By-Laws

By-Laws of SonLight Chapel

Adopted July 23, 2012

Article I: Authority

Section 1
The source of the authority of this congregation is Jesus Christ, the Lord and Head of the Church, to whom the Father gave all authority in heaven and earth.Matthew 28:18-20
Section 2
The congregation of SonLight Chapel is to be in agreement with the leadership of the authority, Jesus, as expressed through the elders, who are to oversee His church on earth.
1 Peter5:1-3
Section 3
The elders shall at all times be sensitive to the voice of the Lord in the congregation and seek the prayers, spiritual insights and agreement of the congregation.
Section 4
As legal representatives of SonLight Chapel, the elders shall have the authority to: 

  1. Acquire real property for the congregation.
  2. Hold title to and use its property for any and all activities consistent with its purpose.
  3. Sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the property of SC.
  4. Enter into contract.

Article II: Congregational Leadership

Section 1: Pastor(s)
  1. Qualifications for the Office
    1. Having been called by the Holy Spirit
      Acts 20:28
    2. Have graduated in good standing from an accredited seminary, Bible school, or equivalent life experience as approved by SonLight Chapel’s elders.
    3. Qualifications as found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
  2. Duties of the Office
    1. The pastor(s) shall oversee the feeding, equipping, guarding, and preservation of the spiritual life of the congregation
      Ephesians 4:12-13, Acts 20:28
    2. The pastor(s) shall labor primarily with members of the local fellowship and its ministry, but will be permitted to minister beyond the local body to the larger Body of Christ, subject to the discernment and agreement of the elders.
    3. During his tenure, the pastor will serve on the Board of Elders.
  3. Call Procedure
    1. The elders will appoint a Pastor Search Committee which, having fasted and prayed, will seek out a pastoral candidate who possesses the qualifications for the office and who shares the vision of SC.
    2. The candidate shall minister before the congregation at least two Sundays prior to asking the congregation for their confirmation of the candidate.
    3. The Pastor Search Committee must be unanimous in their recommendation of the candidate. The congregation must confirm the candidate by a two-thirds vote. Then, upon the confirmation by the elders, the Pastor Search Committee will extend a call to the pastoral candidate.
    4. At time of hire, there shall be a written mutual contract made between the pastor and the church.
  4. Accountability for ministry
    1. The pastor shall be accountable first to God.
    2. The pastor is secondly accountable to the Board of Elders and then to the congregation of SC.
  5. Removal from office
    1. By passing by death to life everlasting.
    2. By accepting a call to another part of the Body of Christ.
    3. By resignation.
    4. By church discipline.
      1. Teaching doctrine that is false.
      2. Engaging in immoral conduct.
      3. Not fulfilling “Duties of the Office”.
Section 2: Elder
  1. Qualifications for the Office
    1. Having been called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)
    2. Qualifications as found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
    3. Must be at least 18 years of age
    4. A covenant member of SC in good standing
    5. Actively participate in the ministries of the congregation
    6. Be available for personal ministry and service at SC.
  2. Duties of the Office
    1. Each elder shall labor together with the pastor and others of the Board of Elders in the general physical and spiritual ministry at SC, according to his gifts, experiences, and anointing.
    2. Each elder shall meet with the pastor and others of the Board of Elders whenever it is deemed necessary to make decisions regarding the purpose, vision, and finances of SC. The Board of Elders will function in consensus on all of the above matters.
    3. Responsibilities of the Board of Elders
      1. One elder shall be appointed as the Presiding Elder and will serve as chairperson of the Church Council.
      2. One elder shall be appointed as vice-chairperson of the Church Council.
      3. One elder shall be appointed as the Church Treasurer (required for adequate insurance protection).
      4. One elder shall be appointed as the Secretary of the Church Council.
      5. One elder shall be appointed as the Business Manager of the Church.
      6. One elder shall serve as a member of the Pastor Search/Pastor Support Committee.
    4. Each elder shall attend SC’s monthly Church Council meeting.
  3. Call Procedure
    1. The existing Board of Elders shall have the responsibility of recognizing and recommending members of the congregation whom the Lord has gifted, called and matured for this office.
    2. Once a person has been unanimously selected by the Board of Elders and the person is willing to serve, he shall be presented before the congregation as a candidate for eldership.
    3. Over the following 30 days, the congregation may approach the existing Board of Elders with any concerns regarding the candidate.
    4. With all things being cleared after the 30-day period, the candidate shall be installed before the congregation, through the laying on of hands.
  4. Accountability for ministry
    1. The elder shall be accountable first to God.
    2. The elder is secondly accountable to the Board of Elders and then to the congregation of SC.
  5. Removal from office
    1. By passing by death to life everlasting.
    2. By resignation.
    3. By church discipline.
      1. Teaching doctrine that is false.
      2. Engaging in immoral conduct.
      3. Not fulfilling “Duties of the Office”.
  6. Term of an Elder
    1. An elder’s term of office shall be (3) three years, with the option of reappointment, as long as his ministry is ordered by the Lord and confirmed in the congregation of SC.
    2. The Board of Elders will consist of 6 elders, plus the pastor. Each year the term for (2) two of the elders other than the pastor will expire.
Section 3: Deacons and Deaconesses
  1. Qualifications for the Office
    1. Qualifications as found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13
    2. A member of SC in good standing
    3. Actively participate in the ministries of the congregation
    4. Be available for personal ministry and service at SC.
  2. Duties of the Office
    1. The deacons and deaconesses hold an office of service.
    2. They shall assist the Board of Elders in the ministry to the local Body of Christ at SC.
    3. They shall attend monthly Church Council meetings, as needed.
  3. Call Procedure
    1. The existing Board of Elders shall have the responsibility of recognizing and recommending men and women within the congregation who are serving and gifted for the ministry of service.
    2. The deacons and deaconesses shall be installed before the congregation, through the laying on of hands.
  4. Accountability for ministry
    1. The deacon and deaconess are accountable first to God.
    2. The deacon and deaconess are secondly accountable to the Board of Elders and then to the congregation of SC.
  5. Removal from office
    1. By passing by death to life everlasting.
    2. By resignation.
    3. By church discipline.
      1. Not performing the duties of deacon or deaconess.
      2. Engaging in immoral conduct.
  6. Term of a Deacon/Deaconess
    1. A deacon or deaconess’s term of office shall be (3) three years, with the option of reappointment, as long as his ministry is ordered by the Lord and confirmed by the Board of Elders and the congregation of SC.
    2. There is no limit to the number of deacons and deaconesses that may serve SC.
Section 4: The Church Council
  1. It shall be the duty of the Church Council to insure compliance with all local, state, and federal statutes. The church Council shall also maintain the official church calendar.
  2. The members of the Board of Elders are authorized to act for the Church Council and are authorized to execute any and all documents required by local, state, and federal entities.
  3. Members
    1. Pastor(s)
    2. Elders
    3. Committee Chairpersons
  4. Officers
    1. Chairperson of the Church Council – the Presiding Elder
    2. Vice-Chairperson of the Church Council – a member of the Board of Elders
    3. Secretary of the Church Council – a member of the Board of Elders
    4. Church Treasurer – a member of the Board of Elders
  5. Meetings
    1. The Church Council shall meet monthly at a time previously scheduled and announced.
    2. The Chairperson of the Church Council shall preside at all regular monthly and specially-called meetings. In their absence, the vice-chairperson shall preside.
    3. Minutes from all Church Council meetings shall be retained as official historical documents of the church.
Section 5: Church Treasurer
  1. The treasurer of SC must be a member of the Board of Elders (required for adequate insurance protection).
  2. The treasurer is responsible to work with an unrelated person, approved by an elder, to count all monies received by SC, to deposit the money into a credible financial institution, and to oversee day-to-day financial matters of the church.
  3. The treasurer shall provide timely financial reports for each Council meeting.
  4. The treasurer shall provide an annual record of contributions to all donors who use offering envelopes.
  5. With the approval of the Board of Elders, the treasurer may delegate an assistant.
Section 6: Congregation
  1. The congregation is made up of all persons who attend a service at SonLight Chapel. Services are open to everyone. A person need not be a member to attend.
  2. No one may have a leadership role at SonLight Chapel until after being received as a covenant member.
  3. Committee Chairpersons
    1. Should the need arise, the Board of Elders may appoint a person to chair a committee which is deemed to be required whether on a temporary or permanent basis.
    2. Each committee chairperson must be a member in good standing of SonLight Chapel.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Covenant Membership
Covenant Membership in SonLight Chapel shall consist of all persons who have met the qualifications for covenant membership. Letters of transfer from another congregation will be accepted, providing the person meets the qualifications for membership as shown in Article III, Section 2.
Section 2: Qualifications for Covenant Membership 

  1. A baptized believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Public affirmation of their faith in Jesus Christ and agreement to SonLight Chapel’s Mission, Vision, Doctrine/Statement of Faith and Core Values.
  3. Completion of any membership course as required by the leadership.
Section 3: Steps to Covenant Membership
  1. Persons shall make known their desire to become covenant members of the body at SonLight Chapel by submitting written requests to the Board of Elders.
  2. Each candidate for covenant membership will be interviewed by an elder to confirm that they have met the qualifications for membership.
  3. New covenant members will be received at SonLight Chapel by the laying on of hands during a Sunday service.
  4. An official membership list will be maintained by the Secretary of the Church Council.
Section 4: Responsibilities of Covenant Members
  1. To live a righteous life before the world as a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  2. To faithfully attend the worship services and to participate in the life of the congregation.
  3. To remain supportive and submissive to the leadership of the congregation.
  4. To sacrificially invest of their time, gifts, and finances for the building up of the local body and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It is expected that through prayer and an understanding of Biblical giving, that members will do their best to reach the tithe (10%) of income as their minimum level of giving.
  5. To avail themselves of opportunities to engage in Christian teaching, discipleship, and ministry.
  6. To bring up their children in the fear and knowledge of God.
  7. To work at all times for harmony and peace within the congregation.
  8. To abide by the constitution and by-laws of SonLight Chapel.
  9. To attend all congregational meetings.
Section 5: Discipline of Covenant Members

  1. Members who willfully neglect their responsibilities to the congregation, persist in false doctrine, or live in immorality shall be admonished by two members of the Board of Elders on the basis of Matthew 18:15-18, with a desire to restore the members to fellowship with God and the Church.
  2. If the actions in item A above do not result in the return of the members to proper Christian conduct and good standing within the congregation, then upon the prayerful action of the Board of Elders, the covenant membership of that person(s) within SC will be terminated.
Section 6: Termination Procedure
  1. Requesting of the Presiding Elder that one’s covenant membership be terminated by:
    1. Written or oral agreement.
    2. Request of transfer to another congregation.
  2. By discipline as outlines in Article III Section 5.
  3. Members who have consistently demonstrated a lack of commitment over a six-month period will have their covenant membership reviewed.
  4. By passing through death to life everlasting.
Section 7: Associate Membership
  1. These provisions are made for those who wish to walk in covenant membership with SonLight Chapel, but due to circumstances such as distance or age are prevented from full participation. Letters of transfer from another congregation will be accepted, providing the person meets the qualifications for membership as shown in Article III, Section 2.
  2. This Associate Member recognition is extended for these special circumstances:
    1. Shut-ins
    2. Educational pursuits
    3. Ministry assignments
    4. Vocational obligations
    5. Extended illnesses
    6. Military service
    7. Others as deemed necessary by the Board of Elders
  3. Qualification, Responsibility, Discipline, and Termination matters for associate members remain the same as those for covenant members, as best they can be carried out considering each associate member’s special circumstance.
Section 8: Affiliate Membership
  1. These provisions are made for those who wish to participate in the life and ministries of SonLight Chapel, but due to their own personal, unique circumstances do not wish to be joined in full covenant membership.
  2. This Affiliate Member recognition is extended for these special circumstances:
    1. Sunday School only participants
    2. Bible Study only participants
    3. Young children of members
    4. Occasional attendees
    5. Others as deemed necessary by the Board of Elders
  3. Qualification, Responsibility, Discipline, and Termination matters do not pertain to affiliate members.
  4. Affiliate members do not have the voting privileges afforded to the covenant members and associate members.
Section 9: Meetings of the Membership
The Board of Elders will call the congregation to at least one business meeting each year in order to report on the activities of SC, to review our financial situation, to receive comments and suggestions from the fellowship, and to give direction and encouragement for the future.

Article IV: Affiliation with Other Churches

Section 1
As a Christian congregation, we see ourselves as part of the Body of Christ in our community and the world. As such, and at the discretion of the Board of Elders, it is our desire to: 

  1. Fellowship with the other parts of the Body of Christ on a regular and meaningful basis, working toward unity.
  2. Welcome into our midst ministry from other parts of the Body.
  3. Be known as a church recognizing Jesus as our common Head and all other Christians as our brothers and sisters.

Article V: Amendments

Section 1
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Elders and shall be communicated clearly to the congregation.
Section 2
A proposed By-Laws or amendment change may be presented to the Board of Elders at any time.
Section 3
Any objections, concerns, or disagreements that members may have concerning the By-Laws shall be resolved in accordance to Matthew 18:15-20.