Changes at a Glance:
- Membership interviews: Simplified process approved by Elders.
- Inactive members: Removal after 12 months of absence unless reinstated.
- Congregational meetings: Clarified voting rules, Roberts’ Rules affirmed.
- Senior Pastor & staff: Clearer oversight, staff must affirm Articles of Faith annually.
- Employees: Hiring by Senior Pastor (or designee), annual reviews required.
- Elders: Expanded role in doctrine, mission, vision; added officer roles (Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer).
- Deacons: Focus on care ministries (benevolence, ushers/greeters, communion, baptism).
- Stewards: Focus on facilities & financial systems (maintenance, security, campus development).
- Elections: Elders serve as Nominating Committee, probationary first year for officers, max 2 terms.
- Committees: Elders chair Elder committees; Deacons/Stewards committees require Elder approval.
- Legal/administrative: Added indemnification, conflicts of interest policy, clarified amendment process.
Why We Are Updating Our Constitution & By-Laws
It has been just over 20 years since Calvary last updated our Constitution & By-Laws. Much has changed in that time—not only in our church family but also in our denomination, culture, and ministry environment. For those reasons, it is time to bring our governing documents up to date so that they both reflect who we are today and serve us well into the future.
Here are three main reasons for this update:
1. Denominational Alignment
As a member of the Bible Fellowship Church, Calvary seeks to stay in step with our denomination’s commitments, decisions, and organizational practices. Over the past two decades, the BFC has made several changes that are not yet reflected in our Constitution & By-Laws. These include:
- The recognition that women can serve as Deacons,
- Updated processes for how churches interact with the denomination,
- The renaming of certain documents, organizations, and events within the denomination.
Updating our Constitution ensures that our church remains consistent with the fellowship of which we are a part.
2. Modernization and Legal Clarity
When our Constitution & By-Laws were written, certain issues were less commonly addressed. Today, however, matters such as indemnification (protecting leaders from legal liability in the course of their duties) and whistleblower policies (ensuring ethical accountability and protection for those who raise concerns) are considered essential in church governance. Including such provisions ensures that our church is prepared, responsible, and clear in how we care for both our leaders and our members.
3. Structural Growth and Scalability
Our church is not the same size it was 20 years ago. Some of the original stipulations were written with a smaller church structure in mind. While they served us well in the past, they are no longer scalable, efficient, or effective for the ministry and organizational needs of today.
In this update, we are also clarifying the distinction between what belongs in the Constitution & By-Laws (long-term governance and foundational commitments) and what should instead be defined in church policies(operational practices that are reviewed and updated more regularly by church boards and pastoral staff). This shift will give us stability in our core commitments while also providing flexibility to adapt policies as ministry needs change.
In Summary
Updating our Constitution & By-Laws is about faithfulness and stewardship. We want our documents to:
- Reflect our denominational commitments,
- Provide clear and modern guidance for governance and accountability,
- Serve a growing and complex ministry with structures that are scalable and effective.
Our goal is not just to have “updated paperwork,” but to strengthen the foundation that supports our mission: leading people to their next step in following Jesus.
F.A.Q
Our Constitution was last revised in 2004. Over time, church life, staff structure, and denominational practices have developed. These updates align our governing documents with how ministry is currently functioning and clarify responsibilities for staff, elders, deacons, and stewards.
- Approval process: Membership interviews will now follow a process approved by the Elders (rather than requiring direct elder interviews every time).
- Inactive members: Members may be removed after 12 months of inactivity unless reinstated with explanation.
- Transfer/withdrawal: Language has been updated for clarity when members move to another church.
- Congregational minutes must be submitted to the denomination’s Board of Church Health before Annual Conference.
- Voting eligibility is still age 16+, but language clarifies majority requirements for specific votes (e.g., 2/3 needed for constitutional changes or calling a Senior Pastor).
- Roberts’ Rules of Order are affirmed as the standard.
- The Senior Pastor remains the spiritual leader, chairman of the Elders, and primary preacher.
- The Board of Elders now approves job descriptions and has clearer oversight of staff.
- Staff resignations/dismissals go through the Senior Pastor (or designee) with appeal rights to the Elders.
- All ministry staff must affirm the BFC Articles of Faith annually in writing.
- Hiring authority is clarified: Senior Pastor (or designee) hires employees.
- The Elders review job descriptions and set reporting relationships.
- Annual performance reviews are required for all employees.
- Elders: Expanded description of spiritual oversight (doctrine, mission, vision, leadership). Officers now include Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer (not just Secretary).
- Deacons: Role clarified as overseeing care ministries (benevolence, Calvary Caring, ushers/greeters, communion/baptism prep).
- Stewards: Role clarified as overseeing facilities and financial systems (maintenance, security, property development, campus improvements).
- Quorum: Elders = 2/3, Deacons/Stewards = ½ + 1.
- Divorce clause: Clarifies that divorced members may serve as Deacons/Stewards if affirmed by the Elders.
- The Board of Elders serves as the Nominating Committee.
- Congregation can submit names by October deadline.
- Terms remain three years, with a probationary first year for newly elected officers.
- Maximum of two consecutive terms, then a one-year break before re-election.
- Committees under Elders must be chaired by an Elder.
- Pastoral Relations Committee clarified as three Elders, with duties including budget recommendations for pastors/staff.
- Deacons/Stewards may form subcommittees but require Elder approval.
Yes:
- Indemnification: Church may provide insurance protection for officers, staff, and volunteers.
- Conflicts of Interest: Business relationships with church leaders require disclosure, fair pricing, and Elder approval.
- Amendments: Clearer process for congregational approval (2/3 majority vote).
- Day-to-day church life remains the same.
- Processes for membership, leadership accountability, staff oversight, and congregational meetings will be more clearly defined.
- You’ll see stronger Elder oversight of doctrine, staff, and vision, and clearer Deacon/Steward responsibilities in care and facilities.