The following is what Lee Walter and Chuck Stewart thoughts were about the amendments that they proposed:
Original Intentions and recommendations of Amendments to the
Columbia Bible Church Constitution
(Adopted Unanimously Jan. 27th, 2002)
By
Charles Stewart and Lee Walter (authors of those amendments)
Each generation of Columbia Bible Church (CBC) membership has to make a choice of serving and glorifying God. We believe that the more informed members are on the Constitution and on their privileges and responsibilities before God, the better we will be able to preserve CBC’s sacred trust, discern God’s will, and act on it. No document is ever perfect, but the more we study the CBC Constitution, the more we respect it.
This commentary describes our intent in crafting the recent major amendments to the constitution. If future generations understand the “why” as well as the “what” of the various provisions, they will be better able to apply and preserve it. We also provide some recommendations and notes about how we believe the constitution should influence church operation. Since fewer people are exposed to parliamentary procedure in school, we also provide simple guidelines for conduct of meetings.
Original Intent of our Constitution:
Overall View
Our constitution is an orderly structure of rules and conditions that this group of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ uses to serve God as a local Church. Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, the function of Columbia Bible Church is of the members, by the members and for the members. The Pastor and Deacons serve the members and the members serve God. The constitution provides a strong system of checks and balances to insure that no single person, group or faction can overrule the membership as a whole. They can be summarized as follows:
- The Pastor is acknowledged as the spiritual leader, but the Statement of Faith can be changed only by vote of the members, and the Pastor has only one vote on the Deacon Board.
- The Deacon Board has authority to conduct church business, but they do so at the pleasure of the membership, and serve terms of only three years. Major contracts, loans, large purchases, and which missionaries to support, among other items, must be authorized by the membership before the deacons can act.
- Several provisions insure that decisions are made by the membership and that their decisions represent the will of the majority. The quorum for a business meeting is 50% of the members to prevent a few from making decisions against the majority. The more important votes require a 2/3 or even 3/4 majority for the same reason. Business meetings and their agenda must be posted well in advance to insure all members are aware of them. Normal meetings of the Deacon Board are open to the congregation.
- The unity of the congregation is further protected by the Statement of Faith and the conditions that members accept it and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as savior. Yet the constitution makes it clear that the only two privileges of membership are to vote at business meetings and to serve in an elected office. All are welcome to hear the Pastor’s teaching, enjoy the fellowship of the congregation, and serve in a church ministry, member or not.
One outcome that our constitution, or any constitution or rule, can never guarantee is that the decisions of the congregation always honor God and follow His will. It is the responsibility of every member individually and collectively to strive toward that goal.
Specific Provisions
Preamble to the Articles of Incorporation describes how Columbia Bible Church shall operate according to the Word of God. We believe the Preamble should have the same force and attention as any other part of the constitution. It is stated in four verses:
“Let all things be done decently and in order”. (1Cor 14:40)
“Let all your things be done with love”. (1Cor 16:14)
“Let all things be done unto edifying”. (1Cor 14:26)
“Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”. (Col 3:17)
Our Name is Columbia Bible Church, a Corporation of the State of Washington. We are a corporation because it is a convenient legal entity for holding property and entering contracts. We do not represent the State of Washington and the state does not interfere with our function. Our membership is the corporation.
Purpose is another section that is not often considered, but is the whole reason for our ministry. We would suggest that, if a proposed activity or function is not consistent with the purpose, it should not be done. We also recommend that the Purpose never be amended.
Tenets state our fundamental beliefs. Our church will be independent, we will associate formally only with others who agree with our Statement of Faith, and we will not coerce membership nor funds. We want our teaching, our fellowship and our members’ giving to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not external groups or organizations. We would urge that the Tenets never be amended.
Government is said to be vested in the members, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Specific authority is granted to the Pastor and Deacons by the members in the constitution or by direct approval of specific proposals at business meetings. This forces the membership to take active responsibility for conduct of our ministry and prevents the church from being ruled by the Pastor or a dictatorial deacon board.
Membership qualifications is intended to protect the integrity of this church. Members must be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who accept the core of our Statement of Faith and accept the authority of our Pastor. It is our intent that new believers can be members without knowing or accepting all the doctrines included in the full Statement of Faith, as long as he or she submits to the Pastor on the issues. For example, we do not hold that the temporary gifts (tongues, healings & prophecy) are in effect today. Yet saved Pentecostals (who practice tongues, healing, etc.) may become members, though they could not hold office. The hope here is that eventually they will shed their Pentecostalism. The Deacon Board has the authority and responsibility to guard against an unlikely hostile take-over by such a group by denying membership for any reason they deem appropriate before God.
Special note: Each applicant for membership must specifically agree to the stated conditions and testify as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ in person. Therefore, we do not automatically accept the children of members as members. Membership is an individual decision; it is not hereditary.
Since the members have all authority and responsibility for the operation of this church, any member who ceases to meet any of the qualifications, or ceases to exercise the privileges and responsibilities of membership, should be removed from membership. In fact, the Deacons are required to “prune” the membership roll at least annually to maintain its integrity. The congregation should be reminded of this from time to time from the pulpit.
Special note: It is vital to remove from membership those who simply are not attending (three consecutive months or longer with no satisfactory reason why). Otherwise, it becomes more and more difficult to get a quorum for business meetings. If the Deacons call to announce that you have been dropped from the roll, please understand this need. Deacons must follow the Constitution in that attendance and, in rare instances, conduct, maintains membership, not whether or not a member takes offense at being removed.
The Deacons may also remove members from the roll who are unwilling to be governed by the constitution, do not accept the authority of the Pastor, reject the Statement of Faith or exhibit “conduct contrary to biblical principles”. To our knowledge the Deacons have never had to do this, praise God! In any case, a member who feels he or she was dropped from the roll contrary to the constitution may appeal their case to the full membership at a business meeting, assuming at least 20% of the members agree to call one for this purpose.
Membership in Columbia Bible Church is not intended as a badge of spirituality or any other kind of status. It is, rather, a pledge of responsibility. We intend that the primary privilege of membership be limited to voting at business meetings and holding office. Membership is not a requirement to participate in our fellowship, attend classes, or have a ministry (except in an official capacity).
Special note: Columbia Bible Church welcomes unbelievers as well as believers who hold different doctrines. We desire all to hear the Word of God and to be influenced by the example or our congregation. Any person who does not create a disturbance or an unacceptable distraction is to be welcomed, no matter how distasteful their beliefs may be.
Business meetings are the means by which the members exercise their primary responsibility and authority. They are intended to be completely open and the agenda well-publicized. To encourage efficiency and unity, the meetings should be conducted under some rules or protocol of order. We suggest a simplified protocol based on Roberts Rules of Order (which is just a guideline, unless formally required by a 2/3 vote). We made it a guideline to avoid getting bogged down in parliamentary procedure, and so that someone well schooled in it couldn’t manipulate a meeting. We wanted the Spirit of God to guide us in orderliness and respect. We recommend the simple procedure given in the appendix as a model.
The President of the Deacon Board presides as Chairman over business meetings unless the Deacon Board selects another of their number. The Chairman of a business meeting must be a member of the Deacon Board, including the Pastor.
We recommend that the Pre-amble and Purpose should be read immediately after the call to order and before the opening prayer at all business meetings to emphasize being in fellowship. A brief statement of current affairs and state of CBC should be given at each annual business meeting.
To conduct business, there must be enough members present to represent the full membership. This is called a quorum. We intend that a quorum be established only once, before business is conducted, not necessarily at the beginning of the meeting. A few members may leave or others arrive after a quorum is established without a recount. However, if there is doubt, any member may raise a point of order to re-establish a quorum.
If the rules break down so badly that the conduct of the meeting is disputed, we want the members to just stop and start over. A disputed meeting may be adjourned on a motion passed by a 2/3 vote that also nullifies all or some of the motions approved in the meeting. For example if you elected a new deacon at the disputed meeting, you could nullify the business of the meeting, but keep the new deacon. It is important, but not clearly stated in the constitution, that the motion for adjournment of a disputed meeting also include nullification of the business, if that is desired.
The provision to limit motions to those items on the published meeting agenda is intended to prevent any group hijacking a business meeting. We do not intend to limit motions to verbatim statements in the agenda, but they must be on the same item of business. For example, an agenda item to authorize construction of a new storage shed would authorize motions on its location, financing, building method, paint color, etc., but not a motion to build a new auditorium. These “off-agenda” votes may be taken, but are only advisory.
Special note: Every group has its “lawyers”, and every person has some tendency to become one, when it comes to phrasing motions, following a procedure, or interpreting the constitution. Such lawyers are overly concerned with semantics and what other people might possibly think a word means. Such arguments are disruptive and waste time that could be better spent in discerning God’s will.
The method of voting is up to the Chairman of the meeting and, in the case of a voice vote, or show of hands, his decision is final. However, we intend for the most important decisions, like election or removal of deacons, call or dismissal of a pastor, or purchase of property, for example, be voted by secret ballot. We did not allow absentee or proxy voting to insure that each member has the same authority and responsibility for conduct of business. Only those who have heard all the discussion are fully informed to vote.
Special note: In the past, ballots have sometimes been carried back to Sunday School or nursery teachers to vote. Except as specifically allowed for deacon election at the annual business meeting, this is really an absentee vote that is not allowed by the constitution. A possible exception might be made for members in the rooms with remote speakers.
The Statement of Faith is the primary unifying force in the constitution. All members are required to understand and agree with the following principles. Missionaries only have to agree with items A through F:
A. Plenary and verbal inspiration of the scriptures
B. Salvation by faith alone
C. Substitutionary death of Jesus Christ
D. The triune godhead
E. Deity of Jesus Christ
F. Resurrection of Jesus Christ
G. Spirituality
H. Responsibility of the believers
I. Satan
J. Eternal state
But members do not have to understand or accept the following, though deacons, the Pastor and Assistant Pastor do:
K. Rapture and resurrection
L. The Holy Spirit
M. Eternal security
N. Great tribulation
O. Man created and fallen
P. The church – universal and local
Q. Spiritual gifts
R. Dispensational viewpoint
S. Death of Christ
This division between what members and leaders have to accept is a holdover from the original CBC constitution. It probably originated from a feeling that membership was necessary for full fellowship and that new believers should be eligible for membership before they fully understood all the basic doctrines. However, we now question the wisdom of this allowance. Since membership is neither a status symbol nor a requirement for fellowship, and because voting at business meetings is an extremely important responsibility, should not the members be required to know all the important doctrines so their vote will more surely conform to God’s will? We recommend this issue be considered next time major amendments are developed.
Amendments to this Constitution are intended to be rare and very carefully considered. The constitution can only be amended at an annual business meeting and proposed amendments cannot themselves be amended. Thus anyone proposing an amendment to the Constitution must educate and seek the approval of the membership well in advance of the meeting.
Dissolution is intended to be relatively simple and easy. This may seem odd, but if the church is in such dire trouble that dissolution is being considered, it is not useful for the constitution to make the process difficult or lengthy. The primary issue on dissolution is the method of disbursement of funds remaining after the disposition of church property which is to be explained in the motion for dismissal.
Bylaws
Bylaws are rules for governing the internal affairs of an organization whereas the Articles of Incorporation concern our relationship with the outside, i.e. who we let in, what we stand for, etc. Our bylaws describe church officers, how they are nominated and elected, their duties, criteria for missionaries, and handling of church property.
Though calling a pastor to serve requires a 2/3 majority vote, we recommend a supermajority of at least 90% for this very important decision where the unity of the church is being tested.
The qualification requirements and manner of calling and dismissing the Pastor and Assistant Pastor are the same. We made them the same because their influence and testimony would likely be similar. However, the Pastor’s authority and responsibility are specifically stated, while those of the Assistant Pastor are to be defined by the Pastor. The Pastor also has a vote on the Deacon Board and all committees while the Assistant Pastor does not. We wanted the Pastor to be clearly in charge and the Assistant Pastor to be clearly his assistant to avoid any potential for a power struggle.
Special note: While the Pastor has a vote on the Deacon Board, the quorum is 2/3 of the deacons, and supermajority requirements for their votes are always stated as “2/3 of the deacons”, for example. This is a subtle separation of power that allows the Pastor to influence simple majority votes, but not those issues reserved for decision by the deacons. We don’t believe the Pastor has ever exercised his vote.
The Deacons do the work of supplying the ministry of Columbia Bible Church. Deacons have a three-year term limit because we do not want a permanent group of “elders”.
Special note: Though the job also gives abundant opportunities so see God working, being a deacon is a scary responsibility and is really hard work! None have yet shown any desire for a lifetime appointment. They need your appreciation and encouragement. Have you hugged your deacon today?
The new deacon candidates for the Annual Business Meeting are nominated by the sitting Deacon Board. It is the only business the constitution allows to be done in secret. But this much can be told. The Pastor usually reviews the biblical qualifications and the membership list is screened against them. A short list of around five candidates is then chosen by a series of straw polls and the Pastor calls them in order until two agree to be candidates.
Deacon candidates (who meet the requirements for office) can also be nominated directly by petition of half the members and, if they accept, take precedence over those nominated by the Deacon Board. This prevents a faction from keeping control. If the deacons receive the nominating petition too late to meet the posting requirement for the scheduled annual business meeting, the meeting must be moved so the revised agenda can be properly posted. If the meeting cannot be moved within the requirement to hold the annual business meeting before March 1st, the petition cannot be considered.
The petition should be submitted to the Deacon Board within a reasonable period of time, but is required to be in at least in time to meet the constitutional posting requirement for the agenda to be posted for the business meeting, otherwise it is void. (preferably 30 days) thus eliminate the rest of the paragraph from The petition doesn’t have to be convenient, because one could make a case because of the posting requirement that it has to be done accordingly or else it is out of order and potentially could be chaotic also.
Deacon election was one of the major changes of the last amendment. A vote for “neither” deacon candidate as well as abstention is allowed. This was provided for the case where members favor neither of the candidates nominated. If votes caste for “neither” candidate receives a majority, the deacon board must nominate new candidates and hold another election. Another major change allows a coin toss to break a tie, if approved by 2/3 of the members voting. We believe this is authorized by Proverbs 16:33, The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Deacons’ meetings are intended to be fully open (except for nominating deacon candidates) to the congregation. For this reason they are to be held at the church, notice is posted well in advance, and minutes of the meeting are required to be posted within two weeks.
Though the Deacon Board may have the authority to make a decision, they should defer sensitive or important ones it to the membership. Deacons need to have an attitude of a servant! We also recommend that all Deacon Board decisions be unanimous as much as possible. If one deacon is in firm opposition, earnest discussion and prayer is much more effective than a contentious vote! We recommend that the Deacon Board pray often during meetings, not just at opening and closing, but serious, around-the-table-twice prayer sessions asking God to influence the decision. We have seen powerful results from this as the Pastor can attest.
Special note: The congregation (not just members) have historically been most welcome to bring suggestions, proposals or comments to deacons’ meetings, or just sit and enjoy the show. But this is not the place to bring criticisms of other members or their ministry. Satan never fails to grab these opportunities to jab us with his darts. Carrying an offense to the deacons can cause terrible hurts, destroy ministries, and sully our testimony as a church, doing far more damage than the original offense. Talk it over with the Pastor or, better yet, do not take offense at all and let God handle it. For extremely serious personal grievances, see Matthew 18:15-17.
Missionaries have always been a sensitive issue. There are strong emotional bonds between missionaries and the congregation. This is why votes to support or withdraw support from a missionary require the highest (3/4) supermajority in the constitution. Once approved, our missionary support typically continues indefinitely.
Thus if we wish to only support a new/old Missionary for a set number of years/at the Deacon’s Board direction, in order to reconsider them periodically. We can do this within the motion itself with a 75% approval vote. Thus when it becomes renewable, it will take a 75% approval vote to re-confirm their support, or just a 26% vote against it to expire their support!
The intent on having the Deacon Board setting the money amount of support for each missionary is mainly there in case of financial problems within the church, or if a missionary has biblically gone astray so that immediate action by the deacon board can be taken. However, they must eventually give their justification at a business meeting to give the membership the opportunity to override their decision. We believe that the Deacon Board should seek impute from the membership on the money level of support for each missionary. This might be done through a survey at the annual business meeting like similar to the attached example.
The Deacon Board must formally confirm that any missionaries we support accept the statement of faith sections A through F at a minimum. Should this requirement be extended? The confirmation should be kept on file so members could review it.
Special note: In the past the church has supported children from the congregation, usually of members, and sometimes members themselves, to go on short term missions. These missions clearly classify as “missionary support” and the same requirements must be met as for the long-term missions. However, there is no restriction on individual members giving their support without going through the church.
Suggested Missionary Money Support Survey Form
Columbia Bible Church Missionary Financial Support
Please give your preference for financial support to our missionaries below: Please circles from # 5 to 1 with # 5 being the most and # 1 the least support!
(Maximum) (Above) (Average) (Below) (Minimum)
(Average) (Average)
(Missionary name, location & ministry) 5 4 3 2 1
(Missionary name, location & ministry) 5 4 3 2 1
(etc..)
Simple Rules of Order for Conduct of Business
Even though the Chairman has the discretion may elect to run the business meeting under Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, we recommend the following, more informal protocol as a useful alternate.
Church business is conducted at official meetings of the membership where proposals are approved, disapproved or amended by voting. The topics to be voted on must be stated in the meeting agenda that is posted before the meeting. This does not apply to motions and votes necessary to conduct the meeting. For example, a motion and voice vote is needed to approve the treasurer’s report, adjourn the meeting, call for a vote, etc.
Members may ask questions, raise points of order, or make statements at any time during the meeting when recognized by the Chairman. Good order requires that only one person speaks at a time and others should listen attentively.
Special note: It’s very important for orderliness that all high-priority or controversial issues be given lots of prior notice and explanation with ample opportunity for member input well ahead of the meeting. One way to do this would be to post or hand out proposed motions, reports, surveys, etc., weeks ahead of time. It helps immensely to hold informal meetings early to hear all the arguments, gather ideas, and get agreement well before the actual vote.
A. All decisions during the meeting, whether large or small, are made by 1) making a motion, 2) seconding the motion, 3) discussing the motion, and 4) adopting the motion by a vote of the members.
- Making a motion: A motion may be procedural or a question of business to be decided.
- Procedural motions: Often the chairman of the meeting will ask for a procedural motion to be made. For example, “The Chair will entertain a motion to adjourn”, to which a member may respond “I so move”. Members may make procedural motions without prompting from the chair. Some examples might include, “I move for a 15-minute recess”, “I move to close discussion and vote”, or “I call for a secret ballot”.
- Motions of business: A proposed motion should be prepared before hand and read at the meeting by the Chairman with any other explanation he thinks necessary. Then the chairman will then ask for a motion, to which a member may respond with “I so move”, restate the proposed motion, or state the motion in a different form but on the same item of business.
- Seconding a motion: At least two members must be in favor of a motion before it can be voted on – the person making the motion, and another who supplies the “second”. A member seconds a motion by simply stating “I second the motion” or even “Second”. Often the Chairman will ask for a second. A motion without a second drops from further consideration.
- Discussion: Members state the reasons for their support or opposition to the motion, ask questions, and generally develop and process information on which to make a decision. Discussion is closed by making a procedural motion to call for the vote. This motion is made, seconded and voted upon (usually by voice vote) like any other. If the motion fails, discussion continues.
- Voting: Voting may be by voice (“aye” or “nay”), show of hands or secret ballot. The method of voting is determined by the Chairman, except that a member may call for a secret ballot on any vote.
- Voice Vote: Those in favor of the motion all say “aye” at the command of the Chairman, and those opposed say “nay”. The Chairman alone decides whether “aye” or “nay” prevails and his decision is final.
- Show of Hands: Those in favor of the motion raise one hand at the command of the Chairman who counts the number of hands. Then those opposed are asked to raise one hand and are counted. The vote is determined by comparing the count.
- Secret Ballot: The Chairman gives each member a blank ballot on which to write “yes” or “no”, the name of a Deacon, or other choice described by the Chairman. A member may call for a secret ballot on any vote. This call becomes a procedural motion that must be seconded and approved or disapproved by voice vote. Secret ballots should be counted by a minimum of two or more members at the chairman’s discretion.
B. Amending a Motion: If, after a main motion has been made and seconded, a member desires to change the main motion, he or she can propose an amendment. Amendments are brought up in the form of a motion, such as: “I move to amend the motion to read….”, or “I move to amend the motion by adding (or deleting)…”. Once seconded, the amendment becomes the topic of discussion until voted on. The main motion, as amended or not, can be voted on only after the amendment passes or fails.
C. Restating a Motion: This is a desirable alternative to amending a motion where the change is relatively simple and the majority of the congregation appear to favor it (for example, if the main motion were stated in an awkward way, or has an error). During discussion, the member who made the original motion can simply be asked to restate his or her motion with the desired revision. If he or she agrees to restate the motion, and the new motion is seconded, no amendment is necessary.
- Points of Order: A member may raise a point of order to the Chairman at any time by raising the hand and calling “Point of order”. A point of order may be a failure to follow the stated agenda for the meeting (such as omitting the opening prayer), an error in procedure (such as opening discussion on a motion that has not been seconded), or a vote taken or motion made contrary to the constitution. A point of order is not a procedural motion. The Chairman must decide on the appropriate response and take action accordingly.
Submitted to CBC Deacon Board: Date: May 30th 2004
Charles Stewart Lee Walter
