By-Laws

By Laws of

NEW DAY WORSHIP CENTER

 

ARTICLE I

NAME
The name of the church shall be “New Day International Community Church” doing business as New Day Worship Center, Inc.,” hereinafter referred to as NDWC.

This Community of Faith, NDWC, will be affiliated with the denomination of International Christian Community Churches (ICCC).

ARTICLE II
VISION AND MISSION

Vision:  International Christian Community Churches is a denomination which exists to build and foster Christ – like community where the Kingdom of God shall break forth.

Mission:  New Day Worship Center as a Community of Faith is called to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and the beliefs of the Christian faith, to maintain the worship of God, and to inspire in all persons a love for Christ, a passion for righteousness, and a consciousness of their duties to God and their fellow human beings. We pledge our lives to Christ and covenant with each other to demonstrate His Spirit through worship, witnessing, and ministry to the needs of the people of this Community of Faith and the community at large.

ARTICLE III
DOCTRINE, SACRAMENTS AND RITES

Doctrine:  Christianity is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Bible.  The Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, showing forth God to every person through the law and prophets and finally, completely and ultimately on Earth in the being of Jesus Christ.

Our Statement of Faith is based upon the principles outline in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed

Our Unity is based on Seven Uniting Essentials.  They are as follows:

• Christ’s life, death and resurrection provide us one relationship with God for salvation.
• Faith and practice in teaching are necessary to the understanding of the example of Christ
• Christ, The Living Word, defines and informs the understanding of Scripture.
• The existence and activity of the one true God is expressed through the triune understanding of God in terms of:  God our Creator, Christ our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit our Sustainer.
• Baptism is the initiation into Christian Community and Holy Communion sustains us within that Community.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to love and to bear witness to all humanity through Faith and Christ-like living.
• The Church is a Community of Faith which embodies Christ in the world through worship and service.

Sacrament of Baptism:  Baptism by water and by the Spirit, as recorded in the Scriptures, shall be a sign of dedication of one’s life to God and God’s service.  Through the words and acts of this sacrament the recipient is identified as a Child of God.

Sacrament of Holy Communion:  Holy Communion is the partaking of the blessed elements in accordance with the words of Jesus, our Sovereign:  “This is my body . . . this is my blood (Matthew 26: 26 – 38).  NDWC practices Open Communion, that is, all who seek God’s love through Christ, after examining their own conscience, may freely participate in the communal meal.

Rite of Membership:  Qualification for membership shall include:

• A personal faith response to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit.
• A Commitment to our Community of Faith to continue to live by faith as described by the following:
• Participating through worship and ministry.
• Contributing, as able, through time, talents and resources.
• Seeking peace and Unity in the Christian Community.

Rite of Holy Union or Holy Matrimony:  The rite of Spiritual joining through the conferring of God’s Blessing of two persons in a manner fitting and proper, after both persons have been counseled and apprised of their responsibilities (one towards the other) may be performed.

The rite of Holy Union or Holy Matrimony will not be performed for open and/or multi-partnered relationships.

Rite of Funeral or Memorial Service:  Funeral and Memorial Services will be conducted by the Pastor of the Church for the deceased in a manner fitting and proper of the needs of the family and/or friends of the deceased.

Rite of Laying on of Hands:  Prayers conducted by the laying on of hands may be conducted by the Pastor or other lay clergy of the Church for persons requesting healing of the mind, body and/or spirit.  The laying on of hands may also be conducted at the consecration of special ministries.

Rite of Blessing:  Blessings may be conducted by the Pastor or other lay clergy of the Church for any person, object, relationship and/or ministry as deemed appropriate by those persons involved in the blessing.

ARTICLE IV

MINISTRY

ICCC affirms the universal priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-10). All members of the Church Universal are called by God to a personal ministry of the Gospel of Christ in the Church and in the world. All persons are deemed ministers by their active participation in sharing Christ’s Good News.

 

ICCC decrees that all people shall have equality of access and opportunity which is free from discrimination on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, physical challenge, health status, gender identification, nationality, or economic status.

 

The Priesthood of All Believers: All people are called by God to a personal ministry and authorized by Scripture to respond to the Word, serving as Christ served, to the end that the Church may be edified and the world transformed. ICCC affirms that this is the ministry of every person in this denomination. All people have the responsibility to share in ministry, especially evangelism and Christian education. However, ICCC recognizes that professional pastoral ministry is undertaken by individuals approved through the ICCC process in conjunction with denominational and local faith community leadership.

 

Deacons: As outlined in the New Testament, the office of deacon is an historic ministry of service and aid within the local Christian Church. Within ICCC, the Diaconate is deemed to be a lay ministry and a local faith community office. Local faith communities may determine whether they wish to appoint deacons as part of their structure and ministry, and shall determine any training required for diaconal ministry and the length of service, as well as review procedures.

 

Discipline: Each local faith community is encouraged to develop a set of standards for quality behavior and ministry, and procedures for discipline of local lay leaders.

 

MINISTRY OF THE PASTORATE:

 

Ordained Clergy are those persons who have been called by God to vocational ministry, have successfully completed both educational and experiential training, have served an ICCC congregation as a candidate for a minimum of one year, and have met with and been approved by the Board of Ministry for ordination. Individuals in this category carry the title “Reverend” and when ordained, carry full clergy responsibilities and privileges, including the performance of legally-recognized marriages.

 

ORDAINED CLERGY must receive an annual License to Practice from the Board of Ministry.

 

Commissioned Pastors are individuals who are called by God to vocational ministry and are pursuing ordination but have not yet met all of the academic or experiential training. While completing these requirements and waiting for Board of Ministry approval for ordination, these individuals are members of a local ICCC congregation and serve that congregation as a candidate for ordination. Persons in this status may also have ICCC recognized ministries such as hospital or prison chaplaincy, etc. They may perform clergy responsibilities except performance of legally-recognized marriages.

 

Lay Pastors are individuals who are called by God to serve in a pastoral capacity, not as a vocation, but for a specific circumstance, time and place. Most often these individuals serve a congregation during a pastoral vacancy and often have been in a position of lay leadership within that church. Lay pastors will have some degree of educational and experiential training and may pursue additional training at the direction of the Board of Ministry. Lay pastors are appointed by the Governing Board in consultation with the Board of Ministry. While in this capacity, Lay Pastors are directly supervised by the ICCC Assistant Presiding Minister.

 

Under some circumstances, Lay Pastors may be testing a call to vocational ministry while serving a local congregation. They may be pursuing ordination but may not have completed sufficient requirements to be credentialed. These individuals must be registered with the Board of Ministry and must demonstrate progress toward becoming a commissioned pastor.

 

Responsibilities: In accordance with their call, Pastors shall administer the Rites and Sacraments of ICCC. They shall be teachers and preachers of the faith to the end that the world may believe and the Church might be renewed, equipped, and strengthened in its ministry.

 

Qualifications: Pastors are those persons of professed and demonstrated call to be professional Christian ministers who meet the qualifications established by the Convocation and the Board of Ministry per Appendix 1.

 

Credentials: The Board of Ministry shall meet prior to every General Convocation to interview candidates recommended for the pastoral ministry, and to review the standards and requirements for Pastors of ICCC. They will make recommendations for changes to the Governing Board and the General Convocation.

 

Ordination: Candidates who are approved for ordination may be ordained at the General Convocation, or may choose a later ordination date at a location more suited for friends and family to attend.

 

Discipline: ICCC will not condone disloyalty, unbecoming conduct, or dereliction of duty. Procedures for discipline shall be developed by the Governing Board of ICCC, in consultation with local churches and with members of the Board of ministry. These procedures shall be included as an addendum to the ICCC Articles of Covenant and included in the Appendix pertaining to the Ministry of the Pastorate.

 

ARTICLE V
GOVERNMENT

Congregation:  The government of this Community of Faith is vested in its members, subject to the Bylaws of the Denomination (currently ICCC), the Bylaws of the NDWC and the Articles of Incorporation (currently being drafted)

The members of NDWC shall elect a Board of Directors, which must include the Pastor, to conduct the operations of the church at regularly scheduled meetings.  Regularly scheduled meetings may include but are not limited to monthly board meetings, semi-annual congregational meetings and special called meetings.

Board of Directors:  The Pastor is a permanent (nonvoting) member of the Board of Directors, so long as that person is serving as Pastor.  In addition to the Pastor, who will serve as the Board Moderator, the Board of Directors shall consist of four additional (voting) members.  These members will be assigned to the position of Treasurer, Clerk, Member-at-Large and Lay-Delegate.

Based upon membership, the number of (voting) members of the Board of Directors may increase.  The need for an increase in the number of (voting) members of the Board of Directors will be at the wisdom of the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:  A candidate for the Board of Directors must be a member of NDWC in good standing for a period of no less than six months prior to election.

Members of the Board of Directors must be of legal voting age in the State of Georgia.

As with anyone serving in leadership (Staff Members, Board of Directors, Pastor, Clergy, Lay Clergy, etc), candidates are asked to commit to and sign the Denomination’s Code of Conduct.  Signatures may be obtained annually in keeping with the NDWC Bylaws, Article XII.

No one serving on the Pastoral/Support Staff (other than the current Pastor) may serve on the Board of Directors except under extreme circumstance.

Candidates for the Board of Directors must submit a written application to the Nominating Committee in order to be considered a candidate for election.  Applications must be received a minimum of 14 days prior to the annual congregational meeting.

The Nominating Committee must verify that each applicant meets the qualifications of Membership as set forth in Article V.

No nomination from the floor of the annual congregational meeting will be considered.

Method of Election:  It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to seek nominees for open positions on the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee shall be regulated by specific Bylaws.

Election of members to the Board of Directors shall take place at the annual congregational meeting.  All ballots will be secret and the vote totals will not be announced.  Ballots shall be prepared by the Clerk and the nominees receiving the majority vote shall be elected.

In the event of a tie, NDWC members will revote; limiting their choices to only those involved in the tie.

In the event of second tie, the current Board of Directors will appoint someone to fill the vacancy from amongst those nominees involved in the final tie.

Nominating Committee:  A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors 35 days prior to the Semi-annual Congregational Meeting in which the elections are to take place.

Appointed members of the Nominating Committee must be members in good standing for at least 6 months prior to appointment.

Only current members of the Board of Directors not seeking reelection may be appointed to the Nominating Committee.

The current Pastor may not be appointed to the Nominating Committee.

Term of Office:  Members of the Board of Directors will be elected annually.  Each elected term will be for two years.

• The Clerk and Member-at-Large will be voted on during even numbered years.
• The Treasurer and Lay-Delegate will be voted on during odd numbered years.

Installation of newly elected members of the Board of Directors shall take place during the worship service on the first Sunday after the congregational meeting.  The term of office begins immediately after installation.

Vacancy:  In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Directors due to death, resignation or removal, the remaining members of the Board shall appoint a member in good standing to fill the vacancy until the next congregational meeting.  A special congregational meeting may be called to fill the vacancy at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Any members of the Board of Directors, excluding the Pastor, who wishes to relinquish that position, shall submit to the Board in writing a request for the acceptance of resignation.  The request should include reasons for the request and the effective date of resignation.

The Board of Directors, upon acceptance of the written resignation, will notify the congregation through means deemed appropriate.

Officers:  As mentioned earlier, the Board of Directors shall consist of the Pastor (a nonvoting member) and four additional (voting) members.  The Pastor shall serve as the Moderator of the Board of Directors and the four additional members shall be elected to the positions of Treasure, Clerk, Members–at–Large and lay-delegate.

Meetings:  The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a month at a time and place decided on by its current members.  A quorum shall consist of fifty percent or more of the members of the board.

Board meeting shall be open to all members and friends of the Congregation, except when matters of a personal or confidential nature require otherwise.

Special meetings of the Board may be called by any member of the Board with a majority of the remaining members in agreement.

Discipline:  If a member of the Board of Directors misses three meeting within a single calendar year without good cause, the Board will declare the seat vacant and appoint a new member to serve until the next congregational meeting.

The Board shall send a letter to any member of the Board of Directors after the second absence.  Board members are expected to attend services and functions on a regular basis.

As ministers of the affairs of the NDWC, members of the Board of Directors are asked to annually commit to and sign the Denomination’s Code of Conduct.

Additional information concerning Discipline of members of the Board of Directors can be found in the NDWC Bylaws Article XII.

Judiciary Process:  The Board of Directors shall hold each other responsible regarding infractions to the Denomination’s Code of Conduct in areas of dereliction of duties, unbecoming conduct and disloyalty.

If a complaint is brought against a member of the Board of Directors concerning an alleged violation in any of these areas, the Board will convene a hearing in which the complaint is formerly presented.

The following actions will be taken:

• The specifics of the complaint will be shared with the entire board.
• A review of the complaint will be conducted by two members of the Board of Directors and a report will be filed by them to the Board within a period of not more than seven days.
• The Board of Directors has the power to temporarily suspend a Board Members until a hearing, if warranted, is held.  Suspension would be determined by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors.
• During a hearing, the accused has the right to face his/her accuser, to respond to the accusations made against them and to hear first hand the accusation being made from his/her accuser.
• The members of the Board of Directors will determine appropriate actions regarding discipline and report the results in a manner deemed appropriate by the Board.

Committees:  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to establish any committee deemed necessary to the operations of the church.

The Board of Directors shall appoint all committee chairpersons.  Committee chairpersons must be members in good standing of NDWC.

Congregational Representative (lay-delegate):  A candidate for Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) and alternate must be a member in good standing of this Community of Faith, NDWC, for at least six months prior to election.  The representative and alternate must be of legal voting age in the State of Georgia.

The Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) and alternate will be voted on during the same Congregational Meeting in which the Treasurer is elected, that is, during even numbered years.

Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) will serve a term of two years.

Congregational Representative (lay-delegate)s are members of the Board of Directors and as a result  may vote during Board Meetings and attend closed session meetings.

The Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) is just that, a representative of the congregation, a liaison, if you will.

The Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) will vote during business sessions held at the denominations annual convocation.  Their vote should be representative of the wishes of the congregation.

The elected alternate will also serve a term of two years and will represent the congregation in the absence of the elected representative.  Based on membership, the alternate may be promoted without election to serve as an additional Congregational Representative (lay-delegate).

The alternate lay-delegate is not a member of the Board of Directors, does not have a vote during Board Meetings and may not attend closed session meetings.

Vacancy:  In the event that the elected Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) and alternative are unable to represent this Community of Faith, the Board of Directors may appoint a substitute for that meeting.

The Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) is subject to the same procedures as members of the Board of Directors as outlined in this Article.

The Congregational Representative (lay-delegate) and alternate are asked to commit to and sign the Denominations Code of Conduct.

Leadership:  Requirement for leadership include;

• Experience at some level.
• Ability to organize and lead
• High interest in service
• Ability to communicate
• Being a living example of Christ love.

ARTICLE VI
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for Membership:  The process for membership is a responsibility of the church and Pastor.  The Pastor, Pastoral leader, or Pastor’s designee will conduct membership classes.  After completing classes for instruction in the beliefs and doctrines of the church, a baptized Christian may become a member in good standing of NDWC, through a letter of transfer from a recognized Christian body or though affirmation of faith before the local congregation at any regular worship service.

Qualifications for Membership:  Qualifications, as outlined in Article III, include;

• A personal faith response to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit.
• A Commitment to our Community of Faith to continue to live by faith as described by the following:
• Participating through worship and ministry.
• Contributing, as able, through time, talents and resources.
• Seeking peace and Unity in the Christian Community.

Updating Membership Rolls:  At least once per year, the Board of Directors shall review the entire membership roll.  Any member, who does not have registered attendance, identified financial support, definite service contribution and/or demonstrated interest within the preceding period of six months may be removed from the roll of members in good standing and placed on a list of members in transition.

At such time, the Board of Directors will contact the member in writing that the members has been placed in transition and is not eligible to hold any elected office or position or to vote at any business meeting of the church.

After notification, if the member has not demonstrated further interest or loyalty for a period of two months, the Board of Directors shall, at their discretion, move any such member to a list of former members.

Former members may be restored to the roll of members in good standing by a vote of the members of the Board of Directors without a public reception into membership.

Friends of the Church:  NDWC, if it desires, may accept into the church persons who, for whatever reason, feel that they cannot become regular members of the church but who support the goals of NDWC and desire to be a part of the ministry of this Community of Faith.

Friends may serve on appointed committees and may participate in all activities of the church.

Friends may not, however, hold any elected office or position and may not vote at congregational meetings.

Friends shall not be considered in determining the total number of members.

Conflict Resolution:  The quality and strength of interpersonal relationships throughout NDWC is vitally important to effective ministry.  To maximize the potential for beneficial outcomes to conflicts within the NDWC Congregation, a standing Support Council comprised of up to six members shall be selected in accordance with these church Bylaws.

The Pastor shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Support Council, without vote.  The members of the Support Council shall in equal number from each of the following groups:

• Staff
• Board of Directors
• Congregation at large

All members of the Support Team are required to complete preliminary training and discussion prior to entering into conflict resolution.

The actions used for review by the Support Team during conflict resolution include but are not limited to:

• Naming and acknowledging the wrong.
• Validating the experience of the violated.
• Confronting the offender.
• Seeking reconciliation.
• Promoting a means of restitution.
• Forming a plan for restoring the offender.
• Encouraging and supporting counseling/consultation services
• Learning more about the life experiences of others as a part of gaining knowledge about their needs, perspectives and hopes.

Discipline:  NDWC will not condone disloyalty or unbecoming conduct on the part of any of its members and friends.  The Board of Directors is empowered to remove, by majority vote, any member or friend from the rolls of the church or take such appropriate disciplinary action, as it deems necessary. 

Upon written request of the member or friend, the action of the Board of Directors may be subject to review by vote of the congregation at its next regular business meeting or at a special meeting which may be called in accordance with the provisions of the NDWC Bylaws. 

Until the vote on appeal, the disciplined member or friend would retain membership or friend status.

Code of Conduct for NDWC Ministry Members:  NDWC will not condone unbecoming conduct, dereliction of duties or specific acts of disloyalty by its Ministry Members in leadership positions which includes but is not limited to; members of clergy, Pastors licensed by the denomination, Stewards, members of church governing bodies, specialty ministry leaders, other lay leaders, etc.

NDWC Code of Conduct:  All active Ministry Members as described above, as well as students, interns, members of the Board of Directors and members appointed to certain committees are required to commit to and sign the Denomination’s Code of Conduct each year. 

ARTICLE VII
CHURCH SERVICES

NDWC will hold services of public worship a minimum of once each week.  Other worship services may be held as determined by the Pastor with the approval of the Board of Directors.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered at the main service of worship each week and other worship services, as appropriate. 

Holy Baptism may be administered at any service of the church or at any other location as agreed upon by all participants involved.

ARTICLE VIII
CHURCH MEETINGS

NDWC must hold semiannual congregational business meetings, preferably during the same two months each year.  In order to transact business, no less than twenty-five percent of the members in good standing must be present. 

The Semiannual Congregational Meetings: 

The permanent agenda for the Spring semiannual congregational meeting shall include;

 

• Board Actions of the previous six months
• Minutes of the last congregational meeting
• Treasurer’s Report
• Treasurer, Lay-Delegate and Alternate Elections (odd numbered years)
• Clerk and Member-at-Large Elections (even numbered years)

The permanent agenda for the Fall semiannual congregational meeting shall include;

• Board Actions of the previous six months
• Minutes of the last congregational meeting
• Treasurer’s Report
• Budget for the upcoming year.

 

Other items may be added to the agenda by: 

• The Pastor
• Members of the Board of Directors
• Members in attendance at the congregational meeting, prior to the adoption of the agenda.

Notice of the semiannual congregational meetings shall be publicly announced and made in writing during the services on the two Sundays preceding the meeting.

Notice of the semiannual congregational meetings shall be placed on the church’s Webpage calendar no less than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Special Meetings:  All special meetings of the congregation can be called by a petition submitted to the Pastor or other officer of the Board of Directors.  The petition must contain the signatures of at least twenty-five percent of the members in good standing.

Such Special meeting shall be governed by the same rules as those pertaining to the congregational meetings.  The nature and purpose of the special meeting must be stated in the petition and must be written into the agenda of the special meeting.

Special meeting of the church body may be called by other means as provided for in the church Bylaws.

Voting:  Voting rights may only be exercised by those church members in attendance at any congregational meeting. 

To be eligible to vote at any congregational meeting, membership must be in effect at the time when notice was given of the meeting.

All children and youth of NDWC shall have voice, but no vote at congregational meetings until they reach the age of 16, at which time they shall have voice and vote provided they are members in good standing.

Quorum:  A quorum consisting of no less than twenty-five percent of the members in good standing of the church is necessary to conduct business.

ARTICLE IX
CHURCH FINANCES

NDWC believes that the message and ministry of Jesus Christ is to be extended to all people.  Therefore, all monies received by NDWC will be used to promote Christian Ministry.

Once NDWC has been accepted formally into the Denomination of International Christian Community Churches (ICCC), an amount equivalent of ten percent of the general income and offerings received will be sent monthly to the Treasurer of ICCC.  All other income, such as building fund monies, monies given for a specific purpose or bequests are exempt from assessment.

The Board of Directors of NDWC shall have the power to authorize budget variances up to twenty-five percent in any category, but not to exceed more than ten percent of the total budget provided that the funds are available.

ARTICLE X
CHURCH PROPERTY

Any negotiations or actual proposals to buy, sell or lease real estate for over one year, passed by a majority vote of the Board of directors, must be submitted to the local congregation for approval at a congregational meeting.  A two-thirds majority vote by the members in good standing in attendance is needed for passage.

Any proposal for renting or leasing real estate for one year or less may be approved by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Any expenditure for tangible property other than real estate in excess of one thousand dollars will be handled in the same manner as described in Item “A” above.

Donated properties are not subject to withdrawal.

ARTICLE XI
CHURCH RECORDS

The confidentiality of church records is important.  The Pastor and the Board of Directors share the responsibility for marinating the confidentiality of information about members and friends.  

Any use of the church mailing list by other organizations or individuals is expressly prohibited.  

All church financial records, minutes of the Board of Directors, reports of commission, projects and committees or other official records shall be available to be read in the church office by any eligible voting members of the church.

“Closed” session of the Board of Directors shall remain strictly confidential.

ARTICLE XII
RESERVATION OF POWERS

All powers not delegated by the Bylaws are reserved to the Board of Directors of NDWC, subject to the approval of the congregation.

ARTICLE XIII
DENOMINATIONAL CODE OF CODUCT

To be posted upon official acceptance by the Governing Board of ICCC.

ARTICLE XIV
ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, only on an article by article basis.  A two-thirds vote by the members in good standing in attendance at any congregational meeting is needed for passage.

All recommended changes must be mailed by snail mail or e-mail to all members two weeks prior to the congregational meeting.