OUR BYLAWS
The Amended and Restated Bylaws of First Christian Church of Fort Lauderdale Inc.
I. Authority and Structure
A. Leadership:
(1) All authority in the church universal and our church specifically is from Jesus Christ, her head ( Matt. 28:18-20 ; Eph. 1:22, 23 ). Christ has ordained and commanded his church to make disciples.
(2) In order to fulfill the requirements of Chapter 617, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, plenary power of the Corporation shall be vested in its board of directors (“Board”) which shall consist of Members (defined below) holding the office of Elder and who have been through and embrace a leadership training course as a follow-up to required “new beginnings" class referred to below. The initial Board shall be the existing Board of Elders.
(3) A Leadership Team (LT) may be constituted by the Board of Directors from time to time and vested with and delegated authority by the Board to act on the Board’s behalf when circumstances make it advisable such as (a) in the calling of a pastor or other full-time employee; (b) when revising these By-laws or (c) making a large capital expenditure of say $50,000 or more. The LT, in consultation with the Board, shall consist of two or three people (Luke 9:28) chosen by the Board after prayer and fasting (see also Acts 13:2). The LT shall serve for the term of its stated purpose or commission, and once that purpose has been accomplished, or by unanimous agreement the Board determines that purpose cannot be accomplished, the LT shall cease to operate.
(4) Elders shall be Members chosen by the existing Board from the congregation based on their qualifications set forth in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 (“QE”). Elders shall serve an indefinite term and may serve for life or until they cease to possess the QE. An Elder may elect emeritus status if unable to fulfill the duties of the office at any time. Elders shall take a year’s sabbatical from service every seven (7) years, to be staggered so as to provide continuity. A pastor or pastors called by the Board shall be an elder among Elders and shall have the full authority of the office in all respects. The Elders primary responsibilities shall be devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. (see Acts 6:4). A Pastor/Elder’s primary responsibility shall be to equip members for the work of the ministry (see Eph. 4:11-16).
(5) Deacons shall be Members nominated to serve based on their qualifications set forth in 1 Tim 3: 8-13 and Acts 6: 3,4 (“QD”). Those nominated for the office of deacon shall be approved by the Board, and after approval shall be chosen by the congregation from those nominated. Deacons shall serve from year to year and shall also take a year’s sabbatical from service every seven years. The deacons primary responsibilities shall be to carry out/implement the work of the Corporation as directed by the Elders ( see Acts 6:1-8). Collectively the Elders and Deacons shall constitute the body’s leadership (“Leadership”).
B. Rank and file:
(1) Members, who shall collectively be referred to as the congregation or the body, shall consist of those persons whom the Holy Spirit has moved to seek membership who:
Confess Jesus Christ as Savior and submit to him as their Lord (Rom. 10: 9-13; (Phil. 2: 5-11).
Commit themselves to be disciples ie followers and learners, of Jesus Christ (Heb. 6: 1-3; Acts 2:41 ,42).
Offer their lives to Christ (or have already done so) in baptism (Acts 2:41; Rom. 12:1,2; Rom. 6: 1-4).
Embrace and agree to govern their walk with Christ in accordance with “The Essentials” which are attached to and a part of these ByIaws as “Exhibit” (The Essentials has been compiled by the Elders contemporaneously with the amending and restating of these Bylaws and are intended to provide a basic agreement and congregational covenant of elementary (rudimentary) elements of the Christian faith.
Complete a “new beginnings" type class where the Essentials are presented and taught.
Prayerfully complete a spiritual gifts inventory.
Sign a simple covenant which binds them by faith and practice to love and support our congregation, embrace and agree with the Essentials, submit to spiritual discipline (taken from the Bible) and commits them to the work of the ministry which the Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the Board, reveals to this body Members are to serve and to do the work of the ministry. See Eph. 4:12.
(2) Attendees: Persons who the Holy Spirit has drawn to our body to participate in various worship, fellowship, discipleship/training opportunities offered by our body. Attenders must conduct themselves decently and orderly and behave themselves responsibly, sincerely and politely as is appropriate in a Christian house of worship. Attenders are our welcome and invited guests, however, the Leadership always reserves the right to withdraw the invitation to participate in our congregation and ask an attender to leave either temporarily or permanently.
C. Purpose: Our congregation adopts the following as its purpose statement:
*We realize a person may be Christian and not believe all of these Essentials, and we trust that to be a matter of conscience between each person and God. However, throughout our congregation’s past we have embraced Anselm’s simple statement of intention: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty. In all things charity (love)." We believe it has continued vitality and relevance to our governance. Therefore, no Person will be kept from attending church service or function or from participating in the Lord’s Supper merely because he/she does not believe every one of the Essentials. Yet, any person seeking to become a Member of this congregation and eventually its Leadership, must by faith and practice, and at a minimum, wholeheartedly agree with and embrace the Essentials in writing and by public declaration. See Eph 4:1-5; Rom. 14:1-13; 1 Cor. 15:1-11.
By the Holy Spirit, teach people to love and live the Bible; call them to serve as Jesus did, by our “actions, attitudes, faith and love” (“The Purpose"). All activities/ ministries of our congregation should further this Purpose, as it may be amended from time to time. Our congregation exists for three basic things: (a) to glorify God (b) to disciple/teach people to closely and faithfully follow Christ, and (c) to reach those who are not Christian with the gospel of Jesus Christ. These three things are “the Basics”. All church functions should overtly promote one or more of the Basics and/or the Purpose. The practical reality is that there may be certain events or types of activities our congregation may do that others don’t, but more likely not do that others will.
ll. Governance
A. Board Meetings:
The Elders shall meet as a board not less than quarterly and shall keep a record of the business conducted. These records shall be published for the congregation through the church newsletter or made available to anyone interested. Board meetings are to be open meetings so that any Deacon or Member is welcome to participate, however, only Board members shall be qualified to vote on any official business. From time to time matters of a sensitive, confidential or pastoral nature may make certain Board meetings closed while sensitive, confidential or pastoral concerns are being discussed. Records of these meetings and the business undertaken shall be only made available to non-Board Members at the Board’s sole discretion.
B. Officers:
For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Chapter 617, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, the Board shall designate officers to serve in those capacities. The responsibilities of record keeping of the secretary and treasurer may be delegated to others with Board approval.
C. Bylaws:
These Bylaws, together with the Holy Bible, which is incorporated by reference herein, shall be the governing document for the Corporation. If ever a question of interpretation of these Bylaws arises, any conflict over meaning should be resolved as to make these Bylaws internally consistent, and, more importantly, consistent with the whole counsel of God as revealed in His holy word, the Bible. We affirm, and adopt as having continuing relevance and incorporate the following Statements of faith into these Bylaws: *In our governance we use as our guide no book but the Bible; we follow no “creed”, but Christ. *In all our affairs we will strive in the essentials to have unity; in the non-essentials, to have liberality; and in all things, to have charity (love); *When the Bible speaks, we will speak; when the Bible is silent, we will be silent. These bylaws may be amended from time to time by the Board and ratified by a majority vote of the congregation, provided notice of the proposed change is given to the congregation at least 20 days in advance of such congregational vote.
D. Committees:
The Board shall be free to create such standing or special purpose committees to carry out the ministry of the corporation. Committees shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
lIl. Ministries
A. Ministry of Instruction and Nurture:
Because of their differing needs and orientations, a concerted effort shall be made to equip men to fulfill their personal responsibilities (see Mal. 4:6; Titus 2:1, 2) and to equip women to fulfill their personal responsibilities (see Titus 2:3-5; Prov. 31). We affirm that all are equal before God (see Col. 3:28, 29; Rom. 10:12; Col. 3:11). However, we reject the cultural mandate that men and women are the same, and we will strive to encourage all men and all women to reach their full potential and maturity in Christ (see Col. 1:24-29; 2:8-10; Eph. 1:15- 21). Children likewise are a special concern to our Lord. Therefore, we will seek to lead them to Christ early and to equip them for a life of faithfulness to Him. (See Matt. 19:13- 15; Mk. 10:13-16; see also Matt. 18:1-7). Seniors are worthy of special care, especially the widowed, and so are single parent families. With God’s grace we will seek to reach and equip these five groups: men, women, children, seniors and single parents; and as the Lord leads, our church program will be adapted to further the discipleship, training, care and nurture of these five groups. We recognize that the family as defined in scripture is under attack and has been assailed by Satan since the very beginning (see Gen. 3; Mal. 2:13-17). We will seek to support families in their desire to follow Christ in every way we can. All such support shall be given with the view of drawing people closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ, and equipping them to walk more faithfully with Him.
B. Church Facility:
Because we own property, we will appoint people to be good stewards over all God has entrusted, to us.
C. Stewardship/Finances:
Because it was a topic of such concern to our Lord Jesus when He walked upon this earth, we will first seek to be good stewards and invest well the treasures He has entrusted to us. We will likewise encourage our Members and Attenders to be wise stewards of all God has given to them, encouraging them to tithe, Give gifts above tithing, to live within their means, to avoid debt and to wisely invest and multiply what treasures God has entrusted to them.
D. Fellowship:
Because it was one of the four foundations of the mother church (see Acts 2:42) and because Jesus was often among people in a festive setting (see Mat. 11:19; John 2:1-12), we will seek to provide gatherings appropriate for the entire church body in order to foster love, respect and support of the body, and its member and attendee one for another.
In all of these ministries, the Elders shall have oversight for the purpose of Encouragement and accountability as good stewards. Funds will be provided as needed; the Purpose and the Basics will always be promoted. All church programs shall be intended to exalt Jesus Christ and to nurture and Equip his followers.
E. Prayer:
Because the Lord said that His house is to be a house of prayer for the nations, we will strive to earnestly seek Him and cry out to Him for every undertaking of our church. (See Isaiah 56:7b; Matt. 21:12, 13). Since God has been speaking from the beginning (see Gen. 1; Heb. 1:1-4) and since He does not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8), we expect that He will speak to us regularly (see John 8:47; 16:13, 14 et seq.). Through prayer, we will seek to discern to hear His voice and allow Him to guide us into all truth by the Holy Spirit. (See John 16:12-14).
Statement Regarding Marriage and Family
Adopted 2016 by Congregational vote on two weeks' notice.
Christian marriage and family: This statement is intended to be included in the bylaws of the First Christian Church of Fort Lauderdale, Inc. and to bind all our members, attendees or any others who might use our facility for any reason. In our pluralistic society and in spite of what the laws of the United States may say, it is important for us to express our sincerely held belief from the teachings of the Bible that marriage was instituted by God, and that it is to be between one man and one woman. We read in I Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." It may be legal and even required that certain governmental units issue marriage licenses, it is not appropriate for any true church of God, and in particular our church, to allow same gender couples to use our facility for their wedding ceremonies or receptions. With the early church, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge...," but we are bound by what we believe the Bible teaches about this issue. See Acts 4:19.
In Genesis 2:18-25 we read of the establishment of marriage as God intended it. God had created a man, and he showed him his need for help. God then created a person of different gender, a woman, to be his life-long companion and the mother of their children. He intended them to be 'one flesh,' a new kind of special creation: a family. Together, they are the image bearers of God. V. 27. We believe that when Christians unite in marriage, God is with them, 'in the midst.' See Matthew 18:20. We find the first couple 'naked and unashamed,' again God's design, and we read of the passionate erotic love that husband and wife should have for one another. See Song of Solomon.
Next we see God telling the man and the woman to "be fruitful and multiply." In this example, God shows us his design for the family: father, mother and children. While scientifically it is possible for people to create a caricature of family which imitates the one God designed, we believe that this passage in Genesis gives us the normative design for the family. Without artificial means which alter God's design, same gender couples are incapable of bearing children, one of the purposes of the family. See Malachi 2:15. We see God's design for marriage echoed in Ephesians 5:21-6:4. Husband and wife submit to one another in love; the husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church and lays down his life for her; women submit to godly husbands, and children issue from their union who are to honor their parents. Parents are to teach their children about God in a way that does not exasperate them. See Proverbs 4 et. seq. When we do, God promises that it will go well with us. See Eph. 6.'3. How a man manages his own family also qualifies him for leadership in the local church. See I Timothy 3:1-7. Those of our fellowship who are involved in either non-married heterosexual or in homosexual relationships are disqualified from being and serving in leadership.
We believe that as followers of the LORD Jesus Christ we are to live differently than society at large based on Leviticus 18:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:17,18. There is a wide range of sexual practices that God condemns and tells his people to avoid, homosexuality being but one of them. Leviticus 18:6-30. While we do not believe that homosexuality is worse than any other sin, we sincerely believe it is taught in sacred scripture that it is a sin, and that people ought not to practice it. See Genesis 19:4-6; Leviticus 18:22; 20:22; Romans 1:18-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10. Therefore, we sincerely believe that as a church under God that we are not to perform homosexual marriage or to allow our church facility to be used for that purpose, and we teach this from time to time to our congregants. We are not just a venue. Our meeting place is a sanctuary dedicated to God and the spread of his Kingdom. It is to be used for Kingdom purposes like the preaching and teaching of God's word, worship, prayer and fellowship See Acts 2:42, not just as a hail like a county park, a school auditorium or other public venue. We understand that others make money renting or sub-renting their property for such purposes; we do not.
In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus teaches us that a man is not even to look on a woman with lust in his heart. This makes reading X-rated materials or going to strip clubs, and viewing pornography a sinful practice in which Christians should not engage. We encourage and teach our people to abstain from this kind of illicit, immoral, albeit legal, behavior.
While much of what we see in our society, even in churches, does not follow this pattern of marriage and family, we sincerely affirm and believe this to be God's design, and we will not accept or practice any other form. We see this stated time and again throughout the Bible. In fact, there is no example in the Bible of any homosexual relationship between two men or two women which is revered; this practice is only condemned. Some try to say the relationship between King David and King Saul's son, Jonathon, was homosexual or bi-sexual, but we reject this strained interpretation of their deep friendship.
In addition, we do not believe the present 'no-fault divorce' laws within the State of Florida or throughout the United States reflect God's design either. In Malachi 2:13-17 God tells us that he hates divorce because it is the repudiation of a sacred vow See Ecclesiastes 5:4,5 and it harms the most innocent and vulnerable persons in the family, especially the children. Matthew 18:6-9. Because of this, we also believe that many second and third marriages in our time are not according to scripture, and we reserve the right to refuse to perform marriage ceremonies or to allow those previously divorced heterosexual couples to use our facility for their marriages.
While we understand that there are those who differ with us on these beliefs and teachings, such differences do not invalidate them nor require us to revise them. We believe that many of the ills of our modern society are due to an abandonment of our creator, YHWH, and the things he has taught us about marriage, family and all of life through his inspired, inerrant word, the Holy Bible. We choose to practice our faith with sincerity and fervency and as best we can, live as Jesus taught, calling others to join us in this lifestyle. We believe we have a right to express our beliefs in the marketplace of ideas as much as any other person or organization, and we will not shrink back from declaring the whole counsel of God on this subject, or others, though we do not seek to be offensive.
We are a church, a sacred assembly of followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who we believe to be the Messiah of the Jewish nation, the savior of the world and God incarnate. As Christians, we believe that our lives are no longer our own See I Corinthians 6: 12-20. This means certain practices and beliefs are no longer proper for us. Others may; we cannot.