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By-Laws of the Hickory Church of Christ

I. NAME: The name of this society, as set forth in its certificate of incorporation, recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of Oconto County, Wisconsin, on the 27th day of August 1953, is the HICKORY CHURCH OF CHRIST.

II. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Congregation is to carry out, to the extent of its ability, the Great Commission of our Lord:

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

III. MEMBERSHIP: Any person may become a member of this Congregation who has “put on Christ” in the manner prescribed in the New Testament, namely:

A. By Believing in Christ:

Acts 16:31

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

B. By Repentance:

Luke 13:3

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Acts 2:38

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 17:30

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

C. By Confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God:

Matthew 10:32

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

Luke 12:8

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

Romans 10:10

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

D. By being Buried in the “Waters of Christian Baptism”:

Acts 2:38-39

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Romans 6:3-6

3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

Colossians 2:12

having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

1 Peter 3:21

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Galatians 3:27

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Every person who has thus put on Christ has the assurance that he (or she) has been added by the Lord to His church and may if he (or she) so desires associate himself (or herself) with this Congregation of the Church of Christ by signifying such desire by letter or statement.

Acts 2:47

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There is placed here also a record of the action of the official board of the Hickory Church of Christ at a regular monthly session, held on the 3^rd day of February in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred Fifty Three, as follows:

“Feeling the need of a re-affirmation of our faith, do hereby affirm: That we believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and that after a careful and prayerful examination of the Holy Bible, we find that Jesus Christ, Our Lord, lived on earth. That He was crucified, buried in the tomb, and arose from the grave, and that we, following the direction of the Holy Bible, believe in Him as the Son of God, (Matthew 16:16). That we repent of our sins, (Acts 2:38). That we confess Him before men, (Matthew 16:16-19). That we be buried with Him by baptism into His death, (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4). To arise to a life, directed by the Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:38). This new life to be one of love, obedience, service and fellowship: That following the direction of our Lord, in the night in which He was betrayed, (Mark 14:22-25) we shall partake of the emblems representing His body and His blood according to the direction given by the inspired writer (Acts 20:7), thus remembering His death until He shall return.”

“We further find that the Kingdom of God on earth has been preserved by a tithe, or one tenth of the material possessions of the citizens of the Kingdom. That this tithe was approved by God, that it began with Abraham (Genesis 14:20). That it was carried on by Jacob (Genesis 28:22), and then by the Children of Israel, being incorporated as a part of the Law of Moses. It was the last thing mentioned in the Old Testament by the Prophet Malachi, (Malachi 3:10), and was approved by Jesus Christ, (Matthew 23:23). In conformity with these directions of the inspired Word of God, we sanction and recommend to the Congregation of the Hickory Church of Christ that we go on record and be known as a tithing Church. We are also informed by the Holy Scriptures that tithing is an obligation and that any offering above that amount is an offering of love. This is not a document of force, but a letter of love, sent forth in the Spirit of Christ to direct His people to a full and complete fellowship with Him.”

“It is our wish that this letter be kept in the church records permanently, and that a copy less the signatures, be given to each member of the Congregation.”

IV. OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION: The Officers of the Congregation shall consist of Elders, Minister (s), Deacons, Deaconesses, Trustees, Sunday School Superintendent, Mission Representative, Church Treasurer and a Church Clerk. They shall be selected by the Congregation from among their number, for their fitness to discharge these duties and the duties of their respective offices.

V. QUALIFICATIONS:

ELDERS: There shall be at least two Elders of the Congregation, if there are members who are qualified to hold such office according to the Pastoral Epistles.

MINISTER(S): Minister(s) shall be chosen from among men deemed qualified by the standard set forth in I and II Timothy. The Minister(s) shall be sought out by the Elders and approved by the Congregation by a 75% majority of those casting ballots. The term of service shall be indefinite. Termination of service shall be subject to sixty (60) days notice served by either party, though a shorter period may be established by mutual consent.

DEACONS: Deacons shall be chosen if there are members qualified to hold such office according to the qualifications stated in I Timothy 3. The number of Deacons is to be determined by the Congregation at the Annual Meetings.

DEACONESSES: Women of good standing may be appointed to specific acts of service in keeping with Christian doctrine respecting the place of women in the affairs of the Church. The number of Deaconesses is to be determined by the Congregation at the Annual Meetings.

TRUSTEES: There shall be at least three (3) Trustees of the Congregation as required by Section 187.01 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: The Sunday School Superintendent shall be chosen by the Congregation from among nominees submitted by the Sunday School Board, approved by the Elders.

MISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE: The Missions Representative shall be chosen by the Congregation from among nominees submitted by the Missions Board, approved by the Elders.

CHURCH CLERK AND TREASURER: The members shall select at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, a Church Clerk and a Church Treasurer. These offices may be held by one and the same person if members so decide.

VI. DUTIES

ELDERS: The Elders shall discharge the duties of their office as set forth in the New Testament Scriptures, among which duties are the general superintendence over the spiritual welfare of the flock (I Peter 5:2); the work of teaching, both publicly and privately (I Thessalonians 5:12; Titus 1:9; I Timothy 5:17); the work of visiting the sick (James 5:14); be hospitable in receiving strangers and others as circumstances require (I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). They shall make a sincere effort to live according to the requirements set forth in the inspired Word (I Timothy 3:8-14; Titus 1:5-16) and shall strive to uphold the preaching of God’s Word in its fullness.

MINISTER(S): The Minister(s) shall serve as the resident evangelist(s) of the Church. He shall act as spiritual advisor and counselor to the Congregation and in harmony with the spiritual oversight of the Eldership in such matters. He shall function as an administrator of the business affairs of the Church and act under the authority of the Church Board in such matters. He will be a planning advisor to the board and all committees thereof and there under.

He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, groups and organizations of the Church, including the Church Board, with voting privileges on said Church Board, in all matters except the matter of continuing or discontinuing the Minister’s services and other matters pertaining to the office of Minister.

DEACONS: Deacons shall discharge the duties of their office as set forth in the New Testament Scriptures and sincerely endeavor to live by God’s Word. They shall work with and under the Elders to advance the cause of Christ and His Church.

DEACONESSES: Their duties shall be such as may arise at any time in connection with the work of the Church. They are to work with and under the Elders to advance the cause of Christ and His Church.

TRUSTEES: The Trustees shall have the custody and control of the corporate property and may receive, mortgage, sell or dispose of the same for the purposes of the corporation and no other and subject always to these By-Laws and to the control of the membership.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: The affairs of the Education Department shall be under the oversight of the Sunday School Superintendent, subject to the oversight of the Elders.

MISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE: The Missions Representative shall report to the Congregation, the affairs of Missions, home and abroad.

CHURCH CLERK: It shall be the duty of the Church Clerk to make and keep in a permanent record book, accurate and complete records of the Church membership and of all baptisms, births, deaths and weddings in the congregation: also all the acts and doings of the meetings of the members and of the Church Board. He (she) shall be the custodian of the general records of the Church and shall report to the Meetings of the Congregation and of the Board as called upon.

CHURCH TREASURER: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, disburse and account for all the receipts, moneys and funds of the church, pursuant to direction of the Meetings of the Congregation and of the Board.

VII. ADDITIONAL DUTIES: Each of the Officers of the Church shall perform such other duties not herein provided for as the meetings of the Board or the Meetings of the Congregation shall from time to time require.

VIII. TERMS OF OFFICE:

ELDERS: To be elected for terms of three (3) years.

TRUSTEES: To be elected for terms of three (3) years.

DEACONS: To be elected for terms of two (2) years.

DEACONESSES: To be elected for terms of two (2) years.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: To be elected for a term of one (1) year.

MISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE: To be elected for a term of one (1) year.

CHURCH CLERK: To be elected for a term of one (1) year.

CHURCH TREASURER: To be elected for a term of one (1) year.

IX. FAILURE TO ELECT: All officers of the Church shall continue in office for the term for which they are elected.

X. VACANCIES IN OFFICE: Vacancies in office shall be filled at any regular or special Meetings of the Congregation for the unexpired term of the office so vacant.

XI. ANNUAL MEETING: The Annual Meeting of the Congregation shall be held in the month of __________ in each year at the time and place to be stated in the call therefore. The call may be made by the Elders or upon written request of at least five (5) members.

XII. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special Meetings of the Congregation may be called by the Elders or upon written request of at least five (5) members, stating the purpose for which the meeting should be called.

XIII. NOTICE OF MEETINGS: Notice of the time and place of any Annual or Special Meeting of the Congregation shall be given by public announcement at any regular meeting of the Church for morning worship. Such notice shall be given at least two (2) Sundays before the holding of any Annual or Special Meeting.
Emergency Meetings of the Congregation may be called by the Elders or upon written request of at least five (5) members, stating the purpose for which the meeting should be called.

XIV. BUSINESS TRANSACTED: At any Regular or Annual Meeting of the Congregation all matters of business affecting the Church may be transacted without stating the same in the call and notice therefore.

At the Annual Meeting of the Congregation elections shall be held for all Officers of the Congregation.

At any Special Meeting of the Congregation no business shall be transacted except such as shall be stated in the notice and call therefore.

XV. QUORUM: Any Regular or Special Meeting of the Congregation convened in accordance with these By-Laws shall be legally capable of transacting business when not less than ten (10) members (six (6) officers and four (4) regular members) are present at such meeting.

Any Annual Meeting of the Congregation convened in accordance with these By-Laws, shall be legally capable of transacting business when not less than sixteen (16) members (six (6) officers and ten (10) regular members) are present at such meeting.

XVI. CHAIRMAN: The presiding officer at all Meetings of the Congregation shall be selected from among the Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses and Trustees.

XVII. VOTING: At all Meetings of the Congregation every member present, age sixteen (16) and up, shall be entitled to one vote on each and every question. No member shall have the right to vote by proxy.

XVIII. BALLOT: Upon demand of any member the vote upon any question shall be by ballot.

XIX. MAJORITY RULE: At all Meetings of the Congregation a majority of all votes cast shall determine every question.

XX. ORDER OF BUSINESS: At Meetings of the Congregation business shall be transacted in such order as the members shall from time to time determine.

XXI. CHURCH SERVICES: The general services of the Church shall be as follows: On each Lord’s Day morning, Bible School for the study of God’s Word; the observance of the Lord’s Supper, prayer and praise and whenever possible a discourse by a Minister of the Gospel; such other evening or midweek services as may be determined by the Elders. Such services shall be held as nearly as possible according to the New Testament pattern, under the supervision of the Elders of the Congregation.

XXII. Marriage Amendment

WHEREAS, The Bible is the Word of God divinely inspired, and the Bible also is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is God-breathed and inerrant, and all Scripture is true and trustworthy. It is the standard by which all human conduct and religious opinion should be measured; and

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that God loves all people and commands us to do likewise; the Bible also teaches that marriage was the first institution ordained by God at the beginning of creation when it was established between Adam, a male, and Eve, a female, as the pattern for all time. Since the beginning of time God has endorsed marriage as the union between one man and one woman for a lifetime. Marriage provides the framework for intimate companionship, the avenue of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation. It also is God's unique gift to demonstrate the relationship between Christ and His church; and

WHEREAS, The family unit that God intended – a father, a mother and children – has fallen into disarray as our state and nation consider legalizing same sex marriage; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED “Only marriage between a man and a woman will be considered valid, only marriage ceremonies between a man and a woman will be conducted or sanctioned, by the Hickory Church of Christ.”

XXIII. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS: These By-Laws may be amended at any Regular or Special Meeting of the Congregation, which has been duly convened in accordance with these By-Laws by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at such meeting provided that such amendment shall be fully set forth in the call and notice for such meeting; and provided further that two (2) public announcements of the proposed amendment shall be made on two (2) successive Sundays at morning worship, the first of which shall be at least ten (10) days before the meeting at which the proposed amendment shall be considered.

XXIV. AVAILABILITY OF BY-LAWS: The By-Laws and the amendments shall be made available to every member.