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| CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS of HILLTOP CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (Approved by congregation vote – April 24, 2004) |
PREAMBLE
The New Testament teaches that the local church is the visible, organized
expression of the Body of Christ. The people of God are to live and serve in
obedience to the Word of God and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
By the Grace of God, our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him,
we, the members of the Hilltop Christian Fellowship, being completely
dependent on the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, in order to establish rules and procedures with which to
administer this church, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and By-laws to which we voluntarily submit
ourselves.
ARTICLE I NAME
The name under which this church is organized is Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
ARTICLE II AFFILIATION
Hilltop Christian Fellowship is not affiliated with any denomination.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications for membership shall consist of:
1. Confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. Agreement with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission Statement in their entirety.
3. Attendance at one or more membership classes during which the Faith and
Mission Statements, Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper will be explained and questions will be welcomed.
4. Approval by the Membership Committee.
5. Water Baptism. If a person who wishes to join Hilltop Christian Fellowship has previously been baptized, Hilltop
Christian Fellowship will accept his or her baptism. To those who have not been baptized, or desire baptism, it will be
administered prior to or during the time the person joins Hilltop Christian Fellowship. Note: See Hilltop Christian
Fellowship’s Statement of Faith (Item #7) for the explanation that Baptism is immersion.
By-Laws of ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
1. Applicants 18 years and older, shall request membership from the Senior Pastor or Chair of Membership Committee.
2. Children ages 12 through 17, shall request membership from Senior Pastor or Chair of Membership Committee and
be accepted into membership of Hilltop Christian Fellowship after fulfilling the qualifications of Article III and upon
written consent of a parent or guardian.
3. All applicants will be provided with a copy of, and be required to read and consent to, this constitution and its by-laws.
Further, they must affirm their agreement with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission
Statement. Such consent and affirmation exists when applicants place their signature on the application for membership.
B. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
1. Active Membership. Active members shall consist of those members who adhere to the conditions stated in the
Constitution and Bylaws, and are regularly attending Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
2. Inactive Membership
a. Those, who for any cause, except physical disability or who are temporarily absent from the community, have
absented themselves from the regular services of this church for six (6) months or more, shall be placed on the inactive
membership list. A letter shall be sent informing them of this action.
b. Those who have permanently moved from the community, but have not transferred their membership to another
church shall be placed on the inactive membership list. A letter shall be sent informing them of this action.
c. An inactive member may be placed on the active membership list again by request to and approval of the senior
pastor and the Chair of the Membership Committee.
d. Inactive members shall not be eligible to vote on any question.
C. MEMBERSHIP LIST:
The membership list shall be examined each year by the Senior Pastor and the Membership Committee prior to the
annual congregational meeting so that HCF will have an updated membership list.
D. TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP:
Upon request, members shall be granted a letter of transfer.
ARTICLE IV SACRAMENTS
Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as the two sacraments of Hilltop Christian Fellowship:
a. Water baptism will be administered by Hilltop Christian Fellowship after a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
b. The Lord’s Supper shall be served monthly and on other occasions as determined by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT
There shall be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Hilltop Christian Fellowship to be held at a time specified in the By-
laws at which time Committee reports, including audited reports of the treasurer(s) will be distributed. The elected
officers and committees will begin their service after the Annual Congregational Meeting and serve until the next
Annual Congregational Meeting. The Board of Elders, as defined in the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s By-laws, will
conduct the affairs of Hilltop Christian Fellowship between meetings. Additional meetings may be called by proper notice
as specified in the By-laws. On general matters in which no legal questions are involved, it is understood that all
members in good and regular standing and have attained the age of 16 shall be entitled to vote, but in matters involving
titles of property or legal procedures, the laws of the state determine the age at which members are eligible to vote.
By-Laws of ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT
A. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
1. The Quarterly Congregational Meeting shall be held approximately one month after the end of each quarter.
Notification of the quarterly meeting shall be published in the church bulletin at least two weeks prior to the date of the
meeting.
2. The Annual Congregational Meeting shall be held approximately one month after the end of the last quarter and will
be combined with the fourth quarter meeting. An annual report will be published and distributed at this meeting and will
include reports from each of the following:
a) The senior pastor and other members of pastoral staff.
b) The secretary of the Board of Elders.
c) The chairperson or secretary of each of the various committees and organizations within Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
d) A year-end financial report from the Hilltop Christian Fellowship treasurer(s).
e) A completed report from the auditor(s) of all financial records within Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
f) Finance committee’s annual budget.
These reports shall be processed in printed form and copies distributed to the congregation prior to the start of the
Annual Congregational Meeting. All written financial and departmental reports shall cover the calendar year.
3. All elections (Board of Elders, Board of Trustees, Officers and Committees) will be held the first Sunday in
December. Voting shall be by ballot and the member receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
4. Special Congregational Meetings may be called by the Board of Elders upon notification approximately one week in
advance, when possible.
5. Roberts Rules of Orders shall govern all matters of church business.
6. Quorum: A quorum shall consist of the “active” membership present at any meeting, except at a meeting where the
Constitution and/or By-Laws are amended. (See Article XI – Amendments)
7. A proxy vote will be accepted from a member, provided that the proxy bearer presents it to the Secretary prior to the
commencement of the meeting. The proxy must state who the bearer is, and shall be signed and dated by the member
submitting the proxy. A proxy shall be valid only for the specified date stamped on the proxy.
B. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1. The Board of Trustees will be elected annually by the voting members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship. The election of
six (6) Trustees shall be held on the first Sunday in December of each year beginning in 2004. Each Trustee shall serve
a one (1) year term, or until his or her successor has been elected. Offices (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) shall be
elected within the Board.
2. The affairs and property of Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be managed by the Board of Trustees.
3. To be qualified to hold the office of Trustee, an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and a member of
Hilltop Christian Fellowship in good standing, shall have worshipped at Hilltop Christian Fellowship on a regular basis
for at least a six (6) month continuous period, shall support the church financially, and shall agree with Hilltop Christian
Fellowship’s Statement of Faith and agree to abide by the bylaws and procedural rules of Hilltop Christian Fellowship
and the Board of Trustees itself.
4. The Board of Trustees shall be members of the Board of Elders.
C. BOARD OF ELDERS
1. The Board of Elders shall be elected annually by the voting members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and shall include:
the Senior Pastor, the Board of Trustees and the following positions as elected by the Hilltop Christian Fellowship
membership: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer(s) and Sunday School Superintendent.
2. All members of the Board of Elders shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and a member in good standing of
Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
3. Duties and Authority:
a. Organize, establish and supervise such committees as are necessary for the work of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
b. Call and review all persons compensated by Hilltop Christian Fellowship for services rendered except the Pastor(s).
(See Article V, Section E, 2, (b) )
c. Assist in preparation of an annual budget to be submitted at the Annual Congregational Meeting.
d. Determine the compensation to be paid all persons by Hilltop Christian Fellowship for services rendered (except the
Pastor(s). (See Article V, Section E, 2, (c) )
D. COMMITTEES
The following is a list of the standing committees, which may include, but are not limited to:
Audit Membership*
Christian Education* Mission/Outreach/Activities*
Communications Music
Doctrine* Nominations
Finance Pastoral
History Refreshment
Maintenance/Set-Up Worship * Pastor Shall Be A Member
E. PASTORATE
1. Qualifications of the Pastor:
a) shall have a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
b) shall agree with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission Statement in their entirety.
c) shall have the gift of pastor/teacher for equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry.
d) shall have a wholehearted commitment to the task of evangelism.
e) shall express a conviction of the calling of God to be the Pastor of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
f) shall be committed to prayer.
g) shall be water baptized by immersion.
h) shall be licensed.
2. Call:
a) The pastor shall be interviewed by the Board of Elders and the Pastoral Committee and thereafter be recommended
to the church membership.
b) shall be extended a call only after such recommendation and an 80% vote of the quorum at a duly called
Congregational Meeting.
c) Condition of Employment: The salary of the Pastor and other compensation such as Social Security, insurance,
housing allowance and pension shall be specified in writing and made a part of the call upon which the membership votes.
Likewise, such items as authorized vacation, attendance at meetings and conferences, moving expenses and other
agreed upon conditions shall be addressed in the call. The call shall be in the form of a legal agreement. Changes in the
initial conditions of employment are to be enacted by vote of the membership.
3. Duties:
a) shall assume the spiritual leadership of all areas of church life.
b) shall attend church business meetings except when the meeting directly involves the position of the Pastor.
c) shall preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God at all regularly scheduled services except when, by the Pastor’s
request, the Pastor’s absence from the pulpit is approved by the Board of Elders.
d) shall secure from the Board of Elders approval for persons to replace the Pastor in the pulpit in the Pastor’s absence.
e) shall administer the sacraments, visit the sick, conduct funeral services.
f) shall conduct pre-marital counseling classes.
g) shall perform Christian marriages between a man and a woman, according to the Holy Scriptures and at the Pastor’s
discretion.
h) shall oversee the teaching and training ministries of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and oversee the spiritual needs of
the membership.
4. Accountability:
a) The pastor shall be accountable to the Board of Elders and members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
b) Term of Service: A pastor will be called for an indefinite period of time. The Pastor’s tenure of service shall terminate
by the Pastor’s resignation or death or a 75% vote of the members present at a business meeting.
In the event of the Pastor’s resignation, the Pastor shall give at least thirty days notice; in the event Hilltop Christian
Fellowship votes to terminate the Pastor’s services, the Pastor shall receive thirty days notice or thirty days salary in
lieu of such notice.
F. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT,
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND OTHERS
1. Qualifications:
a) shall have a vital Christian testimony and demonstrate the call of God to the particular ministry in which they are
serving.
b) shall provide a Godly example of a Christian life for Hilltop Christian Fellowship members and constituents to observe
and copy.
c) shall be a member of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and regular in attendance at Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
ARTICLE VI MISSIONS
Hilltop Christian Fellowship is a tithing church. Tithing will be based upon the previous quarter’s gross income.
Recommendations for disbursement of tithing are to be made by the Finance Committee and voted upon at the quarterly
meetings. In case of an emergency, the Board of Elders will decide the validity of such disbursement of tithing funds.
ARTICLE VII SERVICES
Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall meet Sundays for worship of God and study of His Word and at other times as
designated.
ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL POLICY
Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be supported by tithes and free-will offerings. Fund-raising projects are permissible,
except on Sunday, but must be approved by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE IX BUDGET
A detailed annual budget shall be prepared by the Finance Committee and approved by Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s
membership. The Finance Committee shall be authorized to spend up to $250 on community outreach and up to $500 on
operational expenses per occurrence without prior approval of the Board of Elders or the general membership.
ARTICLE X ORDINATION
When, in the judgment of a majority of the members of the Board of Elders, a person is called to the Christian ministry,
the Board of Elders shall, after the approval of a majority vote of Hilltop Christian Fellowship members, call and conduct
a committee for ordination.
1. The composition of the Ordination Committee shall be at the sole discretion of the Board of Elders, except that the
total number of members of the Ordination Committee shall be five (5), and at least two (2) shall be ordained ministers.
2. The Ordination Committee shall thoroughly examine the applicant for ordination as to their call to the Christian
ministry, education, Christian experience, reputation, character, doctrinal beliefs and demonstrated efficiency in
Christian service.
3. The decision as to whether or not to ordain the applicant is within the discretion of the Ordination Committee,
provided the applicant has:
a) served at least one year as pastor, assistant pastor, or in definite Christian work at Hilltop Christian Fellowship in
such manner as to convey reasonable evidence of God’s call to the ministry.
b) met all of the qualifications as listed in By-Law Article V (E)—Pastorate Qualifications of the Pastor.
4. The vote of the Ordination Committee to confer ordination upon an applicant must be at least four (4) affirmative
votes.
5. All members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship are welcome to observe the proceedings of the Ordination Committee.
6. After the applicant has been approved by the Ordination Committee, a public ordination service shall be called, during
which the pastor will be publicly ordained.
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at a duly organized business meeting, provided a quorum of 50% of the
membership is represented (proxies included). A two-thirds (2/3) vote in the affirmative is required to pass the
amendment. The text of the amendment must be posted in a conspicuous place in the church building for four (4)
consecutive weeks prior to the vote on said amendment and provided the time, date, place and purpose of the
amendment has been announced to the membership for four (4) consecutive weeks prior to the vote on said amendment.
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. All financial statements shall be kept on file and made available for review by all active members of Hilltop Christian
Fellowship.
B. Hilltop Christian Fellowship, including all of its ministries, shall accept no funds, services, or benefits of any kind
whatsoever from any level of government or agency thereof unless the church pays fair market value for the same.
C. No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any persons from the assets, holdings, or other transactions in which the
Hilltop Christian Fellowship corporation may become involved.
D. No fees, dues or assessments shall be levied against any member of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
E. The fiscal year of Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be from January 1 through December 31.
F. In addition to other matters specifically reserved to the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s members, no sale, lease,
mortgage, or pledge of, or the creation of a security interest in, or a lien or judgment against all or part of church
property, real or personal, shall be done without prior approval of the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s membership.
ARTICLE XIII PROPERTY AND RECORDS
Section 1. Property. The Hilltop Christian Fellowship may acquire, own, dispose of, improve, encumber, and convey
property, real and personal, for church purposes, in conformity with the laws of the state where the property is situated.
Real property may be purchased, sold, conveyed, exchanged, mortgaged, or encumbered only by order of Hilltop
Christian Fellowship membership.
Section 2. Records. The official records of all officers of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and all its departments are the
property of Hilltop Christian Fellowship. In the event of the death or resignation of the incumbent or upon the election of
his/her successor, the current records of the office shall be passed on to the newly elected officer. All records other than
current shall be kept in a secure repository.
ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of Hilltop Christian Fellowship, all of its debts shall be fully satisfied. None of its assets or
holdings shall be divided among the members, but shall be irrevocably dedicated by the Board of Elders to such other
non-profit religious corporation(s) as are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Statement of Faith, and in
conformity with requirements of Section 401(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
The New Testament teaches that the local church is the visible, organized
expression of the Body of Christ. The people of God are to live and serve in
obedience to the Word of God and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
By the Grace of God, our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him,
we, the members of the Hilltop Christian Fellowship, being completely
dependent on the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, in order to establish rules and procedures with which to
administer this church, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and By-laws to which we voluntarily submit
ourselves.
ARTICLE I NAME
The name under which this church is organized is Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
ARTICLE II AFFILIATION
Hilltop Christian Fellowship is not affiliated with any denomination.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications for membership shall consist of:
1. Confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. Agreement with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission Statement in their entirety.
3. Attendance at one or more membership classes during which the Faith and
Mission Statements, Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper will be explained and questions will be welcomed.
4. Approval by the Membership Committee.
5. Water Baptism. If a person who wishes to join Hilltop Christian Fellowship has previously been baptized, Hilltop
Christian Fellowship will accept his or her baptism. To those who have not been baptized, or desire baptism, it will be
administered prior to or during the time the person joins Hilltop Christian Fellowship. Note: See Hilltop Christian
Fellowship’s Statement of Faith (Item #7) for the explanation that Baptism is immersion.
By-Laws of ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
1. Applicants 18 years and older, shall request membership from the Senior Pastor or Chair of Membership Committee.
2. Children ages 12 through 17, shall request membership from Senior Pastor or Chair of Membership Committee and
be accepted into membership of Hilltop Christian Fellowship after fulfilling the qualifications of Article III and upon
written consent of a parent or guardian.
3. All applicants will be provided with a copy of, and be required to read and consent to, this constitution and its by-laws.
Further, they must affirm their agreement with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission
Statement. Such consent and affirmation exists when applicants place their signature on the application for membership.
B. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
1. Active Membership. Active members shall consist of those members who adhere to the conditions stated in the
Constitution and Bylaws, and are regularly attending Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
2. Inactive Membership
a. Those, who for any cause, except physical disability or who are temporarily absent from the community, have
absented themselves from the regular services of this church for six (6) months or more, shall be placed on the inactive
membership list. A letter shall be sent informing them of this action.
b. Those who have permanently moved from the community, but have not transferred their membership to another
church shall be placed on the inactive membership list. A letter shall be sent informing them of this action.
c. An inactive member may be placed on the active membership list again by request to and approval of the senior
pastor and the Chair of the Membership Committee.
d. Inactive members shall not be eligible to vote on any question.
C. MEMBERSHIP LIST:
The membership list shall be examined each year by the Senior Pastor and the Membership Committee prior to the
annual congregational meeting so that HCF will have an updated membership list.
D. TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP:
Upon request, members shall be granted a letter of transfer.
ARTICLE IV SACRAMENTS
Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as the two sacraments of Hilltop Christian Fellowship:
a. Water baptism will be administered by Hilltop Christian Fellowship after a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
b. The Lord’s Supper shall be served monthly and on other occasions as determined by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT
There shall be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Hilltop Christian Fellowship to be held at a time specified in the By-
laws at which time Committee reports, including audited reports of the treasurer(s) will be distributed. The elected
officers and committees will begin their service after the Annual Congregational Meeting and serve until the next
Annual Congregational Meeting. The Board of Elders, as defined in the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s By-laws, will
conduct the affairs of Hilltop Christian Fellowship between meetings. Additional meetings may be called by proper notice
as specified in the By-laws. On general matters in which no legal questions are involved, it is understood that all
members in good and regular standing and have attained the age of 16 shall be entitled to vote, but in matters involving
titles of property or legal procedures, the laws of the state determine the age at which members are eligible to vote.
By-Laws of ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT
A. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
1. The Quarterly Congregational Meeting shall be held approximately one month after the end of each quarter.
Notification of the quarterly meeting shall be published in the church bulletin at least two weeks prior to the date of the
meeting.
2. The Annual Congregational Meeting shall be held approximately one month after the end of the last quarter and will
be combined with the fourth quarter meeting. An annual report will be published and distributed at this meeting and will
include reports from each of the following:
a) The senior pastor and other members of pastoral staff.
b) The secretary of the Board of Elders.
c) The chairperson or secretary of each of the various committees and organizations within Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
d) A year-end financial report from the Hilltop Christian Fellowship treasurer(s).
e) A completed report from the auditor(s) of all financial records within Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
f) Finance committee’s annual budget.
These reports shall be processed in printed form and copies distributed to the congregation prior to the start of the
Annual Congregational Meeting. All written financial and departmental reports shall cover the calendar year.
3. All elections (Board of Elders, Board of Trustees, Officers and Committees) will be held the first Sunday in
December. Voting shall be by ballot and the member receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
4. Special Congregational Meetings may be called by the Board of Elders upon notification approximately one week in
advance, when possible.
5. Roberts Rules of Orders shall govern all matters of church business.
6. Quorum: A quorum shall consist of the “active” membership present at any meeting, except at a meeting where the
Constitution and/or By-Laws are amended. (See Article XI – Amendments)
7. A proxy vote will be accepted from a member, provided that the proxy bearer presents it to the Secretary prior to the
commencement of the meeting. The proxy must state who the bearer is, and shall be signed and dated by the member
submitting the proxy. A proxy shall be valid only for the specified date stamped on the proxy.
B. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1. The Board of Trustees will be elected annually by the voting members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship. The election of
six (6) Trustees shall be held on the first Sunday in December of each year beginning in 2004. Each Trustee shall serve
a one (1) year term, or until his or her successor has been elected. Offices (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) shall be
elected within the Board.
2. The affairs and property of Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be managed by the Board of Trustees.
3. To be qualified to hold the office of Trustee, an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and a member of
Hilltop Christian Fellowship in good standing, shall have worshipped at Hilltop Christian Fellowship on a regular basis
for at least a six (6) month continuous period, shall support the church financially, and shall agree with Hilltop Christian
Fellowship’s Statement of Faith and agree to abide by the bylaws and procedural rules of Hilltop Christian Fellowship
and the Board of Trustees itself.
4. The Board of Trustees shall be members of the Board of Elders.
C. BOARD OF ELDERS
1. The Board of Elders shall be elected annually by the voting members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and shall include:
the Senior Pastor, the Board of Trustees and the following positions as elected by the Hilltop Christian Fellowship
membership: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer(s) and Sunday School Superintendent.
2. All members of the Board of Elders shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and a member in good standing of
Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
3. Duties and Authority:
a. Organize, establish and supervise such committees as are necessary for the work of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
b. Call and review all persons compensated by Hilltop Christian Fellowship for services rendered except the Pastor(s).
(See Article V, Section E, 2, (b) )
c. Assist in preparation of an annual budget to be submitted at the Annual Congregational Meeting.
d. Determine the compensation to be paid all persons by Hilltop Christian Fellowship for services rendered (except the
Pastor(s). (See Article V, Section E, 2, (c) )
D. COMMITTEES
The following is a list of the standing committees, which may include, but are not limited to:
Audit Membership*
Christian Education* Mission/Outreach/Activities*
Communications Music
Doctrine* Nominations
Finance Pastoral
History Refreshment
Maintenance/Set-Up Worship * Pastor Shall Be A Member
E. PASTORATE
1. Qualifications of the Pastor:
a) shall have a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
b) shall agree with the Hilltop Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith and Mission Statement in their entirety.
c) shall have the gift of pastor/teacher for equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry.
d) shall have a wholehearted commitment to the task of evangelism.
e) shall express a conviction of the calling of God to be the Pastor of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
f) shall be committed to prayer.
g) shall be water baptized by immersion.
h) shall be licensed.
2. Call:
a) The pastor shall be interviewed by the Board of Elders and the Pastoral Committee and thereafter be recommended
to the church membership.
b) shall be extended a call only after such recommendation and an 80% vote of the quorum at a duly called
Congregational Meeting.
c) Condition of Employment: The salary of the Pastor and other compensation such as Social Security, insurance,
housing allowance and pension shall be specified in writing and made a part of the call upon which the membership votes.
Likewise, such items as authorized vacation, attendance at meetings and conferences, moving expenses and other
agreed upon conditions shall be addressed in the call. The call shall be in the form of a legal agreement. Changes in the
initial conditions of employment are to be enacted by vote of the membership.
3. Duties:
a) shall assume the spiritual leadership of all areas of church life.
b) shall attend church business meetings except when the meeting directly involves the position of the Pastor.
c) shall preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God at all regularly scheduled services except when, by the Pastor’s
request, the Pastor’s absence from the pulpit is approved by the Board of Elders.
d) shall secure from the Board of Elders approval for persons to replace the Pastor in the pulpit in the Pastor’s absence.
e) shall administer the sacraments, visit the sick, conduct funeral services.
f) shall conduct pre-marital counseling classes.
g) shall perform Christian marriages between a man and a woman, according to the Holy Scriptures and at the Pastor’s
discretion.
h) shall oversee the teaching and training ministries of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and oversee the spiritual needs of
the membership.
4. Accountability:
a) The pastor shall be accountable to the Board of Elders and members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
b) Term of Service: A pastor will be called for an indefinite period of time. The Pastor’s tenure of service shall terminate
by the Pastor’s resignation or death or a 75% vote of the members present at a business meeting.
In the event of the Pastor’s resignation, the Pastor shall give at least thirty days notice; in the event Hilltop Christian
Fellowship votes to terminate the Pastor’s services, the Pastor shall receive thirty days notice or thirty days salary in
lieu of such notice.
F. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT,
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND OTHERS
1. Qualifications:
a) shall have a vital Christian testimony and demonstrate the call of God to the particular ministry in which they are
serving.
b) shall provide a Godly example of a Christian life for Hilltop Christian Fellowship members and constituents to observe
and copy.
c) shall be a member of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and regular in attendance at Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
ARTICLE VI MISSIONS
Hilltop Christian Fellowship is a tithing church. Tithing will be based upon the previous quarter’s gross income.
Recommendations for disbursement of tithing are to be made by the Finance Committee and voted upon at the quarterly
meetings. In case of an emergency, the Board of Elders will decide the validity of such disbursement of tithing funds.
ARTICLE VII SERVICES
Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall meet Sundays for worship of God and study of His Word and at other times as
designated.
ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL POLICY
Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be supported by tithes and free-will offerings. Fund-raising projects are permissible,
except on Sunday, but must be approved by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE IX BUDGET
A detailed annual budget shall be prepared by the Finance Committee and approved by Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s
membership. The Finance Committee shall be authorized to spend up to $250 on community outreach and up to $500 on
operational expenses per occurrence without prior approval of the Board of Elders or the general membership.
ARTICLE X ORDINATION
When, in the judgment of a majority of the members of the Board of Elders, a person is called to the Christian ministry,
the Board of Elders shall, after the approval of a majority vote of Hilltop Christian Fellowship members, call and conduct
a committee for ordination.
1. The composition of the Ordination Committee shall be at the sole discretion of the Board of Elders, except that the
total number of members of the Ordination Committee shall be five (5), and at least two (2) shall be ordained ministers.
2. The Ordination Committee shall thoroughly examine the applicant for ordination as to their call to the Christian
ministry, education, Christian experience, reputation, character, doctrinal beliefs and demonstrated efficiency in
Christian service.
3. The decision as to whether or not to ordain the applicant is within the discretion of the Ordination Committee,
provided the applicant has:
a) served at least one year as pastor, assistant pastor, or in definite Christian work at Hilltop Christian Fellowship in
such manner as to convey reasonable evidence of God’s call to the ministry.
b) met all of the qualifications as listed in By-Law Article V (E)—Pastorate Qualifications of the Pastor.
4. The vote of the Ordination Committee to confer ordination upon an applicant must be at least four (4) affirmative
votes.
5. All members of Hilltop Christian Fellowship are welcome to observe the proceedings of the Ordination Committee.
6. After the applicant has been approved by the Ordination Committee, a public ordination service shall be called, during
which the pastor will be publicly ordained.
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at a duly organized business meeting, provided a quorum of 50% of the
membership is represented (proxies included). A two-thirds (2/3) vote in the affirmative is required to pass the
amendment. The text of the amendment must be posted in a conspicuous place in the church building for four (4)
consecutive weeks prior to the vote on said amendment and provided the time, date, place and purpose of the
amendment has been announced to the membership for four (4) consecutive weeks prior to the vote on said amendment.
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. All financial statements shall be kept on file and made available for review by all active members of Hilltop Christian
Fellowship.
B. Hilltop Christian Fellowship, including all of its ministries, shall accept no funds, services, or benefits of any kind
whatsoever from any level of government or agency thereof unless the church pays fair market value for the same.
C. No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any persons from the assets, holdings, or other transactions in which the
Hilltop Christian Fellowship corporation may become involved.
D. No fees, dues or assessments shall be levied against any member of Hilltop Christian Fellowship.
E. The fiscal year of Hilltop Christian Fellowship shall be from January 1 through December 31.
F. In addition to other matters specifically reserved to the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s members, no sale, lease,
mortgage, or pledge of, or the creation of a security interest in, or a lien or judgment against all or part of church
property, real or personal, shall be done without prior approval of the Hilltop Christian Fellowship’s membership.
ARTICLE XIII PROPERTY AND RECORDS
Section 1. Property. The Hilltop Christian Fellowship may acquire, own, dispose of, improve, encumber, and convey
property, real and personal, for church purposes, in conformity with the laws of the state where the property is situated.
Real property may be purchased, sold, conveyed, exchanged, mortgaged, or encumbered only by order of Hilltop
Christian Fellowship membership.
Section 2. Records. The official records of all officers of Hilltop Christian Fellowship and all its departments are the
property of Hilltop Christian Fellowship. In the event of the death or resignation of the incumbent or upon the election of
his/her successor, the current records of the office shall be passed on to the newly elected officer. All records other than
current shall be kept in a secure repository.
ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of Hilltop Christian Fellowship, all of its debts shall be fully satisfied. None of its assets or
holdings shall be divided among the members, but shall be irrevocably dedicated by the Board of Elders to such other
non-profit religious corporation(s) as are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Statement of Faith, and in
conformity with requirements of Section 401(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
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