Oversight-Bylaws that Illustrate Function of Overseer

Role of oversight team in reference to congregation, pastor, and elders including selection and evaluation of leaders

Sample prepared from excerpts of complete bylaws

4.05 APOSTOLIC OVERSIGHT TEAM When Jesus was upon this earth, he fulfilled several offices or ministries. The Scriptures identify him as Lord, Savior, King, High Priest, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher (Matt. 21:4; Mark 1:15; Luke 2:11; 24:19; John I0:11; 13:13; Heb. 3:1; I Peter 5:4). The first four of these were unique to Jesus. The last five he specifically left with the church when he ascended to the Father. These have become known as the five-fold ascension gift ministries, Their function is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13). All of these ministries are vital to the health of the body. Two of them, apostles and prophets, are important in laying foundations (Eph. 2:19-20).

A. DESCRIPTIONS AND DUTIES

1. To lay a spiritual foundation, both initially and ongoing;

2. To equip leaders in their ministries and spiritual gifts;

3. To bring clarity to the Word of God and doctrinal issues, root out and correct falsehoods;

4. To expand vision;

5. To be a peacemaker, laboring for harmony and unity;

6. To provide encouragement, accountability, and wisdom to the Elders and strengthen congregational life through counsel and teaching;

7. To collaborate with the Elders as indicated throughout these bylaws;

8. To be available in times of transition or crisis in leadership or congregational life;

9. Individual members of the Apostolic Oversight Team may be consulted, or they may visit and minister in the congregation as desired and agreed upon by the individual member and the Elders. At least once within each two-year period the full Apostolic Oversight Team shall convene to review the life of the congregation, conduct an evaluation of the leadership, including the Pastor, other ministry staff, and the Elders, and to help the elders discern the ongoing vision and direction of the congregation and its mission. A summary of this evaluation will be given to the members of this church;

10. All members of the Apostolic Oversight Team shall be reasonably compensated for their labors in the church (I Corinthians 9:1-12).

B. QUALIFICATIONS

1. They shall have proven Christian character as described in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

2. They shall have one or more of the ascension ministry anointings of the Holy Spirit as an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher;

3. They shall be in accountable relationships where they are well known, and their ministry given oversight;

4. They shall hold a common vision for the local church with the Elders of this church.

C. NUMBER There will be a minimum of two persons from outside this church, at least one of whom will have a recognized apostolic minist1y and at least one of whom will have a recognized prophetic ministry. They will serve along with the Pastor as the Apostolic Oversight Team.

D. SELECTION The Elders, in consultation with the continuing members of the Apostolic Oversight Team, shall lead the search process for any new members of the Apostolic Oversight Team. New members will be called when there is a vacancy created through resignation or removal, or when the Elders and the Apostolic Oversight Team deem that a new member is needed. Any candidate presented to the covenant membership for consideration shall be affirmed in the same manner as are elders. See Section 4.03.

E. TERM The term for members of the Apostolic Oversight Team shall be four years. There is no limit to the number of terms that can be served. The purpose of terms is to give regular intervals for evaluation and reassessment, a process to be conducted by the Elders, in consultation with the continuing members of the Apostolic Oversight Team.

F. RELEASE OR REMOVAL Members of the Apostolic Oversight Team may be released by mutual consent of the person involved and the Elders, or be dismissed by the Elders for reasons of:

1. Persistent doctrinal error, or
2. Misconduct in reference to the Biblical qualifications for an overseer.

If a situation occurs that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, then the final decision to resolve the difference will be made by the Elders, who will follow the general pattern for decision making as stated in Section 4.01 (F).

F. DECISION MAKING Decision making in the church is neither autocratic (one-person rule) nor democratic (majority rule) but is theocratic (God ruled). Our motivation is to hear Jesus Christ speak in our midst in a circle of discernment (Matt. 18:20). The specific circle of discernment depends upon the nature of the decision to be made. Decisions will be made by consensus wherever and whenever possible. Consensus is defined not as everyone being in full agreement, but rather as reaching that place of sufficient agreement that the group can move forward in a healthy manner, and where those not in full agreement are willing to defer to the group.

1. Any decision that requires discernment is brought to those who have responsibility for the area of church life that the decision is being made in. When the issue being discerned overlaps with the responsibilities of other groups within the church, the leaders of the involved spheres form a circle of discernment to deal with matters that affect them.
2. In matters pertaining to the entire church, a general pattern emerges in Scripture:

1. The selection of personnel to serve and represent the entire church involves the entire church in the decision-making process. (Acts 6:1-7; 15:22; 2 Cor. 8:18-19; Acts 14:23) [Note that the word translated “appointed” in Acts 14:23 means “to vote by raising the hand.” Paul and Barnabas gave direction to the process, but the church participated in the decision. This same word is used in 2 Cor. 8:19, where it is clear that the church participated in the selection process.]

2. Decisions related to doctrine and policy rest with the Elders and the Apostolic Oversight Team (Acts 16:4-5). These leadership bodies are free to involve the rest of the congregation as they deem appropriate, balancing the need for both efficiency and consensus.

3. While decisions related to finances are not addressed directly in Scripture, all major financial decisions, such as affirmation of the annual budget and other major expenditures, will involve the entire church. Those who provide the finances have the right of participation in decisions related to them.

4. Given that wise discernment is a function of maturity, only those covenant members age 16 and older will participate in decision making processes of the church that involve a vote. All covenant members, regardless of age, have the responsibility to give their discernment in all areas of church life involving them.
5. Decision making parallels accountability. Small groups will deal with issues that pe1tain to the group. If they are unable to solve the issue, they will then take it to their supervisor. If they are unable to solve it with the help of the supervisor, the issue will be taken to their pastor. If unsuccessful there, it will go to the Elders, and then, if necessary, to the Apostolic Oversight Team. This same process applies to ministry teams and other groups, with the people carrying the responsibility involved.

6. Since “all the saints have feet of clay,” and have not yet been perfected, there may be occasions where consensus may not be attained. When the congregation is unable to reach consensus on a matter in their circle of discernment, the matter is referred to the Elders for further discernment and direction. In the event that a consensus of the Elders is not reached on a matter and a vote is required, each Elder shall be entitled to one vote in person and not by proxy, on all matters that come before them. The act of a majority of the Elders shall be the act of the Elders. If a consensus cannot be reached, the issue may be brought to the Apostolic Oversight Team by any member of the Elders. Again, an attempt at consensus would be made with the Elders, but if consensus cannot be reached, a vote shall be taken by the Apostolic Oversight Team, excluding the Pastor, either in person or by signed proxy, and a unanimous vote by the Apostolic Oversight Team shall decide the issue at hand. If the vote is not unanimous, the original vote of the elders shall take effect.

4.03 ELDER SELECTION Any number of elders may be chosen from the covenant membership of the church. The existing Elders give direction to the selection process for new Elders, in consultation with the Apostolic Oversight Team. The Pastor will serve as an elder by vi1tue of the position held. Elders shall be chosen such that salaried staff members shall always be a minority among the elders.

4.04 PASTOR

C. TERM The purpose of the terms is to give regular intervals for evaluation and re-assessment.

1. The term of the Pastor shall be four years, and there is no limit to the number of terms that can be served.

2. The Apostolic Oversight Team, in consultation with the elders, shall evaluate the ministry of the Pastor at the midpoint of each four-year term. The Apostolic Oversight Team, in consultation with the elders, shall determine the process for this midterm evaluation.

3. At the completion of each four-year term, the Apostolic Oversight Team, in consultation with the elders, shall discern how to lead the congregation in an evaluation process of the pastor that will involve the covenant membership. See Section 4.05 (A)(9)

4. SELECTION The Elders, in consultation with the Apostolic Oversight Team, shall lead the search process for a new Pastor. They may appoint a separate search committee if they choose. Any candidate presented to the covenant membership for consideration shall be affirmed in the same manner as are elders. See Section 4.03.

D. DISCIPLINE In the event the Pastor shall have serious charges preferred against him by two (2) witnesses of heresy, immorality, unethical financial activities, or serious failure to faithfully fulfill the duties of the pastoral office, the matter shall be brought to the Pastor by the individuals having knowledge of such activity. The individuals preferring the charge shall first make the charge in private to the Pastor. If the Pastor refuses to hear the individuals, then the matter is to be brought before all of the Elders of the Church. If one­ third (1/3) of the Elders agree that the charges have merit, then they shall bring it to the attention of the Apostolic Oversight Team. The Apostolic Oversight Team may send a team of its choosing to the church for the purpose of resolving the matter. The apostolic team may meet with any member or group in the church in the process of considering the charges against the Pastor. The apostolic team, with the Elders, shall judge the charges and develop a plan for meeting the situation. This plan may require a sabbatical, remove the Pastor permanently from his office, or fashion and oversee any necessary program of discipline aimed at restoring the Pastor to his ministry and office. They may also deal with any other member of the congregation as may be necessary under the circumstances. The Pastor carries no vote or veto power in these proceedings.

F. INTERIM PROVISIONS In the event that the church is temporarily without a Pastor due to resignation or death, or during the pendency of any proceedings under this section, the Elders, in consultation with the Apostolic Oversight Team, shall appoint an Interim Pastor to provide day to day leadership to the church. The Elders, in cooperation with the Apostolic Oversight Team, shall be responsible for seeing that the pulpit and spiritual ministries of the church shall be continued in a spiritual fashion during the vacancy or during the pendency of any proceedings under this section. Any vacancy covered by this section shall be filled as expeditiously as is feasible.