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BYLAWS

OUR STANDARD: The Word of God

We believe that the church must exist and function on the principles laid down in the Scriptures. There are sufficient guidelines in the Scriptures as to how the church is to act and operate. The church is to be the body of the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. To be thus, the church must be Bible-centered.

When the church as a whole is Word-conscious, believers see themselves in the sphere of the eternal. Heaven, hell, redemption, sin and the reality of a loving and sovereign Creator have gravity to them. The preachig of the Word is seen as the source of the knowledge of the Creator and the clear declaration of His one and only plan for their salvation. We, at Edgewood Bible Church, stand as a Bible-centered church.

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ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this local assembly, a church incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Washington shall be Edgewood Bible Church.

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ARTICLE II: Purpose and Function

The purpose of this local assembly is to glorify God through making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance from sin and to faith in him, and edifying the Body of Christ to the praise and glory of His grace. This we endeavor to do by corporate, as well as individual, worship, praise, prayer, and study of God's Word.

To the same end:
  1. We purpose to edify fellow Christians in the "most holy faith" by the preaching (Jude 20) and teaching of God's Word, by prayer, by fellowship, and by the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42).
  2. We purpose to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to the world by the preaching and teaching of God's Word, by lifestyle, and by sending and supporting, financially and otherwise, of Christian Missionaries (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
  3. We purpose to "do good to all people, especially to those of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

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ARTICLE III: Statement of Faith (Doctrine)

Refer to our Statement of Faith.

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ARTICLE IV: Membership

Section 1: Purpose of the Membership

The assembly of Christian believers who have applied for membership and have been accepted shall be individual members of this local church body, united for the purpose set forth in Article II.

Section 2: Active Membership

Active membership in Edgewood Bible Church shall be open to all persons who confess Christ as Savior and Lord and who have been baptized. Only active members of Edgewood Bible Church will be given the opportunity to serve as leaders in specific ministries under the appointment and direction of the Pastoral Staff and Board of Elders. Members who are not in good standing or who are under the discipline of the Church as set forth by Article IV, Section 10 will be asked to step down from any context of leadership until such matters are resolved Biblically and the Board of Elders has restored them to active membership.

Section 3: Application for Membership

All requests for membership shall be made to a Pastor or Elder of Edgewood Bible Church. Upon making such a request, the person shall be given an application for membership, along with a copy of these Bylaws. Each applicant shall meet with two or more Elders, giving testimony to their personal faith in Jesus Christ, their commitment to the Bible as God's inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word, and their agreement to submit to the Bylaws of Edgewood Bible Church, including the doctrinal teaching of Edgewood Bible Church as expressed in Article III. The Elders conducting the interview will then submit their names to the Board of Elders for approval.

Section 4: Denial of Membership

If, upon the review of an application for membership or after meeting with a prospective member, the Board of Elders determines that the applicant does not confess Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, or that there is a lack of evidence of a godly lifestyle, membership shall be denied. The decision made by the Board shall be final and there shall be no appeal to any court from that decision. At a later date, if the applicant that repented and demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ they will be encouraged to apply for membership.

Section 5: Admission of Applicants

Applicants admitted to membership shall present themselves at a worship service designated by the Pastor and Board of Elders, at which time new members received by the Board or Elders shall publically express their desire for membership. The Congregation will be given 14 days and two Sundays to approach the desired member with any concerns relating to their personal testimony and character. If these concerns are not resolved Biblically, the existing member should, as principles set forth in Matthew 18 ask for accompaniment of another member of good standing and preferably an elder or pastor to come with them to address the concerns together before the desired member. If the issue remain unresolved at this point, the matter must be brought before the Board of Elders for final resolution. At which time if there is deemed to be evidence of an unrepentent heart and manifestation of unbiblical attitudes the desired members request to become a member will be denied and restitution will be sought before the members will be considered for membership again. If during the 14 day period no issues are brought to the attention of the Board of Elders, the desired member will be asked to publically affirm his or her membership commitment and be acknowledged as a member.

Section 6: Responsibilities of Members

  1. Each individual member shall pursue the unity of the faith in cooperation with the other members of this local body of believers, and shall purpose to serve in consideration of the other members of this local church, under the leadership and oversight of the Elders.
  2. Each member is responsible to exercise his/her spiritual gifts to the other members of the assembly in regular participation in the life and services of the church, and to provide voluntary financial support of the church as the Lord prospers.
  3. Each member shall walk uprightly in the world so that by life and witness others will be attracted to the Savior.
  4. Membership in this church shall not vest in any member any proprietary rights in the Corporation, but each member is given the responsibility and opportunity to discuss, advise, encourage, and affirm those matters that the Board of Elders chooses to submit to the church membership for counsel and affirmation.
  5. Each member, according to Hebrews 13:17 is instructed to obey their leaders and to submit to them. Furthermore they are to possess a spirit in doing so that allows the leadership to do this "with joy". Members who do not display this Biblical attitude of submission will be pursued, encouraged, and instructed in this process. If their attitude remains contentious and there is a continual pattern of sinful behavior to stir up strife among the brethren, they will be formally brought under the discipline of the Church as set forth by Article IV, Section 10.

Section 7: Non Voting Membership

Edgewood Bible Church members shall have no voting rights. Any action which would otherwise require approval of the members shall only require approval of the Board of Elders. All rights which would otherwise vest in the members shall vest soley in the Board of Elders. This shall not be construed to limit the right of the Edgewood Bible Church to refer to persons associated with Edgewood Bible Church as 'members'.

Section 8: Congressional Affirmation

Certain items, at the discretion of the Board of Elders, may be brought before the members of Edgewood Bible Church for affirmation. The affirmation process may provide the congregation with time to comment, in a Biblical fashion, on a topic prior to the final decision being made by the Board of Elders. Matters presented to the congregation will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Elders unless otherwise specified in the by-laws. Elders have the sole decision-making authority of Edgewood Bible Church.

Section 9: Removal of Membership

The removal of members from this church is subject to the discretion of the Board of Elders. Any individual member may be removed from membership of this church for the following reasons:
  1. Lack of regular attendance in a worship service for a period of three months or longer unless reasonable mitigating circumstances exists
  2. Request of transfer of membership to another church
  3. Exercise of the forth stage of church discipline with no demonstration of repentance

Section 10: Active Membership

The church must properly and lovingly exercise church discipline upon those members who in the judgement of the Board of Elders have persisted in sinful behavior without demonstration of godly repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

The purposes of church discipline are:
  1. To maintain purity in the local church (1 Corinthians 5:6)
  2. To deter sin in other members (1 Timothy 5:20)
  3. And to seek after the spiritual well-being of the sinning believer by calling him or her to Biblical conduct in their way of living (Galatians 6:1).
The procedure shall be according to Matthew 18:15-17, allowing reasonable time for repentance after every effort has been made to call, exhort, and admonish the person.

Members of this church, and all other professing Christian who regularly attend or fellowship with this church, who err in doctrine or who engage in conduct that violates Scripture as determined by the Board of Elders, shall be subject to church discipline.

Section 11: Regular Meetings

A meeting of the church members shall be held annually. This annual meeting will be the time for the members to consider reports of the affairs of Edgewood Bible Church and affirm such other business as the Board of Elders determine shall be brought before the meeting (see Article IV, section 8), including but not limited to affirmation of the appointments made by the Elders of those who shall be newly installed as Elders and Deacons (see Article V, Section 1.3).

Section 12: Notice of Meetings

Notice of the annual meetings shall be given from the pulpit by someone designated by the Board of Elders, for two successive Sundays prior to the meeting. In addition, notice shall be published in the church bulletin for two successive Sundays prior to such meeting.

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ARTICLE V: Leadership and Officers

Section 1: Elders

  1. Powers

    2. Subject to the limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and these By-laws and of pertinent restrictions of the Statutes of the State of Washington, all the activities and affairs of Edgewood Bible Church shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Elders, who are responsible for shepherding and oversight.

    The Board of Elders shall constitute the board of directors of this not-for- profit corporation. Without prejudice to such general powers, but subject to these same limitations, it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers in addition to other powers enumerated by the Bylaws:

    1. To select and remove all the officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of the board of directors), pastors, staff, and employees of Edgewood Bible Church; prescribe such duties for them consistent with the Scriptures, with law, and with the Articles of Incorporation, or with these Bylaws; and fix the terms of their offices and their compensation.
    2. To make such disbursements from the funds and properties of Edgewood Bible Church as are required to fulfill the purposes as are more fully set out in the Articles of Incorporation, and generally to conduct, manage, and control the activities and affairs of Edgewood Bible Church and to make such rules and regulations consistent with the Scriptures, with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, and with these Bylaws, as they deem best.
    3. To establish policies and practices for the church consistent with the purposes of Edgewood Bible Church.
    4. To assist the Senior Pastor in the administration of the ordinances of Baptism and Communion.
    5. To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of Edgewood Bible Church and to cause to be executed and delivered, in Edgewood Bible Church's name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, or other evidences of debt and securities.

  2. Number of Elders

    3. The plurality of leadership will be present with at least three appointed Elders. If there are not three qualified men to be appointed as Elders, then a leadership committee of four men will be appointed by Northwest Independent Church Extension until such time where plurality of leadership can be maintained.

  3. Nomination and Selection

    4. Recommendations to fill the office of Elder may be requested from all church members, as the need for an elder is determined by the Board of Elders. A nominating committe consisting of two elders and one deacon shall be appointed by the Board of Elders, who will also designate a chairman of the committee. This committee shall review all nominations and determine each nominee's qualifications. A recommendation of nominees prepared by the nominating committee shall then be submitted to the Board of Elders.

    The Board shall then approve, disapprove, or add to the list of nominees. The list of nominees shall be publically posted in alphabetic order at the location of the worship services, and also printed in the church bulletin at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting of the church members. At the annual meeting, or at the gathering of corporate worship, the nominees shall be presented to the members to affirm the decision of the Elders. A time period of 30 days will be given for any members with concerns relating to the character and qualifications of the recommended Elder to go to them to resolve any concerns. If the members concerns are not resolved the member must come to the Elders in order that the Elders may discrern the issues that are involved. If the Elders that the candidate is not "above reproach" (1 Timothy 3:1-7), the recommendation will be denied. If the slate of nominees is affirmed by the church members, then newly elected Elders shall assume office immediately.

  4. Qualifications

    5. Each member of the Board of Elders must be an active member of Edgewood Bible church and possess the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. He shall be:

    1. Blameless as a steward of God; above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6-7)
    2. Husband of one wife; a one-woman man who is devoted to his wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)
    3. Temperate, sober, vigilant (1 Timothy 3:2)
    4. Sober-minded, prudent (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)
    5. Of good behavior, orderly, respectable (1 Timothy 3:2)
    6. Given to hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)
    7. Apt to teach; able to teach; he can exhort believers and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9)
    8. Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)
    9. Not violent; not pugnacious; not contentious; not easily angered or quick-tempered (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)
    10. Patient, modeate, forebearing, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
    11. Not covetous; not a lover of money; not greedy base gain (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)
    12. Rules well his own house; his children are faithful, not accused of rebellion to God (1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:7)
    13. Not a novice; not a new convert (1 Timothy 3:6)
    14. Has a good report or reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)
    15. Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)
    16. A lover of good men and things (Titus 1:8)
    17. Just, fair (Titus 1:8)
    18. Holy, devout (Titus 1:8)
    19. Self-controlled (Titus 1:8)
    20. If married, it is the command of Scripture that the wife of an elder possess the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3-5. They must be dignified, reverent in behavior, not slanderers, sober minded, faithful in all things and to teach what is good to younger women, to love support and submit to their husbands, love their children and to be keepers of the home.

  5. Vacancies

    6. A vacancy or vacancies in the Board shall be deemed to exist in case of significant growth of membership or the death, resignation, or removal of any Elder.

  6. Removal of Elders

    7. Any Elder may be removed from office at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Elders if he is found to be physically or mentally unable to perform the shepherding responsibilities as an elder, or is found to be spiritually unqualified (according to pertinent Scriptures, including 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9) after thorough investigatin by the Elders in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Scripture, including Matthew 18:15-18 and 1 Timothy 5:19. When an Elder is removed because of sin that is deemed sufficient to disqualify him from shepherding, and if he refuses to repent from that sin, the removal shall be accompanied by a public rebuke, and notice shall be made before the church and the congregation at a regularly scheduled worship service as prescribed in 1 Timothy 5:20.

  7. Regular Meetings

    8. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held. Regular meetings shall be open to church members to observe, except for discretionary matters.

  8. Decisions of the Board of Elders

    9. Decisions shall be reached after prayerful consideration by unanimous agreement in a spirit of humility, with each Elder regarding one another before himself.

    In decisions regarding the removal of an Elder or the Senior Pastor, unanimous agreement is required with exclusion to the vote of the Elder or Pastor being removed.
Section 2: Senior Pastor

  1. Description of Position

    1. The Senior Pastor shall be a man of God, called by God as an under shepherd of God's people, gifted by the Holy Spirit for this position.
    2. He shall serve as a fellow Elder, as the overseeing spiritual leader of the Elders, and is responsible to the Board of Elders.
    3. He shall be called to this position at Edgewood Bible Church by the Board of Elders of Edgewood Bible Church and affirmed by the membership.
    4. He shall remain in office for an indefinite period of time subject to the following reservations:

      1. The Elders reserve the right to dismiss the Senior Pastor upon giving him three months notice of their intention to dismiss.
      2. The Board of Elders shall have the authority to terminate the Senior Pastor's ministry any time within the three months should the Board deem it necessary for the best interest of the church to do so, provided that if the Senior Pastor's ministry is terminate abruptly in this manner, he shall receive salary for 30 days in advance.
      3. The Senior Pastor must give three months notice if he intends to resign. The time limit of a Senior Pastor's regignation or dismissal is subject to a lesser time limit if both the Senior Pastor and the church by mutual agreement provide otherwise.
  2. Duties

    1. The Senior Pastor shall attend to the duties of the spiritual ministry of preaching and teaching.
    2. He shall perform all the usual functions of the ministry.
    3. He shall arrange for and conduct all public and regular services of the church and shall be responsible for general spiritual welfare of the church.
    4. He shall oversee and give guidance to the pastoral and office staff.

  3. Membership

    4. By virtue of his office, the Senior Pastor and his wife shall become members of Edgewood Bible Church. He shall be ex-officio member of all boards and committees.

Section 3: Staff Pastor

  1. Description of Position

    1. A Staff Pastor shall be a man of God, called by God as an under shepherd of God's people, gifted by the Holy Spirit for his position.
    2. He shall serve under the authority of the Senior Pastor serving in the role of direct oversight and ministry guidance for any and all Staff Pastors.
    3. If called by the Board of Elders, a Staff Pastor may serve in the office of Elder, but will continue to function in ministry and responsibilities under the oversight of the Senior Pastor.
    4. A Staff Pastor shall be appointed to his position at Edgewood Bible Church by the Board of Elders of Edgewood Bible Church, including the Senior Pastor, and affirmed by membership (see Article IV, section 8).
    5. A Staff Pastor shall remain in office for an indefinite period of time subject to the following reservations:

      1. The Board of Elders, including the Senior Pastor, reserves the right to dismiss a Staff Pastor upon giving him one month notice of their intention to dismiss.
      2. The Board of Elders, including the Senior Pastor, shall have the authority to terminate a Staff Pastor's ministry any time within the one month period should the Board deem it necessary for the best interest of the church to do so, provided that if the Staff Pastor's ministry is terminate abruptly in this manner, he shall receive salary for 30 days in advance.
      3. A Staff Pastor must give one month notice if he intends to resign. The time limit of a Staff Pastor's regignation or dismissal is subject to a lesser time limit if both the Senior Pastor and the church by mutual agreement provide otherwise.

    6. More than one Staff Pastor may be hired by the Board of Elders to serve at Edgewood Bible Church

  2. Duties

    3. A Staff Pastor shall perform the duties as prescribed for them by the Senior Pastor consistent with their job description and the needs of the ministry of Edgewood Bible Church.

  3. Membership

    4. By virtue of his office, a Staff Pastor and his wife shall become members of Edgewood Bible Church.
Section 4: Deacons

  1. Duties

    2. A Deacon shall be a member of Edgewood Community Church appointed by the Board of Elders and affirmed by the membership to assist the Elders in specific ministries of the church. A Deacon is to serve and provide leadership for ministries of Edgewood Bible Church under the direction of Elders.

  2. Qualifications

    3. The qualifications for a Deacon are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. A Deacon shall be a man of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not found of sordid gain, holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, first tested and found above reproach.

    If married, it is the commands of Scripture that the wife of a deacon possess the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:3-5. They must be dignified, reveretn in behavior, not slanderers, sober minded, faithful in all things and to teach what is good to younger women, to support and submit to their own husbands, love their children and to be keepers of the home.

Section 5: Other Committees and Councils

As circumstances and needs require, the Elders may establish committees to fulfill specific needs of the church ministry. All such committes shall be responsible to the Board of Elders.

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ARTICLE VI: Ordination

A man may be ordained to the Gospel Ministry b Edgewood Bible Church after having received a favorable recommendation by the Elders and an Ordination Council made up of Pastors and Christian Leaders.

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ARTICLE VII: Dissolution of Corporation

In the event of the dissolution of Edgewood Bible Church, the Church's property shall not be conveyed to any organization created or operated for profit or to any individual, but all assets remaining after payment of the corporation's debts shall be conveyed or distributed to another Corporation(s) with purposes similar to Edgewood Bible Church as determined by the Board of Elders, under applicable provisions of Internal Revenue Law and Regulations as a non-profit corporation.

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ARTICLE VIII: Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by unanimous agreement of the Board of Elders.

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