Forum Christian Church

A. Name of the Organization

This congregation shall be known as a legal entity as Forum Christian Church, incorporated according to the articles of organization as filed in the Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri.

B. Primary Location of Corporate Worship

Forum Christian Church
3900 Forum Boulevard Columbia, MO 65203

C. Organization Purpose

The purpose of Forum Christian Church, hereafter referred to as Forum, shall be to establish and maintain a church as set forth in the New Testament, to conduct worship, religious education, evangelism, and benevolent work.

Forum is not organized, nor shall it operate, for pecuniary gain or profit. It does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to its members. It is organized solely for non-profit purposes. The property, assets, profits, and net income of Forum are irrevocably dedicated to charitable, educational, and religious purposes.

D. Term

The term in which Forum is to exist is perpetual.

E. Dissolution of Forum

If there is the dissolution of Forum, its assets remaining after payment or provision of payment of all debts and liabilities of Forum shall be distributed to one or at the most two organizations that are connected with the Restoration Movement.

A. Definition

The members of Forum Christian Church are those who believe, confess, repent, be baptized by immersion, and enter into a covenant of belonging. This covenant represents an active commitment to this local, interdependent community of believers under the guidance of spiritual leadership, and is demonstrated through regular gathering, participation, and mutual accountability, and has been affirmed according to the membership process set forth by the church leadership.

B. Reception of Members

Forum shall maintain a membership roll in accordance with the Forum Guiding Principles Manual.

C. Reception of Members

The process for becoming a member of Forum Christian Church shall consist of a relational and instructional pathway designed to ensure informed and meaningful participation within the congregation.

1. Initial Engagement: Individuals seeking membership are encouraged to participate in the regular worship gatherings and introductory events of the church to become acquainted with its mission, values, and ministries.
2. Instructional Component: Prospective members shall complete a designated membership course conducted by church leadership. This course shall include instruction on the biblical and theological foundations of church membership, the mutual commitments and responsibilities of members and church leadership, and the various opportunities for service and ministry participation.
3. Formal Commitment: Upon completion of the membership course, individuals may request to enter into formal membership. Acceptance into membership shall be contingent upon affirmation of the church’s statement of faith, acknowledgment of the responsibilities of membership, and alignment with the mission and vision of the church.
4. Integration: New members shall be encouraged and assisted in identifying and engaging with areas of service and participation consistent with their spiritual gifts and abilities.

D. Termination of Membership

The final determination regarding termination of membership is at the discretion of the Elders.

E. Mutual Interest

The behavior and teaching of each member of Forum is of common interest to the ministry staff, elders, ministry leaders, and membership. Each member of Forum shall, by God’s grace, adhere to a lifestyle that is consistent with that taught in the Bible and upholds the core beliefs of Forum’s statement of faith. Forum reserves the right to refuse service to anyone, whether member or not, whose lifestyle or teaching is not in keeping with membership requirements. This refusal could include services, benefits, and any use of Forum’s assets.

Forum also reserves the right to decline members from participating in any ministry activity that may potentially bring harm upon Forum. Any question, clarification, or judgment about the application of this mutual interest statement to any specific person or activity shall be determined by the elders.

F. Prohibited Activities

Forum is prohibited from engaging in activities that directly violate its organizational purpose. Forum is also prohibited from condoning, promoting, or allowing any of its assets to be used for activities that violate its organizational purpose.

G. Privacy

Forum shall keep private all records concerning counseling and personal information on members and non-members in association with Forum unless prohibited by law. This includes a person’s attendance, giving, and counseling records, exclusive of the person’s membership status.

Forum shall maintain a record of membership in keeping with the Forum Guiding Principles Manual. That information shall be available to the elders and the paid ministry staff but shall only be made available to other members at the discretion of the elders and lead minister.

Forum shall make public all current ministry staff, elders, and ministry leaders at the elders’ and lead minister’s discretion.

A. Interim Lead Minister

At the first meeting of the elders every year, the elders along with the lead minister shall approve a list of at least two staff members, in order of preference, that may serve as the interim lead minister in the vacancy of the lead minister. In the permanent absence of the lead minister or if the lead minister is incapacitated for a prolonged period, the elders may use this list for guidance in selecting the staff member to serve as the interim lead minister. The person functioning as the interim lead minister may do so until a new lead minister is determined or until that person or the elders decide that the interim minister should no longer function in that role.

B. Selection and Installation of a New Lead Minister

1. The elders shall first consider conducting a search for a lead minister when it becomes known that the position will be permanently vacant. The nature and degree of the search shall be determined by the elders.
2. The elders shall select the new lead minister with at least a three-fourths affirmative vote of the elders.
3. The selected lead minister shall be installed as the lead minister of the congregation at a laying on of hands by the eldership at a Sunday worship service of Forum.

C. Spiritual Leadership and Responsibilities of the Lead Minister

The lead minister shall attend the meetings of the elders unless he is unable to do so for reasonable cause. The Forum Guiding Principles Manual shall detail the responsibilities of the lead minister.

D. The Lead Minister as Administrative Director

The lead minister shall serve as the lead minister and administrative director of Forum. The lead minister may execute in the name of Forum all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, and other documents authorized by the elders. The lead minister shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of the lead minister and administrative director of an organization.

A. Annual Membership Meeting

An annual membership meeting shall be held each year at a time, date, and manner designated by the elders. The meeting shall be announced for at least two consecutive weeks in advance of the meeting through whatever communication means the congregation uses to make weekly announcements. The meeting may be used to deliver financial and ministry reports of the previous year’s activities and a budget overview for the upcoming year. The meeting is informational and may be used to update the members on any other Forum-related matters that the elders or lead minister deem appropriate.

B. Ongoing Membership Involvement

1. To aid in the elder’s shepherding and fiduciary responsibilities, members are encouraged to provide ongoing input concerning the ministry of Forum.
2. To aid in their shepherding and fiduciary responsibilities, the elders may solicit the congregation for input and discernment.
3. When any member of Forum believes a fellow church member is performing, or can perform, the function of an elder, that member’s name shall be forwarded to the elders for consideration. The elders shall then conduct an evaluation of the nominee’s qualities and willingness to serve.
4. After the evaluation process is completed and the nominee is so deemed by the elders to serve as an elder, that person shall be presented to the congregation as a potential elder. The congregation will have at least two weeks to submit any just-cause concern as to why that person should not be considered for the eldership. If such a concern is presented to the elders, they shall investigate the concern and determine if there is just cause for that person to not serve as an elder. If there is no just cause discovered by the elders, the eldership shall formalize the decision for this person being an elder by the laying on of hands.

A. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for Forum shall be the calendar year.

B. Contracts

The elders serve as the legal trustees of Forum and may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of Forum, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of Forum. Such authority may be general or may be confined to specific instances.

C. Checks, Drafts, or Orders

All checks, drafts, orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of Forum shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of Forum, and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the elders, who serve as the legal trustees of Forum. In the absence of such determination by the elders, such instruments may be signed by either the secretary, treasurer, or lead minister.

D. Deposits

All funds of Forum shall be deposited to the credit of Forum in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the elders may select in accordance with these bylaws.

E. Gifts

Any elder may provisionally accept on behalf of Forum any contribution, gift, bequest, or device for any purpose subject to the approval of the elders.

F. Books and Records

Forum shall keep correct and complete books and records of financial transactions. Forum shall also keep minutes of meetings in accordance with the guiding principles governing specific meetings. Forum shall keep a record of the names, addresses, and contact information of all elders, paid ministers, and paid staff.

Books and records of Forum, along with any meeting minutes, may be inspected by any Forum member for any proper purpose at any reasonable time as approved by a majority of the elders, exclusive of individual giving and personal counseling records.

A. Limitations of Liability

No person may be liable to Forum on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by said person in good faith as an elder, officer, staff member, ministry leader, member of a committee, agent, or employee of Forum, as long as said person has used or exercised the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would have used or exercised under the circumstances in conducting their own affairs.

B. Insurance

Forum shall purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of all persons who are or were an elder, officer, staff member, ministry leader, employee, committee member, or volunteer of Forum while serving in their capacity as such. Such insurance will be purchased for protecting such persons from covered loss resulting in liability asserted against the above individuals in connection with their activities on behalf of Forum.

C. Indemnification Requests

Should any elder, officer, staff member, ministry leader, employee, committee member, or volunteer of Forum incur any liability because of their affiliation with or service to Forum that is not covered by the Forum Guiding Principles Manual and should any liability result in any out-of-pocket cost to such individual, then such individual may request indemnification from Forum. The granting of full or partial indemnification shall be at the discretion of the elders.

D. Indemnification Decisions

If an indemnification request is made by an individual who is not currently serving as an elder, then the indemnification decision (whether to indemnify the requesting individual, and the dollar amount of such indemnification), will be made by the elders. Such decision by the elders will be final.

If the indemnification request is made by an individual who is currently serving as an elder, then the indemnification decision (whether to indemnify the requesting party and the dollar amount of such indemnification), will be made by the remaining elders, and such decision will be final.