PART I — CONSTITUTION
Preamble
Believing it to be the will of
God that the followers of Jesus Christ associate themselves in fellowship for
mutual encouragement, for public worship, and for active ministry and
evangelism, the Taipei International Church will give the adherents of any
denomination from all parts of the world a Christian church in which they may
worship God. We also believe that an international community of believers
should fulfill its discipleship through cooperative service with other Christian
ministries in Taiwan. Therefore, we hereby declare the following to be the plan
and constitution upon which this church is organized.
Article 1 - Name
This church shall be known as the Taipei International Church.
Article 2 - Statement of Faith
This church accepts the Bible
as the revealed Word of God, and the Apostles’ Creed as its statement of faith.
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and seek to fulfill our common
calling to glorify the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Article 3 - Membership
Section 1. The Taipei
International Church is a part of the Church Universal which is one body in
Christ. Therefore, all persons without regard to race, color, national origin
or economic condition shall be eligible to attend its worship services, to
participate in its programs, and, when they take the appropriate vows, be
admitted into its membership.
Section 2. Membership in
Taipei International Church need not affect primary membership in a
congregation elsewhere. Membership shall automatically cease on permanent
departure from the Taipei area, or after non-attendance of one year.
Section 3. Prospective members
shall be helped to understand the privileges and responsibilities of
membership, and after being duly baptized in this church or elsewhere shall be
introduced to the congregation, at which time they shall be received into
membership, being asked to accept these privileges and responsibilities,
including an affirmative answer to the question, “Do you accept Jesus Christ as
your Savior and Lord, and will you be loyal to this church and uphold this
congregation by your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service?”
Article 4- The Church Council
Section 1. The governing body of the church shall be known as
the council. It shall consist of church members, including:
5 to 9 Elected Elders,
Chairpersons of Ministry Teams,
Pastoral Staff,
Treasurer.
All members except the Pastoral
Staff and the Elected elders will serve one-year terms beginning January 1. The
Elected Elders will serve a three-year term and may be re-elected after one
year break.
Section 2. The church council
will elect at its organizational meeting in December the following officers,
chosen from the elected elders:
President
Vice-president
Secretary
The chairpersons and
vice-chairpersons of the ministry teams will be approved by the congregation at
the annual congregational meeting in November.
Section 3. In the absence of a
ministry team chairperson, the respective vice-chairperson shall have the right
to vote.
Section 4. The pastoral staff
are elders by virtue of their role and office. In addition to them, elders
shall be elected from the congregation on the basis of their spiritual maturity
and Biblical qualifications (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).
These elected elders shall represent the interests of the congregation as a
whole to the council, and shall be responsible for the care of the pastoral
staff.
Section 5. The church council
will appoint a church treasurer.
Section 6. The church council
has the authority to appoint members from the congregation to fill unexpired
terms until the next congregational meeting.
Section 7. It is the
responsibility of the church council to approve all congregational programs of
all ministry teams.
Section 8. Council shall
approve the recommendations of the finance committee for major purchases and
rental contracts.
Section 9. Whenever necessary,
council shall appoint a pastoral search committee to find, investigate, and
present a pastor to the council and congregation for their approval.
Section 10. A quorum of the
church council shall be one third of voting members.
Article 5 - Fiscal Year
The church’s fiscal year shall
be January 1 - December 31.
Article 6 - Ministry Teams
Section 1. There shall be the following ministry teams:
1. Christian Education
2. Gateway Women’s Ministry
3. Hospitality and Fellowship
4. Membership and Evangelism
5.
Missions
6. Stephen Ministry
7. Stewardship &Finance
8. Tagalog Fellowship
9. Worship
10. Youth
Section 2. Membership of the
ministry teams shall be drawn from the constituency of the church, but the
chairpersons and vice chairpersons of each ministry team shall be members of
the church. The elected ministry team leaders are encouraged to recruit
additional team members as needed.
Section 3. Other ministry teams may be appointed by the
church council as necessary.
Article 7 - The Pastoral Staff
Section 1. The pastoral staff
shall help us relate the truth of the scriptures to our daily lives and will
challenge us to reach others for Christ; they will be open to experimental and
imaginative types of ministry and outreach; they will be able to challenge
laypersons to share their faith in word and deed; they will be able to
reconcile a variety of theological viewpoints. The senior pastor will direct
the ministries of the church and any other pastors and staff.
Section 2. Each member of the
pastoral staff shall be called upon the recommendation of the church council and
a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at a duly
announced congregational meeting for that purpose.
Section 3. The service and
remuneration of the pastoral and other staff shall be reviewed annually in a
joint meeting of the personnel committee (see Part II, Article 2 Section 2) and
the stewardship& finance ministry team. They shall recommend continuing
leadership and remuneration arrangements for council action in February each
year, to be effective April 1.
Section 4. In the event of the
resignation of the senior pastor, the council shall appoint a pastoral search
committee whose responsibility shall be to find and recommend a pastoral
candidate to the council and congregation.
Section 5. Any serious
criticism of any member of the pastoral staff shall be brought first to the
elected elders with the pastoral staff member being given opportunity to
respond to the criticism. Only if a satisfactory resolution is not possible
shall the matter be taken to the council. A two-thirds majority vote in a
secret ballot of the members present at a duly announced congregational meeting
shall be required to continue the services of the staff member under conditions
of serious criticism and controversy.
Section 6. The senior pastor
shall be responsible for the day to day use of the church facilities.
Article 8 - Congregational
Meetings
Section 1. There shall be at
least one congregational meeting annually: to be held by December 1 to approve
members of council and the annual budget.
Section 2. The names of
proposed council members and the proposed budget shall be submitted to the
congregation at least two weeks in advance of the November congregational
meeting.
Section 3. Other meetings, as
necessary, may be called by the church council or on written request of ten
percent or more members of the church.
Such meetings must be announced in writing at least two weeks prior to
being convened; the announcement must include the agenda.
Section 4. Any participant of
the congregation may attend a congregational meeting but only members of the
church who are least 18 years old may vote or be elected to an office.
Section 5. The president and
secretary of the church council shall be the president and secretary of all
congregational meetings.
Article 9 - Nominations and
Elections
Section 1. Nominees for all
elective offices shall be made by the nominating committee and approved by
council before being presented for congregational vote.
Section 2. The nominating
committee shall consist of the senior pastor, the president of the council, and
two men and two women who need not be council members. The committee shall be
selected by the council president and confirmed by the church council. The
senior pastor will serve as chairperson.
Section 3. Elections shall be
held at the November congregational meeting, with the list of nominations
presented to the congregation at least two weeks in advance.
Article 10 - Amendments
Section 1. Amendments shall be made upon a two-thirds
majority vote of members present at a congregational meeting.
Section 2. In addition to announcement in the church
bulletin and/or newsletter two weeks prior to the meeting, copies of all
amendments and agenda shall be mailed to all members at their latest address as
shown in the church directory at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which
they are to be considered.
Section 3. Amendments may
originate in church groups or organizations or may be proposed by individuals.
They shall be presented to the church council for study prior to presentation
at a congregational meeting.
PART II — BYLAWS
Article 1 - Duties of Church
Officers
Section 1. President: The
president will preside at all meetings of the church council and will act as
spokesperson for the council.
Section 2. Vice President: The
vice president will serve as president during the absence of the president.
Section 3. Secretary: The secretary will arrange for the
recording and distribution of minutes of all council and congregational
meetings and keep such records of council and congregational decisions and
actions as necessary.
Article 2 - Duties of Elders
Section 1. The elders,
including the pastoral staff, shall function as leaders and shepherds of the
church. Meetings of the elders will be chaired by the senior pastor, or by the
president of the council in the absence of the senior pastor.
Section 2. The elected elders
and the treasurer will provide support and accountability for the pastoral
staff. They will serve as the personnel committee for the church. In this
capacity, they will be responsible, in conjunction with the finance and
stewardship ministry team, for an annual performance evaluation of all paid
staff and recommendations to the council with regard to continuing service and
remuneration.
Article 3 - Duties of Treasurer
The treasurer will perform all
normal functions attendant to the office including reporting financial
condition of the church to the council and be a member of the Stewardship and
Finance Ministry Team.
Article 4 - Duties of the
Ministry Teams
Section 1. Duties of the
ministry teams shall be as follows :
1. Christian Education: Develop
and administer an effective and meaningful Sunday school program for all ages,
including a nursery and children’s church program; maintain the availability of
Christian resources to be purchased or loaned on Sunday mornings. Encourage the
development of a variety of small groups in the congregation and provide
leadership training for these groups as appropriate.
2. Gateway Women’s
Ministry:Gateway Women’s Ministry of TIC exists to serve the personal and
spiritual needs of the women of the church and the community. Through mentoring
and encouragement women are empowered for service. These goals will be achieved
through the following four ministry areas: Spiritual development and
fellowship, outreach, caring and special events.
3. Hospitality and Fellowship:
Furnish and serve refreshments for the post-worship fellowship periods and
coordinate with other ministry teams when appropriate. Plan and coordinate one
or more church retreats annually to encourage deeper fellowship and spiritual
growth. Plan and arrange for other events such as Christmas dinner and Easter
breakfast.
4. Membership and Evangelism:
Invite people to attend TIC; coordinate the welcome and assimilation of
newcomers into the congregation; encourage Christian attenders to become
members of TIC; encourage seekers to become followers of Christ and baptized
members of our fellowship; coordinate the signing and presentation of scrolls
when people leave the congregation.
5. Missions: Coordinate
congregational support, with council review and approval, of Christian workers
and mission projects in Taiwan and internationally. Encourage communication
between congregation and supported persons and projects. Arrange special
offerings, with council approval, and encourage congregational involvement in
local Christian service opportunities.
6. Stephen Ministry: A program
that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to
those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in
our congregation and in the community.
7. Stewardship
&Finance: a) Develop within the
church an awareness of the full importance and meaning of Christian
stewardship. With the assistance of the treasurer will prepare an annual budget
and direct the enlistment of pledges of individuals to fulfill the budget
objectives. In addition, responsible for monitoring expenses against budget; b)
Arrange for an audit or church financial records at least yearly and whenever
there is a change in church treasurer; and c) Acquire and maintain all
furniture, furnishings, and movable property of the church, including
maintaining an accurate inventory record of such properties and advise the
church/s office manager where to file this information. Acquisition or rental
of premises must be reviewed by this Ministry Team and presented to the council
for final decision.
8. Tagalog Fellowship: A group
of Tagalog-speaking Christians established as a part of Taipei International
Church for the purpose of promoting Christian worship, education, evangelism,
fellowship, stewardship, and discipleship among its membership, primarily in
the Tagalog language. The Tagalog Fellowship is established by and under the
direct financial and operational authority of Taipei International Church as
vested in the TICCouncil. The purpose and objectives of the Tagalog Fellowship
shall be specified in its by-laws and shall be carried out in accordance with
the provisions and conditions of these by-laws.
9. Worship: Assist the pastor in developing and leading
the congregation in meaningful worship services, including special services
such as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise. Arrange music, ushering, and set up
and preparation for services, including communion. Coordinate the signing and
presentation of scrolls when people leave the congregation.
10. Youth: A ministry to 6-12
grade English-speaking youth for the purpose of promoting Christian worship,
evangelism, fellowship, stewardship and discipleship. These individuals will
meet in their respective groups according to their needs.
Section 2. Each ministry team
shall maintain a permanent notebook of the responsibilities, functions, and
activities which shall be given to the new chairperson before the first council
meeting in January.
Article 5 - Amendments
Section 1. The bylaws shall be
amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at a congregational
meeting. Proposed amendments shall be
submitted in writing to the chairman of council and reported on at the next
meeting of the council.
Effective: January 1, 1972
Amended: July 1, 1972
Amended: November 24, 1974
Amended: December 11, 1983
Amended: March 27, 1994
Amended: March 28, 1999
Amended: December 5, 1999
Amended: November 26, 2000
Amended: April 1, 2001
Amended: December 2, 2001
Amended: April 14, 2002
Amended: March 28, 2004
Amended: December 8, 2013
© Copyright 2014, Taipei
International Church (TIC)
