On Sunday, September 30, in each of our worship gatherings, the Elder Council reintroduced a proposed revision to our church bylaws. The goal behind the proposal is to better position us as a church to care for and shepherd the members of our faith family well. Specifically, the changes relate to Article II, which is entitled, “Membership and Purpose.” The notable points of revision include the following:    

  1. The proposed revision adds a statement outlining that “the intent of membership is to reflect those who are faithfully living in covenant community as the Church” and makes provision for the Elder Council to use discernment in releasing members in order to be faithful to this intent.

  2. The proposed revision eliminates wording related to the specific nature of the membership class, and instead refers more generally to the church’s membership process.

  3. The proposed revision includes wording that reflects our current practice regarding believer’s baptism, which is “by immersion.”

  4. The proposed revision includes the addition of Galatians 6:1 as a supporting text for the spirit with which the elders would want matters of church discipline to be conducted.  


CURRENT WORDING FOR ARTICLE II:

The Church is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious, charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More particularly, the purpose of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. Any person is qualified for full membership in the Church upon his or her profession of saving faith in Jesus Christ, his or her identification with Christ and His body through believer’s baptism, and completion of a membership class that provides instruction on the purpose, philosophy, and ministry of the Church. Membership may be removed on behalf of a member by a request from another church of like faith, by death of the member, or by church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13). Matters of church discipline, including restoration to membership, shall be directed by the Administrative Elder Team (“AET”) based on biblical principles. Members of the Church shall have no property rights or other ownership interest in any assets of the Church.
 

PROPOSED WORDING FOR ARTICLE II:

The Church is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious, charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More particularly, the purpose of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. Any person is qualified for membership in the Church upon his or her profession of saving faith in Jesus Christ; identification with Christ and His body through believer’s baptism by immersion; and completion of the membership process. The intent of membership is to reflect those who are faithfully living in covenant community as the Church. As such, membership may be removed on behalf of a member by transfer of membership to another church of like faith; death of the member; voluntary resignation in good standing; church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1); or for reasons the elders discern are necessary to be faithful to this intent. Matters of church discipline, including restoration to membership, shall be directed by the Administrative Elder Team (“AET”) based on biblical principles. Members of the Church shall have no property rights or other ownership interest in any assets of the Church.


A question & answer session will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 6:00-7:00pm, in Room 201. This is a come-and-go opportunity. You may also e-mail any questions regarding the recommendation to no later than Wednesday, October 10. The elders will then ask the church for a vote of affirmation on Sunday, October 14 in each of our morning worship gatherings. You may also view a complete version of our current church bylaws at brookhills.org/bylaws