Article III: Church Leadership
The Church leadership shall be comprised of the Elder Council, Ministerial Staff, and Deacons who shall be subject to appropriate background checks, in the same manner as would paid Church staff and volunteers under the current Child Protection First Policy. The Church Leadership will seek to make decisions by prayerful consensus. In all matters requiring action by the Elder Council, there shall be no less than a majority of the Elders voting in favor of the recommended action. The organizational changes set forth in these Revised and Restated Bylaws will become effective no later than February 1, 2007.

A. Elders
Responsibilities. Elders are called to serve and provide spiritual protection for the Church body and are accountable to the Church membership. The responsibility of Elders includes providing overall leadership to the Church in prayer, the ministry of the Word, and pastoral care. They are to set the example for all Church members by their obedience to the mission of Christ and His Church (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 6:3-4; 20:28-31; 1 Corinthians. 4:14-16; 1 Timothy. 3:2, 5:17; Hebrews. 13:7, 17; 1 Peter. 5:1-4).

Qualifications. The Elders will be selected from the adult male membership of the Church as led by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by the congregation. An Elder must be a member of The Church at Brook Hills for at least four consecutive years preceding congregational affirmation and must have given evidence of spiritual maturity and service for an extended period of time. The qualifications for Elders are contained in Acts 14:23; 15; 20; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-11.

Number and Term of Service. The Elder Council will consist of nine Elders, including the Senior Pastor. The Executive Pastor will serve as an ex-officio member of the Elder Council. Elders will serve on a rotating term of four years. Four Elders will rotate off the Elder Council every two years. Each year the Elders will select from its body a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a Secretary.

Selection. The selection of Elders will be carried out by an Elder Selection Team consisting of the Senior Pastor, an additional Elder, one Ministerial Staff member, one Deacon, and one member of the Church at large. The Elder Selection Team will include both male and female members.

The Elder Selection Team will receive nominations for new Elders from the Church membership. Prospective Elders will then complete a questionnaire and interview with the Elder Selection Team. As led by the Holy Spirit, the Elder Selection Team will present the proposed Elders to the Church not less than two weeks before the Church affirms them as Elders. Upon affirmation, the new Elders will serve in a mentoring capacity under the existing Elders before beginning their service as Elders.

Removal. An Elder may be removed from office by resignation or grievance. Where a grievance exists against an Elder due to his preaching or teaching contrary to Scripture or to alleged conduct on his part unfitting an Elder, such grievance may be brought before the Elder Council. If the remainder of the Elder Council, after thorough investigation and consideration, reaches consensus that the grievance is true and substantial, then the Elder may be removed from office by a consensus, but not less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining Elders.

B. Senior Pastor
Qualifications. The Senior Pastor is called by the membership to serve the Church as the “first among equals” on the Elder Council. While the Church does not establish a set age requirement for the man called to be the Senior Pastor, he must for an extended period of time prior to his calling give evidence of the spiritual maturity, service, devotional life and leadership ability that is demanded by this position. Prior attendance or service to the Church is not a qualification for this position.

Responsibilities. The primary responsibility of the Senior Pastor is to preach God’s Word and lead the Church to obey God’s Word.

Accountability and Succession. The Elders shall serve as a spiritual accountability group for the Senior Pastor. Upon the vacancy of a Senior Pastor, the Elders shall recommend to the Church for affirmation a Senior Pastor Search Team of at least seven (7) Church members to make recommendations to the Church regarding the potential calling of a Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor Search Team shall consist of at least one (1) Elder selected by the Elders and shall include not less than three (3) at large church members. The composition of this team should be a reflection of the church in its age, race, and gender. The Search Team should also include at least one (1) member of the Personnel Ministry Team or a designee selected by them should none of the Personnel Ministry Team members be able to serve on the Senior Pastor Search Team.

Any candidate presented to the Church by the Senior Pastor Search Team must first receive approval by consensus of the Elders and then must receive approval by at least 90% of the Church membership present during what is recognized as the Church’s primary worship service(s) in order to be called as the Senior Pastor.

Removal. The Senior Pastor shall be subject to the same removal standards as Elders above. However, he may elect to appeal his removal utilizing the Christian Alternative Dispute Resolution set forth in Article VII.

C. Ministerial Staff
1. Executive Pastor
The Executive Pastor is called by the membership to serve the Church upon recommendation from the Elders in cooperation with the Personnel Ministry Team.

The man called to be the Executive Pastor must have, prior to his calling, given evidence of the spiritual maturity, service, devotional life, and leadership and administrative abilities that are demanded by this position. He must also meet and maintain the scriptural qualifications set forth for the Elders in Article IIIA.

The primary responsibilities of the Executive Pastor are to oversee the day-to-day operations and management of the Church—staff, buildings and grounds, and to assist the Elders in implementing the vision for the Church. The Executive Pastor is responsible to the Senior Pastor for supervision and accountability, and shall serve at the will of the Church and may be removed with or without cause, or notice, by the Senior Pastor with an affirming majority vote of the Elder Council.

2. Other Ministerial Staff
The Church shall also call forth such other Ministerial Staff as are needed to carry out the ministry of the Church. Those called to these positions must be approved by the Elders in cooperation with the Personnel Ministry Team before being brought to the Church for affirmation. Men and women serving on the Ministerial Staff must give evidence of spiritual maturity in their service and devotional life. They are responsible to their respective supervisors and/or the Executive Pastor for supervision and accountability, serve at the will of the Church and may be removed with or without cause, or notice, by the Senior Pastor with an affirming majority vote of the Elder Council.

The Elders in cooperation with the Personnel Ministry Team will determine the titles to be used (e.g., Minister, Pastor, Coordinator, etc.) for the different staff positions, will establish the criteria required for holding each position, and will designate such titles according to the experience and qualifications of staff in relation to the position and responsibilities held.

D. Deacons
In accordance with the meaning and practice of the New Testament Church, Deacons are to be leading servants in the church. Deacons are members of the Church responsible for supporting the Elders in the ministry of the Word, caring for the needs of the Church and community, and promoting the unity of the Church (Acts 6:1-6). The number of Deacons and their respective positions shall be determined by the Elders according to the needs of the Church and by the call and qualification of men and women in the church. The qualifications for deacons are outlined in 1 Tim. 3:8-12.

The Deacons shall include, but not be limited to, leaders of Ministry Teams established by the Elders to ensure the ongoing and effective ministry of the Church, both on and off the campus. Such leadership may include: administering aid to help the poor and needy in times of crisis and distress; assisting in the distribution of funds for the cross-cultural mission of the church; overseeing the greeting and welcoming ministries of the church; assisting in administering the ordinances of the Gospel; overseeing the care and maintenance of the Church properties; or administering the business affairs of the Church.

All current Ministry Teams will continue to serve the Church. The Board of Directors, by consensus, but with no less than a majority vote, shall have authority to develop a Ministry Teams Handbook, take action relative to the various Ministry Teams, the scope of their ministry, duration and operation.

Deacons are presented by the Elders to the Church for affirmation on, at least, an annual basis.

Removal. A Deacon is subject to removal by a consensus of the Elder Council, but no less than a majority vote.

The Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
Article I: Name and Principle Office
Article II: Membership and Purpose
Article III: Church Leadership
Article IV: The Brook Hills Board of Directors
Article V: Meeting of Members
Article VI: Process for Changing Legal Documentation
Article VII: Christian Alternative Dispute Resolution
Article VIII: Rules of Order
Article VIII: Adoption of Bylaws
Amended Articles of Incorporation

> Download PDF of Church Bylaws and Amended Articles of Incorporation.

Legal Disclaimer
Please note that these these Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation are applicable to The Church at Brook Hills only, and conform to the laws of the State of Alabama and Shelby County. While other leaders may be inspired or use this information as a reference, The Church at Brook Hills can bear no responsibility for other church or organizational use of these documents as legally binding articles. Consult your own legal counsel when preparing Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation to make sure your documents conform to all necessary Scripture, standards and practices and your own state laws.