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By-Laws
Constitution
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By-Laws
ARTICLE I – POWERS AND DUTIES
The
officers of the fellowship shall be:
Executive President
Executive Vice-President
Executive Secretary
Executive Treasurer
The election of Bishop or bishops is a life election. The first bishop
elected is the presiding bishop of the fellowship. At no time will
there be more than two elected bishops. The presiding bishop is always
in order of election. For a bishop to be elected by the membership, he
must have the approval of the present bishop and the executive
officers. The additional bishop is in training to replace the presiding
bishop. For a bishop to be discharged or eliminated, he must be found
in sin, not repentant of his sin by the other bishop and executive
officers with a 100% vote to be relieved of the bishop’s position.
The duties of the bishop shall be to officially represent the
fellowship. The bishop may, if he desires, be at all sessions of the
executive board. At his absence or death, the members may elect another
bishop to serve along with the absent bishop or at the bishop’s death
another bishop is to be elected by its general membership. The term of
the bishop is for the life of the elected bishop. The first bishop
elected will always be the main bishop until death, resignation, or
overtaking by sin.
The duties of the executive president shall be to officially represent
the fellowship. He shall preside over all sessions of the executive
board. He shall preside as the president in the deliberation of the
annual convention. In his absence the executive vice-president shall
preside. In the event of death, resignation, or disability of the
executive president, the executive vice-president shall succeed to
office. The executive president shall be voted on every four years by
secret ballot on the convention floor.
The duties of the executive vice-president shall be those that are
specifically delegated to him by the executive president and the
executive board. The executive vice-president shall be elected
biennially by secret ballot on the convention floor. He/she shall hold
office until his successor is elected. (Two years)
The duties of the executive secretary shall be to maintain accurate
records of the proceedings of the fellowship. The secretary is also to
maintain a complete membership of ministers, missionaries, and
churches. The executive secretary shall be elected biennially by secret
ballot on the convention floor. He/she shall hold office until his
successor is elected. (Two years)
The duties of the executive treasurer shall be the supervision of all
financial records of the fellowship, and any other designated
responsibilities by the executive president. He will act as president
of the finance committee. The executive treasurer shall be appointed to
office by the executive president for his four-year term.
In the event that a vacancy occurs in any other office, the executive
board shall appoint an immediate successor to fill the office until the
annual convention.
A majority of votes cast at the annual convention shall be required for
an election to these offices.
It is required that no person hold an office until they have been a
member of the fellowship in good standing for at least two years.
ARTICLE II – EXECUTIVE BOARD
An
executive board shall be elected at each annual convention by registered
members. The executive board shall consist of eight members. They
shall include:
Bishop
Executive President
Executive Vice-president
Executive Secretary
Executive Treasurer
Three other trustees from the constituency
The executive officers shall serve for their term of elected office.
The other members shall serve a one-year term. They can be re-elected
consecutively.
The duties of the executive board shall include the administrative
responsibilities of the fellowship. They shall approve all applications
for membership. It shall be their responsibility to take care of all
business not specifically given to another board or officer.
The duties of the elected bishop are to oversee, train, audit, and
review the officers and membership of the fellowship. The elected
bishop is for life.
They shall prepare an order of business, a proposed budget, and an
agenda for the annual convention.
They shall be authorized to create, establish, or appoint any other
necessary boards or committees for proper execution of the business work
and ministry of the fellowship.
ARTICLE III – COMMITTEES
Committees shall be appointed as needed in an advisory capacity to the
executive board. They shall be as follows:
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Committee on
Membership (executive secretary to be president).
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Committee on Finance
(executive treasurer to be president).
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Committee on
Publications (executive board member is to be appointed by the
executive president to serve as president of this committee).
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A Convention
Committee may be appointed annually by the president for the
purpose of planning and preparing the annual convention.
ARTICLE IV – LOCAL, REGIONAL, & NATIONAL MEETINGS
All
local meetings that represent FCFI shall be set up under the authority
and approval of the executive board.
All regional, and international meetings shall be under the
authorization and approval of the executive board.
ARTICLE V – ANNUAL CONVENTION
The
time and place of the annual convention shall be set one year prior to
the convention. It shall be the responsibility of the executive board
to set the date, time and place for the annual convention. Any other
meetings of the fellowship shall be called by the executive board and
the constituency must be given 45 days notice in writing of special
meetings.
ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP
There
shall be three classes of membership in FCFI:
In
order to become a member of the fellowship a membership application must
be submitted to the executive board for approval. There is a special
application for each of three memberships. NOTE: see attached forms.
Voting constituency present at the annual convention shall include
minister member, missionary member, and one vote for each member
church. Said church vote shall be cast by a duly appointed registered
delegate. Training memberships are not voting members.
An international person, who does not have a previous relationship with
a current member of the fellowship, must complete the following
requirements before consideration of acceptance. The requirements are
as follows: They must supply a picture of his/her church and
congregation or organization. They must supply a letter with a minimum
of 20 signatures on it declaring him/her to be their pastor or leader.
They must supply their ordination or licensing credentials if
applicable.
ARTICLE VII – EXCLUSION FROM THE FELLOWSHIP
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Those who reject a part
or whole of the doctrine of Christ. (II
John 9-11)
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Those guilty of
immorality. (I Corin. 5:9-11)
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Those who are unruly or
walk disorderly. (II Thes. 3:6-13)
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Thos who cause division.
(Rom. 16:17)
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Domineering quarrelsome
and sectarian leaders not to be followed.
(III John 9-10)
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Those who defile their
separation from the world.
(Jas. 4:4, Rev. 2:20-22)
ARTICLE VIII – FINANCES
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The executive treasurer
shall be responsible for all of the financial records. The
financial records shall be set up under the authority of the
executive board.
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All financial records and
books shall be kept at the general office of the fellowship.
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An annual report shall be
made to all members of the fellowship.
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The travel expenses for
members of the executive board shall be remunerated for business
relating to the fellowship. This is the only remuneration that an
official is to receive.
Missionary Support Policy
In
order for a local or overseas missionary to receive support from Faith
Christian Fellowship International the following guidelines must be met
before there is any consideration for support:
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The individual must be an
established member of the fellowship and all fees are paid in full.
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The individual must be a
legitimate, full-time missionary. We will not
support occasional mission trips for individuals.
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If the individual has a
ministry/organization, that organization must be a member of Faith
Christian Fellowship International, Inc.
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The individual must
attend at least one conference per year. The individual must attend
all sessions during the conference as well.
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As a missionary member of
Faith Christian Fellowship International, Inc. you will be given a
spot on a display table for you to present your mission free of
charge. If the individual is not a member of the fellowship there
will be a minimum charge of $200.00.
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There will be no travel
expenses paid by the fellowship for any travels to and fro for any
conferences.
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There is not a guarantee
that an individual will be given an opportunity to speak at the
fellowship conferences. It is the individual’s responsibility to
network and develop their own relationships with the members. The
fellowship simply provides the atmosphere.
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There will be no hotel
lodging paid for by the fellowship. However, we will try to get
sleeping quarters arranged at each conference with beds at no cost.
You are responsible to bring your own bedding and toiletries. This
arrangement must be made prior to coming to the conference.
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Any inquiry regarding an
exception to the above rules must be in writing to the FCFI home
office at least three months prior to the conference date. It must
be a legitimate request/reason such as: you are an overseas
missionary and only come to the states at certain times of the year.
ARTICLE IX – ARTICLES OF FAITH
The
articles of faith shall be attached to the constitution and by-laws and
shall become a part of both the constitution and the by-laws.
ARTICLE X – DISCIPLINE
Any
scriptural charge against a member must be made in writing to the
executive president. Any action must be made by the bishop and
executive board.
ARTICLE XI – PARLIAMENTARY LAW
Parliamentary law shall be used in all questions concerning procedure of
the convention. Parliamentary law shall be the authority used by the
bishop and presiding officers and by the convention unless the
constitution or by-laws clearly makes an exception.
ARTICLE XII – LOCAL CHURCHES
Local
churches who qualify for affiliation or denomination with FCFI according
to the provisions of Article (6) (C) will receive a membership
certificate identifying them as “Affiliated with FCFI or denominational
members of FCFI.” These certificates are renewable annually on a
calendar year basis.
Local churches must conform to the fellowship principles and procedures
as set forth in the constitution, particularly those procedures for
receiving, accounting and disbursing of all funds. A secretary shall
take and preserve minutes from all business meetings. A treasurer shall
keep records of finances received and disbursed. (These two officers
can be combined into one if necessary.)
Affiliated charter churches and denominational church shall be
recognized as a tax exempt, non-profit organization with the United
States Internal Revenue Department. It is required that their
constitution and by-laws contain the following provisions:
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The church is a member of
the FCFI.
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All church properties are
the property of the local church and devoted to do church work.
Fellowship churches’ property will always be the property of the
local church and can never be taken by FCFI. It can be given but
never taken. Fellowship churches remain fellowship churches unless
given to FCFI.
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No part of the net income
may inure to the benefit of any private individual or member.
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Upon the dissolution of
the corporation, the board of trustees shall, after paying or making
provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation,
dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for
purposes of the organization in such manner of such organization or
organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable
educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time
qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section
501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as the board of directors
shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be
disposed of by the court of common places on the county in which the
principle office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for
such purposes or organizations as said court shall determine which
are organized or operated exclusively for such purposes.
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Provision for accurate
keeping of minutes of business meetings and financial records, by
authorized or elected officers of the church.
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Denominational church
property belongs to FCFI.
The
churches of the FCFI shall provide the national office of FCFI with two
copies of their constitution and by-laws, also two copies of the state
charter. The local church shall have the privilege of making additional
rules and regulations for the local church administration, but it must
contain the vital provisions of Article XIII to have group coverage.
Denominational churches must have additional rules and regulations
approved by FCFI.
The local churches may license and ordain ministers. Such licensed and
ordained ministers shall primarily be the responsibility of the local
pastor and church that confers said licensing or ordination. However,
the local church should seek to exalt the office of the ministry and do
all it can to make the candidate and church aware of the solemn
calling. It should use great wisdom in the matters of licensing and
ordaining. A novice with an exalted attitude can seriously injure the
local church and the entire fellowship. The national body retains the
right to recognize or withhold recognition for immorality or departure
from the doctrine of Christ.
The fellowship desires to encourage all men called to God to fulfill
their ministry. It does not sit in judgment of those who have made
mistakes, but leaves them with God. If, however, their past has become
seriously controversial, the fellowship counsels them in the spirit of
Christ to quietly pursue their ministry as God leads and helps them, and
to do nothing to cause themselves to become a further issue or matter of
controversy, trusting that in the course of time, God will heal the
wounds and scars.
It is strongly recommended that when situations requiring discipline
arise that ministers and churches follow the Biblical method laid down
by Christ and that every effort be put forth to secure reconciliation.
But if all else fails, then divine discipline should be in order.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast
gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee
one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word
may be established, and if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him
be unto thee as an heathen man and a publician.” “Verily I say unto
you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I
say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any
thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which
is in heaven.” (Mt. 18:15-19)
Sovereignty and ethics – the sovereignty of the local church shall be
inviolate as noted in Article IV – Relationship. Ministers and
evangelists shall be perfectly free to go to all cities and places where
God may lead them. Churches are perfectly free to cooperate, or not to
cooperate, in special meetings. Churches and evangelists will be free
to carry on their own missionary endeavors as God may lead them. It
should be understood that the FCFI recognizes that all ministers are
free to hold meetings in communities or cities as God may lead them.
Both evangelists and pastors, however, are obligated by ethics at all
times. No man should hold a meeting in another man’s church, and use it
as an opportunity to divide his flock. No man should go about making
debts that he cannot or will not pay. No man should conduct himself in
an unbecoming way in his relation with the opposite sex. His conduct
should at all times be such as becomes a minister of Christ.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS
Amendments of the by-laws of FCFI may be amended at the annual meeting
of the membership by two-thirds vote of the members present and in good
standing and voting at the annual membership meeting.
Any proposed by-law changes to be voted upon at the annual membership
meeting shall be sent in writing to the membership two weeks preceding
the annual business meeting of the fellowship.
The by-laws of the fellowship may be amended by the bishop and executive
board of the fellowship at a special meeting called by the president of
the executive board for the specific purpose of amending the by-laws.
The amendments of the by-laws by the executive board shall be approved
by a two-thirds vote of the executive board. Any proposed amendments to
be voted upon by the executive board shall be sent in writing two weeks
preceding the special membership meeting of the executive board to vote
upon amending the by-laws.
ARTICLE XIII – FELLOWSHIP
GROWTH
The way the fellowship has purposed to grow is as follows:
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Monthly Newsletter
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Annual conferences,
fellowship meetings, and regional meetings
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By the starting of Faith
Christian Minister’s Fellowship in the areas that we have
membership. These FCMF will be for the local areas and will only be
a minister’s fellowship. They will not be licensing or ordaining.
They are only a local fellowship for ministers, missionaries,
ministers in training, Christian and religious workers and their
various churches, missions, and religious organizations.
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Faith Christian
Fellowship International (FCFI)
6400 National Rd. East # 797,
Richmond, IN 47374
Phone: (765) 962-4406
Fax: (765) 935-3961
Email:
info@fcfi.us
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