in these Bylaws. An associate member may elect to transfer to active
membership, if currently meeting the requirements for active membership, by notifying the Elder Board in writing of the desire
to change status, giving the reasons for the requested change. If the Elder
Board approves, the status shall be changed.
C.
Nature of Membership.
1.
MUTUAL CONSENT. Membership is entered into by mutual
consent of the individual and the congregation and Church leaders.
2.
LEGAL ACTIONS. Based upon Paul’s teaching in I
Corinthians 6:1-8, we, the members of State College Evangelical Free Church,
agree not to pursue legal action against or sue fellow members. If legal
disagreements arise between members, the Elder Board shall appoint a committee
to arbitrate those matters.
D.
Termination of Membership.
1.
Any member, active
or associate, may be removed
from membership through
the discipline procedure as
outlined in Bylaws Article IV, C.
2.
Since membership is entered into by mutual consent, it
may be terminated only by mutual consent except when termination is by the discipline process
as outlined in Article IV. Any
member who desires to withdraw from membership may apply to do so in writing to
the Elder Board. Elder Board action shall take no longer than six (6) months
and once approved, membership shall be considered terminated.
3.
Any active member who has been inactive without cause,
as determined by the Elders (reasonable cause for inactivity may include
extended illness, temporary leave due to employment obligations, and other reasons as deemed appropriate by the Elder Board), for a period of six months
shall be considered for transfer to associate member status and shall
be informed in writing by the Elder Board of the proposed
change in membership
status.
The member shall be requested
to respond to the Elder Board and indicate whether
there is a desire to remain
affiliated with the Church. If no response
is received within
3 months or if the response
is negative, the individual’s membership
shall be terminated. If a positive
response is received, the Elder Board will evaluate the cause for
inactivity and make a decision regarding membership status.
4.
Any associate member who has been inactive
without cause for a period
of six months shall be notified
of the fact in writing
by the Elder Board and asked whether
membership is still desired. If no response is received
within 3 months or if the response is negative, the individual’s membership
shall be terminated.
ARTICLE
II “CHURCH OFFICIALS”
State College Evangelical Free Church shall have: (1) Elders as Church
Leaders, (2) a President and Vice President/Secretary as Corporate Officers,
(3) a Treasurer, and (4) Deacons and Deaconesses. Additional elected or appointed positions may be created,
as necessary, by the Elder Board.
A.
CHURCH LEADERS – ELDERS
1.
Responsibilities.
The Elders shall lead the Church. They shall serve the congregation by:
(1) providing guidance and direction through approving church policy and
strategic goals, (2) providing instruction in the Word, (3) shepherding, (4)
counseling, (5) administering discipline, (6) evaluating and supervising the pastoral staff,
and (7) assuming overall responsibility for all activities
of the Church.
2.
Qualifications.
a.
Only men are eligible to serve as Elders.
b.
Each Elder must have been an active member of the
Church for not less than six months and meet the qualifications described in I
Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
3.
Term of Office and Election.
a.
The term of office for each Elder shall be two years,
except as noted below, and there shall be no limit to the number of times an
Elder may be re-elected.
b.
The election shall be held in accordance with Bylaws
Articles V and VII. In any given year, the Church shall not elect 100% of the Elders for two-year
terms. In the first year, or any subsequent year
that would elect an additional number of new Elders, those elected will be
assigned to either a one or two year term in order to maintain the number of
Elders with one year remaining in their term of office as near to 50% as
possible. Those receiving the highest number of votes shall be assigned
two-year terms.
4.
Number.
a.
The authorized number of Elders of the Church shall be
established by the Elder Board but shall not be less than three (3) non-staff
Elders. No reduction of the authorized number of Elders shall have the effect
of removing any Elder prior to the expiration of the Elder’s term of office.
b.
If there are not a sufficient number of qualified or
elected men to fill all available Elder positions, vacancies may exist and be
included in the next year’s election.
5.
Resignation/Removal/Vacancies.
a.
Any Elder may resign by giving written notice to the Chairman of the
Elder Board.
b.
Any Elder may be removed from office if he becomes
physically or mentally incapacitated or otherwise unqualified in view of the
criteria set forth in Article II, A, 2, b. of these Bylaws, or if his inability
to serve is otherwise established in the minds of the members of the Elder
Board. Removal must take place at a business meeting with at least 51% of the
active membership present. At least 75% of the secret written ballots cast must
be for dismissal in order to remove an Elder.
c.
A vacancy shall exist in case of death, resignation or removal. Elder
vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term by special
election held at a business
meeting held in accordance with Article VII of these Bylaws.
6.
Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Elder Board shall be held at least once per
month. At least one- half (50%) of the Board’s non-staff members must be
present for a quorum.
7.
Special Meetings.
Meetings of the Elder Board may be called at any time by a Senior Pastor,
Chairman of the Elder Board, or 50% of the non-staff
members of the Elder Board. Unless waived by each member, notice of each
special meeting shall be by personal contact.
B.
CORPORATE OFFICERS
1.
Responsibilities.
The Corporate Officers shall act as legal representatives of the
Corporation. They shall meet only as necessary to transact corporate business,
sign and seal legal documents, and fulfill any other duties required of
Corporate Officers by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2.
Qualifications and Election.
Corporate
Officers shall consist of a President and a Vice President/Secretary elected by
the Elder
Board from its members.
C.
TREASURER
1.
Responsibilities.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the timely accounting of all
monies received and paid. Accounting records are to be made available to the
Elder Board, and/or an independent auditor as requested, and an annual statement is to be available for presentation
at the April business meeting. The Treasurer is to attend Board meetings at the
request of the Elder Board.
2.
Qualifications.
The Treasurer must have been an active
member of the Church for at least six months.
The Treasurer shall not simultaneously serve as the Financial Secretary.
3.
Election and Term of Office.
a.
The election shall be held in accordance with Bylaws Articles V and VII.
b.
The term of office for the Treasurer shall be two
years and there shall be no limit to the number of terms served.
4.
Resignation/Removal/Vacancy.
a.
The Treasurer may resign by giving written notice to
the Chairman of the Elder Board.
b.
The Treasurer may be removed from office upon becoming
physically or mentally incapacitated or if his or her inability to serve is otherwise established in the minds of the members of the Elder Board.
Removal can be affected by the procedure contained in Bylaws Article II, A, 5, b.
c.
A vacancy shall exist in case of death, resignation or
removal. A vacancy for the remainder of the term shall be filled by Elder Board appointment.
D.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
1.
Responsibilities.
The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for the timely accounting of
all monies received. The Financial Secretary shall provide annual giving
statements in accordance with IRS guidelines.
2.
Qualifications.
The
Financial Secretary must have been an active member of the Church for at least
six
months. The Financial Secretary
shall not simultaneously serve as Treasurer.
3.
Election and Term of Office.
a.
The election shall be held in accordance with Bylaws Articles V and VII.
b.
The term of office for the Financial Secretary shall
be two years and there shall be no limit to the number of terms served.
4.
Resignation/Removal/Vacancy.
a.
The Financial Secretary
may resign by giving written
notice to the Chairman of the
Elder Board.
b.
The Financial Secretary may be removed from office
upon becoming physically or mentally
incapacitated or if his or her inability to serve is otherwise established in
the minds of the members of the Elder Board. Removal can be affected by the
procedure contained in Bylaws Article II, A, 5, b.
c.
A vacancy shall exist in case of death, resignation or
removal. A vacancy for the remainder of the term shall be filled by Elder Board appointment.
E.
DEACONS/DEACONESSES
1.
Responsibilities.
Deacons/Deaconesses shall serve
the congregation and assist the Elders as needed in implementing and
coordinating the various activities and ministries of the church.
2.
Qualifications.
a.
Men will be known as Deacons, Women as
Deaconesses.
b.
Each Deacon /Deaconess must have been an active member
of the Church for at least six months,
be willing and qualified to serve in ministry to the body of Christ. The qualifications in scripture
(I Timothy 3:8-13, Romans 16:1-2) will serve as guide.
3.
Appointment/Number/Term of Service
a.
The appointment shall be by the Elder Board. Names of
the prospective Deacons/Deaconesses shall be posted for two weeks for comment
by the congregation.
b.
The authorized number of Deacons/Deaconesses of the Church
shall be established by the Elder Board.
The number will be based
upon the ministry
needs of the
congregation.
c.
The term of service shall be two years and there shall
be no limit to the number of times a Deacon/Deaconess may be re-appointed. With
the approval of the Elder board, the term of service may be less than two years.
4.
Resignation/Removal.
a.
Any Deacon/Deaconess may resign by giving written
notice to the Chairman of the
Elder Board.
b.
Any Deacon/Deaconess
may be removed by the Elder Board upon becoming physically or mentally incapacitated or otherwise unqualified in view of the criteria set forth in Article
II, D, 2 of these
Bylaws, or if their inability
to serve is otherwise
established in the minds of the members of the Elder Board.
ARTICLE
III “STAFF”
A.
Senior Pastor(s)
1.
In order to fulfill its stated purposes, the Church shall
call and support a male pastor who shall devote his time to the teaching and
preaching of God’s Word, to the care of the spiritual welfare of the Church,
and to leading and overseeing the implementation of the entire work of the
Church. The Elders may nominate, and members of the congregation approve, more
than one Senior Pastor.
2.
The Senior Pastor(s) is appointed by the Lord Jesus
Christ as an undershepherd of part of His Church, and therefore he must lead as
one who will give a personal account of his ministry and the souls of those in
his charge (Hebrews 13:17). Though his appointment is by the Lord Jesus Christ,
his appointment to this Church is confirmed by the Holy Spirit through the call
of the active membership and the faithfulness and fruitfulness of his ministry.
3.
Calling of Senior Pastor(s)
a.
When there is need for a Senior Pastor, a Pastoral
Search Committee shall be established. The Pastoral
Search Committee shall consist of two members
from the Elder Board, one
Deacon or Deaconess, and three members from the congregation at large. An elder
chosen by the elder board
shall serve as the chairman.
The Elders shall elect from
its boards the appropriate number of members. The Nominating Committee
for that year shall meet and propose at least three candidates for the Pastoral
Search Committee. These candidates may not be members of the Elder Board or Deacons but must be active members
of the Church. An election
shall then be held at the next
business meeting to determine which of these candidates will serve on the
Pastoral Search Committee.
The three candidates receiving
the highest vote totals will be designated as members
of the Pastoral Search Committee. After prayerful investigation of
possible candidates, the Pastoral Search Committee shall recommend a male
candidate to the Elder Board.
b.
The Elder Board shall consider the recommended
candidate and, if he is approved by them, shall present the candidate to the
membership of the Church for consideration.
c.
No candidate shall be recommended who will not sign a
statement of agreement with and support of the Church Constitution and Bylaws,
and who does not meet the qualifications for Elder as described in I Timothy
3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
d.
The calling of a Senior Pastor shall be determined at
a meeting of the membership scheduled for that purpose. Notice of such a
meeting shall be given in all regular services of the Church at least two
consecutive weeks immediately prior to the meeting. At least 51% of the active
members must be present at the meeting and a 75% or greater affirmative vote of
the secret ballots cast is required for the Church
to extend a call to the candidate.
e.
A Senior Pastor is automatically an active member and
remains so as long as he holds that position. If married, his wife is also
automatically an active member as long as her husband remains a Senior Pastor.
4.
Duties of a Senior Pastor.
A Senior Pastor shall:
a.
Carefully teach the Word of God.
b.
Provide leadership in fulfilling the Church’s stated
Purpose as contained in Constitution Article II and church policy and strategic
goals as approved by the elders.
c.
Demonstrate a personal concern for all those who are part of the Church family.
d.
Provide counsel as needed.
e.
Prayerfully provide vision and administrative leadership for the Church.
f.
Represent the Church at various denominational and other special functions.
g.
Be a voting member of and responsible to the Elder
Board, and an ex-officio member of all other boards and committees of the
Church unless otherwise stated in the bylaws. The Senior Pastor office shall
constitute one vote. If there are multiple Senior Pastors, each shall have a
separate fractional vote. One vote shall be
equally divided amongst
each Senior Pastor.
For example, if there are two Senior Pastors, each Senior Pastor shall
receive fifty percent of one vote.
h.
Provide day-to-day supervision of other pastoral staff.
i.
Perform marriage ceremonies at his discretion in accordance with God’s teaching
and the laws of the State.
j.
Officiate at funerals of members of the church and non-members at his discretion
k.
Be accountable to the Elders. The Elder Board and Senior Pastors shall
determine the distribution of roles and responsibilities among multiple Senior Pastors.
5.
Discipline/Correction of a Senior Pastor
a.
Discipline/correction
may result from any of a number
of reasons including
but not limited to, issues of
job performance, failure of character, specific sin, moral or ethical lapses.
Discipline of a Senior Pastor is carried out exclusively by the Elder Board and
could result in any of a number of remedial steps and/or corrective actions as
determined by the Elder Board.
b.
The Elder Board shall hear only those accusations
against a Senior Pastor that are confirmed by at least two active members (I
Timothy 5:19). If in the judgment of the Elder Board a Senior
Pastor has committed the accused offense,
the Elders shall seek the assistance of the District
Association of the Evangelical Free Church or other appropriate help and then
meet with that Senior Pastor to provide him with appropriate counsel.
c.
If remedial steps and/or corrective actions do not
adequately resolve a problem, or an offense is of such magnitude that a Senior
Pastor should be removed from the position of Senior
Pastor, the Elder Board shall
ask him to resign. If a Senior Pastor
resigns, the Elder Board will give a verbal explanation (I Timothy 5:20) at a
business meeting for members only. If a Senior Pastor refuses to resign at the
request of the Elder Board, they shall follow dismissal procedures as contained
in Bylaws Article III, A, 6, d.
d.
This is the only procedure to discipline a Senior Pastor.
6.
Severing Senior Pastor-Church Ties
a.
A Senior Pastor shall serve until he submits a
resignation, is dismissed by a congregational vote, or is temporarily suspended
by the Elder Board.
b.
Resignation. A Senior Pastor may submit his
resignation to the Elder Board at any time. His relationship as Senior Pastor of the Church may be terminated
in thirty
(30) days from
his notice of intention to resign, or at any other time by mutual agreement.
c.
Suspension. If at any time a Senior Pastor’s personal
beliefs, preaching, teaching, life or service shall not be in accordance with
the Statement of Faith and the standard of life stated in the Church
Constitution and Bylaws,
his services as Senior
Pastor may be immediately suspended (with pay) by the Elder Board pending a business meeting
for members only to consider
his dismissal. This meeting must be
called within 60 days of the suspension. The Elder Board may lift the suspension at any time, but in such cases a members only meeting must
still be held at which the Elder Board
must explain the circumstances of the suspension and reinstatement.
d.
Dismissal. If the Elder Board
has reason to recommend dismissal
of a Senior Pastor, it may
call a business meeting for members only to consider this matter. A 51% quorum
of all active members must be present and not less than 75% of the secret
written ballots cast must be for dismissal in order to dismiss a Senior Pastor.
Upon such an affirmative vote, that Senior Pastor shall be immediately removed
from office. Dismissal may result from any of a number of reasons including but
not limited to, issues of job performance, failure of character, specific sin,
moral or ethical lapses, etc.
B.
Other Church Employees.
1.
Additional Pastoral Staff.
a.
Additional pastoral staff members shall be nominated
by a Senior Pastor for approval by the Elder
Board.
b.
Additional pastoral staff shall be responsible for
their conduct and productivity to the Elder Board and a Senior Pastor chosen by
the Elder Board.
c.
The Senior Pastor(s) with the Elders shall have the
authority to discipline and dismiss additional pastoral staff members as the
need arises.
d.
Additional pastoral staff shall not serve as elders.
e.
Pastoral staff are automatically active members.
2.
Non-pastoral Staff
The Board of Elders, in conjunction with the Congregation, may, from time
to time, deem it prudent to hire other individuals to carry out church work for
which they would be compensated. These positions and their salary structure may
be defined on an individual basis as they are created.
Church staff shall
be responsible to a Senior
Pastor chosen by the
Elder Board for conduct and productivity, and subject to correction and
dismissal by him should the need arise.
ARTICLE
IV “DISCIPLINE”
A.
Basis for Discipline.
We believe:
1.
That God hates sin and has called Christians to lives of holiness.
(Psalm 5:4-6; I Peter 1:13- 16)
2.
That the responsibility to discipline rests with the Church as given by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Matthew 18:15-17)
3.
That church membership carries with it scriptural
responsibility to love, admonish, encourage and build up one another. (Romans
12:4-5; I Thessalonians 5:12-15)
4.
That the ultimate goal for all church discipline is
the loving restoration of the erring member to fellowship with God. (James
5:19-20; Galatians 6:1)
B.
Reasons for Discipline.
Any action or sustained
attitude or conduct which:
1.
Tends to bring the Lord and/or the Church into disrepute.
2.
Is hostile and/or offensive toward other members of the Church.
3.
Deliberately sows divisiveness in the
Church.
4.
Is contrary to the qualifications and conduct prescribed for members by
Bylaws Article I.
5.
Demonstrates the kind of sinful
lifestyle or condones
the kind of doctrinal error condemned
by Scripture. (Mark 7:21-23; Galatians 5:19-21; I Corinthians 6:9,10; II
Timothy 3:2-7; I Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 1:9; Titus 3:10,11 as examples).
C.
Procedures for Discipline.
If any member shall
conduct him/herself as indicated in Section B above and does not show
evidence of repentance:
1.
First, the member shall be contacted by another member who has
first-hand knowledge of the sin (alone or with the assistance of an Elder) and
reproved in private. (Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3)
2.
Second, if the erring member should demonstrate an
unrepentant condition or choose to continue in the sin, such member will be
confronted by a member who has first-hand knowledge of the sin accompanied by
two or three Elders and reproved. (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15)
3.
Third, if the problem persists, the Elder Board shall
bring a recommendation to the congregation,
at a business meeting for members only, that the individual be removed from membership. At least 75% of the secret written
ballots cast by the active
members must be
for
removal, for the membership to be terminated. (Matthew 18:17; I Timothy 5:20; I
Corinthians
5:5; I Timothy 1:20; II Thessalonians 3:14,15)
4.
Finally, coincident with a vote to terminate
membership of the erring member, the Church
members shall be asked to turn away from the offending brother or sister, not
regarding him as an enemy, but admonishing him. (Romans 16:17-19; II
Thessalonians 3:6,14,15)
All above actions are taken with the singular purpose of lovingly
restoring the erring brother or sister. Should the erring individual at any
time in the future demonstrate a repentant spirit, show evidence of again living
in fellowship with God, and indicate a desire
to be readmitted into membership, he/she may be readmitted if 75% of the secret
written ballots cast by the active members present at a business meeting for
members only are for re- admission.
ARTICLE
V “STANDING COMMITTEES”
A.
Nominating Committee.
1.
Formulation. The Nominating Committee shall consist of
a Senior Pastor, two other members from the Elder Board, one Deacon and one
Deaconess, and two members from the congregation at large. One Elder member shall serve
as the Chairman of the Nominating
Committee.
2.
Election.
a.
Each year, the Elders shall select from the appropriate number of
Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses for that years Nominating Committee.
b.
After the April business meeting,
the Nominating Committee
for that year shall meet again and propose at least three
candidates for the Nominating Committee for the following year. These
candidates may not be members of the Elder Board or currently serving as Deacon
or Deaconesses but must be active members of the Church. An election shall then
be held at the next business meeting to determine which of these candidates
will serve on the Nominating Committee for that year. If there has been no
business meeting by October 1, a business meeting will be scheduled to occur
prior to December 1 in order that this election may take place. The two
candidates receiving the highest vote totals will be designated as members of
the Nominating Committee for that year.
3.
Duties and Responsibilities. The chairman of the
Nominating Committee, under the direction of the Elder Board, shall prepare a
list of all offices for which elections will be required at the April business
meeting. The Nominating Committee will begin to hold meetings no later than
February 1 to prayerfully consider candidates for all of these positions. It
shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee to
contact all proposed candidates as to their willingness to be nominated. No individual shall be nominated for an elected office
without his or her consent. The slate of candidates prepared by the Nominating
Committee shall be announced and posted in a prominent place no later than the
Sunday morning service falling closest to February 28.
4.
Contingency Nomination Procedures. As no nominations
will be allowed from the floor during the April business meeting, the following
procedures are made available to any active member who wishes to affect the
nomination of a candidate whose name does not appear on the slate initially
prepared by the Nominating Committee.
a.
The active member desiring to place a name in nomination must:
(1) obtain the consent of the
proposed nominee.
(2) contact the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee in that regard prior to
March 5.
b.
If so, requested by the proposing member, the
Nominating Committee must convene prior to March 25 to discuss the proposed
nomination. If the Nominating Committee, meeting in closed session, declines to
add the proposed nomination to the ballot, the proposing member shall be
entitled to present his or her case before the Nominating Committee.
c.
In the event that the Nominating Committee still
declines to add the proposed nominee to the slate, the proposing member,
with reiterated consent
of the proposed nominee, may circulate a petition which must be
presented to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee at least one week prior
to the date of the April business meeting. If the petition carries
the signatures of at least 20% of the active
members of the Church (should there be fewer than 50 active members, a
minimum of 10 signatures will still be required), then the name of the proposed
nominee shall be placed on the ballot. The ballot shall indicate which nominees
have been proposed by the Nominating Committee and which have been nominated by petition.
B.
All other Committees.
All other committees of State College Evangelical Free Church shall
operate on an ad hoc basis under direction of the Elder Board.
ARTICLE
VI “MEETINGS”
A.
Business Meetings.
1.
A business meeting
shall be held during the month of April. The April meeting
is the annual meeting of the church.
a.
The Elder Board shall specify
the date which shall be between the 15th and 30th of April.
b.
Public notice of the meeting shall be given at the
morning church services on the three previous consecutive Sundays.
c.
Annual written reports
by the Senior Pastor(s), Chairmen
of the Elder and Treasurer
shall be made available to the
congregation at least one week prior to the meeting.
d.
The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end
December 31. The annual budget will be approved at a congregational meeting
held sometime in the last quarter of the year.
2.
Additional business meetings may be called at the
discretion of the Elder Board, or by twenty percent (20%) of the active
membership submitting a petition to the Elder Board. Public notice shall be given at the morning
church services on the two previous consecutive Sundays, unless specified
otherwise in these Bylaws.
B.
Rules of Order.
1.
The Chairman of the Elder Board shall preside at all business
meetings. In his absence, the Vice Chairman of the Elder Board shall preside.
2.
A quorum shall be constituted by 51% of the active
membership of the church present at any business meeting, unless specified
otherwise in these Bylaws.
3.
All matters shall be determined by a majority
of the votes cast except
as otherwise specified in the Church Constitution or
these Bylaws. Voting shall be limited to active members.
ARTICLE
VII “ELECTIONS”
A.
Time.
1.
Regular elections shall be held during the April
business meeting. Terms of office shall begin May 1 of the same year.
2.
Special elections shall be held as mandated elsewhere
in these Bylaws. Terms of office shall begin immediately upon election.
B.
Procedure.
1.
Only active members, as defined in Bylaws Article I, shall be eligible
to vote.
2.
Nominations from the floor shall not be accepted.
3.
In the case of a single nominee
for a position, a hand vote may be taken.
All other elections shall be by written ballot.
4.
Election of a Senior Pastor and Elders shall require a
minimum 75% affirmative vote of the ballots cast. Election for any other
positions shall be decided by the highest number of ballots cast.
5.
Absentee balloting shall be allowed and supervised by the Deacons.
6.
Representatives of the Deacons/Deaconesses shall serve as tellers for the counting
of the
ballots and reporting of results.
ARTICLE
VIII “AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS”
A.
All organizations supported and directed by the Church
and which are affiliated with another organization are defined as auxiliary organizations.
B.
No auxiliary organization shall be formed within or be
considered to be a part of the Church’s activities until the sponsors have
submitted their statement of purpose, organizational chart, and method
of selection of leaders to the Elder Board for its approval and sanction.
C.
No organization whose chairman or supervisor is not an active member
of the Church shall be
permitted to function as an auxiliary organization unless special permission is
granted by the Elder Board.
D.
No actions taken by any auxiliary organization shall
coincide with the practice of the Church as set forth in its operating policies.
E.
Financial policies of auxiliary organizations shall
coincide with the practice of the Church
as set forth in its operating policies.
F.
Each auxiliary organization shall be required
to submit, to the Elder Board or its designated agent, a complete written
report of the year’s activities prior to the April business meeting and at any
other time as requested by the Elder Board.
ARTICLE
IX “AMENDMENTS”
A.
These Bylaws may be amended by affirmation by
two-thirds (2/3) of the secret written ballots cast by the active members
present at any business meeting.
B.
The proposed amendment(s) shall be available and/or
provided to each active member at least two (2) weeks prior to such a meeting.
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
University
Bible Church October 16, 1988
===========================================================
ARTICLE I shall be amended to read as
follows:
ARTICLE
I “NAME”
The name of this corporation shall be State
College Evangelical Free Church. Hereafter this corporation may be referred to as the “Corporation”, the “Church” or “State College Evangelical Free Church”.
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church April 30, 1995
===========================================================
ARTICLES
II, V, VI, VII, and VIII of the BYLAWS shall be amended to change the fiscal
year from one that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 to one that
begins on April 1 and ends on March 31, as well as a change in all
corresponding dates. These changes will be effective October 1, 1995.
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church October 28, 2001
===========================================================
ARTICLE VII, “Elections”, Section
B, Procedure, Paragraph 4 of the Bylaws shall be
amended
to read:
4. Election
of the Senior Pastor, Elders
and Deacons shall require a minimum 75% affirmative vote of the ballots cast.
Election for any other positions shall be decided by the highest number of
ballots cast.
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church April 25, 2004
===========================================================
ARTICLES
II, V, VI, VII, and VIII of the BYLAWS shall be amended to change the fiscal
year from one that begins
on April 1 and ends on March 31 to one that begins on January
1 and ends on December 31, as well as a change in all corresponding dates.
These changes will be effective May 1, 2004.
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church
November
18, 2007
===========================================================
ARTICLES II, III, V, VI, VII and VIII
of the BYLAWS shall be amended so that Deacon and Deaconesses will now be
appointed by the Elder board with comment from the congregation. Previously
Deacons were elected by the congregation and Deaconesses were appointed by the
Elder Board. Details are included in the bylaws. Also, Pastoral staff will now
be hired, evaluated and subject to dismissal by agreement of the Senior Pastor
and Elder Board. Previously, Pastoral staff were hired subject to
recommendation and approval by the Elder Board, and evaluation and continuance
was solely the role of Senior Pastor. Congregation continues to have role of
approving new pastoral positions through the budget approval process.
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church April 18, 2010
===========================================================
ARTICLES II, III, and V of the CONSTITUTION
shall be amended to include a new mission statement, the EFCA Statement of Faith, and a clause allowing for alternate
positions to premillennialism. ARTICLE I of the BYLAWS shall be amended such
that a period of six months of inactivity may trigger a change in membership status.
Elder responsibilities of BYLAWS
ARTICLE II shall be amended and the separation between Treasurer and Financial
Secretary offices shall be defined. Senior Pastor responsibilities of BYLAWS
ARTICLE III shall be amended as well as the procedures for discipline of the
Senior Pastor in III and the process of severing ties with the Senior Pastor
for clarification. BYLAWS ARTICLE III shall also be amended such that
additional pastoral staff shall not serve as elders and other church staff
shall be responsible to the Senior Pastor.
==============================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church April 28, 2019
===========================================================
● Article
VI of THE CONSTITUTION, Article II Section A.7, Article III Section A, A.2,
A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, B.1, B.2, Article V Section A.1, Article VI Section A.1c,
Article VII Section B.4 of THE BYLAWS all change “the” to “a” or add “(s)”
after Senior Pastor to reflect that there may multiple Senior Pastors.
●
Article VIII
Section B of the CONSTITUTION shall be amended to “available and/or provided” instead of “mailed” for
amendments provided to members.
● Article
II Section A.4, A.6 shall be amended to include “non-staff Elders” and “non-
staff members” for membership number and meeting quorum.
● Article
III Section A.1 shall be amended to include “The Elders may nominate, and
members of the congregation approve, more than one
Senior Pastor”
●
Article III Section A.4g shall be
amended to state that each Senior Pastor will have a fractional Elder vote when summed up equal one.
●
Article III Section A.4k shall be
amended to include “The Elder Board and Senior Pastors shall determine the
distribution of roles and responsibilities among multiple Senior Pastors.”
●
Article III Section B.1 shall be
amended to state that additional pastoral staff will be responsible to Elder Board and “a Senior Pastor chosen
by the Elder Board.”
●
Article III Section B.2 shall be
amended to state that additional non-pastoral
staff
will be
responsible to “a Senior Pastor chosen by the Elder Board.”
●
Article V Section A.1 shall be
amended to state two “other” elders.
==============================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church November 15, 2020
===========================================================
● Article
II A.5 of THE BYLAWS shall be amended change “attended by not less than” “to
with at least…present”
● Article
VI B.3 of THE BYLAWS shall include the word “present”
● Article
VI B.4 of THE BYLAWS is added “The word “present” shall mean those physically
attending and attending the meeting remotely in a manner prescribed by the
Elder Board (for example, video, telephone, etc.). If prescribed, remote attendance option(s)
shall be included in each public notice of the meeting.”
===========================================================
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
State
College Evangelical Free Church
April
25, 2021
===========================================================
● Article
III, “Constitution/Preamble” Under Article III/Statement of Faith
– “Christ’s Return #9” (Page 4 in Constitution), shall be amended to
read:
9.
We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands
constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly
living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Foundational Attributes of a Healthy & Maturing Christ Follower (download here)
The “Sandbox” provides the framework for the ministry of our local body. The Central Ministry
Focus is the one thing that we, as a part of the body, need to be doing daily to maximize the effectiveness of
the ministry of SCEFC. We believe that our daily focus must be “To develop Christ followers by helping
people connect, grow and flow.”
In order to be effective in application of the Sandbox, and of the Central Ministry Focus in particular, our
first step must be the development of healthy and maturing Christ followers. We believe that the
attributes listed below are foundational to the development of healthy and maturing Christ followers.
While this list is far from exhaustive, it represents specific attributes/actions we want to trust God to
produce in us as we intentionally seek to build them into our lives (Col. 1:28-29).
Connecting with God in a relationship characterized by Intimacy and Dependence
• A Christ follower is intentional about spending time alone with God on a regular basis (Ps. 63;
Matt 6:33; John 8:31-32)
• A Christ follower can use scripture to explain the Spirit-filled life (Gal 5: 16-26)
• A Christ follower is living a life that demonstrates the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
• A Christ follower is devoted to the rhythm of prayer (2 Chron. 7:14-15; Ps. 145:18; Matt. 7:7-11;
Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2)
Growing in Christ-like Character and Conduct
• A Christ follower has a plan and is taking steps to grow in at least one area of Christ-like
character or conduct (Ps. 1:1-3; Eph. 4:15; Phil. 2:1-11)
• A Christ follower is able to point to evidence of tangible change in this area of their life (Jn.
15:8; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-17)
Connecting with one another in relationships characterized by Love and Service
• A Christ follower is intentionally building relationships in the body (1 John 4:7-11; Heb. 10:24-
25)
• A Christ follower has taken the initiative to identify and use their spiritual gifts to serve the body
(Rom. 12:3-8)
• A Christ follower knows and is living out Biblical principles regarding how they relate to one
another in the body (Jn. 13:34-35; and see SCEFC Relational Commitments)
Flowing on mission through Evangelism and Making Disciplemakers
• A Christ follower is able to use scripture to clearly articulate the Gospel (2 Cor. 5:14-21; 2 Tim
3:16-17)
• A Christ follower has identified and is reaching out to their “one” (Is. 49:6; Matt. 5:14-16; Luke
15:3-32; Acts 1:7-8)
• A Christ follower has identified and is intentionally building into at least one other person with
the goal of helping them to become a disciplemaker (2 Tim 2:1-7; Phil. 2:19-23; 2 Tim. 3:10-15)
Download an application here.
