J BAR C COWBOY CHURCH OF PALMER, TEXAS BYLAWS, REVISED
JBCCC Constitution PDF, JBCCC By Laws PDF

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHING MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the J Bar C Cowboy Church of Palmer, tx is open to anyone who meets the
following qualifications:
A. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
B. Baptism by immersion after faith in Christ as a testimony of salvation.
Membership may be established in the following ways:
A. Letter
Candidates who are members in good standing of another church of like faith and
order may petition the Cowboy Church to acquire a letter of membership from
their previous church.
B. Statement
Candidates who have previously been members of another church of like faith and
order, but are unable to obtain a letter of membership from said church, may join
by affirming that they are baptized (immersed) believers in the Lord Jesus Christ,
holding to the historic teachings of Christianity, and desiring membership in the
Cowboy Church.
C. Baptism
Candidates accepting Christ as their Savior and requesting Christian baptism by
immersion will be accepted as members upon baptism.
All candidates for membership shall give a verbal testimony of their conversion, baptism,
and walk with Christ to a pastor or elder.
SECTION 2. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
A person’s membership in the J Bar C Cowboy Church of Palmer, tx may be terminated in one
of the following ways:
A. Death
B. Letter
A letter of dismissal for any member in good standing shall be granted to any
church of like faith and order upon request from said church.
C. Exclusion
If a member conducts himself in a manner which brings the name of Christ and
the church into disrepute, it will be the responsibility of the elders under the
guidance of the pastor to attempt to restore the member in a spirit of love
according to the guidelines set forth in Matthew 18:15 -17. If the member fails to
respond positively to these attempts, exclusion will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the church membership present and voting at a called church conference.
D. Erasure
If a member requests erasure or offers proof of membership in a church of another
denomination, his name will be removed from the roll.
SECTION 3. RIGHTS OF MEMBER
Each member present, 16 years of age and older, shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each
matter submitted for a vote at any called church conference. The right of a member to
vote shall cease upon the termination of his membership in the church. Members have the
right to vote on the following matters: the call of the pastor and other professional
ministerial staff, the election of elders, the annual church budget, indebtedness
associated with land acquisition and/or building improvements, cumulative indebtedness
for all other aspects of church business that exceeds 20% of the annual church budget, the
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the church, the merger or dissolution
of the church, and any other matter submitted by the elders to the church for a vote.
ARTICLE II. MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP
SECTION 1. PASTOR
A. Call
Upon the pastor’s termination, a church conference will be called and the church
will elect a pastor search team. This team will consist of no fewer than two and no
more than eight members. This team will seek out and evaluate prospective
pastoral candidates until they achieve complete consensus on a single candidate.
They will then report to the elders who will set a time and date for the candidate
to be received by the church. On that date, a church conference shall be called and
after a full discussion, a vote will be taken by secret ballot. A three-fourths (3/4)
vote of the church members present and voting is required to extend a call. If a
call is not extended by the church to the candidate, or if the candidate declines to
accept, then the pastor search team will begin a new search and come before the
church with a second recommendation. This method will proceed until a pastor is
secured.
B. Duties
The pastor shall be the spiritual leader of the congregation. In that capacity, under
the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, he shall preach
and teach the word of God, lead the church in regular worship services,
administer the ordinances of the church, serve as moderator at church
conferences, provide leadership to the ministerial staff, serve as over all
administrator of the church, and generally fulfill all his pastoral duties as set forth
in Scripture.
C. Termination
The pastor’s duties with the church may be terminated by resignation, death, or
dismissal. Such dismissal will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members
present and voting at a called business meeting. The moderator for such a meeting
will be a disinterested third party appointed by the elders.
SECTION 2. PROFESSIONAL MINISTERIAL STAFF
A. Call
Professional ministerial staff sufficient for fulfilling the church’s mission will be
employed by the church. Such ministerial staff will require two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the congregation upon the recommendation of the search team.
B. Duties
Professional ministerial staff persons will have specific and written job
descriptions as outlined by the pastor and Personnel Team.
C. Termination
The service of professional staff persons may be terminated by resignation, death, or a
two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a church conference called by the elders
for that purpose.
SECTION 3. LAY PASTORS
A. Purpose and Function
Lay pastors shall serve as an extension of the ministry of the senior pastor and in
that capacity may serve as ex-officio members of teams, administer the
ordinances of the church, assist in leading worship, and generally perform any
other ministerial function of the senior pastor with his approval or at his request.
B. Qualifications
Since lay pastors represent the ministry of the senior pastor, they must be men
beyond reproach who meet the biblical the qualifications set forth in I Timothy
3:1-7 and Titus1:6-9.
C. Selection
Lay pastors shall be appointed as needed by the senior pastor and elders.
D. Duties
Each lay pastor will have specific responsibilities as assigned by the senior pastor.
E. Term of Office
Lay pastors will be appointed to a one year term, but may serve multiple terms by
mutual consent of the senior pastor, the elders, and the lay pastor involved.
F. Removal
A Lay pastor may be removed before their term of office expires by death, resignation, or
consensus decision of the elders.
SECTION 4. ELDERS
A. Purpose and Function
Elders shall serve to provide spiritual leadership and accountability to the church
in accordance with scripture. They will provide a brotherhood of support and
accountability for the pastor, assist the ministry teams with difficult issues, serve
as arbiters in matters of conflict or church discipline, and in general provide
spiritual leadership, guidance, and assistance wherever and whenever appropriate.
The elder body shall be made up of three elected elders plus the pastor, who is
also an elder.
B. Qualifications
Because elders may be called on to handle the weightiest matters of the church,
they should above all be men filled with wisdom, love, and the Holy Spirit. All
elders must meet the Biblical qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus
1:6-9. The senior pastor shall be an elder.
C. Selection and Term of Office
1. On or about January 1st of each year, the church will be asked to submit in
writing the names of men to serve as elders. These names will be screened by the
pastor and existing elders to ensure that the nominees meet the qualifications set
forth above. If it is determined that a nominee is qualified, his name will be
placed before the church as a candidate. However, if the either the elders, the
pastor, or the nominee determine that he is not qualified, then he will not be a
candidate.
2. Once a list of qualified candidates has been assembled, an election will be held on
or before January 31st of each year. The candidates names shall be placed on a
secret ballot and those church members present and voting shall be asked to mark
three names. The three candidates receiving the most votes will serve as elders
until the next election unless precluded by death, resignation, or removal. An
elder may not serve more than three consecutive terms.
D. Removal
Any member of the church may bring a written scriptural reason for removal of an
elder. Elders may be removed from office by their own decision or by consensus
decision of the other elders. Removal shall be based upon being spiritually
unqualified or the inability to serve.
E. Vacancies
Elder vacancies can occur by death, resignation, or removal. When a vacancy
occurs, the existing elders shall select an interim to fill the vacancy until the next
election.
ARTICLE III. SUPPORT STAFF
The pastor and Personnel Team will employ and terminate other employees as necessary
for the efficient conduct of the business of the church.
ARTICLE IV. MINISTRY TEAMS
SECTION 1. GENERAL MINISTRY TEAMS
A. Purpose and Function
Ministry teams shall be organized to carry out the specialized ministries of the
church. Each ministry team shall have specific functions and responsibilities as
assigned or approved by the pastor and/or elders.
B. Structure
Ministry teams will be made up of an even number (usually 4-10) of people
organized to carry out a necessary ministry or function of the church. Each team
member will have individual functions and responsibilities as assigned by the
team. A staff member or lay pastor will be assigned to each team to offer
assistance and serve as a liaison between the team and the senior pastor and
elders. One member of the team shall be designated by the lay pastor or staff
member to be team leader and will be responsible for ensuring that the team
functions properly. Teams will function by consensus, not majority vote. This
means that teams must arrive at decisions that can be supported by each member
of the team. If consensus cannot be reached, the matter shall either be tabled or
placed before the pastor and elders for a final decision.
C. Qualifications
Team members must: be members of the church in good standing, love the Lord
and have a desire to see his kingdom grow, have credibility with other church
members, have a passion for the mission of the team, be determined to make the
team a top priority in their lives (this means that they are willing to rearrange their
daily schedules or do whatever it takes to participate in team meetings and
activities), and desire to use their talents and abilities to accomplish the team’s
mission.
D. Formation of Teams
General Ministry teams may be formed as needed by the pastor and/or elders, by
the Leadership Team, or by any lay pastor, ministry team leader, or church
member with the pastor’s approval.
E. Selection and Term of Office
Members of general ministry teams may be appointed by the pastor and/or elders,
or be enlisted by a lay pastor or ministry team leader. Ordinarily members will be
enlisted by the team leader or lay pastor directly responsible for the team. The
term of office for general ministry team members will be two years, but members
may serve multiple terms by mutual consent of the team leader, lay pastor, and
team member involved.
F. Removal
If a team member causes conflict, fails to carry out his or her responsibility to the
team, or otherwise hampers the work of the team, every effort should be made by
the team leader and assigned staff person to rectify the issue in a positive
redemptive manner. However, if the problem persists, a team member may be
removed by the pastor and/or elders, or by consensus decision of the other team
members.
SECTION 2. STANDING MINISTRY TEAMS
A. Purpose and function
Standing ministry teams shall provide oversight of the church’s regular business
affairs and assist in finding and providing the tangible resources necessary to
effectively carry out the church’s ministries.
B. Structure
Standing ministry teams shall be composed of six members serving three year
terms with two members rotating off each year. A staff member or lay pastor will
be assigned to each team to offer assistance and serve as a liaison between the
team and the senior pastor and elders. Each year, one member of the team shall be
designated by the lay pastor or staff member to be team leader and will be
responsible for ensuring that the team functions properly. Teams will function by
consensus, not majority vote. This means that teams must arrive at decisions that
can be supported by each member of the team. If consensus cannot be reached,
the matter shall either be tabled or placed before the pastor and elders for a final
decision.
C. Qualifications
Qualifications for standing ministry team members will be the same as those of
general ministry team members. (Article IV., Section 1.)
D. Standing Teams
The standing teams of the church shall be:
1. Personnel Team
The Personnel Team will be responsible to ensure that the church has adequate
support staff to effectively carry out its ministries. They will fill staff vacancies as
requested by the church, make annual salary recommendations, develop and
oversee church wide personnel policies and procedures, prepare and maintain
proper job descriptions for church employees, and mediate church/staff disputes.
2. Facility Team
The Facility Team will be responsible to ensure that the church has adequate
facilities to effectively carry out its ministries. They will oversee the care,
maintenance, and use of all facilities and grounds except the arena. They will also
assist the pastor and elders with long range planning which will ensure that the
church has adequate facilities to meet future needs.
3. Finance Team
The Finance Team will be responsible to ensure that the church has adequate
financial resources to effectively carry out its ministries. They shall work
cooperatively with the pastor, elders, lay pastors, professional staff, and team
leaders to find maximum resources for meeting each ministry need. They shall
also be responsible for the preparation of the annual budget, for the oversight and
accounting of all financial records, and for assisting the pastor and elders with
long term planning which will ensure that the church has financial resources to
meet future ministry needs.
4. Arena Team
The Arena Team will be responsible for providing the tools, resources, and
personnel necessary for the church to effectively carry out its arena ministry.
They shall be responsible for the oversight, care, maintenance, and use of the
arena. They will work with the Leadership Team as well as other ministry teams
to develop strategies and plan events that will utilize the arena to effectively reach
the cowboy/western culture for Christ.
E. Selection and Term of Office
Members of standing ministry teams may be appointed by the pastor and/or
elders, or be enlisted by a lay pastor or ministry team leader. Ordinarily members
will be enlisted by the team leader or lay pastor directly responsible for the team.
The term of office for standing ministry team members will be three years with
two members rotating off each year.
F. Removal
If a standing team member causes conflict, fails to carry out his or her
responsibility to the team, or otherwise hampers the work of the team, every effort
should be made by the team leader and assigned staff person to rectify the issue in
a positive redemptive manner. However, if the problem persists, a team member
may be removed by the pastor and/or elders, or by consensus decision of the other
team members.
SECTION 3. LEADERSHIP TEAM
A. Purpose and Function
The Leadership Team will serve to provide a forum in which the various ministry
teams can brainstorm, coordinate activities and events, share resources, and
generally work together to enhance the overall effectiveness of the church’s
ministries. It will be responsible for setting the church calendar.
B. Structure
The Leadership Team will consist of the team leaders from each ministry team,
the pastor, the elders, the lay pastors, and staff. In addition, its meetings will
generally be open to the participation and input of the entire church membership.
Leadership team meetings shall be moderated by the senior pastor or a person
whom the senior pastor will designate.
C. Meetings
The Leadership Team will meet as often as necessary to effectively plan and
coordinate the activities and events of the church.
ARTICLE V. CORPORATE OFFICERS
SECTION 1. PRESIDENT
The senior pastor shall serve as the president and overall administrator of the corporation.
He will serve as moderator at church conferences and be responsible for ensuring that the
daily business affairs of the church are appropriately and effectively executed.
SECTION 2. TRUSTEES
A. Purpose and function
Trustees shall sign the title to church property; all legal documents involving the
sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property; all notes and loan instruments; and
such other legal documents as may require execution on behalf of the church.
There shall be 3 trustees.
B. Selection and Term of Office
The three elected elders shall also serve as the trustees of the church. They shall
remain trustees as long as they remain elders. If they are removed as elder,
whether by death, resignation, or termination, the duly appointed interim elder
shall serve in their place until the next elder election.
SECTION 3. CLERK/SECRETARY
A. Purpose and function
The Church Clerk shall serve as secretary of the corporation. The responsibilities
of the clerk will be to keep the minutes of all church conferences, insure that a
proper file of all members is maintained, and prepare an annual report to be given
to the Ellis Baptist Association.
B. Selection and Term of Office
The Church Secretary shall serve as Church Clerk.
SECTION 4. VACANCIES
In the event a vacancy occurs in any corporate office, the elders shall appoint a successor
to fill the unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI. CHURCH BUSINESS
SECTION 1. FINANCES
A. Fiscal year
The fiscal year of the church will be on a calendar year basis beginning on
January 1 and ending on December 31 of each year.
B. Accounting Procedures
A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds
shall be the responsibility of the Finance Team.
C. Budget
The Finance Team, in consultation with the pastor and ministry team leaders,
shall prepare and submit a budget for congregational approval prior to the
beginning of each fiscal year.
D. Checks, Drafts, Etc.
All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the church shall be signed by at least two
people who have been designated by the Finance Team for that purpose.
E. Deposits
All funds of the church shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the
church in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as determined by the
Finance Team.
SECTION 2. CHURCH CONFERENCES
A. Church Conferences
Church conferences may be called by the elders or by written petition of 25% of
the active resident members presented to the elders. An active resident member is
one who lives in or around the Ellis County area and has attended the church’s
regular worship services at least 6 times in the 90 days preceding the circulation
of the petition.
B. Notices
Notices of the time and place of all church conferences shall be given not later
than the Sunday prior to such meetings by publication in the church newsletter or
worship bulletin, or by public announcement at a regular Sunday morning
worship service.
C. Place of Church Conferences
All church conferences shall be held on the premises of the church.
D. Quorum
The church members present at any duly called church conference shall constitute
a quorum.
E. Proxies
Voting by proxy at any church conference shall not be allowed or recognized.
F. Will of the Church
All Ministry Teams, officers, and organizations of the church shall carry out the
will of the church on any given matter, duly expressed by its vote.
G. Rules of Procedure
The order of proceedings at church conferences shall be determined by the rules
of practice contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.
H. Conduct of Church Business
All business of the church shall be conducted in a manner that honors Christ and
respects others. The church shall strive to seek the will of God by prayerful
deliberation and common consensus.
SECTION 3. CONTRACTS
The Trustee’s shall execute and deliver any contract or instrument in the name of the
church which may be authorized by the church to be so executed and delivered. In this
connection, the church body as a whole shall be the ultimate authority for all actions
taken by the church and no other person, organization or corporate officer shall have any
authority to contract or otherwise bind the church without express authorization from the
church body.
SECTION 4. BOOKS AND RECORDS
The church shall keep and maintain a complete and accurate record of all financial
accounts, membership lists, and church conference minutes at its principle office. All
books and records of the church may be inspected by any member, or his agent or
attorney, for any purpose at any reasonable time.
SECTION 5. PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING IN CORPORATE EARNINGS
No member, officer, or person connected with the corporation, or any other private
individual shall receive at any time any of the net earnings of pecuniary profit from the
operations of the corporation, provided that this shall not prevent the payment to any such
person of a reasonable compensation for services rendered to or for the corporation in
effecting any of its purposes as shall be fixed by the church; and no such person or
persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets upon
the dissolution of the corporation. All members of the church shall be deemed to have
expressly consented and agreed that upon such dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the corporation, after all
debts have been satisfied, then remaining in the hands of the officers of the church shall
be distributed, transferred, conveyed, delivered, and paid over, in such amounts as the
church may determine or as may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction upon
application of the church, exclusively to charitable, religious, or educational
organizations which would then qualify under the provisions of Section 501 (C)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be
amended.
SECTION 6. EXEMPT ACTIVITIES
Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, no member, officer, or
representative of the corporation shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on
behalf of the corporation not permitted to be taken or carried on by any organization
exempt under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as
they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, or by any organization contributions
to which are deductible under Section 170 (C)(2) of such code and regulations as they
now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by the elders or by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the
members present at a church conference called for that purpose. Amendments may be
proposed by the elders or by written petition of 25% of the resident membership
presented to the elders. Proposed amendments for church consideration shall be in written
form and mailed two weeks prior to the church conference to the last known address of
all members eligible to vote. Amendments will be numbered, dated and attached to the
original instrument.