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    VI. D. Elders-Trustees 1.                 Selection. Elders will be evaluated by serving elders and the nominating board using 1 Tim. 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 as their guide. Approved candidates will be nominated for election to the church conference where they must be approved by a majority vote. 2.                 Term of Office. Elders serve a term of three years.  They may then step down or be reelected for another three-year term. If problems arise with an individual elder, the remaining elders must engage with him using Matthew 18 as a guide, if the issue is not one.  For removal for cause, see section XXX. 3.                 Duties. a)                 The Elders are responsible for the spiritual well-being of the church. b)                 The Elders work with the pastor to provide spiritual guidance and love of the church to care for others.  This includes preaching, teaching, leadership, and discipline  as well as ministry to the sick, the needy, and the unfortunate. c)                 The Elders would guide and mentor the deacons in helping to meet temporal needs. d)                 The Elders ensure the ordinances of baptism and communion are provided to the body.  e)                 The Elders are the primary members of the Church Board. f)                  As Trustees, the Elders perform such duties as required by law.  This includes liaising between the state and the church.  As Trustees, the Elders are also responsible for the updating and safe keeping of all legal church papers. Do you approve of this section? Ask questions, make recommendations, or vote approve or disapprove.

    1.  — Edited

      APPROVED 5/28/20 VI. C. Church Board 1.                 The Church Board consists of four (4) elders who also serve as trustees, a church clerk, and a church treasurer if an elder is not serving as clerk or treasurer. 2.                 The Church Board will meet at least once a month. 3.                 Members are elected by the Church Conference. 4.                 The board shall elect its own officers. 5.                 Representatives from church-sponsored committees and organizations may serve as ex-officio members of the board according to the wishes of the board. All should present a monthly report, unless exempted by the board. 6.                 The Church Board has administrative power and is set up for the purpose of unifying and directing the work of the church. 7.                 The board is responsible to plan, supervise, and coordinate the work of the church through its various officers. Do you approve of this section? Ask questions, make recommendations, or vote approve or disapprove.

      1. This section VI. C. Church Board still needs more sections. These are presented because they should be the less controversial ones. Those will be listed in separate entries.

    2.  — Edited

      APPROVED 6/11/20 VI. B. Church Conference 1.                 The Church Conference consists of every active member of the church. 2.                 The Church Conference is a church congregational business session and is the final authority of the church. 3.                 The church conference evaluates past accomplishments, hears reports, studies present conditions, elects officers, and makes plans for the church program. It also provides an opportunity for sharing and coordinating different points of view. 4.                 The Church Conference should meet at least once each year in a business session in January. Do you approve of this section? Ask questions, make recommendations, or vote approve or disapprove.

      1. I agree with this.

      2. Thanks Dick!

    3.  — Edited

      VI. The Winchester Community Church is organized as follows. A.  Pastor ... 2.  Term of Office. The Pastor serves for an indefinite period and terms shall be subject to periodic, elder review.  If the elders recommend removal, a church conference must vote to confirm it. (REQUIRES DETAILS ON VOTING -- Percentages, etc.) What recommendations or questions do you have on voting requirements or other details?

      2. This compromise looks good to me, after all we believe in repentance. After probation, majority.

      3. Thank you Kerry!

      4. The decision was to make a general removal statement for all board members. This will be posted in a separate entity.

    4.  — Edited

      APPROVED 6/4/20                     BYLAWS -- PART VI. A. (Please indicate your approval, disapproval, questions, and/or amendments in a comment below) Discussed 5/14/20 -- Tabled until 5/28/20 -- APPROVED 6/4/20                     The Winchester Community Church is organized as follows. A.  Pastor 1.  Selection. In the absence of the pastor, the elders will divide pastoral duties between them.  They will also begin a search, as need requires, to find a replacement.  They will evaluate the pastor using 1 Tim. 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 as their guide.  The best candidate will be presented to the church conference for confirmation by election. They must be selected by at least a majority vote. (REQUIRES DETAILS ON VOTING) 2.  Term of Office. The Pastor serves for an indefinite period and terms shall be subject to periodic, elder review.  If the elders recommend removal, a church conference must vote to confirm it. (REQUIRES DETAILS ON VOTING -- Percentages, etc.) 3.   Duties. a)  The pastor is an elder and the primary, spiritual shepherd of the church.  He serves as an advisor on the church program, working through the church board and committees.  He works with others and inspires them to serve.  The pastor’s central work is the spiritual care of the congregation. b)   The pastor is an ex-officio member of all church boards and committees. c)   The pastor normally serves as moderator of the Church Congregational Meeting. The elders will select a replacement from amongst their in his absence.

      1. I approve of this section.

      2. This looks good and right to me. Yes.

    5.  — Edited

      APPROVED 5/14/20 BYLAWS PART 5. Please indicate your approval, rejection, questions, and/or amendments in a comment below. V.   The  church serves numerous functions. A. It  seeks to win persons to Christ through evangelism. B. It  teaches and preaches the Bible and Christian truth as revealed in the Bible. C.  It provides a spiritually enriching experience in worship. D.  It seeks to inspire persons and help individuals toward the imitation of Jesus. E.  It provides an effective educational program in such matters as family living, missionary education, stewardship, ministry training,  leadership education. F.   It serves to develop Christian fellowship. G.  It provides effective pastoral care and counseling for individuals. H.  It seeks to enlist church members in and equip for Christian Service. I.   It seeks to develop a fellowship of spiritual, emotional, physical and material sharing. J.  It teaches the principles of Christ in all human and social relationships.

      1. I approve!

      2. Amen Yes.

    6.  — Edited

      APPROVED 5/14/20 Updated amendment to IV. A. subpoints 4-6. 4. An active member is one who has regular attendance at Church Services.   The minimum attendance required to be an active voting member will be at least three Sundays a quarter. Attendance records may be formal or informal at the discretion of the Elders. 5. An inactive member is one who doesn’t meet the minimum attendance requirements.  They have no voting rights concerning church business.  If an inactive member wishes to become an active member, he must go before the Elders. If there are no issues of unscriptural behavior or rejection of faith, a process to re-establish membership will be established. 6.  College students and military members on active duty will not lose their membership or voting rights while living out of the area. This exemption ends when they return to live in the area. If they do not return, their membership rights end. Do you agree with this change?

      1. Yes, that makes sense. I approve.

      2. Sounds good. Yes

    7.  — Edited

      APPROVED 5/14/20 Updated amendment to IV. A. 2 and 3. 2. New members must be accepted and examined by the Elders and then presented to the congregation by a pastor or elder at a Sunday morning service to be welcomed into the Church Family. 3. A new member should be counseled by a pastor or elder, as needed. Do you agree with this change?

      1. I agree.

      2. I agree

    8.  — Edited

      APPROVED -- 5/14/20 Updated amendment to IV. A. 1. a). Baptism based on conversations to date. a)                 Baptism.  The rite of baptism may be administered by a pastor or elder in the manner most meaningful and acceptable by the one to be baptized and the pastor/elder. Do you agree to this amended item?

      1. I approve.

      2. Yes, this looks good