Tlaacol Bylaws
Tlaacol Bylaws
Tlaacol Bylaws
Articles of Organization
Section 4- Purpose
This assembly shall be dedicated to ministering to its members and the community spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially. These purposes include, but are not limited to establishing and maintaining religious worship, the building, operating churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, rescue missions, media centers, child care, and camps. This assembly shall endeavor to see the sinner saved, the sick healed, the broken-hearted mended, lives put back together, people of all sexual orientations accept themselves for who God created them to be, and to give the hopeless lives anew in Jesus Christ!
Section 5- Affiliation
This assembly is independent and sovereign and can fulfill any legal commitments. For fellowship and protection purposes this assembly has voted that there will be no affiliation to any organization. The General Assembly must vote by a two-thirds margin to affiliate. The General Assembly must also vote by a two-thirds margin to become unaffiliated with an organization.
Articles of Organization
Article II Structure
Section 1- Governance
This assembly shall be governed foremost by the Spirit and Word of God and then by the Senior Pastor in cooperation with the other Executive Board members and the General Assembly. Each part of the church will have its own special duties and responsibilities, but all should be interdependent upon each other in building a consensus for governance.
Section 3- Limitations
Determinations of the internal affairs of this assembly are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by this assemblys own rules and procedures. Membership in this assembly does not afford those individuals with any property, contract, or rights to the finances of this assembly.
Section 5- Discipline
The Senior Pastor shall have the sole authority in determining doctrinal and moral errors, those bringing division among the people, and matters involving the violations of this assemblys Articles of Faith or Organization. The Senior Pastor shall prayerfully consider the best remedy to the situation. These include, but are not limited to, repentance and reconciliation, restrictions on activities and associations, stern public and/or private rebuke, and dismissal of membership. All discipline shall be executed by the Senior Pastor.
Articles of Organization
Article V- Executive Board
Section 1- Structure
The Executive Board shall include the Senior Pastor, the Treasurer, the Administrative Assistant (if one is desired/needed by the Senior Pastor), and at least one Trustee. Executive Board meetings can only be called by the Senior Pastor, or if the position is vacant, the Senior Pastor incapacitated, or there is an investigation for possible removal by the Executive Board under Article 5 Section 6, then a majority vote of the Executive Board, other than the Senior Pastor, shall initiate an Executive Board meeting. All members of the Executive Board must fulfill all the requirements to be a Participatory Member. The Executive Board shall monitor legal, financial, directional, and personal matters for the church and its individual members. In the event of the office of Senior Pastor is vacant, or the Senior Pastor is incapacitated, or has been convicted under Article 5 Section 6, then the remaining Executive Board members shall have the duties of Senior Pastor placed upon them until a successor can be found, or the Senior Pastor is restored.
Section 2- Trustee(s)
There shall be at least one trustee, elected by the General Assembly at the annual business meeting, by simple majority vote, to serve a two year term. This person must be faithful and loyal to this assembly and the Senior Pastor. They shall live a righteous life, love people, and love this assembly and the ministers of the Gospel. They must be faithful in church attendance and in the giving of their time, talent, and treasure to this assembly. They should be knowledgeable about legal and financial matters and keep all matters of business and that of a personal nature in a sacred confidence. They shall sign, certify, or attest documents as may be required by law or financial institutions. The Trustee(s) is the voice of the assembly on the board and should always act in the best interest of the assembly and its members. They should have a constant willingness to defend the best interest of this assembly. Additional Trustee positions can be added when deemed necessary by the Senior Pastor and Executive Board. The Pastor will make it known an additional Trustee position is needed. Candidates are invited to make themselves known and a special election will be held during service on the following second Sunday. The person will be elected by simple majority vote and will serve until the end of the fiscal year.
Section 4- Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive Board. This person may not be both a Trustee and the Treasurer. This persons term shall be as long as the Executive Board requests service. The Treasurer shall assure that all funds of this assembly are deposited in the name of this assembly into banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Executive Board and shall receive and give receipt for all contributions, gifts, and donations to this assembly on an annual basis provided the donor made their identity know at the time the donation was made. They shall disburse or cause to be disbursed, the funds of this assembly as may be directed by the Senior Pastor. The Treasurer shall make all disbursement of this assembly by check or debit card when a check cannot be written according to Article 7 Section 3, while maintaining a record of receipt for all disbursements. The Treasurer shall have power to sign all checks in compliance with Article 7 Section 3, shall keep account balance in updated state in a written and electronic format, shall keep all financial records of this assembly in this assemblys office and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office. The Treasurer shall make a general report of assets, liabilities, and cash flow at the annual business meeting of the General Assembly. The Treasurer shall make specific report of assets, liabilities, and cash flow, and a final reconciliation at the close of the fiscal year. The Treasurer shall sign, certify, or attest documents as may be required by law, or financial institutions.
Articles of Organization
this assembly, extend the right hand of fellowship to new members, minister to current members in prayer, advice, guidance, and godly counsel, be faithful to God and this assembly by warning the unruly, feeding the sheep, turning many unto righteousness, living righteously, and loving the way Jesus loved. He/She shall make all appointments of public worship and arrangements thereof including time and place and use of the property belonging to this assembly. He/She shall pray for the sick and those backslidden, endeavor to restore those that are broken, and shall bring a spirit of prayer and revival to this assembly. (C) Qualifications The Senior Pastor must have a genuine call from God to pastor, be a person of love, compassion, baptized in Jesus name, and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. He/She shall be at least 21 years of age, present to the Executive Board an application of pastorate, believe, live, and teach the Holy Bible, the Articles of Faith of this assembly, and follow all the Articles of Organization.
Section 2- Income
(A) Tithes and Offerings During regular and special services a time of giving will be requested as the general collection. The general collection is the time for members and guests to put their tithes and offerings into the collection equipment. This donation of money is unconditional and without personal benefit to the donor. An offering is a gift which is an irrevocable transaction and the donor gives up the right, title, dominion, and control over the gift. Once the collection is taken, the following procedures shall be followed: 1. Ushers shall take the collection equipment to the Treasurer or if the Treasurer is absent, to a Trustee. 2. Upon receipt of the equipment the official receiving funds shall put them into a secure location for counting after the service is over.
Articles of Organization
3. Immediately after the service and altar session are over the funds are to be counted and proper form for deposit and record keeping filled out. The Treasurer shall count the money with and in the presence of a different General Assembly member each week. 4. After counting and recording, funds are to be taken to the nearest branch office of this assemblys bank for deposit immediately after service in the night deposit box. 5. Within the next 24 hours, the credits for the deposit shall be added to the written and electronic formats for tracking income and expenditures. (B) Other Income (i)Cash If cash or checks are donated by non-members, churches, or organizations, then upon receipt of such donations, by the close of this assemblys business day such funds are to be deposited by the Treasurer into the General Funds account at the appropriate financial institution. This donation of money is unconditional and without personal benefit to the donor. An offering is a gift which is an irrevocable transaction and the donor gives up the right, title, dominion, and control over the gift. (ii)Property If property is donated, the Senior Pastor and Trustees must consult a tax accountant for the determination on how to credit the donor for said donations according to the most recent tax laws. This donation of property is unconditional and without personal benefit to the donor. A gift of property is an irrevocable transaction and the donor gives up the right, title, dominion, and control over the gift. (iii)Fundraisers No more than 15% of this assemblys gross receipts shall be from fundraisers. All fundraisers must meet the following requirements: a. All fundraising activities must be conducted in a way which allows substantially for the work to be performed without compensation. b. All fundraising activities can be carried on primarily for the convenience of this assemblys members, students, or employees. c. The selling of merchandise, which substantially has been received by this assembly as gifts or contributions for the furtherance of the purpose stated in Article II, Section 2 & 3. d. The activity must not require the violation of Child Labor Laws as currently defined by the federal government and/or the state of Indiana. e. That the fundraiser be not consistently occurring. The fundraiser should last no more than 60 days per year. (iv)Grants Grants received by this assembly shall be used for the furtherance of the purposes stated in Article II, Section 2 and 3 as is allowed per the mandate given by the Grantor. No grant shall be applied for by this assembly that does not work toward the furtherance of the purposes stated in Article II, Section 2 and 3, or could be considered in conflict of interest to this assembly based on its Articles of Governance. (C) Statements
Section 3- Expenses
(A) Purpose & Authority The Senior Pastor shall authorize the disbursing of all funds in accordance with this assemblys Articles of Organization. The Senior Pastor shall submit a proposed budget, amendments and revisions can be made by the Executive Board as a whole, and then a final vote made. The Senior Pastor shall present an annualized budget proposal at least once per year but can make adjustments as the needs of this assembly change. The Executive Board shall review the budget proposal, and by consensus and vote shall make amendments to the budget if desired. The budget is a suggested guideline of priorities, but is not restrictive based on the needs and income of this assembly as determined by the Senior Pastor. The budget should pass by a majority vote of the Executive Board. All items requiring disbursement of money from the church shall be recorded on the appropriate Disbursement Form and given to the Treasurer. The Executive Board shall review the annual financial report prepared by the Treasurer to verify the expenditures appear to be for the furtherance of this assemblys purposes as related in Article II, Section 2 & 3. (B) Staff Compensation Staff and ministerial compensation shall be determined by the Senior Pastor and reviewed by the Executive Board as part of the budgeting process, and presented in the annual financial report to the General Assembly. No part of the net earnings of this assembly shall be used merely for the financial gain of its members or officers, except for fair and reasonable compensation for services rendered.
Articles of Organization
(C) Disbursement Process All disbursing of money shall be determined by a Three Tier process. * Tier One- All routine operational expenses of the church including but not limited to budgeted building expenses, utilities, website fees, staff compensation, etc. shall be disbursed by the Senior Pastor or Treasurer and reported in the annual financial report. * Tier Two- Any amount of money up to $100.00 not budgeted in suggested guidelines in Tier One shall require the approval of the Senior Pastor. The Treasurer must report transactions to all Executive Board members in the annual financial report. * Tier Three- Any amount of money $101.00 and up not budgeted in suggested guidelines in Tier One must be approved by the Senior Pastor and shall seek the approval of the Executive Board by a majority vote. The Treasurer must report transactions to the Executive Board members in the annual financial report. All items requiring disbursement of money from the church shall be recorded on the Disbursement form and given to the Treasurer or Senior Pastor. Proper expense documentation and approval signatures must be obtained before the disbursement occurs.
(D) Records and Procedures The Treasurer shall reconcile the bank statements within 10 business days of receipt of said statements. Once bank statements have been reconciled, the Senior Pastor shall review the bank reconciliation statement and sign it as accepted and accurate. Then it shall be placed in this assemblys permanent records, which shall be kept for a minimum of five years. All income and expenditures both monetary and property shall be recorded on appropriate forms as adopted and put in place by the Executive Board. All forms documenting expenditures shall be filed with the monthly reporting of expenses in this assemblys office and shall have attached proper receipt and proof of expenditure. Any person seeking reimbursement from this assembly who can not produce such documentation shall not receive reimbursement for their expenditures.
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