Bylaws
of
CrossWay Baptist Church,
Murfreesboro, TN

The name of this organization shall be CrossWay Baptist Church (hereinafter referred to as “CrossWay” or “the Church”), a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Tennessee.

The mission of CrossWay Baptist Church is to see the lost saved and the save matured.

CrossWay affirms the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention at the 2000 Convention.

The Holy Bible is God’s Word. It is the supreme authority of all churches and all man-kind. As such, these Bylaws can neither adopt nor reject the Holy Bible as a governing document; instead CrossWay merely recognized its authority. CrossWay does not adopt a particular translation of the Holy Bible, however whenever possible the original intent in the original language should be considered the highest authority.

1. Subordinate to the Holy Bible, these Bylaws shall direct the organization and actions of CrossWay.
2. These Bylaws cannot contradict the Holy Bible.

1. Subordinate to these Bylaws, CrossWay shall maintain policies.
2. Policies cannot contradict the Holy Bible or these Bylaws and must be adopted through the process prescribed in these Bylaws.
3. If the adoption process herein is amended, the policies previously adopted shall still be authoritative as policies.
4. If the Bylaws are amended to contradicted a policy, the policy shall be null and void.
5. Policies shall be maintained in an organized fashion in an appendix to these Bylaws.

1. Subordinate to the duly-adopted policies, the staff may maintain procedures.
2. Procedures cannot contradict the Holy Bible, these Bylaws, or policies.
3. Procedures may be adopted and amended by the Elder Board or staff as needs arise.

1. The Board of Elders shall consist of an odd number of members not less than five (5) members. The specific number of Elders to comprise the Board of Elders shall be set in a policy.
2. Each member of the Board of Elders shall be called an Elder.
3. The Lead Pastor shall serve as the chairman of the Board of Elders.

An Elder shall be a man who is:

1. willing, (1 Peter 5:1-4)
2. above reproach, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
3. the husband of one wife, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
4. sober-minded, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
5. self-controlled, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
6. respectable, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
7. hospitable, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
8. a lover of good, (Titus 1:7-9)
9. upright, (Titus 1:7-9)
10. holy, (Titus 1:7-9)
11. disciplined, (Titus 1:7-9)
12. an example to the flock, (1 Peter 5:1-4)
13. able to teach, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
14. well thought of by outsiders, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
15. hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, (Titus 1:7-9)
16. manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
17. not be arrogant, (Titus 1:7-9)
18. not be a drunkard, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
19. not be violent but gentle, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
20. not be quarrelsome or quick-tempered, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9)
21. not be domineering over those in his charge, (1 Peter 5:1-4)
22. not be greedy for gain or a lover of money, (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4)
23. not be a recent convert, (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

1. Staff Elders would include, but is not limited to, the Lead Pastor. Staff Elders are those who are Elders by merit of their job description as an employee of CrossWay.
2. To hire a Staff Elder, an ad hoc Elder Search Committee must be formed, as prescribed herein.
   1. Prior to nominating the Elder Search Committee, the Nominating Committee must review pastor search guidance provided by the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC), specifically taking into consideration the committee selection process.
   2. The Nominating Committee may also reference other guidance such as that provided by the Texas Baptist Convention or other churches.
   3. Unless it is not possible, a Non-Staff Elder should be nominated to serve on the Elder Search Committee. A Staff Elder may not serve on the Elder Search Committee except where otherwise provided for herein.
   4. The Elders may call a Special Business Meeting as allowed herein to affirm the nominated Elder Search Committee.
3. The Elder Search Committee may not elect an Elder to server as the Committee Chairperson.
4. Elder search process
   1. Prior to the beginning of the search process, the Personnel Committee must compile a preliminary compensation package.
      1. The Personnel Committee must review pastor search guidance provided by the TBC.
      2. The Personnel Committee may also reference other guidance such as that provided by the Texas Baptist Convention or other churches.
      3. The Finance Committee must approve the compensation package.
   2. Prior to beginning the search process, the Elder Search Committee must review pastor search guidance provided by the TBC.
   3. The Elder Search Committee may also reference other guidance such as that provided by the Texas Baptist Convention or other churches.
   4. As much as possible, the Elder Search Committee shall follow the guidance provided by the TBC.
      1. Where it is not feasible to follow the guidance provided by the TBC, the Elder Search Committee shall present to the Board of Elders a plan outlining requested modifications for the Board of Elders to approve.
      2. Approved modifications to the TBC’s guidance shall be presented to the Church Council at the subsequent Church Council Meeting.
   5. Regular progress updates should be given to the church.
   6. Through the search process, Elder Search Committee shall select a single candidate to present to the church to vote upon.
5. The Board of Elders must call a Special Business Meeting to be held as soon as possible after the Elder Search Committee presents the candidate to the church.
   1. This meeting shall be immediately follow a regular Sunday morning worship service.
   2. The Elder Search Committee shall make a motion to call the presented candidate. If the compensation package requires a budget modification, this must be included in the motion.
   3. The vote must be conducted by a written, secret ballot.
   4. To call the candidate, three-fourths (¾) of the members-in-good-standing present and voting must vote in the affirmative.
   5. If the vote passes, the candidate will be called. If the candidate requests, he will be told the percentage voting in the affirmative.

1. If there is a vacancy on the Board of Elders, the remaining Elders must compile a list of all the qualified and willing candidates. This list is NOT to be an endorsement of any candidate(s).
2. The compiled list must be made accessible to the church members.
3. Church members may suggestion names of other church members to add to the list. The Elders will determine if those men suggested are qualified and willing to server as Elders.
4. The final list should be compiled no less than four (4) weeks after the initial list is released and no less than two (2) weeks prior to the election of Elders.
5. The election of an Elder:
   1. The election of an Elder shall occur at a single, regularly scheduled business meeting.
   2. Election of Elders shall be conducted by secret ballot.
   3. If there are six (6) or more candidates, each church member may vote for one (1) candidate for every three (3) candidates on the ballot; otherwise each member may vote for one (1) candidate.
   4. The candidate that receives a plurality of votes shall be presented to the church members to be affirmed as the Elder by a majority vote.
   5. If there is a tie, the election process is repeated with only the tied candidates on the ballot.

1. Except where otherwise specified in these Bylaws or duly adopted policies, the Board of Elders is collectively the highest decision making authority of CrossWay.
2. The Board of Elders shall meet monthly.
3. The monthly Board of Elders meeting shall be a closed meeting, unless someone is invited to speak to the Board.
4. The Board of Elders may choose to cancel, postpone, or reschedule meetings at the convenience of the Elders, however the Board may not go more than nine (9) weeks without meeting.
5. The Board of Elders must act in a timely manner regarding any issue that may incur an unexpected liability on CrossWay. If the Board of Elders are found negligent in this, the Elders may be held personally, civilly, and criminally liable.
6. Adhering to the stipulations of these Bylaws, the Elders may otherwise organize themselves as they deem necessary for the sake of simplicity, clarity of communication, and efficiency.
7. In solidarity with the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by these Bylaws, CrossWay holds that a marriage is be between one man and one woman as biologically defined at birth. As such, Elders may officiate only Biblically based convenient ceremonies that bless the union between one man and one woman as biologically defined at birth according to scripture.

1. A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Elders shall be three-fourths of the members of the Board of Elders. A quorum must be present for the Board of Elders to make decisions.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Elders must make a good-faith effort to inform all the Elders of the agenda prior to a meeting even if an Elder is not expected to be present.
3. All decisions made by the Board of Elders must be made by consensus, unless otherwise explicitly prescribed in these Bylaws.
4. Emergency decisions may be made by phone. A valid attempt must be made to contact all Elders. Consensus and quorum requirements are still applicable.
5. Emergency decisions made over the phone must be reevaluated and reaffirmed at the subsequent regular meeting.

1. The appointment of a Staff Elder is for an indefinite period, however all Elders must perform formal self and peer evaluations annually.
2. Non-Staff Elder term
   1. The term of a Non-Staff Elder shall end on January 1 at least thirty (30) months (2½ years) but no more forty-two (42) months (3½ years) from the date the term of office started.
   2. If the Non-Staff Elder is willing and able to continue for another term, the Elder may do so with a two-thirds majority affirmation vote at the regularly scheduled business meeting immediately prior to the conclusion of his term.
   3. There shall be no limit to the number of consecutive terms an Elder may serve.
3. If during his term, an Elder feels he is no longer willing or able to fulfill the requirements of the position, he may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the remaining Elders.
4. The forced removal of an Elder must follow the following steps; no steps may be skipped, but the process may be abandoned after any numbered bullet:
   1. Charges against an Elder must be brought to any member of the Elder Board by at least two (2) witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19-20).
   2. If necessary, an investigation must be conducted by the Board of Elders, excluding the accused Elder.
   3. The Board of Elders shall approach the accused Elder in a special-called, closed Elders meeting to present evidence and accusations.
   4. Presentation of accusations:
      1. The Board of Elders, excluding the accused Elder may ask for the accused Elder’s resignation.
      2. If the Elder refuses to resign, the meeting is adjourned.
      3. The Board of Elders, excluding the accused Elder may reconvene and vote to dismiss the Elder from the Board of Elders. The removal of an Elder requires a three-fourths (¾) vote of the other Elders.
      4. If an Elder is removed from the Board of Elders, this along with the findings of the Elders’ investigation must be announced at the subsequent Church Council and Business Meetings.
5. If employment is dependent upon Eldership, removal of Eldership also constitutes termination of employment.

Membership is not required for attendance in worship and small groups.

To become a member an individual must:

1. make a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior,
2. follow Christ in believers’ baptism,
3. attend a new member class as described in policy,
4. affirm church doctrine, and
5. receive an affirmation by the Board of Elders.

Members are expected to:

1. tithe,
2. regularly attend CrossWay church services,
3. regularly participate in schedule small groups (such as Connect Groups),
4. participate in a ministry area, and
5. strive to further the mission of CrossWay and perfection of personal holiness as described by scripture.

1. A member will lose status as “in good standing” by not being in attendance or support of the church for a period of six (6) months, not counting special services and events (such as Christmas, Easter, VBS) at the discretion of the Board of Elders.
2. After a member has lost good standing status, restoration to good standing status may be obtained by six (6) months of regular attendance and communication with the Elders requesting restoration. Restoration is at the discretion of the Board of Elders.

1. All member in good standing and only members in good standing may vote on matters of business in committees, Church Council, and church Business Meetings.
2. All members in good standing and only members in good standing may request to use the grounds, facility, and properties.

A member may be removed from the roster of members by

1. a transfer letter issued by an other Southern Baptist church,
2. a written request of withdrawal of membership from the member,
3. removal as a member not in good standing as allowed by policy, or
4. disciplinary actions as described in these Bylaws.

1. The Board of Elders shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the statement of faith and violations Section 4.2 - Section 4.4. If an Elder is subject of the disciplinary matter, see Section 3.7.
2. Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, that member is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restoration. This step should be exercised in the spirit of humility with the goal of restoration and preceded by self-examination.
3. If reconciliation is not reached, a second Member is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This step should also be exercised in the spirit of humility with the goal of restoration and preceded by self-examination.
4. If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections B and C have been taken, Board of Elders, as the church representatives Biblically responsible for maintaining unity, shall hear the matter.
   1. If the Board of Elders finds the reported offense as unmerited, the Board shall dismiss matter.
   2. If the Board of Elders finds the reported offense merited, the Board shall seek to facilitate a reconciliation between the members.
   3. If reconciliation is not reached, the Board of Elders shall remove the offending member from fellowship by a unanimous vote.
5. Any person whose membership has been terminated for reason of offense may be restored by the Elders if evidence of repentance and reformation is demonstrated.

1. A Committee Member is a decision making member of the Committee. If the Committee takes a vote, all Committee Members and only Committee Members ay vote.
2. A Member-at-Large is a non-voting part of the Committee. A Member-at-Large may be assigned to a Committee in an advisory role or an apprenticeship role.

1. Each Committee shall consist of five (5) Committee Members.
2. Committee Members must be:
   1. church members in good standing;
   2. active participants of CrossWay, which includes but is not limited to:
      1. Regular attendance,
      2. Tithing,
      3. Connect Group participation, and
      4. Fully supportive of the mission and vision of the Church and its pastor and other leadership; and
   3. full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. (Acts 6:3)
3. Each Committee shall select for itself from amongst its Members a Chairperson. A Committee Chairperson must:
   1. have a proven track record of faithfulness,
   2. be dignified,
   3. not be double-tonged,
   4. not be addicted to much wine,
   5. not be greedy for dishonest gain, and
   6. hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience (2 Timothy 3:8-13).
4. The selected Chairperson must be affirmed by the Board of Elders as meeting the requirements of a Committee Chairperson.
5. The expectation of families in the church is a spirit of like-mindedness; as such the spouse of a Chairperson should meet these criteria as well.
6. Each Elder may serve as a Member-at-Large on any Committee(s) he see fit.
7. The Board of Elders may appoint one (1) Member-at-Large to each Committee in addition to those provided for in these Bylaws.

1. When there are vacancies or expected vacancies in the Committees (resulting from periodic rotations, resignations, or removals) the Nominating Committee must convene to select qualifying church members to fill the vacancies.
2. The Nominating Committee must present their selected church members to the Elders for approval. If the Elder Board does not approve any of the selected members, the Nominating Committee must select another member for each of the affected vacancies.
3. At the next Business Meeting, the membership church members must affirm the selected Committee Members by a majority vote.
4. Appointments to Temporary Ad Hoc Committees are for the life of the committee; appointment to all other Committees are for three (3)-year terms.

1. A Committee member may terminate his or her appointment prior to completion by submitting a notice of resignation to the Committee Chairperson.
2. A Committee Chairperson may terminate his or her position as Chairperson or appointment to the Committee by submitting a notice of resignation to the Elder Board and the remaining Committee Members.
3. A Committee Member or Chairperson may be removed prior to the completion of the term of appointment by following the same process of removing a member found in Section 4.7.

1. There shall be three (3) types of Committees:
2. Standing Committees,
3. Non-Temporary Ad Hoc Committees, and
4. Temporary Ad Hoc Committees

Standing Committees are those Committees explicitly defined within these Bylaws. Standing Committees must be meeting regularly and functioning adequately. The Standing Committees and their respective responsibilities are:

1. Benevolence Committee
   1. The Committee shall provide for the physical needs of the church members as follows:
      1. The Committee should make a thorough study of all needs for assistance within the church membership. The Committee should work closely with the church staff, small group leaders, and members of the Church in locating and meeting these needs.
      2. The Committee shall determine available community agencies that provide various types of assistance. The Committee may refer persons to appropriate agencies as these agencies have help available.
      3. The Committee shall develop and maintain ministry policies to follow, including criteria for considering requests for help and investigation of all requests.
      4. The Committee shall periodically review and evaluate all assistance being provided.
      5. The Committee should involve Church members in benevolent ministries whenever possible.
   2. The Committee must provide for the physical needs of people outside the church membership as follows:
      1. The Committee shall refer individuals to local, active benevolent ministries.
      2. The Committee shall recommend appropriate ministries and monetary amount to contribute to through the annual budget.
   3. The Committee shall fulfill other benevolence duties as assigned by the Elders.
   4. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
2. Outreach and Missions Committee
   1. The Committee shall promote mission offerings (such as church mission fund and March to the Manger).
   2. The Committee shall promote missions activities (such as foreign and local missions trips).
   3. The Committee shall oversee outreach and missions events.
   4. The Committee shall fulfill other outreach and missions related duties as assigned by the Elders.
   5. The Committee may recruit and delegate authority to volunteers to accomplish these tasks as it deems necessary.
   6. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
3. In-Reach and Fellowship Committee
   1. The Committee shall be coordinate recruitment and staffing the greeters’ ministry.
   2. The Committee shall work in conjunction with the staff and ministers to facilitate new members’ classes.
   3. The Committee shall plan and execute church-wide fellowships.
   4. The Committee shall work with other Committees to facilitate hospitality as needed
   5. The Committee shall fulfill other in-reach and fellowship related duties as assigned by the Elders.
   6. The Committee may recruit and delegate authority to volunteers to accomplish these tasks as it deems necessary.
   7. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
4. Building and Grounds Committee
   1. The Committee shall be responsible for the upkeep of the physical plant, furnishings, and surrounding grounds.
   2. The Committee shall be responsible to maintain, repair, and develop new projects for the upkeep of the church properties.
   3. The Committee is responsible for overseeing of the security of the building before and after all services and all other activities.
   4. The Committee shall serve as the custodian of all assets that are not specifically under the purview of another Committee or Ministry area.
   5. The Committee shall fulfill other building and grounds related duties as assigned by the Elders.
   6. The Committee may recruit and delegate authority to volunteers to accomplish these tasks as it deems necessary.
   7. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
5. Budget and Finance Committee
   1. The Committee shall obtain input from other Committees and Ministry areas regarding their budget for the subsequent fiscal year. Taking this input into consideration along with the financial position of the church, the Committee shall draft an annual budget for the subsequent fiscal in accordance with Section 9.4.
   2. The Committee shall periodically review of spending patterns of the church to keep the various responsible parties accountable to the adopted budget.
   3. The Committee shall propose budget changes during the current fiscal year as needed according to the by-laws and policies.
   4. The Committee shall ensure bills and invoices duly incurred by the church a paid appropriately.
   5. The Committee shall ensure the accounting and financial records of the church are properly maintained.
   6. The Committee shall ensure appropriate financial statements and records are presented to the body and other entities as required.
   7. The Committee shall be responsible for the proper handling of all funds received by the church.
   8. The Committee shall fulfill other fiscal duties as assigned by the Elders.
   9. The Committee may recruit and delegate authority to volunteers to accomplish these tasks as it deems necessary.
   10. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
6. Personnel Committee
   1. The Committee shall serve as the Humans Resources entity of the church.
   2. The Committee shall be responsible for the hiring and termination of administrative employees.
   3. The Committee shall be responsible for proposing salaries for new hires or new positions, including ministerial positions.
   4. The Committee shall be responsible for proposing salaries for the upcoming for budget year, including ministerial positions.
   5. The Committee shall be responsible for fostering staff morale and development (such as staff anniversaries, birthdays, staff Christmas party).
   6. The Committee shall create and maintain job descriptions for administrative personnel.
   7. The Committee shall maintain job descriptions for ministerial personnel
   8. The Committee shall fulfill other personnel duties as assigned by the Elders.
   9. The Committee may recruit and delegate authority to volunteers to accomplish these tasks as it deems necessary.
   10. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.
7. Nominating
   1. The Committee shall fill the vacant Committee rolls as prescribed in Section 5.3.
   2. The Committee shall fill other volunteer positions as requested by the Elders, staff, or Ministry area leader.
   3. The Committee shall fulfill other nominating duties as assigned by the Elders.
   4. Chairperson or other Committee representative shall make monthly reports to the Church Council.

1. A Non-Temporary Ad Hoc Committee is a Committee established for an on going purpose but not described in these Bylaws.
2. A policy must be adopted for the establishment of a Non-Temporary Ad Hoc Committee. This policy must describe the duties and responsibilities of the Committee.

1. A Temporary Ad Hoc Committee is a Committee established for a specific task. The committee must dissolve once the task is completed.
2. A Committee Charter must be adopted for the establishment of a Temporary Ad Hoc Committee. The adoption of a Charter must follow same process as adopting a policy. The Charter must describe the duties and responsibilities of the Committee.
3. The Committee Charter will dissolve with the dissolution of the Committee at the completion of prescribed task.

1. The Church Council’s primary purpose is to be an advisory and communication body.
2. The only voting authority the Church Council has is specifically and explicitly enumerated in these Bylaws. Any other votes held by the Church Council are not binding.

1. Church Council shall consist of chairs of each Committee, staff, and other leaders of the church. Church council meetings are open to congregation.
2. Voting members of the Church Council are:
   1. Chairpersons of standing Committees,
   2. Chairpersons of non-temporary ad hoc Committees, and
   3. Non-Elder staff members.

1. Church Council should meet monthly on a regular schedule.
2. In the case of a vote, the business of Church Council shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order unless otherwise described in the governing documents.
3. The Elders may choose to cancel, postpone, or reschedule meetings at the convenience of the members of Church Council, however the Church Council may not go more than two (2) consecutive months without meeting.

1. Business Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order where these Bylaws do not otherwise direct conduct.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Elders shall act as the Moderator at Business Meetings.
3. The Board of Elders may appoint a Moderator Pro Tempore to moderate Business Meetings in the Chairman’s stead.
   1. The appointment of a Moderator Pro Tempore may be for a term of one (1) meeting up to one (1) year.
   2. There shall be no limit to the number of sequential terms a Moderator Pro Tempore may serve.
   3. A Moderator Pro Tempore may moderate a Business Meeting whether the Chairman is present at or not.
4. Voting in Absentia
   1. Members in Good Standing may vote in absentia on a motion presented for vote prior to the Business Meeting in which the motion will be voted upon. Absentia ballots may only be counted in the event the motion is not amended at the Business Meeting.
   2. To vote in absentia, a Member in Good Standing must write a letter containing the exact text of the motion and the member’s vote pertaining to that motion. The letter must be signed by the member and sealed in an envelope. The ballot must be turned into an Elder no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
   3. If the Elder has any question about the standing of the member, the Elder must contact the Board of Elders to discuss the members standing as described by these Bylaws. If the Board deems the member is not in Good Standing, the ballot must be discarded, and the member notified.
   4. Prior to vote, a list of Members in Good Standing whose absentia ballots have been approved by the Elders must be presented to the members present at the Business Meeting.
   5. After the vote, if the vote is a public vote (such as raise of hand or voice votes) the absentia ballots will be read to the members present. If the vote is a secret vote, the ballots will be destroyed and not read to any members.
5. Proxy or phone voting will not be allowed under any circumstances.

1. Regular Business Meetings will be held before or in conjunction with the Church Council meeting during the second month of each quarter.
2. The Elders may call a Special Business Meeting in conjunction with a regular church council meeting announced at least one service prior with a stated purpose. If the timing of a regular church council cannot suffice, then the Elders may call a Special Business Meeting with two (2)-week notice.

1. All employment positions shall be classified as either administrative or ministerial.
2. Every position must be created by a policy. This policy must state the classification of the position and contain the job description for the position.
3. Employees may not serve on the Personnel Committee.
4. An administrative employee that answers to a specific Committee shall serve on that Committee as a Member-at-Large and only as a Member-at-Large (for example the Financial Secretary shall be a Member-at-Large of Budget and Finance Committee).

1. The Personnel Committee, in coordination with the Senior Pastor, has the final approval authority for hiring and terminations for all administrative employees. This should not be construed to mean that the Board of Elders may not play a role in the hiring of administrative employees.
2. The Board of Elders has the final approval authority for hiring and terminations of ministerial employees. This should not be construed to mean that the Personnel Committee may not play a role in the hiring of ministerial employees.

The fiscal year shall end on December 31 each year.

1. Long-term debt, debt with a term longer than twelve (12) months, must be approved by a vote of the church at a Regular Business Meeting, except where otherwise allowed in this section.
2. At least two (2) weeks prior to the Business Meeting, the Board of Elders must announce and disclose the details of any debt to be presented for a vote.
3. Debt can only be authorized by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members-in-good-standing present and voting.
4. In an emergency situation, the Elders may approve up to $10,000 of debt for the church without preauthorization from the body.
5. If the Board of Elders emergency debt in an emergency situation, this must be announced at the subsequent Church Council Meeting and Business Meeting.

1. Each of Elder serve as a Trustee.
2. Any two (2) Trustees must sign promissory notes on behalf of CrossWay for duly authorized debt.
3. Any two (2) Trustees other than the credit card holder in question must sign credit card authorizations on behalf of CrossWay for duly authorized credit card holders.

1. The Budget serves as the spending authorization for each respective ministry area.
2. The Budget and Finance Committee must draft a Budget for the subsequent year.
3. The Committee must present their drafted Budget to the Board of Elders in a sufficient amount of time for the Elders to approve or reject the budget.
4. If the Board of Elders reject the budget the budget must be redrafted as necessary.
5. Both the Budget and Finance Committee must approve of the Budget before presenting to the church for affirmation.
6. The Elder-approved Budget must be presented to the Church Council at the October Church Council meeting. This is for information purposed only—no vote is required.
7. The Elder-approved Budget must then be presented at the November Business Meeting.
8. A majority of the members-in-good-standing present and voting must vote in the affirmative to affirm and adopt the Budget for the subsequent year.

1. A standing or non-temporary Committee may draft and approve a policy regarding items under the purview of that Committee.
2. The Committee must present the proposed policy to the Board of Elders.
3. The Board of Elders may:
   1. approve the policy as written.
   2. revise the policy and return it the Committee for its approval. The policy may be passed between these two (2) bodies until the policy is abandoned without approval or approved by both bodies.
4. The approved policy must be presented to the Church Council.
5. The policy will be effective immediately after the Church Council meeting where the policy was presented. This is for information purposes only, no approval by the Church Council is required.

1. The Board of Elders may draft and approve a policy regarding any issues relating to CrossWay, its business, or concerns.
2. If the policy topic falls under the purview of any Committee, the policy must be presented to that Committee.
3. The Committee may:
   1. approve the policy as written.
   2. revise the policy and return it the Board of Elders for its approval. The policy may be passed between these two (2) bodies until the policy is abandoned without approval or approved by both bodies
4. The approved policy must be presented to the Church Council.
5. The policy will be effective immediately after the Church Council meeting where the policy was presented. This is for information purposes only, no approval by the Church Council is required.

1. The Board of Elders may draft and approve a policy regarding any issues relating to CrossWay, its business, or concerns.
2. If the policy topic does NOT fall under the purview of any Committee, the policy must be presented to the Church Council at a regularly scheduled Church Council meeting.
3. The Church Council may discuss the policies and the implications thereof.
4. The Church Council may
   1. approve the policy as written by a majority vote of voting members present.
   2. reject the policy.
5. The approved policy must be presented to the church at the next quarterly Business Meeting.
6. The policy will be effective immediately after the Business Meeting where the policy was presented. This is for information purposes only, no approval by the church is required.

1. Recognizing polygamy was a practice in the New Testament day, the terminology husband of one wife refers to a man who is married to no more than one wife at a time. This should not be construed to refer to a remarried divorcee, a remarried widower, or a single man.
2. Ad hoc is a Latin phrase literally meaning “for this”. In broader terms, it means “formed, arranged, or done for a particular purpose only”. In parliamentary procedures, it refers to committees formed at the will of the organization, but explicitly required by organization rules (such as Bylaws).
3. A plurality vote describes the circumstance when a candidate or proposition polls more votes than any other, but does not receive a majority. For example, Candidate A received 10 votes; Candidate B receives 8 votes; and Candidate C receives 7 votes. To receive a majority a candidate must receive 13 of the 25 total votes (that is more than half), so Candidate A has received a plurality, but not a majority.
4. Consensus means general agreement. A consensus decision making process attempts to generate as much agreement as possible. All members should agree upon, or consent to, the decision, even if the decision is not the members’ first or favorite choice.
5. A moderator is similar to a president or chairperson as defined by Robert’s Rules of Order. The primary function of a Moderator is that he or she presides over meetings and sees that rules of order are followed appropriately. Unless otherwise endowed, the moderator has no other leadership authority.
6. Pro tempore, abbreviated pro tem or p.t., is a Latin phrase which best translates to “for the time being”. Pro tempore is often used to describe a person who acts as a locum tenens (placeholder) in the absence or in place of another.
7. Long-term debt refers to any debt that will be not be paid off within twelve (12) months of the current date. Conversely, current debt is debt that will be paid off within (12) months of the current date. The current portion of long-term debt is the amount of the principle of long-term debt that will be paid off within twelve (12) months of the current date.

1. Any grounds or facilities own or managed by the church may not be used for any purpose contradictory to the Mission of the church.
2. In solidarity with the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by these Bylaws, we hold that a marriage is be between one man and one woman as biologically defined at birth. As such, any grounds or facilities belonging to CrossWay shall not be used for ceremonies or celebrations which conduct or condone a marriage or union except those between one man and one woman as biologically defined at birth.

1. Officer positions defined herein have no additional authorities, but shall be used for various external reporting purposes such as the bank or legal filings with the State or Federal government.
2. The office of President shall be held by the Chairman of the Board of Elders.
3. The office of Secretary shall be held by the Financial Secretary or equivalent. The Secretary need not be a member of the Church.
4. The office of Clerk shall be appointed by the Board of Elders. The Clerk shall keep the minutes Business meetings.

1. The Board of Elders must present a proposed amendment to the Church Council at a meeting that is not in conjunction with a Business Meeting.
2. The Board of Elders must present the same proposed amendment as a motion at the next regular Business Meeting.
3. There may be discussion at that meeting, but the motion must be tabled until the next regular Business Meeting before the body can vote on it.
4. If there is a motion passes to amend the amendment prior to adoption, the amended motion must be tabled until the next Business Meeting before the body can vote on it.
5. This motion, amended or not, may pass with a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members-in-good-standing present and voting.

1. Any member-in-good-standing may present a proposed amendment to the Church Council at a meeting that is not in conjunction with a Business Meeting.
2. The Church Council must vote on the proposed amendment. A proposed amendment shall be considered approved by the Church Council if two-thirds of the voting Church Council members voting and present vote to approve the amendment.
3. The Church Council must present the approved amendment as a motion at the next regular Business Meeting.
4. There may be discussion at that meeting, but the motion must be tabled until the next regular Business Meeting before the body can vote on it.
5. If there is a motion passes to amend the amendment prior to adoption, the amended motion must be tabled until the next Business Meeting before the body can vote on it.
6. This motion, amended or not, may pass with a three-fourth (¾) majority of those members-in-good-standing present and voting.