GATEWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH

CONSTITUTION

Approved by the Congregation 18 February, 2007

Article 5: Support Staff

Support staff may consist of volunteer or paid personnel.  Support positions will be established by the Elders and Deacons to assist in the ministry of the church.  All applicants for paid or volunteer staffing of Gateway Community Church will be asked to sign a release for a background check.  (I Tim. 3:10)

Section 1:  General Policies

a.       The Personnel Policies and Ministry Guidelines of the church, as approved by the Elders, shall govern paid and volunteer support staff.

b.      During a pastoral transition period, members of the church staff are to continue in their positions.  Should staff or financial problems arise, the Elders have authority to alter the roles of staff members, including dismissal if necessary.  A new Senior Pastor, if he should choose, may work with the Elders to select his own staff, replace existing staff members in accordance with the dismissal and severance policies outlined in the Personnel Policies and Ministry Guidelines of the church.

Article 6:  Auxiliary Ministries

Section 1.  Establishment

No organization shall be formed or considered a part of the church's activities unless the sponsors have first submitted their plans to the Elders for approval. (Art 4, Sec.3, Para d.)

Section B. On-going Activities 

Church organizations shall confer with the Deacon Board regarding their plans and activities.  The Elders and Deacons reserve the right of review and approval of such activities.

Section C. Support 

Para-church organizations (Various Youth Ministries, Crisis Pregnancy Center, Food Pantry, etc.) may be supported by Gateway after review and approval of the Elders and Deacons, but that support shall not constitute any responsibility by Gateway for the actions or liabilities of those organizations.

Article 7:  Amendment Procedure

Section 1.  Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths majority of the voting members present at an Annual Meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose: written notification of which is given at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 2.  Interpretation

The Elders shall serve as interpreters of this constitution.  Appeals in interpretation may be made in accordance with Article 4, Section 5, Paragraph b.

Section 3.  Exceptions

Procedures not requiring congregational approval:

1.  Minor revisions not affecting a change in theology

2.  Revisions not effecting overall structure of church government

3.  Corrections and clarifications (grammar, spelling, additional Scriptural Support)

Section 4:  Review

The Elders shall review this constitution, and present a subsequent report to the congregation every 5 years.

Section 5:  History of Revision

This document was revised/amended in accordance with the terms contained herein on the following dates:

            September 19, 1999

            September 06, 2001

            February 18, 2007

Article 8:  Disposition of Church Property

Section 1.  Division

In the case of organic division of the church membership, the church property shall belong to those members who abide by this constitution.  Should any controversy arise as to who is abiding by this constitution, the questions shall be submitted to the Leadership of the Great Lakes Baptist Conference and their decision shall be final.

Section 2.  Dissolution

Should conditions arise when, for any reason, the church work cannot continue, all church property and holdings shall be transferred to the Great Lakes Baptist Conference.

Article 9:  Ratification

The members of Gateway Community Church, gathered at their annual winter business meeting, do hereby ratify this Constitution, declare our reliance on God for the ministry and outreach of this church, and affirm our dependence on Him for it's future. 

Members attending and voting: