This pass at the Bylaws is primarily intended to bring the Bylaws into line with the Policy Governance changes that the Leadership Team has been working through over the past 18 months. The new governance structure moves the day-to-day operation of the church out of the Leadership Teams direct responsibility and into the hands of ministry teams that report up through the Lead Pastor. The Leadership Team is responsible for the Doctrine, Direction and Discipline of the church, or the "Ends", while the Lead Pastor is responsible for the "Means" by which the church moves towards the Leadership Teams "Ends". The Lead Pastor is accountable to the Leadership Team to accomplish their vision, but has the freedom to assemble his staff and ministry teams as he sees fit.

These structural changes are reflected in many of the changes that are proposed. Some of these changes include the terminology moving from Senior Pastor to Lead Pastor, the moving of President from Lead Pastor to Leadership Team Chair, and the removal of the Properties and Operations ministry as a function of the Leadership Team (it continues as a ministry reporting up through the Lead Pastor).

The decision model which the Church uses at Congregational Meetings has been reworded to be brought in line with our practices over the past years. The original version was worded in a manner that was difficult to understand and if followed precisely would make Congregational Meetings almost impossible to conduct. The new concise wording accurately reflects what our church has been practicing for years.

In an effort to conserve paper, if possible, please review these documents online or on your phone. There will be a few hard copies of the bylaws available to review in the Narthax for those who are not able to review them online or print them at home.

There will be two opportunities to ask questions and give comments on the proposed changes:

Sunday, April 29 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (during the Sunday School hour)

Sunday, May 6 after the Worship Service

Current Bylaws with Proposed Changes in Green

New Proposed Bylaws with Changes Applied