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BYLAWS OF THE

BETHANY BEACH CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

BETHANY BEACH, DELAWARE

Adopted September 8, 2002

Effective November 1, 2002

Modified October 31, 2004

ARTICLE I - FISCAL YEAR

The church year shall begin on January 1.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership of this congregation shall consist of the following:

Member - Those who are now members of the congregation; those who shall unite with it by confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, giving expression of their faith through baptism and commitment to Him; those who unite by transfer of membership. . This is a voting membership.

Associate Member - Those meeting conditions of one above in another church, not wishing to terminate membership in that other church congregation. Such persons will hold dual membership in both congregations to the extent permitted by the other congregation. This is a voting membership.

Inactive Member - Those who have not been involved in any way during the past church year.

Friends – Those who in some way have participated in the life of the congregation during the year just past, either through their financial gifts or personal participation in the program and activities of the congregation but have taken no active step to become either Member or Associate member. This is a non-voting status.

B. At the beginning of each year the membership roll will be examined by a committee appointed by the moderator to determine which members shall be classified as set forth above. A member will be removed from the membership roll for the following reasons: (1) death; (2) transfer of membership; (3) personal request; or (4) inactive for three (3) consecutive years. Before removal for the last two reasons, members will be contacted about this intended action by letter or personal contact to express the church's intended action and to elicit their response. After being removed, these persons may be reinstated as members by reactivating themselves into the life of the Bethany Beach Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

ARTICLE III - ELECTIONS BY CONGREGATION

A. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of two members of the Official Board and one member at large of the congregation appointed by the Moderator and approved by the Official Board at its March meeting for the purpose of nominating candidates for offices in the congregation.

B. The Nominating Committee shall solicit suggestions from the congregation for nominees; consider qualifications, secure consent from the nominees, inform nominees of duties of the office, and prepare a list of the committee's nominees.

C. The Nominating Committee shall present a list of nominees to the Official Board at its September Board meeting. The nominees may be either accepted or rejected in whole or in part by the Official Board.

D. Any member of the congregation, present and attending the October Congregational meeting, may nominate from the floor candidates for existing vacancies, provided the nominee has consented to the nomination.

E. The Congregation shall vote on all candidates during the October Congregational meeting.

F. In all cases where there is more than one nominee for any one vacancy, the voting shall be by secret ballot, and the candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. Restriction: only those members of the congregation eighteen (18) years of age or older shall be eligible to vote for any of the nominees.

G. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by nomination by the moderator, in consultation with the minister, and elected by the Official Board.

H. In all matters pertaining to real property, or involving legal questions, only those members of the congregation eighteen (18) years of age or older shall have the right to vote.

ARTICLE IV - LEADERSHIP OF THE CONGREGATION

A. Congregational and Official Board Officers - The following officers of the Congregation shall be elected at the October Congregational meeting for a term as designated for each, or until such time as a successor is elected and assumes office. Officers must be a member of the congregation and be nominated by the nominating committee or by a member from the floor during the congregational meeting.

Moderator: of the Congregation who is also Moderator of the Official Board for a term of two years. Continuous service in this office not to exceed one term.

Vice-Moderator: of the Congregation who is also Vice-Moderator of the Official Board for a term of two years. Continuous service in this office not to exceed one term.

Secretary: of the Congregation who is also Secretary of the Official Board for a term of two years. Continuous service in this office not to exceed two terms.

Treasurer: of the Congregation who is also Treasurer of the Official Board for a term of two years. Continuous service in this office not to exceed two terms.

Financial Secretary: of the Congregation who is also Financial Secretary of the Official Board for a term of two years. Continuous service in this office not to exceed two terms.

Church Historian: of the Congregation who is also Historian of the Official Board for a term of two years. There shall be no term limits.

Deacons and Elders: shall be elected to three year terms one third of whom shall be elected each year. There shall be no term limits.

Trustees: shall be elected to three year terms one third of whom shall be elected each year. Continuous service in this office not to exceed one term.

9. Honorary Officers: those whose service and consecration to the Congregation merit this honor, may be elected as Elder Emeritus, Trustee Emeritus, or Deacon Emeritus. These positions are non-voting members of the Official Board. There shall be no term limits.

B. Duties of Officers

The Moderator shall fulfill the usual duties of such an officer, call and preside at all regular or special business meetings of the Congregation, serve as Moderator of the Official Board, appoint committees, and serve as an "ex officio" member of all committees.

The Vice-Moderator shall fulfill the usual duties of such an officer, call and preside at all regular business meetings of the Congregation and of the Official Board in the absence of the Moderator.

The Secretary shall keep minutes of all regular or special business meetings of the Congregation, serve as Secretary of the Official Board keep a record of all regular or called meetings, and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

The Treasurer shall disburse all funds of the Congregation according to the authority designated to the treasurer by the Official Board and be responsible for maintaining appropriate records of all transactions, and make reports at each regular meeting of the official Board.

The Financial Secretary shall keep an individual account record of each contributor, send out statements as directed by the Official Board, and make reports as required to the Official Board.

The Church Historian shall gather and preserve data pertaining to the history, life and work of the Congregation.

The Elders shall be men and women who give spiritual leadership to the members. They will elect their own chair and be eighteen (18) years or older. The Elders will assist with giving the Lord's Supper to the homebound, visit the sick, and show concern for those with spiritual and moral problems. They will give thoughtful consideration to policies of the Church that will enable it to fulfill its complete mission encouraging the congregation by example and word. The chair or a designee shall represent the Elders at the Official Board meetings; serve at the Lord's Table, perform other duties such as participating on a Ministry Team, Special Committee or Standing Committee.

The Deacons shall be men and women who possess a willingness to be servants of the Congregation in a broad spectrum of duties. They will elect their own chair. The Deacons will include those individuals eighteen (18) years and older who show such willingness to serve and minister within the Congregation. The Deacons, shall work with the Elders in promoting the growth and welfare of the Church. Their duties shall include: preparing and serving the Lord's Supper and maintaining the Communion service; assisting in financial canvasses, visitation projects, and preparation of candidates for baptism; and performing other duties such as participating on a Ministry Team, Special Committee or Standing Committee. The chair or a designee shall represent the Deacons at the Official Board meetings.

The Trustees shall be men and women who will act as the legal agents of the Congregation in all business matters under the direction of the Official Board and subject to the approval of the Congregation. They will elect their own chair and be eighteen (18) years or older. They will hold legal title to all Congregation property and handle all business transactions related thereto. They will advise groups and Departments of any legal considerations involved in the use of the Congregation's property; have supervision over investing of endowment and trust funds; be represented by a chair or designee at Official Board meetings; and perform such duties as are required by the laws of the State of Delaware.

The Honorary Officers shall be given the opportunity to serve as advisors to the Official Board.

C. Congregational Representative - The Congregation shall have voting representatives to: Christian Church-Capital Area, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and other such organizations as the Congregation may approve. The number of delegates and terms of office shall be consistent with the requirements of the respective organizations.

D. Minister

1. Responsibilities

a) The minister shall be responsible for the leadership of the congregation and shall have authority and responsibility to perform the priestly, prophetic, pastoral and administrative functions of ministry. These shall include, but not be limited to preaching, visitation, teaching, counseling, community ministry and administration of the church program.

b) The minister shall not be expected to be solely responsible for these ministries of the church, but shall be expected to be an enabler and resource person.

c) The minister shall be expected to participate in the regional and national levels of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The extent and type of such participation shall be upon mutual agreement between the Official Board and the minister.

d) Supervision of the church staff shall be the responsibility of the minister.

e) The minister shall be responsible to the Official Board acting on behalf of the congregation.

2. Terms of Employment

a) Upon selection, the minister shall enter into a written employment contract with the congregation, stating duties, salary, supervision of and relationship to church staff, annual leave, continuing education and other items mutually agreeable between the minister and the Official Board.

b) The contract shall supersede all other documents or statements relating to the work of the minister. The contract shall be renegotiated as necessary.

c) The minister shall be an ex-officio member of the Official Board, all committees, and organizations within the church.

3. Selection - The minister shall be chosen by the congregation as hereinafter provided:

1. A representative committee of not less than three, nominated by the Moderator and elected by the Official Board, shall serve as a Search Committee and be responsible for recommending a prospective minister to the Official Board.

2. The Official Board shall consider the recommendations of the Search Committee. The Official Board shall select the prospective minister by a two-thirds majority of the members present voting by secret ballot, and recommend the prospective minister to the congregation. It shall be the policy of the church that the congregation shall consider only one prospective minister at a time.

3. The recommendation of the Official Board must be accepted by at least a two-thirds majority of the members voting and present by secret ballot in a regular or special business meeting of the congregation before a call to the prospective minister may be extended.

4. Termination

a) A minister may resign the office of minister by tendering a written notice of resignation to the Moderator or Secretary. A resignation becomes effective sixty (60) days from the date the minister provides the notice of resignation.

b) The employment of the minister may be terminated pursuant to resolution of termination adopted by a majority vote of the congregation. Such termination will become effective upon delivery to the minister of a written notice of the resolution of termination which shall be signed by the Secretary or the Moderator. Termination of the minister becomes effective sixty (60) days from the date the minister is provided the notice of resolution of termination.

c) The sixty (60) day notice provision reference in the preceding sections (a) and (b)of this section (Termination) may be amended upon written consent of the minister and the Official Board.

d) A minister may be terminated immediately from the office of ministry for gross misconduct.

ARTICLE V - MANAGEMENT OF THE CONGREGATION

A. Congregational Meetings

There shall be at least two congregational meetings a year; during a Sunday in April and October. The April meeting shall be held for the purpose of general church business. The October meeting shall be held for general church business, if necessary, and for the purpose of electing officers, setting the budget, and approving the church program for the next year.

Special meetings for the purpose of congregational business may be conducted as necessary at any time during the year. Special meetings shall be called by the Moderator upon instruction of the Official Board, or upon petition of fifty one percent (51%) of the membership of the congregation.

Notice of all stated or special meetings shall be announced at a regular Sunday morning worship service of the congregation at least three weeks in advance of the meeting. Notice by means of the church newsletter or a written notice sent through first class mail and postmarked at least twenty-one (21)days before the date of the meeting is required. Purpose, date, time and place of the meeting shall be indicated in each notice.

The Moderator, or the Vice Moderator if the Moderator is not available, or, if neither is available, an Official board member appointed by the Moderator, shall preside at all congregational meetings which shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

B. Official Board - The size of the Official Board shall be no greater than fifteen (15). The Board shall be responsible to and have authority to act on behalf of the congregation. The Official Board will meet at least biannually in March and September. Other meetings of the Official Board may be called as required and as pursuant to these bylaws.

l. Composition

a) Minister

b) Moderator

c) Vice Moderator

d) Secretary

e) Treasurer

f) Financial Secretary

g) Historian

h) Chair of the Trustees

i) Up to Five (5) at-large members of the congregation

j) Chairmen of the Deacons and Elders (when established)

2. Responsibilities and Regulations

a. Represent the congregation in matters of business.

b. The specific responsibilities of the Official Board shall include but not be limited to:

1) Development and approval of the annual budget for submission to the congregation.

2) Development of annual church program.

3) Approval of significant changes in the church budget or expenditure of funds. Significant changes shall be those in excess of $500.00.

4) Annual audit of the church books.

5) Approve special committees as deemed appropriate and needed.

6) Prepare a written annual report made available tothe congregation by March 31^st.

7) Elect delegates to regional and general assemblies of the Christian Church and to any other appropriate bodies.

c. The Board shall be responsible directly to the congregation and shall post minutes of its meetings in an accessible place in the church.

d. The Board shall receive a quarterly report from the Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Secretary, committee chairs, auxiliary organization chairs, and the minister. The Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall submit written reports; all other reports may be oral or written, as directed by the Official Board.

e. The Board shall exercise final judgment on all church staff excluding the minister.

f. The order of business shall be at the discretion of the Moderator with Roberts Rules of Order as a guideline.

g. A regular meeting date may be changed by mutual agreement of the Moderator and the minister, or by agreement of the Official Board itself for extenuating circumstances, providing notice is given to all members.

h. A majority of the total membership of the Official Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VI - RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

(The following departments and committees may be installed when the Official Board finds them necessary. The departments should not be limited to the following:)

A) Worship Department - The purpose of the department shall be to provide meaningful worship for public, personal, and family devotion.

(1) Be responsible for policies and procedures which relate to the worship programs of the church.

(2) Be responsible for the Sunday morning worship service and special worship services as planned.

(3) Assist the minister in working with the organist and choir director.

(4) Formulate policies regarding weddings and funerals in cooperation with the minister and with approval of the Board.

(5) Arrange for flowers on Sunday and other appropriate occasions.

B) Education Department - The purpose of the department shall be to provide an effective religious educational program for the entire congregation.

1) Be responsible for policies and procedures which relate to the educational ministry of the church.

2) Be responsible for the Sunday School program.

3) Be responsible for the youth groups of the church.

4) Administer the church library.

C) Membership Department - The purpose of the department shall be to maintain and promote contact and effective communication among the congregation.

Maintain contact with the congregation.

Assist church staff with visitations and contacts.

Work with new members.

Provide opportunities for fellowship.

D) Outreach Department - The purpose of the department shall be to create a Christian global vision and stimulate interest in community and contemporary issues.

1) Be responsible for the creation and fostering of a vision of outreach to the community and the world.

2) Be responsible for planning and promoting a definite program of outreach education in the church.

3) Be responsible for recommending the church's annual outreach budget and recommending goals for the special offerings.

E) Public Relations and Evangelism Department - The purpose of the department shall be to cultivate an evangelistic spirit within the congregation and to promote church programs.

1) Be responsible for publicizing the entire program of the church in the best possible ways.

2) Advertise the entire program of the church through direct mail, newspaper and other means.

3) Be responsible for the church newsletter.

4) Cooperate with the various functional groups in advertising special events.

F) Property Department - The purpose of the department shall be to care for all properties of the congregation.

1) Study needs and make recommendations for improvements.

2) Care for the grounds.

3) Keep all property and equipment in proper condition.

G) Stewardship and Finance Department - The purpose of this department shall be to direct the financial program and promote Christian stewardship. This Department shall be co-chaired by the Treasurer and the Financial Secretary.

1) Promote stewardship education.

2) Furnish financial data.

3) Keep accurate financial records.

4) Present budget information.

5) Plan the budget.

6) Provide records for the annual audit.

7) Be responsible for recording all memorials and gifts.

8) Work with the Trustees on investments and gifts.

H) Pastoral Relations and Personnel Committee - The purpose of this committee shall be to act on behalf of the congregation in all matters regarding paid personnel. The committee will be composed of three members appointed by the Moderator and approved by the Official Board. The members shall be appointed to three year terms one third of whom shall be appointed each year. Continuous service in this office not to exceed one term.

1) Pastoral Relations

a) Counsel with the minister in making an effective ministry. Keep the minister advised about conditions in the congregation affecting relations between the minister and members. Continually interpret to the members the nature and functions of the ministry.

b) Recommend to the Official Board changes in salary and fringe benefits annually during the September meeting.

c) Meet as needed for the specified purpose of hearing and resolving concerns of the members and/or the minister.

2) Other Staff Members

a) Assist in recruiting staff members.

b) Review annually performance and salary changes with each staff member at a committee meeting.

c) Receive, consider and act on congregation and staff requests, suggestions and complaints relative to all personnel matters.

ARTICLE VII - SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

The Moderator may at any time appoint such special or temporary committees as may become necessary or expedient. These should be discharged as soon as their objectives are accomplished.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members of the Official Board in regular or special meeting: ratification of the amendments by a simple majority vote of the congregation present at a congregational meeting.