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BY-LAWS OF PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH
1947
1978
ARTICLE I: MEMBERS
ARTICLE I: NAME
Section 1. Any person may become a member of the corporation upon subscribing to the Articles of Faith of the same. Members shall be individuals only and natural persons only. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority, or interest in the corporation than any other member.
The corporate name of this church shall be the Plain Community Church, Star Route, Leavenworth, Washington, set in order under the authority of Jesus Christ as stated in the New Testament. In conduct and practice it is to be scripturally independent as to its faith and government and in cooperative fellowship with bodies of believers who are earnestly contending for the faith.
Section 2. All meetings of the members shall be held in the church building unless otherwise decided at a preceding meeting of the members. A special meeting of the members may be called at an time by the board of trustees or the Chairman thereof upon announcement given at any day Sunday service at the church building, or upon written notice thereof being mailed to each member at his last ,known place of residence,at least three days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 3. An annual meeting of the members shall be held at the regular meeting place on the second Tuesday of July at 8:00pm of each year, beginning with 1947, at which time and place trustees of the corporation shall be elected for the ensuing year thereafter.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section 4. At any meeting of the members a majority thereof entitled to vote must be present, and the same shall constitute a quorum for any and all purposes, including election of trustees.
The purposes of this Church are: to establish and maintain a church for Divine worship in Plain and surrounding communities; to preach, teach, and promulgate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Bible; to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of sharing in the worship of God and making His will dominant in the lives of men. It shall be the purpose of this organization to sponsor only that which is in accordance with the will of God as found in His Word, the Bible; and as set forth in the following "STATEMENT OF FAITH:"
Section 5. At any regular or special meeting of members there may be an adjournment from day to day or from time to time without further notice, until the business is completed, or if for the reason that a quorum is not present, until a quorum attends.
Section 6. The chairman of the board of trustees, or in his absence a chairman elected by the meeting, shall call the meeting of members to order and act as presiding officer thereof.
ARTICLE III: FAITH
Section 7. The secretary of the board of trustees shall act as secretary at all meetings of the members, and in his absence the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary.
As a Church we believe:
Section 8. At each meeting of members each member shall be entitled to one vote.
1. That the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative word of God. II Peter 1:21.
Section 9. The trustees hereinafter mentioned shall be elected each year by the members at the annual meeting thereof, to serve during the ensuing year and until their successors are elected and qualified.
2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. I1 Corinthians 13:14.
3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule over the nations. John 10:30; Matt. 1:18-25; II Cor. 5.21; Acts 4:30; I Peter 1:19; II Cor. 4:14; Acts 1:9; I These. 4:16.
ARTICLE II: TRUSTEES
4. That man fell through voluntary transgression from a holy and happy state, and is therefore under condemnation of sin; that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. Titus 3:5.
Section 1. The corporate powers, business, and property of the corporation, shall be exercised, conducted, and controlled by a board of seven trustees, except that trustees shall not have the right to lease, mortgage, or sell property of the corporation without the approval of a majority of the members given in regular meeting.
5. That in order to be saved, sinners must be born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit, an absolute essential for personal salvation. John 3:7.
Section 2. Any person of lawful age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Chelan County, Washington, and a member of the corporation, may be elected a trustee of the corporation.
6. That the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer. James 5:14, 15.
Section 3. The trustees named in the articles of incorporation of the corporation shall hold office until the election of trustees by the membership at the first annual meeting of members, and thereafter each trustee shall hold office for one year, or for such period as he may be appointed, and until his successor shall have been elected and shall qualify.
7. That sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Heb. 10:10; Rom. 8:9, 10; Heb. 12:14. That Scripture teaches a life of holiness and separation by coming out from the world. II Cor. 6:17, 18. 1 Cor. 6:11.
Section 4. Whenever any vacancy shall happen among the trustees by death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled by appointment of the board of trustees. Such trustee so appointed shall hold office until his successor is selected at the next annual meeting of members or at any special meeting called for that purpose.
8. That the Scripture commands the believer to be "filled with the Spirit“. This promise is fulfilled by God to the believer upon request through faith. Gal. 3:14; Lu. 11:13; Eph. 5:18.
Section 5. Meetings of the trustees may be held at regular intervals as the trustees may by motion decide, no notice to be required of such regular meetings. Special meetings may be called by any two of the trustees or by the chairman, in which case written notice mailed to each trustee or delivered to him personally shall be given to each trustee at least three days prior to the date of such meeting. Any or all of the trustees may waive notice of any such meeting in writing, in which event the call of meeting, the meeting, and the business transacted at the meeting, shall be valid as if the meeting had been regularly called and noticed.
9. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation. John 5:29.
Section 6. A majority of the whole number of trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and every act or decision of a majority of the trustees present at a valid meeting at which a quorum is present, made or done when duly assembled, shall be valid as the act of the board of trustees.
Section 7. Immediately after election each year the board of trustees shall meet for the purpose of organization, and shall elect from its own members a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer, which said officers shall be officers of the board and of the corporation.
10. That the gifts and operations of the Spirit should be manifested in the Church today as in the early Church. I Cor. 12, 13, 14.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
ARTICLE IV: ORDINANCES
Section 1. The executive officers of the corporation shall be the chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer, each of whom shall be a member of the board of trustees and elected by said board, as provided hereinabove.
Section 2. Each officer shall hold office for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified. The board of trustees shall appoint such other officers or employees as is deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation, except that the pastor of the church shall be selected by the Board of Trustees on approval by members. No officer except those appointed by the board to perform work, labor, and services, and the pastor, as aforesaid, shall be paid any salary or compensation except actual expenses incurred in carrying out corporate activities, under the direction of the board.
1. We believe in the ordinance of baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and the dedication of the little children shall be observed whenever requested. Rom. 6:5-5; Matt. 19:15-15.
Section 3. In the event of the death or resignation of any officer, or in the event of any vacancy among the officers for any reason, a temporary officer to act in his place shall be appointed by the board of trustees, and at the next meeting of the board after the annual meeting of members his successor shall be elected.
2. We believe in the monthly observance of the Lord's Supper in which the believers by sacred use of the bread and wine are to commemorate together the suffering and death of Christ and His second coming. I Cor. 11:26.
ARTICLE IV: CHAIRMAN
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The chairman shall preside at all meetings of members and at all meetings of trustees. He shall execute with the secretary, in the name of the corporation, all deeds, bonds, contracts, and any and all other instruments authorized by the board of trustees to be executed.
1. This Church shall consist of believers in Christ who manifest a changed life. They shall have voluntarily subscribed to the statement of faith herein set forth, shall attend the services regularly, and contribute according to their ability to the support of the church and its ministries.
Section 2. The chairman shall also have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board of trustees.
2. The legal membership of the Church shall consist of such persons as are affiliated with us, whose names are written on the membership roll, are in good standing, are at least eighteen years of age, and reside in Plain or surrounding communities.
ARTICLE V: SECRETARY
5. Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 may become associate members of this Church, but are not permitted legal privileges.
Section 1. The secretary shall keep the minutes of all proceedings of the members and of the board of trustees in a book provided for that purpose. He shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of meetings of members and trustees; he shall execute with the chairman, in the name of the corporation, all deeos, bonds, contracts, and other obligations and instruments authorized by the board of trustees to be executed. He shall keep and have charge of the minutes of the meetings of members and trustees, and all other books, records, and papers of the corporation except those kept by the treasurer. He shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office of secretary and subject to the control of the board of trustees.
4. Members of the Church who shall willingly absent themselves from the regular services for one year shall not be counted in the legal membership.
ARTICLE VI: TREASURER
5. The membership roll shall be in charge of the Pastor and Board of Trustees and should any question arise as to the eligibility of persons as members, it should be referred to the aforementioned for settlement.
ARTICLE VI: GOVERNMENT
Section 1. The treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books to be kept for that purpose. He shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables of the corporation in a depository designated by the board of trustees. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the board of trustees, keeping full and accurate records thereof, and taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He shall render to the board of trustees whenever they require accounts of all his transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation. He shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and subject to the control of the board of trustees.
1. There shall be a Board of Deacons appointed for a year at the option of the Pastor,(and only when spiritual material is available) Acts 6:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-13. They shall be appointed from among the male members of the Church. Their duty shall be to assist the Pastor in the spiritual work of the Church.
2. There shall be a Board of Trustees, consisting of 7 members or less, as scripturally available) and they shall be custodians of the Church property. Any person of lawful age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Chelan County, Washington, and a member of the corporation may be elected a trustee of the corporation. The Trustees and Deacons should regularly attend the services and must be examples of good works in all things and above reproach both in their own lives and in the lives of their immediate families, and must conform to the standards stipulated by the word of God. The corporate powers, business, and property of the corporation shall be exercised, conducted, and controlled by the Trustees, except that Trustees shall not have the right to lease, mortgage, or sell property of the corporation without the approval of a majority of the members given in regular meeting.
3. The Trustees named in the articles of incorporation of the corporation shall hold office until the election of Trustees by the membership at the first annual meeting of members and thereafter each Trustee shall hold office for one year, or for such period as he may be appointed and until his successor shall have been elected.
ARTICLE VII: GENERAL PROVISIONS
4. Should a vacancy occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Trustees at their option, and shall hold office until his successor is elected at the next annual meeting of members or at any special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 1. The purposes of this corporation shall be as stated in the articles of incorporation and as limited by law. Where the masculine gender is used in these by-laws it shall include the feminine, it being intended that both men and women shall be members, trustees, and officers of the corporation.
5. Meetings of the Trustees may be held at regular intervals as the Trustees may by motion decide, no notice to be required of such meetings. Special meetings may be called. (See Art. VII, sec. 2.)
6. A majority of the whole number of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
7. At their regular meeting after election each year the Board of Truatees shall meet for the purpose of organization and shall elect from its own members a vice chairman, a secretary: and a treasurer, which said officers shall be officers of the Board and of the corporation.
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a vote of the majority at any meeting of members called for that purpose. Such a meeting shall be called upon any proposal of amendment of by-laws made by the board of trustees or any ten members of the corporation
8. Each officer shall hold office for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Board of Trustees shall appoint such other officers or employees as is deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation, except that the Pastor of the Church shall be selected by the Board of Trustees on approval by members. No officer except those appointed by the Board to perform work, labor, and services, and the Pastor, as aforesaid, shall be paid any salary or compensation, except actual expenses incurred in carrying out corporate activities, under the direction of the Board.
9. In the event of the death or resignation of any officer or vacancy for any reason, a temporary officer to act in his place shall be appointed by the Pastor and at the next meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of members his successor shall be elected.
10. In the absence of the Pastor, the vice chairman shall preside at all meetings of members and at all meetings of Trustees. He shall execute with the secretary in the name of the corporation all deeds, bonds, contracts, and any and all other instruments authorized by the Board of Trustees to be executed.
11. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all proceedings of the membership and of the Board of Trustees, and this record shall be preserved for future reference as the property of the Church. He shall execute with the vice chairman in the name of the corporation all deeds, bonds, contracts, and other obligations authorized by the Board of Trustees to be executed.
12. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books to be kept for that purpose. He shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables of the corporation in a depository designated by the Board of Trustees. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of Trustees, keeping full and accurate records.
13. There shall be a Pastor who shall have the general oversight and supervision of the work of the Church and all its departments. He shall conduct the services, and shall be member ex-officio of all committees. He shall preside at all business sessions of the Board of Trustees, but shall have no legal authority regarding church properties. He shall preach the gospel regularly, administer the ordinances, act as moderator of all meetings for the transaction of all business, supervise the teaching ministry of the Church, tenderly watch over its membership and spiritual interests, and organize and develop its strength for the best possible service.
ARTICLE V11: OFFICIAL MEETINGS
1. The annual business meeting of the corporation shall be held the second Tuesday of each January. Notice shall be given two Sundays preceding the time of such meetings.
2. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held the first Monday evening of every month. A majority shall constitute a quorum
at any regular or special meetings.
ARTICLE VIII: VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS
1. The Pastor shall be elected by the membership for an indefinite term by a two-thirds vote. The candidate for Pastor shall be recommended by the Board of Trustees to the membership for election. In case a special meeting shall be called for that purpose, due announcement shall be made at all services on at least two consecutive Sundays prior to the time set for the appointment or special meeting.
2. The tenure of office in the pastorate shall perpetuate as the Church may choose, or it shall be disquieted by resignation, removal, death, or disqualification only. Power is vested in the Board of Trustees to declare the pastorate vacant at any regular meeting, provided the Board shall first have asked for the Pastor's resignation and the resignation shall have been refused.
ARTICLE IX: SUNDAY SCHOOL
1. There shall be a Sunday School created and conducted as a branch of the Church activities, which shall be under the general oversight of the Pastor.
2. There shall be a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent elected at the annual meeting of the Church.
ARTICLE X: YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY
1. There shall be a Young People‘s Society created under the supervision of the Pastor and conducted as a branch of the Church activities.
ARTICLE XI: MISSIONARY SOCIETY
1. There shall be a women's Missionary Society created and conducted as a branch of the Church activities, which shall be under the general oversight of the Pastor.
ARTICLE XII: COMMITTEES
1. The Church organist, a music committee of two members, and a greetings chairman shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Church.
2. Two ushers shall be appointed by the Pastor to serve for one year.
ARTICLE XIII: FINANCING
1. The Church shall be financed by the scriptural system of tithes and offerings of the members.
2. The Pastor shall be given regular financial support, the amount and manner of which shall be determined by agreement between the Pastor and Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE #14 of the Constitution and By Laws of the PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH
In tne event of the dissolution of the above corporation all of the property and funds of the corporation after the payment of all debts thereof shall be distributed one half to Overseas Crusades Inc. now of P.O. Box 66, Palo Alto, Calif. and the other half to World Gospel Mission now of 123 West 5th St., Marion, Indiana; the same being Christian mission Boards.
ARTICLE XV: DISCIPLINE
1. Personal differences between members of che Church shall be dealt with according to Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1
2. In preferring charges against any member, these charges shall first be presented to the Board of Trustees. They then shall notify the accused of the nature of these charges, and then set a time when these charges shall be heard by the Board of Trustees. The accusers shall be present and face the defendant. If the matter cannot be settled by the Board, they shall be empowered to call a special meeting of the church.
ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
The constitution may be changed or amended by ratification of the membership present at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made at least two Sundays preceding the time of such meetings, or all members of the corporation shall have been notified in writing by the secretary of the Board of Trustees at least ten days prior thereto.