The C&MA National Office informed us of a change to one of our policies, which created the need to update our bylaws. As a result, members will be voting on four changes to the Bedford Alliance Church bylaws. Our Governing Board has voted to bring these changes to the members. Here are the proposed changes:
Change #1: Preamble
We are making changes to the preamble section of our bylaws. There are two primary reasons for this change. The first is the removal of our old mission statement. As you may have heard, we have a new mission statement as a church. Because mission statements can periodically change or be re-worded, the decision was made to not include our new statement in our bylaws.
The second reason we are changing the preamble is to remove the Bedford Alliance Church Faith Community Mission Policy. The C&MA National Office released a new version of this policy and instructed us that the new policy NOT be included in our bylaws, but instead serve as a stand-alone document that is voted on by the Governing Board.
Current Preamble:
Bedford Alliance Church exists to lead people into a deeper relationship with Christ. This is accomplished by creating environments where people can find purpose, hope, and belonging through serving, worship, and groups. Our vision is to be a church the next generation loves to attend; we want to faithfully pass the baton to the next generation.
The exercise of faith and the mission of Bedford Alliance Church is defined in greater detail in the Bedford Alliance Church Faith Community Mission Policy.
Proposed New Preamble:
This document constitutes the Bylaws for The Bedford Alliance Church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. These Bylaws shall govern the nonprofit corporation through which The Bedford Alliance Church operates legally.
Change #2: Grammatical Change
A grammatical change is needed in the section of our bylaws that defines the role of Elders. We will be changing CM&A to C&MA.
Current:
C. Elder Board
1. Role: The Elder Board shall oversee the ministries of the church in accordance with C&MA policies by managing the following areas:
a. Employment and Accountability of the Senior Pastor in conjunction with the District Superintendent as per Article VIII of the CM&A Constitution.
Proposed change:
C. Elder Board
1. Role: The Elder Board shall oversee the ministries of the church in accordance with C&MA policies by managing the following areas:
a. Employment and Accountability of the Senior Pastor in conjunction with the District Superintendent as per Article VIII of the C&MA Constitution.
Change #3: Grammatical Change
A grammatical change is needed in the section on Elections, Appointments, and Filling Vacancies. We will be adding the word "be".
Current:
VI. Elections, Appointments, and Filling Vacancies
A. Elections
1. Nomination of Persons for Election
a. Nominations by the Nominating Committee
i. The committee shall put names forward for all elected positions.
ii. Members of BAC may suggest nominees for the committee's consideration.
iii. There is no limit to the number of qualified persons, as defined by these bylaws, that can nominated for any given position, but at least the minimum number required to serve must be nominated (including enough Elders to maintain a majority of the seats on the Governing Board).
Proposed change:
VI. Elections, Appointments, and Filling Vacancies
A. Elections
1. Nomination of Persons for Election
a. Nominations by the Nominating Committee
i. The committee shall put names forward for all elected positions.
ii. Members of BAC may suggest nominees for the committee's consideration.
iii. There is no limit to the number of qualified persons, as defined by these bylaws, that can be nominated for any given position, but at least the minimum number required to serve must be nominated (including enough Elders to maintain a majority of the seats on the Governing Board).
Change #4: Addition to the Section on Bylaw Amendments
Our C&MA district office recommended an addition to our bylaws that allows the Governing Board to make minor changes to the bylaws as needed. This year is a good example of the benefits of this bylaw addition. We had two minor grammatical changes, which could have been easily resolved through a vote by our Governing Board. The language in the proposed addition below is the same language used in our district’s bylaws.
Current:
VIII. Bylaw Amendments
A. Amendments may be proposed in two ways:
1. A Governing Board member may propose an amendment during a Governing Board Meeting, or
2. A Member of BAC may submit a proposed amendment, in writing, to the Governing Board.
3. If and when an amendment has been approved by the Governing Board, it will be submitted to the Members for a vote at the next Annual or special Meeting.
Proposed Addition:
VIII. Bylaw Amendments
A. Amendments may be proposed in two ways:
1. A Governing Board member may propose an amendment during a Governing Board Meeting, or
2. A Member of BAC may submit a proposed amendment, in writing, to the Governing Board.
3. If and when an amendment has been approved by the Governing Board, it will be submitted to the Members for a vote at the next Annual or special Meeting.
4. The Governing Board is authorized to edit these Bylaws as needed so long as said editing does not alter intent, policy, or principle of any bylaw so edited.