TCBC Constitution

ARTICLE I: Name and Purpose

Section 1 – Name
 
This organization shall be known as Twin City Bible Church. This organization is under the legal auspices of the State of Illinois, as a non-profit corporation.
 
Section 2 - Purpose
 
Our purpose as Christ's church is to be a disciple-making community of God's people, serving as reconciling agents of the Kingdom of God to our families, to one another, and to the world, glorifying God by working to fulfill our shared goals in worship, community, and mission. (Ephesians 1:22, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 10:35-45, II Corinthians 5:16-20, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 2:42-47, John 13:34-35)
 
We acknowledge the identity we share with other believers as:
 
the people of God,
the Body of Christ, and
the living temple of the Holy Spirit;
 
and we commit ourselves to the purposes and tasks to which Christ has called His Church.
 
1.         To praise God for His attributes and celebrate His acts and promises.
2.         To practice the ordinances which Christ ordained.
3.         To stand and work together with other believers in the church at Champaign-Urbana on the basis of the unity that Christ has accomplished.
 4.        To support each believer's growth in Christ likeness.
  a)         To instruct one another in the truth of the Bible and the efficacy of prayer.
  b)         To equip each family to function as a unit for spiritual growth and sharing.
  c)         To mutually encourage the discovery, development, and use of gifts.
  d)         To care for each other with whole-hearted commitment, challenging and comforting one another in daily life.
 5.        To engage sacrificially in outreach ministries.
  a)         To develop a witnessing community involved in day-to-day spontaneous sharing of Christ among family, friends, business and social associates.
  b)         To seek out the poor and oppressed, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and ministering to the whole person.
  c)         To share resources and fellowship with churches and Christians around the world.
  d)        To provide a sound and friendly church home for students and other temporary residents, with the focus on preparing young adults to be leaders in local churches throughout the world. Given our unique setting adjacent to the University of Illinois which is at the "crossroads of the world".... it is only a wise use of the resources that God has given us to focus our attention on ministries that will ultimately contribute to the systematic evangelism and discipleship of young adults in order to equip them for future ministry in local churches throughout the world.
 
In order to do that, we must simultaneously equip our membership for spiritual growth and ministry so that they can either directly or indirectly minister to the young adults in our midst.
 
ARTICLE II: Statement of Doctrine and Faith
 
The doctrinal position of Twin City Bible Church is based on the Holy Scriptures. We ask assent of all applicants for membership to the following statement of Doctrine and Faith:
 
1.       We believe that the Bible is the only divinely inspired Word of God, that it is entirely trustworthy, and that it was given in its entirety as the Holy Spirit guided the sacred writers so that the words they wrote constitute the Word of God. It is, therefore, the final authoritative guide for faith and practice. Psalm 119; Matthew 7:24; II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 1:20-21.
 
2.       We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--and that these three are one God, with the same nature, attributes, and perfection; and worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience. Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 3:22; Ephesians 3:14-19; John 14:6-17; II Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:13-20; Hebrews 1:1-3.
 
3.       We believe that God the Son was and is Jesus Christ, was sent by God the Father, was virgin-born and sinless, was crucified as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people of all ages, died on the cross, was buried, and arose from the dead, and shall come again to this earth, according to the Holy Scriptures. Matthew 1:8-25; Acts 3:13-26; Revelation 22:12-21.
 
4.       We believe that all people are sinners in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and that they can experience salvation only through personal faith in Him. Psalm 14:4-8; John 3:3-8; Isaiah 64:6-7; Romans 10:9-17.
 
5.       We believe that God the Holy Spirit regenerates people in new spiritual birth as they trust Christ as Savior and Lord, and by His abiding presence and power equips them for spiritual life and service. Joel 2:28-29; Mark 1:4-8; John 3:3-8; I Corinthians 12:1-27.
 
6.       We believe in the existence of heaven as the eternal destiny of believers, and hell as the eternal destiny of unbelievers, as taught in the Holy Scriptures. Matthew 10:26-33.
 
ARTICLE III: Ordinances
 
An ordinance is an outward, visible witness of an inward, invisible work of God already accomplished in the life of an individual through his personal faith in Jesus Christ alone as Savior and Lord.
 
We recognize baptism and the Lord's Supper as the ordinances Christ instituted for His Church. While baptism is encouraged, it is not a prerequisite for membership. The Lord's Supper is open to all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and are seeking to walk with Him as Lord.
 
1.       The ordinance of baptism by immersion shall be administered by one of the Pastors, or a person appointed by the Executive Committee. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41.
 
Baptism by immersion is the symbolic outward expression of the inward reality of saving faith in the believer. It symbolizes the believer's death to his former life and his resurrection as a new creation in union with Christ. It is also the believer's public expression of identification with Christ and His body, the church.
 
(Although we do not regard the dedication of young children as an ordinance, dedicatory services for young children shall be commended to believing parents, who in the presence of other believers, wish to promise to bring up their children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4)
 
2.       The Lord's Supper is a special time of corporate communion with our Lord Jesus Christ when we remember His death for our sins by partaking of the bread and the cup. It is a time of contrition, for we realized that our sins necessitated such a costly sacrifice, but it is also a time of celebration for the wonderful gift of salvation He has given us. The Lord's Supper shall be observed regularly as determined by the Pastors and the Shepherding Council, normally on the first Sunday of each month at least. (Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-29).
 
ARTICLE IV: Membership
 
Section 1 - Types of Membership
 
The following types of membership in Twin City Bible Church are available:
 
1.       Active Membership is open to persons sixteen years of age and older who give clear evidence of conversion to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and willingly agree with the Statement of Doctrine and Faith, and the Covenant of Membership for this church. Active membership includes the right to vote on church business matters and to hold office in the church.
 
2.       Affiliate Membership is open to persons temporarily residing in the Champaign-Urbana area who wish to retain active church membership elsewhere because of special personal considerations. Their names shall be removed from the membership roll when they leave the community. Affiliate members must meet the same spiritual and doctrinal requirements as Active members and have the same right to vote and hold office.
 
3.       Youth Membership is open to young people from the ages of twelve to sixteen who meet the doctrinal and spiritual requirements outlined above, but without the right to vote or hold office. Upon review at age sixteen, these persons will be added to Active Membership.
 
4.       Missionary Membership is available to all of TCBC's financially supported missionaries, home or foreign since all of these were sent out from TCBC and were active members while here. Should any of our financially supported missionaries be at TCBC, they have full voting privileges, and are able to hold office in the church. The Missionary membership category is not to be included for quorum calculations for church meetings. It is assumed, that like affiliate membership, these people can also retain an active membership elsewhere.
 
Section 2 - Church Discipline
 
The purpose of New Testament discipline is to bring a church member (or leader) who is persistent in misconduct to repentance, forgiveness, and restoration to fellowship and usefulness with the Body of Christ (Galatians 6:1; I Corinthians 5; II Corinthians 2:5-8). The responsibility for discipline should follow the progression set forth by our Lord in Matthew 18:15-16. If the individual member (or leader) in question refuses to listen to the member(s) who seek to confront him/her in love, then the discipline of that person will be entrusted to the Shepherding Council in accordance with Matthew 18:17. If the offending member (or leader) still refuses to listen, his/her membership (or leadership position) may be terminated by action of the Shepherding Council. This decision may be appealed by the terminated member (or leader) before the congregation; re-instatement into membership (or leadership) will require 2/3 majority vote of membership present.
 
Section 3 - Transfer, Reclassification or Termination of Membership
 
1.       Any member in good standing shall be granted, upon request, a letter of transfer to another church of like faith and practice.
 
2.       Absence from and nonsupport of the activities of the church for a period of six months shall be cause to reclassify Active and Affiliate Members as Inactive Members. The Shepherding Council shall advise a member by letter of an impending reclassification and he may appeal the decision to the Shepherding Council which shall have final judgement. The right to vote on church business matters and to hold office in the church shall not be extended to Inactive Members.
 
3.       Membership may be terminated by action of the Shepherding Council after appropriate communication by the Shepherding Council with the individual for the following reasons: permanent residence outside the greater Champaign- Urbana area (fifty-mile radius); persistent misconduct requiring church discipline (Section 2 above); prolonged absence from and nonsupport of the activities of the church. Reinstatement is possible by action of the Shepherding Council or by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership present at a congregational meeting.
 
ARTICLE V: Government
 
Section 1 – General
 
The government of the church is vested in its membership and shall be administered through a Ministry Board, Shepherding Council and an Executive Committee, chosen from, elected by, and responsible to the membership. All actions of these bodies shall be subject to review by the membership at any constitutionally called business meeting.
 
Section 2 - The Ministry Board
 
The major responsibilities of the Ministry Board shall be the oversight of all the work of God in and through this local congregation. The Board shall oversee the ministry activities of members and organizations within the church and relationships with other churches and organizations outside the church. The Board shall have authority to increase any of the budget lines of the current expense budget up to ten percent of the amount approved by the church for that general category or department. The total of all increases over the budget year shall not exceed five percent of the total church budget. (see Article VI, section 3)
 
1.       The Ministry Board shall consist of the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor (s), Chairman of the Board, Secretary of the Board, General Treasurer, and Chairpersons from each of the following departments: Business Administration, Christian Education, Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship, Missions, Social Action, Worship and Music, Youth, Campus Ministries.
 
2.       The term of office of Board members, other than the Pastor (s), shall be two years.
 
3.       Members who have served for two consecutive terms (partial term is not to be counted for this purpose) shall not be eligible for re-election to the board for the following year. Men and women elected to the Ministry Board, to the greatest extent possible, shall fulfill the Scriptural qualifications as stated in I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, I Peter 5:1-4, Acts 6:1-6, I Timothy 3:8-13, and Romans 16:1-2, functionally interpreted as:
a)         Demonstrated spiritual maturity.
b)         Demonstrated interest and participation in the given department.
c)         Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of scripture.
d)         Possessing the gifts of administration and encouragement.
e)         Demonstrated openness, honesty, trustworthiness, and ability to manage people in ministry.
 
4.       The Chairman of the Ministry Board is to be regarded as a major church leader, and therefore is expected to be a godly man, possessing the qualities of above stated scripture to an exemplary degree.
 
Functionally the Chairman shall:
a)         Demonstrate an exemplary level of spiritual maturity and godliness.
b)         Demonstrate a firm understanding of the ministries of TCBC and how the proper execution of these would bring glory to God and serve Him through TCBC's unique and specific calling.
c)         Be thoroughly invested in the scriptures and demonstrate their truth and application in his life and ministry.
d)         To the greatest extent possible, possess the gifts of leadership, teaching ability, prophecy (proclaiming and illuminating the Word of God to the Congregation), wisdom and knowledge; in addition to those listed for the individual Board member.
e)         Demonstrate love, integrity, wisdom, trustworthiness, perseverance, empathy and humility.
 
5.       Sixty-seven percent of the elected Board members (rounded down to the nearest whole number) shall constitute a quorum. Official action shall require the consent of at least three-fourths of the members present.
 
6.       Regular Board meetings shall be held at least once a month at a time decided by majority vote of the Board. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Board, Senior Pastor, or by any three members of the Board.
 
7.       The Board may appoint and/or discharge committees it considers necessary to expedite its work or other- wise serve the best interest of the church.
 
8.       The Board shall interact with or defer to the Shepherding Council those issues that concern the spiritual health of the congregation or its individual members. Joint meetings of the Ministry Board and Shepherding Council will occur as requested by the Senior Pastor or either chairman to deliberate upon issues deemed appropriate by one or more of these individuals.
 
9.       The Board shall defer to or consult with the Executive Committee on those issues that relate to the administration of the employment and terms and benefits set by the congregation for the pastoral and support staff and strategic planning for achievement of the overall vision and direction of the congregation. The Board shall defer to or consult with the Legal Trustees on issues that relate to the legal or external fiscal affairs of the church.
 
10.     The board secretary shall record the Ministry Board minutes. Copies shall be distributed to all elected church leaders and pastoral staff. Additional copies shall be made available to the congregation and announced in the church bulletin.
 
11.     The Board shall recommend to the Executive Committee the need to call congregational meetings to recommend actions requiring a vote by the membership and to receive advice or instructions.
 
Section 3 - Shepherding Council
 
The major responsibilities of the Shepherding Council shall be to provide spiritual oversight and leadership for the spiritual health of the TCBC congregation (those that regard TCBC as their spiritual home) (I Peter 5:1-4; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34). The emphasis for the work of each shepherd is upon active involvement in people's lives and being an example to the congregation. The Council's specific charges are to:
a)         Model an exemplary life.
b)         Pray for spiritual health and concerns of the congregation.
c)         Monitor spiritual health of the congregation.
d)         Nurture the spiritual growth of the congregation by personal involvement in a ministry and encouragement of others to do likewise (e.g., ministries such as small group Bible study, Christian Education classes, visitation, etc.).
e)         Provide spiritual counseling to the staff and congregation in conjunction with the pastor(s).
f)          Provide spiritual support, encouragement, and accountability to leaders and staff.
g)         Assist in conflict resolution between members of the congregation as needed.
h)         Conduct church spiritual discipline procedures as needed.
i)          Make membership recommendations.
j)          Oversee pastoral search activities
 
1.       The Shepherding Council shall consist of the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, an elected chairman and six to ten elected men and/or women. (A smaller number is acceptable if enough qualified people are unavailable at the time.) The specific number of persons elected will be determined by the Chairman of the Shepherding Council and recommended to the Nominating Committee.
 
2.       The term of office, other than the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor, shall be three years, with at least two members being elected each year. Each member may be re-elected with no limit on number of terms.
 
3.       The qualifications of the members of the Shepherding Council are as stated in I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Matthew 9:36, and John 10:1-21; functionally interpreted as:
 
a)         Demonstrated spiritual maturity
b)         Actively involved in the spiritual growth of others
c)         Well grounded in Scripture
d)         Possesses the gifts of encouragement, exhortation and discernment
e)         Demonstrated openness, honesty and trustworthiness.
f)          Demonstrated ability to apply truth in love.
  
          4.  The Chairman of the Shepherding Council is to be regarded as a major church leader and therefore is expected to be a godly man, possessing the qualities of the above stated scripture to an exemplary degree; functionally the chairman shall:
 
a)         Demonstrate an exemplary level of spiritual maturity and godliness
b)         Demonstrate a firm understanding of the general spiritual emotional, physical and relational needs of the "sheep", i.e. the individual TCBC member; and further, lead the council in specific ways toward meeting such needs.
c)         Be thoroughly invested in the Scriptures and demonstrate their truth and application in his life and ministry.
d)         To the greatest extent possible, possess the gifts of leadership, teaching ability, wisdom and knowledge, and prophecy (proclaiming and illuminating the Word of God to the Congregation), in addition to the gifts listed for the individual members of the Shepherding Council.
e)        Demonstrate love, empathy, trustworthiness, integrity, wisdom, perseverance and humility.
 
5.       Sixty-seven percent of the elected Shepherding Council members (rounded down to the nearest whole number) shall constitute a quorum. Official action shall require the consent of three-fourths of the members present.
 
6.       Regular council meetings shall be held at least once a month at a time decided by majority vote of the council. Special meetings can be requested of the chairman or by any other member.
 
7.       The Council shall interact with or defer to the Ministry Board those issues that concern ministry activities within and outside the church (see Article V, 2: preamble and 2:1).
 
8.       The Council shall defer to or consult with the Executive Committee on those issues that relate to the administration of the employment terms and benefits for the pastoral and support staff, and strategic planning for achievement of the overall vision and direction of the congregation. The Council shall defer to or consult with the Legal Trustees on issues that relate to the legal or external fiscal affairs of the Congregation.
 
9.       Shepherding council meeting minutes will be recorded by a designated member of the council; the minutes will be regarded as confidential. Disclosure of the information in the minutes will be by mutual consent of the involved parties.
 
10.     The Council shall recommend to the Executive Committee the need to call congregational meetings to recommend actions requiring a vote by the membership and to receive advice or instructions.
 
Section 4 - Executive Committee
 
1.       The members of the Executive Committee shall be the Chairman of the Ministry Board, Chairman of the Shepherding Council, Senior Pastor, and Associate Pastor. This is an administrative body which works to coordinate and facilitate communication among the three structural units in the church: the Ministry Board, the Shepherding Council and the Pastoral Staff.
  
2.       The Executive Committee shall carry out assignments from and develop recommendations to the Board and/or the Council and seek to communicate and strategically plan the implementation of the overall vision and direction of the congregation, including constitutional revisions when appropriate.
 
3.       The Executive Committee shall oversee the annual review and evaluation process of the pastoral staff and financial operations of the church; this includes input from the other leadership and from the congregation.
 
4.       The Executive Committee, in consultation with the Business Administration Department, shall serve as the liaison to the support and pastoral staff, relative to matters such as vacations and sabbaticals. Annual recommendations for salary, allowances, and fringe benefits shall be made by a salary review committee, based on the written evaluations of each staff member. Guidelines for determining the composition of this committee and their responsibilities are stated in the personnel policy established by the Executive Committee. The recommendations of the salary review committee must be approved by the Ministry Board before taking effect.
 
5.       The Executive Committee meeting minutes will be recorded by a designated member and regarded as public.
 
Section 5 - Legal Trustees
 
The Legal Trustees shall consist of the Chairman of the Ministry Board, the Chairman of the Shepherding Council, and the Chairperson of the Business Administration Department. They shall administrate all corporate business of the church, in consultation with the Business Administration Department.
 
Section 6 - Ministry Board Departments
 
The Ministry Board shall administer the organizational ministry activity of the church through the departments named in Article V, Section 2:1. Each department shall be responsible to the Ministry Board via it's chairperson, who is a member of the Board. Chairpersons and department members shall be elected because of special interest, ability, experience, and concern for the ministry of the department.
 
The duties of the various departments shall be outlined in a Procedures and Policies Manual of the Board. The contents of this manual and any changes in it shall be approved by the Ministry Board.
 
1.       Business Administration Department: This department shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the physical properties and the financial management of the church.
 
2.       Christian Education Department: This department shall be responsible for the educational and training ministries of the church for all ages and TCBC children's club programs.
 
3.       Evangelism Department: This department shall be responsible for encouraging and equipping our congregation to share the Good News of the Gospel with the people in our community.
 
4.       Discipleship Department: This department shall be responsible for overseeing the small group ministry of our church and for encouraging our people to grow in the character and functions of Christ's disciples through a variety of ways.
 
5.       Fellowship Department: This department shall be responsible for encouraging meaningful relationships within the church and for ministering to the personal needs of the congregation.
6.       Missions Department: This department shall be responsible for all missionary activities and organizations pertaining to the church.
 
7.       Social Action Department: This department shall be actively involved with first defending the poor and fatherless and doing justice to the afflicted and needy, and second encouraging our church community to be involved likewise.
 
8.       Worship and Music Department: This department shall be responsible for encouraging meaningful worship experiences in the services and activities of the church.
 
9.       Youth: This department shall be responsible for the training and discipling of young people (Senior High and Junior High) except for Christian Education activities.
 
10.     Campus Ministry Department: This department shall be responsible for coordinating all outreach to university students as well as function as liaison between para-church campus ministries and TCBC.
 
Section 7 – Meetings
 
All departments of the Board shall meet at least six times a year, preferably every month. Copies of minutes of all meetings shall be kept.
 
Section 8 – Presiding
 
The Chairman of the Ministry board shall preside at all meetings of the Ministry board and at all business meetings of the church. In the absence of the Chairman, the Chairman of the Shepherding Council shall preside at these business meetings.
 
Section 9 – Secretary
 
The Secretary of the Ministry Board shall record and maintain public minutes of all Board meetings and church business meetings, and shall assist the Chairman of the Ministry Board in communication and coordination of Board activities.
 
Section 10 - Treasurer and Financial Assistants
 
Treasurer
 
The Treasurer shall oversee all the church funds from all Departments and TCBC organizations. S/He shall oversee all the financial assistants. S/He shall keep clear and accurate records of all transactions. Checks governing authorized and approved disbursements shall be signed by one of the following: Treasurer, Business Administration Chairperson, or Ministry Board Chairman. The Treasurer shall prepare and present to the Ministry Board a report at the end of each calendar month in such form as they may require. S/He shall be a member of the Business Administration Department.
 
Financial Assistants
 
The Financial assistants shall be responsible for various financial areas as designated by the Treasurer to receive and disburse funds. Under the direction of the Treasurer, they shall deposit ALL monies in such banks and accounts as directed by the treasurer. S/He shall give to the treasurer a detailed accounting of ALL monies received. Up to five assistants shall be appointed to assist with the receipting and disbursing of funds. The Financial assistants shall keep CONFIDENTIAL records of all stewardship accounts and are required to mail a statement of giving by February 1, following the calendar year. Financial assistants shall be appointed by the Ministry Board and Shepherding Council upon the recommendation of the Treasurer. Each term, the Treasurer may recommend for appointment or re-appointment all new Financial assistants.
 
Section 11 - Nominating Committee
 
1.       The Nominating committee shall consist of a minimum of five church members drawn from the current leadership plus the Senior Pastor:
a)       The members are: Six members selected from the eleven Ministry Board department chairs and four members from the Shepherding Council (the Chairman to be a part only if there are not other members available). No member shall serve on the Nominating Committee if he or she is being considered for election.
 
b)       The Chairperson of the Nominating Committee shall be named by the Executive Committee but shall not be a member of the Executive Committee.
 
c)       If less than 5 are eligible to serve on the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee shall appoint additional people to reach the minimum required number.
 
2.       The term of office of this committee shall be one year. If any member is unable to complete this term, the Shepherding Council shall choose a replacement.
 
3.       The elected positions of the church are: Ministry Board members, Shepherding Council members, and Treasurer.
 
a)       At least four months prior to the Annual Meeting, the Membership of the church will be invited by the Nominating Committee to suggest persons for elective offices for a one-month time period. The Nominating committee shall first consider for nomination those persons suggested. The Committee may then consider other persons for nomination in order to best utilize the gifts and abilities of individuals within this Body. All individuals nominated by the Nominating Committee for Ministry Board or Shepherding Council positions shall be examined for:
(1) Evidence of gifts and spiritual qualifications
(2) Personal interest and "calling" for the position
(3) Family's support for participation in the position
(4) The compatibility and workability with the remaining Board or Council members.
(5) Previously stated qualifications under Section 2 (Ministry Board) or Section 3 (Shepherding Council
 
b)       It shall be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to compose a slate of candidates to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Only one candidate for each elected office shall be brought to the congregation.
 
c)       The Nominating Committee shall then submit to the nominee for each office the following list of questions in printed form, each of which must be answered affirmatively by all nominees before their names are submitted.
 
1)   Do you accept the doctrinal statement of this church?
2)   Have you read carefully the constitution of this church, and are you prepared to work in accordance with it?
3)   Do you accept as your standard the Scriptural qualifications set forth in article V, Section 2 or 3 of the Constitution of this
      church?
4)   Do you support and uphold the unity of the church and its evangelistic, educational, and pastoral ministries through regular
      attendance, participation, and involvement?
 
d)  The slate of candidates shall be published at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting. No nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
 
e)  Information about each new candidate will be published prior to the Annual Meeting to allow members of the congregation to examine the candidates.
 
f)    A two-thirds majority vote by written ballot at the Annual Meeting is necessary for election.
 
g)  When vacancies occur in church elective offices, the Nominating Committee shall act under the procedures outlined for the Annual Meeting, submitting names of nominated individuals (one per office) to the church membership at a constitutionally called special business meeting.
 
ARTICLE VI: Finances
 
Section 1 - Fiscal Year
 
The fiscal year shall end on December 31.
 
Section 2 - Annual Budget
 
At the annual business meeting each mid-November, the members shall adopt a budget for the next fiscal year, and this section shall constitute sufficient notice of that action. Approval of the budget shall constitute authority for the Ministry Board to expend funds in the amounts and for the purposes stated in the budget. The Business Administration Department, after soliciting input from the various departments, shall submit a proposed budget to the Ministry Board.
 
Section 3 - Limit of Expenditure
 
No single expenditure of funds, other than specific budgeted items, shall be permitted without congregational approval for amounts greater than 3% of the annual budget. Items over 1% of budget need approval of Ministry Board.
 
ARTICLE VII: Ministering Staff
 
Section 1 - Senior Pastor
 
1.       The Senior Pastor shall be the leader and coordinator of all spiritual activities of the church. The thrust of his prayer, visitation, teaching, and preaching of the Word of God shall be to edify the Body of Christ and evangelize the lost. He shall normally minister the Word of God at regular church services and administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
 
2.       The Senior Pastor shall be a member of the Ministry Board, Shepherding Council, and the Executive Committee, and a nonvoting member of all other Departments and Committees. He shall be the executive administrator, directing and coordinating the work of the church staff.
 
3.       He and his wife shall become members of Twin City Bible Church upon his installation as pastor.
 
Section 2 - Call of a Senior Pastor
 
The Shepherding Council and four members of the Ministry Board (elected from within) shall function as a ministerial committee both in contacting possible candidates and in making recommendations to the church. The pastor shall be chosen by written ballot at a constitutionally called business meeting. Seventy-five percent of the Active and Affiliate membership shall constitute a quorum for his purpose. An affirmative vote by three-fourths of the members voting shall be needed to extend a call. The job description for the Senior Pastor is delineated in Procedures and Policies Manual.
 
Section 3 - Dismissal of a Senior Pastor
 
Should a majority vote by the Ministry Board and Shepherding Council (in joint meeting), or at least ten percent of the members suggest to the Shepherding Council that the ministry of the Senior Pastor may be completed, the Chairman of the Shepherding Council shall call a special business meeting. The Chairman shall call for a vote of confidence by written ballot without public discussion; before the vote, the Shepherding Council will make a statement. A two-thirds majority vote of the total church membership-Active and Affiliate (either present or by absentee ballot) shall be considered a vote of confidence, which shall mean continuance of the ministry of the Pastor. Should the vote of confidence not be sustained, this fact shall be due notice to the Pastor that his term of office is to cease at a time not more than three months later. The Ministry Board shall have authority to terminate the Pastor's ministry at any time within the three-month period should the Board deem it to be in the best interest of the church. However, in this event, the church shall be responsible for the full three-month salary.
 
Section 4 - Associate Pastors
 
1.    The title, duties, and responsibilities for full or part-time positions to be filled by Associate Pastors, including church ministers, shall be presented in detail by the Chairman of the Ministry Board, after joint deliberations of the Ministry Board and Shepherding Council, to the church membership at a constitutionally called business meeting.
 
    2.    Dismissal of Associate Pastors shall follow the same procedure as for the Senior Pastor (Article VII, Section 3), except that the time
           period involved shall be two months rather than three months.
 
Section 5 - Resignation and Financial Settlement
 
Should a member of the ministering staff resign, a letter of resignation giving sixty (60) days notice is requested. The Senior Pastor shall address his resignation to the membership; Associate Pastors shall address theirs to the Ministry Board. The sixty days or any part thereof may be waived by the Ministry Board should it seem in the best interest of the church, with the church being responsible for a full two month's salary. Only unused vacation time from the previous 12 months is eligible for payment in cash at the time of severance.
 
Section 6 - Evaluations and Conflicts
 
In cases where an evaluation of any staff member is negative and a corrective plan cannot be agreed upon, or where any staff member has been unable to resolve a conflict with the person they report to, elected members of the Shepherding Council (or a subcommittee thereof) will be responsible for meeting with those involved and suggesting possible resolutions. Cases like this will be handled consistent with the personnel policy established by the Executive Committee.
 
ARTICLE VIII: Meetings
 
Section 1 - General
 
The business of the church shall be conducted at the Annual Meeting in mid-November and the Semi-Annual Meeting held in mid-April, or at a constitutionally called special meeting. Thirty-five percent of the Active and Affiliate members of the church shall constitute a quorum.
 
In the conduct of the business meetings, any parliamentary questions not covered by this Constitution shall be decided according to the latest edition of Roberts' Rules of Order.
 
The Chairman of the Ministry Board or, in his absence, the Chairman of the Shepherding Council shall be the presiding officer of a church business meeting.
 
Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, a majority vote of the members present at any constitutionally called church business meeting shall be required for action. Members unable to attend a business meeting may vote by absentee ballot any time before the day of the meeting, through the Ministry Board Secretary, who will maintain a signed list of the members who have voted using such ballots.
 
The Annual Business Meeting of the church shall be held each year in mid-November. The fiscal year of the church shall close out the last day of December. Between the end of the fiscal year and the approval of the budget for the coming year, disbursements are authorized on the basis of the expiring budget with adjustments made as necessary after adoption of the new budget. All church departments, committees, and officers in office at the end of one fiscal year shall continue to function until January 1, when newly elected and appointed officers and committee members shall assume their duties.
 
Section 2 - Special Meetings
 
Special business meetings of the church, except as provided in Article VII, Section 3, may be called by a member of the Executive Committee, or on written request to them by twenty-five or more Active and Affiliate members. Notice of a special meeting and its purpose shall be published at least two weeks preceding the time of the meeting.
 
ARTICLE IX: Licensure and Ordination
 
Section 1 - Licensure
 
Twin City Bible Church recognized that all its members are called to Christian witness. Gifted men may be set apart for recognition as Licensed Lay Minister. Such individuals will make written application to the Shepherding Council for examination. Upon examination, should the Council feel convinced that the individual possesses suitable gifts, preparation, and calling, such judgement being based in part upon at least one year's satisfactory public ministry, a recommendation shall be made to the church membership for recognition as a Licensed Lay Minister. Licentiates should be encouraged to pursue such courses of study and training as will help them develop their gifts and fit them more perfectly for the office of Lay Minister.
 
Section 2 - Ordination
 
A gifted man desiring recognition as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel may request the Senior Pastor to present his letter of application to the Shepherding Council. The Shepherding Council, if it so agrees, will convene an Ordination Council consisting of Board and/or Council members, ordained ministers of the fellowship, and other such evangelical ministers and representatives as the Council sees fit to invite. The candidates will present a written statement concerning his educational background and experience, his call to the Christian ministry, and his doctrinal position. The Ordination Council, upon a three-fourths affirmative vote, shall recommend the granting of an Ordination Certificate. If the membership, in a duly called congregational meeting, grants the request of the Ordination Council, a suitable public ordination service shall be arranged by the Shepherding Council.
 
ARTICLE X: Amendments
 

Proposed changes in, or additions to, the church Constitution must be submitted by the Executive Committee to the members either in a letter, or be published in detail in a church bulletin at least two weeks prior to the annual or semi-annual meeting or a constitutionally called special business meeting. A two-thirds vote of the members present is necessary for adoption of the amendment.