BYLAWS OF THE

MICHIGAN DISTRICT MISSIONARY CHURCH

 

I.               ARTICLE I                

DISTRICT IDENTIFICATION

A.            NAME

                The name of this corporation shall be the Michigan District of the Missionary Church.

B.            LOCATION

                The location of the corporation is the city of Burton, in the county of Genesee, State of Michigan.  The address of the corporate registered office in Michigan is:

                                1091 Creekwood Trail, Burton, Michigan   48509-1500.

C.            RELATIONSHIP

                The Michigan District is a subsidiary of the Missionary Church, Incorporated with offices at 3881 Vanguard Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana   46899-9127.  It is responsible for the promotion of the work and objectives of the Missionary Church within the boundaries established for it by the parent organization. The Constitution of the Missionary Church shall govern the Michigan District in all matters concerning doctrine, policy, and practice.

D.            GOVERNMENT

                The Michigan District shall be governed by District Conference that shall function according to the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc. and the General Conference of the Missionary Church, Inc.

E.             INCORPORATION

                The corporation - formed on the basis of a merger-agreement between the members of the Michigan Conference of the United Missionary Church, a Michigan Ecclesiastical Corporation, and the Missionary Church Association, Great Lakes District, an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation - shall be known in law as the Michigan District of the Missionary Church, a Michigan Ecclesiastical Corporation.  The corporation shall be organized on a non-stock basis.

 

II.                            ARTICLE II

DISTRICT CONFERENCE

A.            COMPOSITION

                The District Conference shall consist of all ordained and licensed ministers of the Missionary Church, Inc. resident in the District, the District Executive Board, the District Nominating Committee, the chairs of all District Boards and committees, the President of the District Missionary Men International, the President of the District Women’s Ministries of the Missionary Church, the President of the Denomination, the officers of the Michigan Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc., and one lay delegate from each full-member church for each 50 members or major fraction thereof.  (1-75: 1 delegate; 76-125:  2; 126-175: 3; 176-225: 4; etc.)  Delegates shall be elected by and from the members of each church or appointed by the church board in case of necessity. Each local church shall be financially responsible for District Conference expenses incurred by its delegates.  Any change of delegate must be certified by a letter from either the Church Board or the Pastor to the Credentials Committee before seating the delegate in the District Conference bar. Affiliate Churches and unorganized Church Planting projects may not send voting delegates to District Conference.  Those holding a Lay Ministry License in the District are not members of District Conference unless they are sent as a delegate of a full-member church or are serving as the senior pastor of a full-member church or church planting project recognized by the District.

B.            DUTIES

1.             The District Conference shall have the authority to exercise discipline over the churches and ministers within its boundaries in order to maintain integrity in doctrine, policy, and practice according to the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc.[1]

2.             It shall elect or appoint its own officers, boards, and committees including the District Superintendent, Vice District Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, District Executive Board, and others as needed.

3.             It shall recommend to the General Board of the Missionary Church, Inc. the approval of new churches for membership in the Denomination.

4.             It shall license, commission, and ordain ministers in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution of the Missionary Church, and shall certify them to the Missionary Church President who shall issue the credentials.

5.             It shall conduct conferences, camp meetings or conventions in the District, and it shall promote the World Partners missionary program of the Denomination.

6.             It shall receive the reports of the District Superintendent, all District Directors, other officers, ministers, boards and committees as may be required.  It shall submit required reports to General Conference.

7.             It shall be the prerogative of the District Conference to make recommendations to the Missionary Church General Conference.

8.             It shall receive and act on resolutions from churches, boards, and committees, etc. All resolutions shall arrive at the District Office at least thirty days prior to District Conference for inclusion in the District Conference handbook.  All resolutions, other than procedural motions, that are presented at District Conference shall be referred to a study committee for recommendation.

C.            MEETINGS[2]

1.             Notice - Notification of Annual District Conference and any Special District Conference shall be made thirty days in advance.

2.             Quorum - A quorum shall consist of those members present at a duly called meeting.

3.             Annual District Conference - It shall meet annually.  Unless otherwise specified by the District Conference or the District Executive Board, it shall be held on the fourth Thursday of April.  The place of the session shall be determined by the District Executive Board.

4.             Special District Conference - The District Executive Board may call a Special District Conference.  Its membership shall consist of all ordained and licensed ministers of the Missionary Church, Inc. currently resident in the District, the District Executive Board, the current nominating committee, the chairs of all District Boards and Committees, the current Presidents of District Missionary Men International, and District Women’s Ministries of the Missionary Church, the President of the Denomination, the officers of Michigan Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc., and the lay delegates who were duly elected to serve at the preceding annual District Conference.

 

III.           ARTICLE III

DISTRICT OFFICERS

The officers of this organization shall be the District Superintendent, the Vice  District  Superintendent,  the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

A.            DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

1.             SELECTION

a.             The District Superintendent shall be nominated by a Nominating Committee of six, three lay members and three ordained ministers, appointed by the District Executive Board, who shall provide the District Conference with the names of qualified men willing to serve as District Superintendent if elected.

b.             He shall be elected by a nominating and an electoral ballot from the ordained ministers of the Missionary Church who consent to let their names stand as candidates for a term of four years.  For two terms, a candidate must receive a 60% majority vote to be elected.  After two terms in office, the District Superintendent must receive a 75% majority vote to continue in office.

c.             The newly elected District Superintendent shall be consulted concerning pastoral placement related duties and, become an advisory member of all District boards and committees. He shall assume the full duties of the office usually on July first. An alternate date may be agreed upon by the incoming and outgoing District Superintendents and the District Executive Board.       

2.             DUTIES

a.             The District Superintendent or his appointee shall serve as the chair of the District Executive Board and the District Conference. He shall be an ex-officio member of all District boards and committees.

b.             He shall supervise all the churches and ministers within his jurisdiction.

c.             He shall have full authority to visit, and address local church boards or congregations at his discretion.

d.             He shall arrange for annual missions conferences within the District.

e.             He shall serve as the liaison between the District and the Denomination, and shall encourage local church participation in Denominational programs.

f.              He shall see that the Constitution of the Missionary Church is upheld.

g.             He shall emphasize the duties of the churches to their pastors.

h.             He shall serve as the liaison between pastors and churches in all matters of pastoral placement, as outlined in the Constitution of the Missionary Church.[3]

i.              He shall serve as chairman and platform director of Brown City and Mancelona Camp Meetings.

j.              He shall seek to coordinate the work of all District boards and committees with the view of effecting harmonious relationships.

k.             He shall submit a detailed report of his ministry and the work of the District to the District Conference.

l.              He shall submit a full report of the work of the District to the General Conference, including a summarized statistical report for the General Conference biennium.

m.            He shall see that appropriate statistics are compiled for District Conference.

n.             He shall appoint the District Conference committees, to be ratified by the District Conference.

o.             He shall be a pastor to pastors, offering support, encouragement, and counsel to pastors and their families.

p.             He shall accept other assignments as may be outlined by District Conference or District Executive Board.

B.            VICE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

1.             SELECTION

a.             The Vice District Superintendent shall be nominated by a special nominating committee of six, three lay members and three ordained ministers appointed by the District Executive Board.  It shall serve to provide the District Conference with the names of qualified men who are willing to serve as Vice District Superintendent if elected.

b.             He shall be elected from the ordained ministers of the District who consent to let their names stand as candidates, for a term of  two years  by a nominating and an electoral ballot.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Vice District Superintendent shall serve as the Chair of the Nominating Committee.[4]

b.             He shall execute duties delegated to him by the District Superintendent.

c.             In case of death, resignation or removal from office of the District Superintendent, the Vice District Superintendent shall become the District Superintendent until the next District Conference or a Special District Conference is called.

C.            SECRETARY

1.             SELECTION

a.             The Secretary shall be elected by the District Conference, for a two-year term.  The term shall begin July 1.

b.             He shall be a member in good standing of a full member Missionary Church of the District.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of the District Conference, and the District Executive Board.

b.             He shall present a report to the District Conference summarizing the actions of the District Executive Board.

c.             He shall oversee the publication of the annual District Conference Journal.

d.             He shall execute other functions assigned by the District Superintendent, District Conference, or District Executive Board.

D.            TREASURER

1.             SELECTION

a.             The Treasurer shall be appointed by the District Executive Board for a two-year term.  The term shall begin July 1.

b.             He shall be a member in good standing of a full-member Missionary Church of the District.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The treasurer shall receive, hold, or disburse monies as the District shall decide in keeping with its policies and directives.

b.             He shall submit reports as the District Conference, District Superintendent, or the District Executive Board shall require.

c.             He shall compute the annual District apportionments for each church according to the established formula, and the requirements of the approved District budget.

 

IV.           ARTICLE IV

                DISTRICT EXECUTIVE BOARD

A.            COMPOSITION

                The Executive Board shall consist of the District Superintendent, the Vice District Superintendent, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and six additional elected members who shall be elected for staggered terms of three years each.  At least four members of the board shall be laymen.

B.            QUORUM

                A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the District Executive Board.

C.            DUTIES

1.             The District Executive Board shall serve as the Board of Directors of the Michigan District of the Missionary Church, a Michigan Ecclesiastical Corporation, and shall be responsible for the safe keeping of all legal papers covering District properties.

2.             It shall have authority to transact business that may arise between District Conferences.

3.             It shall have authority to administer in all emergency matters related to the local church.

a.             Upon request from a local church, or when it is apparent to the District Superintendent that emergency assistance is needed, the relevant issues shall be placed before the District Executive Board.

b.             The congregation shall be informed of the meeting of the District Executive Board in which consideration of the situation shall be made, and individuals from the congregation shall be given opportunity to express their views and perceptions, either in person or by letter, to the District Executive Board.

c.             The District Executive Board by a two-thirds vote, shall have authority to exercise discipline over churches or ministers in order to maintain integrity of a pastor, a local church, the District, or the Denomination.

4.             If membership in a local church falls below 15 baptized adult members (16 years or older), supervision and governance of that church shall revert to the District Executive Board.  This arrangement shall continue as long as the District Executive Board deems necessary.[5]

5.             It shall serve as the Pastoral Relations Committee, as outlined in the Constitution of the Missionary Church.[6]

6.             It shall hold in trust any properties owned by the District and have authority to:

a.             receive and hold in trust any monies, gifts, and legacies;

b.             acquire, loan, or borrow money;

c.             purchase, sell, improve, convey, or exchange real estate held by the District, or other property such as stocks, bonds, mortgages, or other securities;

d.             designate certain of its members to serve as agents to administer any of the above trustee related matters.

7.             It shall recommend licensing and ordination of Ministers after examination and approval by the Committee On Ordination and Licensing.

                NOTE - The minimal period of service before ordination shall be two years of full-time Christian service.  Full-time service, in the case of multiple staff, shall mean two years in charge of a particular church ministry.  An evaluation and recommendation from the local church being served shall be required.  When formal training is lacking, a qualifying examination shall be administered to address the minimal requirements listed in the Constitution of the Missionary Church, under Appendixes 1-2, Ordination Study Course. Where formal training is lacking in Theological studies, the supplementary study program is still required.

8.             It shall certify to the Missionary Church President annually a list of all ordained and licensed ministers under the jurisdiction of the District.[7]

9.             It shall call a Special District Conference session when necessary.

10.           It shall conduct the election of the District Superintendent.

11.           It shall set the place for the District Conference.

12.           It shall inform each church of its District apportionment figures by May 15th.

13.           It shall approve all special financial appeals to the churches.

14.           It shall authorize the District Superintendent and/or Secretary to sign mortgages and notes as it shall approve.  Said approval shall be subject to satisfactory arrangements concerning District Conference apportionments.

15.           It shall employ staff personnel and secretarial help within the confines of the District budget.  It shall establish goals, job descriptions and accountability from those employed.

16.           It shall fill vacancies in offices on all District Boards or Committees that may occur during the year.

17.           It shall appoint the following committees:

a.             Nominating Committee for District Superintendent.[8]

b.             Nominating Committee for Vice District Superintendent.[9]

c.             District Building Committee.[10]

d.             Ordination  and Licensing Committee.[11]

e.             Bylaws Committee.[12]

18.           It shall ratify all board and committee appointments between District Conferences.

19.           Its actions shall be subject to ratification by the next District Conference. 

 

V.             ARTICLE V

DISTRICT PERSONNEL

A.            DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT MINISTRIES

1.             SELECTION

                The Director of District Ministries shall be nominated by the District Superintendent and appointed by the District Executive Board which shall decide the term of service, salary, and benefits.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Director of District Ministries shall serve as Director of Christian Education, assisting the Christian Education Board as outlined in the District bylaws.[13]

b.             He shall serve give oversight to the District Directors and the various ministries of the District.

c.             He shall serve as an assistant to the District Superintendent in the administrative concerns of the District.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

a.             The Director of District Ministries shall be accountable to the District Superintendent.

b.             He shall serve as an advisory member of the District Executive Board.

c.             He shall report to the District Executive Board and to the District Conference regarding his work.

B.            DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF CHURCH PLANTING

1.             SELECTION

                The District Director of Church Planting shall be nominated by the District Superintendent and appointed by the District Executive Board, which shall decide the term of service, salary, and benefits.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The District Director of Church Planting shall coordinate all local church and District sponsored church planting and extension projects.

b.             He shall target new areas for church planting within the District.

c.             He shall communicate the vision and the needs of Church Planting in churches.

d.             He shall challenge and recruit gifted, qualified men to pastor new and present extension churches.

e.             He shall give guidance to men appointed to new and extension churches.

f.              He shall raise funds for new Church Planting projects through local churches and interested parties.

g.             He may be assigned other duties by the District Superintendent.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

a.             The District Director of Church Planting shall be accountable to the District Superintendent, and shall consult with him regularly.

b.             He shall chair the District Church Planting Board, and be an advisory member of the District Executive Board.

c.             Opportunities for training and development may be requested through the District Superintendent to the District Executive Board.

d.             His appointment may be terminated by the District Executive Board upon recommendation of the District Superintendent.

 

VI.           ARTICLE VI

DISTRICT DIRECTORS

A.            DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

1.             SELECTION

                The Director of District Ministries shall serve as Director of Christian Education.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Director of Christian Education shall coordinate, oversee and promote the District's cooperative Christian Education activities, such as: advance programs, C.E. seminars, C.E. related leadership development, and other aids as needed. These may be either regional or for the entire District.

b.             He shall be a resource person for local churches by keeping abreast of developments in C.E. and sharing his knowledge with churches according to their needs.

c.             He shall be available to help local churches in development of C.E. leadership, teacher training, lay evangelism, and other areas through evaluation, sharing, teaching, personal counseling or other means that are mutually acceptable to Pastors and the District.

d.             He shall oversee and help the District Adult Director in planning, promoting, and administering adult activities.

e.             He shall oversee and help the District Children's Director in planning, promoting, and administering cooperative children's activities, both District-wide and regional, in helping in leadership development of local church Cadet Directors and workers.

f.              He shall help the Adult Director and the Children's Director in developing promotional materials for their ministries.

g.             He may serve at times as Adult Director and/or Children's Director.

h.             He shall serve by virtue of office on the District's Christian Education Board, Youth Board, and Children's Board.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

                The Director of Christian Education shall be accountable to the District Superintendent, and shall consult with him before initiating new programs or terminating existing ones.               

B.            ADULT DIRECTOR

1.             SELECTION

                An Adult Director may be appointed by the District Executive Board.

2.             DUTIES

                The Adult Director shall give oversight to special adult activities and/or ministries.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

                The Adult Director shall be accountable to the Christian Education Board.

C.            YOUTH DIRECTOR

1.             SELECTION

                The District Youth Director shall be nominated by the District Superintendent in consultation with the Director of District Ministries and appointed by the District Executive Board, which shall decide the term of service and compensation.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Youth Director shall assist the Director of District Ministries in coordinating, overseeing and promoting Youth Ministries in the District and its various regions. 

b.             The Youth Director give oversight to the work of the Youth Board and its various ministries.

c.             The Youth Director shall serve as a resource person for local churches to assist with their youth ministry needs in the areas of promotion, training, curriculum, networking, and leadership development.

d.                   The Youth Director shall serve as a resource person for other District Directors and their Boards/Committees (Church Planting, Healthy Church, Missions, and Children) to assist with their youth ministry needs in the areas of promotion, training, curriculum, and leadership development.

e.                    The Youth Director shall oversee the planning, preparation and promotion of the youth ministry portion of the Christian Ministries Conference.

f.                     The Youth Director shall prepare a periodic newsletter promoting Youth Ministries for Pastors and Youth Workers in the Distirct.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

a.             The District Youth Director shall be accountable to the Director of District Ministries

b.             The Youth Director shall chair the District Youth Board and shall, by virtue of office, be a member of the District’s Christian Education Board and the Denominational Youth Sub-Committee.

c.             The Youth Director shall provide periodic reports to the District Executive Board and submit an annual report to the District Conference.

D.            CHILDREN'S DIRECTOR

1.             SELECTION

                The District Children's Director shall be nominated by the District Superintendent in consultation with the Director of District Ministries and appointed by the District Executive Board, which shall decide the term of service and compensation.

2.             DUTIES

a.                    The Children's Director shall assist the Director of District Ministries in coordinating, overseeing and promoting Children’s Ministries in the District and its various regions.

b.                   The Children’s Director shall give oversight to the work of the Children’s Board and its various ministries (e.g., children’s camp).

c.                    The Children’s Director shall serve as a resource person for local churches to assist with their Children’s Ministries needs in the area of promotion, training, curriculum, and leadership development.

d.                   The Children’s Director shall serve as a resource person for other District Directors and their Board/Committees (Church Planting, Healthy Church, Missions, and Youth) to assist with their Children'’ Ministries needs in the areas of promotion, training, curriculum, and leadership development.

e.                    The Children’s Director shall oversee the planning, preparations and promotion of the Children’s Ministries portion of the Christian Ministries Conference.

f.                     The Children’s Director shall prepare a periodic newsletter promoting Children’s Ministries for Pastors and children’s workers in the District.

3.             WORKING RELATIONSHIP

a.             The District Children’s Director shall be accountable to the Director of District Ministries.

b.             The Children's Director shall chair the District Children's Board and shall, by virtue of the office, be a member of the District’s Christian Education Board.

c.             He shall provide periodic reports to the District Executive Board and sumbit an annual report to the District Conference.

E.             WOMEN’S MINISTRIES OF THE MISSIONARY CHURCH DIRECTOR16

The Women’s Ministries of the Missionary Church Director shall be  elected and fulfill the duties as stated in the District Women’s Ministries of the Missionary Church Constitution.

F.             MISSIONARY MEN INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR

                The Missionary Men International Director shall be elected and fulfill the duties as stated in the District Missionary Men's International Constitution.

G.            SENIOR ADULT MISSIONARY MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

                The Senior Adult Missionary Ministries Director shall be appointed by the District Executive Board to fulfill the duties as provided by General Conference of the Missionary Church, Inc.

 

VII.         ARTICLE VII

DISTRICT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

A quorum for all boards and committees shall be a majority of its members.

A.            CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD

1.             COMPOSITION

                The Christian Education Board shall consist of the Director of Christian Education, District Superintendent, ex-officio,17 District Adult Director, District Children's Director, and four members elected by the District Conference for staggered terms of two years each.  It shall organize itself.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Christian Education Board shall promote and give general oversight to the total District Christian Education program.

b.             It shall give oversight to and work with the Youth and Children's Boards.

c.             It shall encourage churches in Christian Education, providing the following where feasible:

(1)           Instruction and training opportunities.

(2)           Recommendations, suggestions, consultation, and motivation.

d.             It shall cooperate with the Denominational Educational Ministries program. It shall be accountable to the District Conference.  It shall report annually through its chair to the District Conference.

e.             It shall make appointments necessary to carry out its duties.

B.            YOUTH BOARD

1.             COMPOSITION

                The Youth Board shall consist of the Youth Director, District Superintendent, ex-officio, and six other members elected by the District Conference for staggered terms of three years each.  The Youth Director shall serve as chair.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Youth Board shall organize itself.

b.             It shall promote the work of youth as outlined in the Constitution of the Youth Department.

c.             It shall be responsible for promotion of the youth work in the District from grade six through age 20.

d.             It shall be responsible to oversee the District Youth camping program, appoint the Brown City Camp Youth Director, and direct a program, subject to the approval of the respective Camp Boards.

e.             It shall be accountable to the District Christian Education Board.

C.            CHILDREN'S BOARD

1.             COMPOSITION

                The Children's Board shall consist of the District Children's Director, District Superintendent, ex-officio, Director of Christian Education Ministries, Brown City Camp Children's Director, Mancelona Camp Children’s Director, Happy Time Camp Director and four others elected by the District Conference for staggered terms of two years each.  The Children's Director shall serve as chair.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Children's Board shall promote ministries to children as outlined in the Constitution of the Children's Department.

b.             It shall be responsible to oversee the District Children's camping program, appoint the respective camping directors, and direct a program, subject to approval of the respective Camp Boards.

c.             It shall organize itself.

d.             It shall be accountable to the District Christian Education Board.

D.            BROWN CITY CAMP BOARD

1.             COMPOSITION

                The Brown City Camp Board shall consist of the District Superintendent, Brown City Camp Adult Director, Brown City Camp Youth Director, Brown City Camp Children's Director, and nine other members (at least four laymen) elected by the District Conference for staggered terms of three years each.  Newly elected members shall begin their term on September 1, each year. New members shall serve as advisory members between District Conference and September 1.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Brown City Camp Board shall organize itself.

b.             It shall fulfill its duties as outlined in Procedure; Brown City and Mancelona Boards, Number 5.

E.             MANCELONA CAMP BOARD

1.             COMPOSITION

                The Mancelona Camp Board shall consist of the District Superintendent, Pastors of churches in the designated "North Area," the Mancelona Youth Camp Director, and one locally chosen lay member from each church of the "North Area."   Each lay delegate shall serve a one year term.   

2.             DUTIES

a.             The Mancelona Camp Board shall organize itself.

b.             It shall fulfill its duties as outlined in Procedure; Brown City and Mancelona Boards, Number 5.

F.             DISTRICT BUILDING COMMITTEE

1.             COMPOSITION

                A District Building Committee of four persons shall be appointed annually by the District Executive Board, for protection and assistance of District churches with building programs.

2.             DUTIES

a.             The District Building Committee shall organize itself.

b.             It shall be available to meet with church boards for discussion and planning of building projects, as pertains to site, location, architecture, and cost.

c.             It shall make periodic inspections of building sites at the direction of the District Superintendent or Executive Board.