ARTICLE I - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
Robert's Rules of Order, Revised Edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure in all cases where it is not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws.
ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF FAITH
See separate page containing statement of faith
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Admission
Admission to to membership shall be upon the following terms:
3.2 Responsibilities and Privileges
3.3 Inactive Member
If a member has not attended a regular service of the church, or has not communicated with the elders in such a way as to reveal interest or sincerity in the church affairs over a period of six months, after due effort has been made to encourage him or her to respond, the Board of Elders shall designate the member inactive.
3.4 Children Membership
Children under 18 may be baptized as children members in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Article. At age 18, when they are eligible for full membership and voting privileges, they shall meet with the Board of Elders to reaffirm their Christian faith and receive further instructions in the privileges and responsibilities of a church member.
ARTICLE IV — ORGANIZATION
4.1 Background
The Evangelical Chinese Church of South King County is a Bible believing church of Jesus Christ. Although members are of various backgrounds, the church is not affiliated with any denomination. While our congregation is mainly ethnic Chinese, we welcome and reach out to all who desire to worship, fellowship, serve and grow in Christ with us. We are unique in having enormous cultural diversity. Oversea Chinese from many parts of the world are represented. A portion of the members were born and raised in the United States. With the culturally diverse background, we hold one and only one vision — that is to carry out the Great Commision of the Lord — Make Disciples of All Nations (Matthew 28:19).
4.2 The Board of Elders
The Board of Elders shall be responsible for the administration and management of the corporate business of the church and shall provide guidance, instruction, and protection for the congregation.
4.3 Deacons and Deaconesses
Deacons and Deaconesses shall assist in providing for the spiritual and physical welfare of the congregation under the direction of the Board of Elders.
4.4 Commissions and Committees
All commissions, departments, committees, and fellowships of the church shall report to the Board of Elders through their commissions. The commissions are created to organize the basic areas of the ministry. Each commission is to be led by the assigned elders. Committees may be created by the commission or Board of Elders as deemed necessary.
4.5 Pastoral Staff
The senior pastor shall report to the Board of Elders. All other salaried pastors shall report to the senior pastor.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF ELDERS
5.1 Membership
There shall be a Board of Elders, which shall be composed of those members of the church who satisfy the qualifications of Scripture for eldership and are appointed to serve in that capacity. (l Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5, and 9, 1 Peter 5:l—4)
5.2 Qualification
The qualifications for appointment to the Board of Elders shall be based on those set forth in the New Testament in l Timothy 3:1-7, 5: l7-20, and Titus 1:5-9. An elder shall be 18 years of age or older, a member of ECC of South King County for at least one year, and active in ECC of South King County Ministry for at least one year.
5.3 Recommendation
Candidates for elder may be recommended by the commission elders or the congregation. A call for recommendations by the congregation will be made at least eight weeks prior to the annual meeting.
5.4 Ratification
The list of nominees will be submitted to the membership at least four weeks prior to the annual meeting.
After publication of the nominees, the Elders In Session will accept for consideration any accusation concerning a nominee such as would render him ineligible according to the Scriptures or these by-laws. The Elders In Session shall determine the validity of these accusations and shall either confirm or remove the nominee.
The list of nominees shall be submitted to the membership for ratification at the annual business meeting. Should a nominee fail to be ratified, the Elders In Session shall reconsider the nominee and either confirm or reject his selection as an elder.
Upon ratification by two-thirds majority of the members present at a duly held congregation meeting, the pastor(s), together with the commissions elders, shall, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ordain him in a pre-arranged meeting attended by the membership.
5.5 Responsibilities of the Board of Elders
The Board of Elders shall be responsible:
5.6 Meetings
5.7 Term of Service
The qualifications of each elder shall be reviewed annually in order that his continued qualification for service may be ratified in accordance with Article IV. Owing to ill health, moving out of the locality, or other personal reasons, an elder may resign from his office and duty.
ARTICLE VI - DEACONS AND DEACONESSES
6.1 Organization
Deacons and Deaconesses shall be organized according to their role within the established Evangelical Chinese Church of South King County commission. They will be selected by the commission elders, confirmed and appointed by the Elders In Session and ratified annually by the congregation. In addition to those ratified annually, the Elders In Session may, as commission needs arise, appoint deacons and deaconesses. Deacons and deaconesses will be selected for positions identified by each commission as requiring "deacon or deaconess qualified" personnel.
6.2 Positions Requiring "Deacon or Deaconess Qualified"
6.3 Qualifications of Deacons and Deaconesses
The qualifications of a deacon or deaconess shall be based on those represented in the New Testament, and specifically in 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7. A deacon or deaconess shall be 18 years of age or older, involved in ministry at Evangelical Chinese Church of South King County for one year or longer, and a member of Evangelical Chinese Church of South King County.
6.4 Term of Service
The term of service of deacons and deaconesses shall be for as long as they are qualified, ratified, required by their commission, and actively performing the duties for which they were selected.
6.5 Duties of Deacons and Deaconesses
Deacons and Deaconesses shall serve on commissions and perform the responsibilities for which they were approved.
ARTICLE VII - SALARIED PERSONNEL
7.1 Senior Pastor and Associate Pastors
7.l.l Duties: The Pastor(s) shall oversee the complete ministry to the Church. He is a member ex-officio of all committees. He shall accept the responsibility, as from the Lord God, to equip the believers through preaching, teaching, and shepherding for the work of the Gospel ministry and for the edification and upbuilding of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). He shall meet the qualifications of any elder as stated in 1 Timothy 3 :2-7 and Titus 1:5-9, shall be a firm believer and faithful teacher of the Word of God by words and deeds and shall know how to commit the sound doctrine of faithful men who shall, in tum, be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20).
7.1.2 An initial call to serve as senior pastor shall be extended by the Board of Elders upon:
7.1.3 An initial call to serve as associate pastor shall be extended by the Board of Elders upon:
7.1.4 Pastoral services may be terminated by either party on thirty days notice in writing by certified mail or personal delivery to the other party. In the event that action is required under section 7.1.5 of this Article, the pastor's call shall terminate immediately and be shall be entitled to receive two months severance pay.
7.1.5 Charges Against the Pastor: Accusations against the pastor shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Elders and shall not be considered unless supported by the testimony of at least two witnesses. If, in the judgment of the Board of Elders, he errs in doctrine or conduct, the Board of Elders shall discuss the accusations with him. Dismissal of the pastor should be approved by three quarters majority vote at a congregational business meeting specially called for.
7.2 Other Personnel
Other personnel may be employed and compensated at the endorsement of the pastoral staff and the approval from the Board of Elders as need arises for such assistance.
ARTICLE VIII - OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
8.1 Officers
The following are officers of the Church: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary of the Board of Elders shall be respective officers of the church. The treasurer shall fulfill the qualifications of a deacon or deaconess and shall be selected at the annual business meeting.
8.2 Responsibilities of Officers
ARTICLE IX - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
9.1 Worship Meetings
Worship shall be conducted in accordance with the New Testament and shall contain the elements stated in Acts 2:42.
9.2 Business Meetings
ARTICLE X - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the church shall be January l through December 31.
ARTICLE XI - ORDINANCES
11.1 Communion
The communion service shall be observed on a regularly scheduled basis, preferably at least once a month. All Christians, regardless of denominational affiliation, are invited to partake of this service. The order given to the church in l Corinthians 11:23-33 will be followed.
11.2 Baptism
Believing water baptism to be a scriptural witness of an inward regeneration, all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior shall be encouraged to take this step of obedience in their Christian life. 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3-6; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:12, 34-39.
ARTICLE XII - ORDINATION
11.1 Candidate
When in the judgment of the Board of Elders any person is convinced he or she is called of God to the Christian ministry and has personally requested ordination, or the church he or she is serving has requested the ordination, it shall be the prerogative of the Board of Elders to call a council of ordination and conduct an examination of the candidate.
11.2 Council
The procedures for calling and conducting a council of ordination shall be set forth by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS
These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting at any annual meeting of the congregation, or at a meeting especially called for that purpose, with the proposed change having been laid before the congregation in writing not less than four Sundays prior to the time of the proposed action. No amendment shall ever be made to Article II of the By-laws entitled "Statement of Faith".