Grace Pointe Ministries
ByLaws
Grace Pointe Church
For the purpose of establishing and maintaining a place for the worship of the one true God; to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, irrespective of social position or worldly possessions; for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ both in home and foreign lands, this church shall be governed by the following Constitution:
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT:
That, we, the undersigned have this day voluntarily associated ourselves together for the purpose of forming a corporation under the Laws of the State of Florida, and we hereby certify:
ARTICLE I
Grace Pointe Church
As stated in the Articles of Incorporation, the name of the corporate church shall be Grace Pointe Ministries Inc. doing business as Grace Pointe Church.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES AND POWER:
THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION IS FORMED ARE:
1 To establish a Biblical Christian Church with a School of the Bible department and with missionary, literature, educational and all other departments it may deem useful to propagate and practice the full Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and for its service to the community.
2 It is one purpose of this local church corporation to earnestly seek and promote the unity of God’s people in the Scriptural manner of Godly love, respect and faithful voluntary cooperation with liberty. To that end it shall associate and cooperate freely with other churches and with church organizations.
3 To act as Trustee under any trust incidental to the principal
objects of the local church (Grace Pointe Church) and to receive, hold, administer and expend funds and property subject to such trust.
4 To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind for any lawful purpose without limit as to amount and with any person, firm, association or corporation; to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, issue and execute promissory notes, warrants and other negotiable or transferable interests.
5 To take, purchase or otherwise acquire; to own, hold, occupy, use and enjoy, manage, improve, develop and work; to grant, sell, exchange, let, demise and otherwise dispose of real estate, buildings; and improvements and every night, interest and estate therein without limit as to the amount thereof and wheresoever the same may be situated; to erect, construct, alter and repair buildings; to assume any and every kind of contract, agreement and obligation by or with any person, firm, corporation or association, or any Federal, State or other Government for the erection, construction, alteration, repair, renewal, equipment, improvement, development, use, enjoyment, leasing, management or control of any buildings, improvements or structures of any kind wherever the same may be situated.
6 To purchase or otherwise acquire, to own, hold, use and enjoy, to sell, assign and transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of, deal in or deal with personal property of every kind and description without limit as to the amount thereof and wheresoever the same may be situated.
7 To borrow and to loan money and to give and to receive evidence of indebtedness and security thereof; to draw, make, accept, endorse, execute, and issue promissory notes, warrants, and other debentures of the corporation, or otherwise to make guarantees of every kind and secure any or all obligations of the corporation by mortgage, trust deed or otherwise.
8 To do all other acts necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment of the purposes of the corporation and to have and exercise all the powers now or hereafter conferred by the Laws of the State of Florida, upon non-profit corporations.
ARTICLE III
A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION
This corporation is organized pursuant to the General Non-Profit Corporation Law of the State of Florida; the property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious and charitable
purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment, shall not inure to the benefit of any private person except a fund, foundation, or corporation organized and operated for religious or charitable purposes and as designated in Article X of this Constitution.
ARTICLE IV
ORDINANCES
(A) The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost as commanded in the Scriptures, shall be administered to all those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of their fruit (Matthew 28:19, Colossians 2:12).
(B) The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed at the discretion of the Senior Pastor as a part of public worship, as commanded by the Lord (Luke 22:19, 20; I Corinthians 11:23-26).
PRIVILEGES
(C) Infants and small children may be dedicated to the Lord in the church upon the request of the parents or guardians (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15, 16).
(D) The ministration of laying on of hands accompanied with the anointing with oil, for the healing of the sick, shall be granted as a request is made and the need may require (Mark 16:18; James 5:14).
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in Grace Pointe Church shall be eligible to all who give evidence to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and who voluntarily hold to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. When a person chooses to be a part of Grace Point Church they must be informed of the teachings of the church. A member will agree to attend regularly, serve at and contributes financially to Grace Pointe Church.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
The officers of Grace Pointe Church shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Pastor and Founder of Grace Pointe Church shall be considered the President of the Corporation. The Co-Pastor and Co-Founder shall be considered the Vice-President. There shall not be less than three (3) and no more than nine (9) officers (directors) at any time. The board of directors shall handle the business of the church and therefore should be business minded.
They should see into the spiritual side of all business as well. These should lay hold of the vision given them and see it is implemented.
PASTOR AND PRESIDENT
Section 1. Term of Office: The Pastor is the President of the Corporation. He/she is also an Elder holding the office of pastor. He shall hold this office until his death or until he resigns.
Section 2. Vacancy of Pastorate: The vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of a new pastor by the founder of Grace Pointe Church. If the founder is unable to make this appointment, the co-founder will fill the vacancy by appointment. If the founder and co-founder are unable to make the appointment, the Elders appointed by the founder will make recommendations to the members, and the members in a called business session shall vote on a candidate presented by the elders. The popular vote will determine the pastoral appointment at that time. In some cases a Pulpit Search Committee may be selected who will search for pastoral candidates and submit them to the founder and co-founder for final approval. In most cases, when able, it is best to follow the examples set forth in scripture of the person called by God (pastor or other five-fold minister) to pass the mantle on to the one God has chosen and shown him (Joshua 1, 1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:1-14). Imparting the anointing and call of God to the one who has already proven themselves to be faithful (2 Timothy 2:2, Luke 16:12).
Section 3. Duties of Pastor: The Pastor shall be considered the spiritual overseer of the church and shall direct all the church activities. He/she shall preside over all business meetings of the church except for those meetings where the pastor has appointed someone to preside over the meeting in his stead, and shall be an ex-official member of all committees and departments.
Section 4. Support of Pastor: The Pastor shall be supported by the donations and income that is given to Grace Pointe Church. Salary, insurance, and housing shall be provided by the corporation.
VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President of the Corporation shall also be considered an Elder. He/She must be one who is trusted by the pastor with adequate business and leadership gifts to take charge in the Pastor/President’s absence. He/She shall be appointed by the Pastor.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
The Secretary-Treasurer of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Pastor. A secretary or administrative assistant may be utilized in the day-to-day record keeping (accounts receivable and payable) as is necessary.
ELDERS
The Elders shall be appointed by the Pastor. There shall not be less than three (3). They are to be called upon to pray for the sick, visit newcomers, shut-ins, absentees, and hospital visitation. They shall also, along with the Pastor, seek God’s direction for the church, and support the pastor in the vision given him by God, in the church’s present and future ministry. Elders shall remain so until they resign or are deemed unfit to serve.
Requirements: An Elder must be a faithful attender, supporting the vision of the pastor. The elder must show a cooperative attitude, fostering a spirit of unity in the church body. The elder must be faithful in giving, and a member of Grace Pointe Church.
VACANCY OF OFFICES
The Pastor and President of the Corporation shall have the authority to declare any office vacant. Grounds for such action shall be:
Failure to cooperate with the church’s program and ministry.
Unscriptural conduct.
Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith.
For any good and sufficient cause.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings for Worship. Meetings for public worship shall be held on each Lord’s Day and during the week as may be provided for under the direction of the Pastor.
Section 2. Special business meetings. Special business meetings of the legal members may be called by the pastor.
Section 3. Notice of business meetings. Notice of the date and place of a Business Meeting shall be sent our established forms of communication to all active members at least ten (10) days and not more than thirty days prior to such meeting. In addition, the pastor shall announce such meeting at the worship services of Grace Pointe Church at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. No record of any special or regular business meetings of Grace Pointe Church shall be made unless one-half (1/2) or more legal members are present to constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Order of Business. The regular order of business for the Business Meeting of Grace Pointe Church shall be as follows:
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Report of the treasurer.
Report of committees.
Unfinished business.
Installation of officers.
New business.
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This order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members present. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down in “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern all debates when not in conflict with this Constitution.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCES
1. All funds needed for the maintenance of Grace Pointe Church shall be provided by voluntary contributions, tithes and offerings. Every member shall decide before God what he or she can cheerfully give to the support of the Lord’s work at home and in the foreign field (Malachi 3:10, I Corinthians 16:1-2; Romans 12:8).
2. Deposits must be made by Grace Pointe Church promptly in a local bank.
3. A separate account will be established for Grace Pointe Church.
4. Annual Profit and Loss reports will be furnished to the officers and made available to the membership.
5. The treasurer must be a board member (officer/director). However, a secretary or administrative assistant may be utilized in the day-to-day record keeping as necessary.
6. Financial records, without exception, are to be kept in the church office.
7. The Pastor shall act as overseer of all financial activities.
DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
The church shall provide for youth and Christian education, relief committees, home and foreign missionary committees, and any other departments or committees as the needs of the work may require. These committees and departments shall be subordinate to the church and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the Area Pastors. The pastor shall be an ex-official member of all committees or departments and shall determine when the need for such committees and departments must be organized.
ARTICLE X
PROPERTY
The Officers of Grace Pointe Church shall have power to carry out all of the purposes and powers set forth in Article II. The President and the Secretary-Treasurer’s signature shall be sufficient certificate for negotiating any and all of the provided powers in said Articles.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT
This Constitution may be amended or changed by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the officers (directors) at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made.
ARTICLE XII
ORGANIZATION
Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes, including the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
ARTICLE XIII
CONDUCT OF ORGANIZATION
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inert to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Not with standing any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.