Constitution and Bylaws of Templar Church

Table of Contents

Chapter 1      Name and Incorporation                              

Chapter 2     Statement of Faith                                           

Chapter 3     Nature of the Church and Affiliation       

Chapter 4     Authority of this Congregation                   

Chapter 5     Membership                                                      

Chapter 6    The Pastor                                                           

Chapter 7   Church Council and Officers                           

 

Constitution and Bylaws of Templar Chruch

Preamble We, followers of Jesus Christ, responding to the Call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, desiring to unite together to proclaim the Word, administer the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and carry out the mission of the Church, do hereby adopt this Constitution and commit ourselves to be governed by its provisions, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 1

Name and Incorporation

1. The name of this church shall be Templar Church.

2. Templar Church is a Denomination of Churches that currently possess two churches, in Connecticut and Texas. Templar Church is incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

Chapter 2

Statement of Faith

1. Templar Church confesses the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2. Templar Church  accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith and life.

3. Templar Church accepts the Apostle’s, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the historic faith of the Christian Church.

4. Templar Church is committed to the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to redeem, reconcile and reclaim all of creation.

5. Templar Church is committed to the power of prayer and partnership with others for the sake of unity in the Church and witness to the world.

Chapter 3

Nature of the Church and Affiliation

1. Templar Church exists both as a local expression of the “body of Christ” and as a part of the universal Church made up of every believer in Jesus Christ.

2. Templar Church acknowledges that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and commits itself to carry out its mission, ministry and decisions in submission and obedience to His authority.

3. Templar Church acknowledges and celebrates its foundation and the history of all three major branches of the modern church: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.

4. This Church may, from time to time, select a Spiritual Protector and shall pay homage to the same; however, the selection of a spiritual protector will not imply or express an elevation of the protector’s church over any other church body. We also hereby ordain that all members of this Church shall render the proper respect to all Christian churches and their lawful clerics and leaders, and will never seek to cause division or schism in this Church due to theological differences between the various churches and their congregations. We also give grateful thanks to the churches that have assisted this Church in its time of need.

5. This Church Board may adopt or terminate its official affiliation with any Spiritual Protector, ministry association or organization at anytime. (See Chapter 6)

6. This Church shall always retain title to its property and all assets regardless of any decision to affiliate or terminate its official relationship with any Spiritual Protector, ministry association or organization.

7. This Church may choose to terminate its own existence or merge with another Church by authorization of the Chairman of the Church Board. 

8. The title to real property and the distribution of all other assets shall be authorized by the Chairman of that same Church Board.

 

Chapter 4

Authority of this Congregation

1. The authority of this Church  is that which is necessary to fulfill its mission and ministry according to the Scriptures.

2. This Church  delegates authority to the Chairman of the Church Board for all decision pertaining to the church. 

3. The authority of this Church is exercised by the Chairman of the Church Board as provided for in this Constitution and Bylaws. (See Chapter 6)

4. The Chairman of the Church Board shall have authority to:

a. Extend a Letter of Call or terminate a Letter of Call to any clergy member (removal) of Templar Church from the lowest Priest to it’s Bishop. (See Chapter 7)

b. Appoint and remove members of the Church Board. (Chapter 7)

c. Approve the annual Mission and Ministry Budget.

d. Acquire and dispose of real property and all assets as well as hold title to and use church property and all assets for any activities.

e. Make any legal agreements as necessary to fulfill the mission and ministry of this congregation.

f. Adopt or terminate its official affiliation with any denomination, ministry association or organization. (Chapter 3)

g. Determine Membership and exercise the spiritual discipline of its members. (Chapters 5 and 9) h. Amend this Constitution and Bylaws. (Chapter 10) 

Chapter 5

Membership

1. Members of this Church shall be those recognized as members at the time this Constitution and Bylaws is adopted and those admitted in the future according to the following criteria:

a. Confirmed Members: those persons who have been received into membership by public confession of faith in Jesus Christ which includes affirmation of the Statement of Faith of Christ Church included in this Constitution and Bylaws. (Chapter 2).

2. A Member of this congregation shall be defined as any person who is a Confirmed Member of this congregation at the time , unless removed.   Members must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

3. Membership of this congregation shall be terminated by:

a. Death.

b. Resignation.

c. Removal and Disciplinary action.

 

Chapter 6

The Ministers

1. The Church Board has the authority to extend a Letter of Call to any pastor of its own choosing who affirms the Statement of Faith included in this Constitution and Bylaws. (Chapter 2)

2. A pastor of this congregation shall be an Ordained Minister who has met commonly held standards for clergy who are recognized and/or licensed as Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. The qualifications of a pastor called by this Church may include a seminary degree, certification or endorsement by any denomination, ministry association or organization with whom this congregation chooses to affiliate, which also affirms the Statement of Faith included in this Constitution and Bylaws.

4. This Church Board shall maintain its authority to ordain persons prepared for ministry through the “laying on of hands” as prescribed in the Scriptures.

5. This Church Board may use the term “pastor” to describe non-ordained staff that functions in the role of pastor.

6. The authority to extend a Letter of Call to an ordained pastor resides solely in the Church Board. (Chapter 6)

7. The process for identifying pastoral candidates shall be determined by that same Church Board. (Chapter 8)

8. When a Letter of Call is extended to an ordained pastor it implies a continuing mutual relationship with this congregation, unless a specific Term of Call is agreed upon or until that call is terminated.

9. The Letter of Call of an ordained pastor to this congregation shall be terminated automatically by:  a. Death of the pastor. b. Mutual agreement.c. Resignation of the pastor.  d. Merger with another congregation. e. Dissolution of this congregation. f. Retraction/Termination of that letter of call by the Church Board.

10. The Letter of Call of an ordained clergy to this congregation may be terminated by the Church Board.   Reasons to terminate the Letter of Call of an ordained pastor may include: a. Physical or mental incapacity. b. Disqualification on the basis of false doctrine, immorality or continued neglect of duty. c. Persistent strife, disruption and disunity in this congregation that is caused or supported by the pastor.  d. A refusal to submit to the authority of the Church Board as prescribed in this Constitution and Bylaws. e. Inability to continue to conduct the duties of the Letter of Call in this congregation as a result of local conditions which do not reflect on the competence or the moral and spiritual character of the pastor. f. or the loss of confidence in the clergy member by the Church Board. 

11. Duties of the pastor shall be determined in the initial Letter of Call in consultation with the Church Board and shall be consistent with the authority and responsibilities determined in this Constitution and Bylaws.

 

Chapter 7

Church Board and Officers 

1. The Chairman of the Church Board of Directors may authorize the appointment or removal of members of the Church Board, clergy, officers, and membership. 

2. The Chairman of the Church Board of Directors shall transact the legal and financial business of this congregation unless otherwise specified in this Constitution and Bylaws of this congregation at the time he chooses. 

3. The Church Board shall provide strategic leadership for this congregation that contributes to fulfilling its vision, mission and ministry.  

4. The Church Board of Directors shall consist of no less than four and no more than five members to serve until they resign or are removed by the Chairman of the Church Boar of Directors. 

5. The Board Attorney of the Church Board will hereby represent Templar Church as it’s Lawyer as directed to by the Chairman of the Church Board. 

6. Church Board of Director members currently consist of:  

Board Chairman: Timothy B. Jones

Templar Church Attorney: Bradford E. Cook: https://www.sheehan.com/attorneys/cook-bradford-e

 

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