Practices

Practices & Procedures of SonLight Chapel

Adopted July 23, 2012

Article I: Holy Communion

Section 1
All worshippers are invited to participate in Holy Communion in one of two ways: 

  1. If you examine yourself and find that you are a repentant believer and follower of Jesus Christ, you are invited to come forward to share at the Lord’s table. You will receive bread which represents the broken body of the crucified Christ and juice which represents the blood that Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins. Please receive the elements joyfully with praise and thanksgiving for the new life which you have received through Jesus.
  2. If you find yourself not yet at a place of repentance or not yet believing that Christ died for your sins, you are invited to come front to receive a prayer blessing. You are loved as a special child of God and Christ welcomes you just as you are – wherever you are in your journey towards Him.
Section 2
If you are unable to walk to the front of the sanctuary and you would still like to participate in either the Lord’s table or the prayer blessing, please speak to an usher and someone will come to share with you at your seat.
Section 3
Participation of children in the Lord’s Supper is at the discretion of the parents. Non-consuming children are encouraged to come forward for a blessing.
Section 4
We celebrate Holy Communion the third Sunday of each month. We also encourage believers to celebrate the Lord’s Supper wherever and whenever the Spirit leads.
Section 5
We recognize that all Christian believers share in the Royal Priesthood and thus they all have authority to bless the elements of the table and serve Holy Communion to other believers.

Article II: Baptism

Section 1
Jesus said in Mark 16:16 that “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” Since it is not the lack of baptism, but rather unbelief, which condemns, we believe that because of God’s infinite mercy, salvation is not denied to those who have not been baptized.
Section 2
In the matter of infant baptism, it is our practice to allow the believing parent(s) to make the decision to baptize or to dedicate their infant.
Section 3
Throughout church history many modes of baptism have been practiced. While we offer baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, it is our current practice to, if possible, immerse in water.
Section 4
It is SonLight Chapel’s practice to baptize a believer whenever and as often as the believer is called to be baptized.

Article III: Relationship with the Pastor

Section 1
Upon confirmation of the pastor and signing of his contract, the pastor serves as an active covenant member of SonLight Chapel and also becomes a member of the Board of Elders.
Section 2
The pastor is expected to place a priority on the availability of his time for scheduled services, business meetings, and special member needs such as visitations, counseling, weddings, and funerals.
Section 3
Each month the pastor shall submit a written report of his church related activities to the Pastor Support Committee.
Section 4
The pastor’s contract with SonLight Chapel must be renewed annually.

Article IV: Worship/Study Practices

Section 1
Sunday School and small study groups will meet weekly on Sunday at 9:00am.
Section 2
Worship service will be held weekly on Sunday at 10:00am.
Section 3
SonLight Chapel recognizes that each person is responsible for researching and determining which version of the Bible is best for them. As a church, however, it is our current practice to use a translation such as the New King James Version (NKJV) which is translated word-for-word and closely follows the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

Article V: Council Meetings

Section 1
Regularly scheduled church council meetings shall be open to all covenant members of SonLight Chapel.
Section 2
The presiding elder may, at their discretion, deem any part of the meeting to be closed, due to the need for discussion of confidential or sensitive topics.
Section 3
All covenant members of the church in good standing who attend the church council meeting are voting members during the meeting.
Section 4
Order of Business for monthly and annual business meetings 

  1. Opening prayer
  2. Reading of the minutes
  3. Expense approval
  4. Committee reports
  5. Old business
  6. New business
  7. Adjournment

Article VI: Committees

Section 1: Standing committees
  1. Christian Education/Small Group Studies
  2. Evangelism Committee
  3. Finance/Tithe Committee
  4. Hospitality Committee
  5. Membership/Prayer Chain Committee
  6. Outreach/Missions Committee
  7. Pastor Search/Pastor Support Committee
  8. Safety Committee
  9. Trustees Committee
  10. Usher/Greeter Committee
  11. Visioning/Long Term Planning Committee
  12. Worship/Music Committee
Section 2
All committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the Board of Elders.
Section 3
All committee members shall be appointed and advised by the committee chairpersons.
Section 4
Other committees may be established at any time by the Board of Elders to meet the on-going needs of the church.
Section 5
The committee year shall be defined from September 1st of one year thru August 31st of the next year.
Section 6
Annually during the month of July every committee chairperson shall interview each of their committee members to determine their willingness and availability to serve on the committee for the upcoming year.
Section 7
Annually during the month of July the Board of Elders shall interview each of the committee chairpersons to determine their willingness and availability to serve for the upcoming year.

Article VII: Financial Practices

Section 1
All monies received during a church service shall be counted immediately after the service by two unrelated persons. The amount of money received shall be recorded by the treasurer and also in the “Weekly Attendance and Offering Notebook”.
Section 2
The church treasurer, or their designated assistant, shall deposit all monies into a credited financial institution in a timely manner.
Section 3
The church treasurer will provide weekly offering envelopes for all members who desire to use them.
Section 4
Committee chairpersons may submit monthly or annual budgets to the church council for expense pre-approval. All non-budgeted expenses shall be approved by the church council prior to expense reimbursement.
Section 5
The church business manager shall reconcile all bank statements (required for adequate insurance protection).
Section 6
SonLight Chapel will tithe (10%) of the undesignated monies that it receives to deserving missions and charities. The Finance/Tithe Committee shall meet quarterly to disburse the tithe amount from the previous quarter.
Section 7
The Living in God’s Heavenly Trust (LIGHT) fund is established for monies received that are specifically designated for the future growth of SonLight Chapel. Those monies shall be deposited into a separate bank account and are to be reserved for expenses related to church growth.
Section 8
SonLight Chapel is a self-supporting church. Fundraising projects must have prior approval of the church council and monies received from them must be used for mission or outreach work.
Section 9
The church treasurer will send letters acknowledging receipt of Memorial Gifts and donations to SonLight Chapel’s LIGHT fund.
Section 10
Memorial gift contributions will be credited to the LIGHT fund, unless otherwise designated.

Article VIII: Relationship with the Congregation

Section 1
The Board of Elders and the church council of SonLight Chapel shall provide a safe, easily accessible and comfortable place for the congregation to meet and worship.
Section 2
SonLight Chapel has adopted and pledges to maintain a Safe Church Policy which prohibits all types of discrimination, abuse, exploitation and harassment – protecting all adults, children and youth affiliated with the church.
Section 3
SonLight Chapel will provide Membership Certificates for all people who join with the church into Covenant Membership or Associate Membership.
Section 4
SonLight Chapel will provide Baptism Certificates and Certificates of Dedication for all persons who are baptized and dedicated by the church.
Section 5
SonLight Chapel pledges to, in the best way possible with Godly wisdom and discernment, meet the needs of the members of the congregation by providing encouragement, counseling, prayers, visits, love offerings, and other means of support to help them find victory in meeting their daily needs.

Article IX: Annual Meetings

Section 1
Annually during the month of June, SonLight Chapel will acknowledge its anniversary month, as it held its first meeting and worship service on June 6, 2010.
Section 2
Annually during the month of August, a business meeting for all members shall be held 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 X: Amendments

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