1.1 Name. The name of this corporation is Hope Christian Fellowship, Incorporated, hereafter referred to as either "the corporation" or "the church".

1.2 Registered Office and Registered Agent. The address of the registered office of the corporation os 13320 St. Rt. 7, Lisbon, Ohio 44432, and the name of the registered agent of such address is Michael S. Ross.

1.3 Purpose and Vision. The primary purpose of the church is to preach and spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-19) and to teach (Matt 28:20) and equip (Eph. 4:12) those who receive the gospel by faith. The various means and ways of fulfilling this purpose are described in Article I of the Articles of Incorporation for the church.

1.4 Form of Government. The form of government for the church is theocratic. That is, its head is Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18) who governs through the senior minister or "angelos" (Rev. 1:20, 2:1, etc.) and a plurality of elders (I Tim 5:17). While there is only one mediator between God and man in terms of personal salvation and spiritual growth (I Tim 2:5), God has nevertheless chosen to govern the administrative and business affairs of the church through one man (the senior minister) assisted by the body of elders.

1.5 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.

2.1 Content of. Being a theocratically governed church, the corporation membership shall consist only of the ordained elders (including the senior minister)

2.2 Senior Minister. The senior minister shall make all final decisions concerning the administration and business of the church. He may act unilaterally and also may override any decision of the elders except for actions to remove him from office that comply with the rules stipulated in Section 2.2.3, except for ordaining new elders as stipulated in section 2.3.2, and except for amending the corporate documents as described in Section 7.0ff.

2.2.1 Senior Minister Qualifications. The senior minister must be called by God (Acts 20:28), desire the office (I Tim 3:1, I Pet 5:2) and meet the character and family traits of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9> He must also subscribe to the Hope Christian Fellowship statement of faith and be a tithing member of the Hope Christian Fellowship (see Section 2.4).

2.2.2 Senior Minister Responsibilities. He is called to equip the saints for works of service (Eph 4:11-12) and help them mature in the faith (Eph 4:13). He shall also make the final decisions concerning the administration of the church.

2.2.3 Senior Minister Term of Office. The term of office for the senior minister is for life. His term may be ended voluntarily at any time upon resignation, appointment of a successor, and the acceptance of his resignation unanimously by the elders. Such resignation must be offered if and when the senior minister moves to a new location which would not permit him to carry out his duties, or if he accepts a position on the staff of another church. The senior minister may only be removed from office when he fails to meet the required qualifications, or is determined to teach or embrace heretical views or is guilty of gross unrepentant sin.

2.2.3.1 FAILURE TO FULFILL QUALIFICATIONS. If the senior minister fails to fulfill the qualifications stipulated in Section 2.2.1, and if it is determined that either no effort has been made to rectify the problem or if there does not appear to be any reasonable chance of rectification in the near future, then the senior minister may be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the other elders. However, such a vote must be preceded by the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 with a minimum of one month between the first warning by one elder (Matt 18:15) and by two or more elders (Matt 18:16) as well as a minimum of one month between the second warning and the vote.

2.2.3.2 TEACHING OR EMBRACING HERESY. If the senior minister is found to teach or believe a doctrinal view contrary to those in Articles I through IX (inclusive) of the Hope Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith, and if it is determined that the heretical view is entrenched without any reasonable prospect of repentance, then the senior minister may be removed from office by a four fifths (80 percent) majority vote of the other elders. However, such a vote must be preceded by the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 with a minimum of two weeks between the first warning by one elder (Matt 18:15) and by two or more elders (Matt 18:16) as well as a minimum of two weeks between the second warning and the vote.

2.2.3.3 GROSS UNREPENTANT SIN. If the senior minister is found to be guilty of excommunicable sin as defined by Section 6.2.1, and if the accusation is confirmed by two or three witnesses (I Tim 5:19) and if there is no reasonable prospect of repentance, the senior minister may be removed from office by a three fifths (60 percent) majority vote of the other elders. However, such a vote must be preceded by the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 with a minimum of one week between the first warning by one elder (Matt 18:15) and by two or more elders (Matt 18:16) as well as a minimum of one week between the second warning and the vote.

2.3 Board of Elders. The board of elders shall consist of the senior minister and two or more elders. The elders serve as an advisory board to the senior minister, as a means of checks and balances against the abuse of power on the part of the senior minister and as the spiritual leaders of the congregation.

2.3.1 Elder Qualifications. Elder qualifications are the same as those for the senior minister as stipulated in Section 2.2.1.

2.3.2 Elder Ordination. A man who fulfills all of the qualifications designated in Section 2.2.1 is eligible for ordination as an elder only upon the unanimous approval of the existing elders including the senior minister. No formal vote is necessary before the man's ordination, only verbal agreement between the existing elders and the senior minister. However, the new elder must be accepted or confirmed unanimously at the next elder's meeting before he may assume a place on the board of elders (directors) of the church (corporation).

2.3.3 Elder Responsibilities. In addition to their advisory role to the senior minister, the elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight and care of the congregation. As ministers of the gospel their functions include, but are not necessarily limited to: administration, baptism, communion, correction, counseling, encouraging, intercessory prayer, judging the use of spiritual gifts, preaching, teaching, and occasional conducting of worship services.

2.3.4 Elder Term of Office. The term of office for an elder is for life. His term may be ended voluntarily at any time upon resignation and the acceptance of his resignation by the senior minister. Such resignation must be offered if and when the elder moves to a new location which would not permit him to carry out his duties, or if he accepts a position on the staff of another church. An elder may also be unilaterally removed from office by the senior minister when he fails to meet the required qualifications (as stipulated in Section 2.2.1), or is determined to teach or embrace heretical views (contrary to Articles I through IX of the statement of faith) or is guilty of gross unrepentant sin (as designated in Section 6.2.1) or is found to be divisive (per Section 6.2.3). Such removal by the senior minister may only occur if there is presently no action by the elders to remove the senior minister from office (i.e., no elders have commenced the process of Matt 18:15-17). If there is presently action to discipline or remove the senior minister, then an elder may only be removed from office by the same procedures as those for removing the senior minister as outlined in Sections 2.2.3.1, 2.2.3.2 and 2.2.3.3.

2.4 Active Membership. Active membership of the congregation shall consist of those people who are born again believers in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ who regularly attend church services at Hope Christian Fellowship, tithe ten percent of their gross earnings to Hope Christian Fellowship, are involved in an area of ministry suitable to their gifts, understand and agree with the church's purpose and mission and who support expansion through evangelism, church growth, church planting and cross-cultural missions. Again, as a theocratically governed church, only the elders have voting rights, not the general congregation.

2.5 Certificates. No shares nor certificates of membership shall be issued.

3.1 Types. The corporate officer shall include the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. A single individual may hold more than one office except that the president may not also be the secretary.

3.2 President. The president will perpetually be the senior minister and the senior minister the president. This will be confirmed by a majority vote of a quorum of the board of elders at each annual meeting (Section 4.4). The president shall appoint people to the other corporate offices and shall direct all board (elders) meetings. Upon voluntary resignation, the president is empowered to appoint his successor unilaterally. Upon removal of the president (senior minister) from office or upon his death, the vice-president shall assume the office and authority of president and will appoint a new vice-president.

3.3 Vice-President. The vice-president shall be appointed from among the existing elders by the president for a term of one year at each annual meeting and shall be confirmed by the elders. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall be responsible for the president's duties and have all of his powers and limitations.

3.4 Secretary. The secretary shall be appointed by the president for a term of one year at each annual meeting and shall be confirmed by the elders. The secretary need not be a voting member of the board of directors (elders). The secretary's responsibilities shall be to manage the business affairs of the corporation as delegated to him or her by the president, act as custodian of the corporate records and of the corporate seal, and perform all other duties incident to the office of the secretary.

3.5 Treasurer. The treasurer shall be appointed by the president for a term of one year at each annual meeting and shall be confirmed by the elders. The treasurer need not be a voting member of the board of directors (elders). The treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds and securities, receive and give receipts for money, deposit money in the corporate bank accounts, keep the financial records, have authority to sign checks and make contracts after the initial approval by the Board of Directors (elders), and perform all other duties incident to the office of treasurer.

4.1 Notice of. All Elders shall receive either a verbal or written notification of any board meeting at least a week in advance. Failure to contact an elder whose whereabouts in unknown or who cannot be reached before the meeting convenes shall not invalidate the results of the meeting.

4.2 Quorum for. A quorum for board meetings shall consist of the senior minister (president) and a majority of the remaining elders (directors). Of course, since the senior minister may act unilaterally on most matters, he need not convene an official board meeting to conduct day-to-day business.

4.3 Decision Making in. Board meetings are primarily advisory sessions where the elders provide facts and counsel to the senior minister. Most "votes" are merely for the senior minister's information since he makes the final decision. Exceptions to this are votes concerning removal of the pastor from office, approval of the ordination of new elders, and amendments to the Corporate documents. For such matters, binding votes will be taken among the elders as stipulated in Sections 2.2.3ff, 2.3.2, and 7.0ff.

4.4 Annual Meeting. The annual board meeting shall occur every August. Business to be conducted shall include appointment and confirmation of corporate officers, stipulation of any annual salaries and other compensation for officers, and other pending business.

4.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings to deal with church business and administration shall be convened as necessary.

5.0 ADMINISTRATION.

5.1 Salaries. Officers and other designated staff may be paid salaries deemed appropriate by the board of directors (elders). Officers shall not be denied a salary because he is also a director. Salaries of any officer or director shall be established at each annual meeting. Salaries and wages of other paid staff may be set at any board meeting.

5.2 Staff. Paid staff shall consist of those persons hired by the senior minister in order to assist in the performance of the church's ministries. Volunteer staff shall also be used as necessary to perform the ministries of the church.

5.3 Submission of the Staff. All church staff, whether paid or unpaid, must submit to the authority and decisions of the senior minister and elders concerning matters that relate to their job and function in the church. Failure to comply with the decisions of the elders shall warrant dismissal from paid positions and removal from volunteer positions.

5.4 Delegation of Authority. The senior minister and elders may delegate authority to any member of the church to perform specific duties such as being a ministry head, performing a work of service, preaching, teaching, counseling, etc. This delegated authority may be rescinded at any time. The voting privileges of the elders may not be delegated.

5.5 Financial Matters.

5.5.1 Sources of Income. Sources of income shall primarily be tithes, free will offerings and fund raisers deemed suitable to tax-exempt organizations. The commercial sale of merchandise shall be limited to items which somehow align with the church's purposes in Section 1.3.

5.5.2 Uses of Income. All income shall be used for the purposes outlined in Section 1.3 and detailed in Article I of the Articles of Incorporation.

5.5.3 Dissolution of Corporation. If and when the church (corporation) is dissolved, all assets will be given to another "501 (c) (3)" tax exempt church with similar doctrinal views and practices to those of the Hope Christian Fellowship.

6.1 Purpose For. The elders of the church reserve the right to exercise biblical discipline to church members which may include the extreme measure of excommunication. Excommunication is intended to bring the offending party to a place of repentance before Jesus Christ and restoration to fellowship in the church (I Cor. 5:5) as well as to protect the congregation from the adverse influence of gross unrepentant sin (I Cor. 5:6-7).

6.2 Grounds For. Valid reasons for excommunication fall into three general categories: gross unrepentant sin, heretical teachings, and divisiveness.

6.2.1 Unrepentant Sin. Excommunicable sins include theft, sexual immorality (adultery, incest, homosexuality, prostitution, and fornication), greed idolatry, slander, drunkenness, drug abuse, swindling (I Cor. 5:11), idleness (II Thess. 3:6-15), blasphemy (I Tim. 1:20), murder (Deut. 19:13), and kidnaping (Deut 24:7).

6.2.2 Heretical Teachings. Any teaching contrary to the beliefs outlined in Articles I through IX (inclusive) of the Statement of Faith is considered to be heretical and merits excommunication (Titus 3:9-11, Romans 16:17).

6.2.3 Divisiveness. Any persistent effort to divide the congregation into factions around individuals other than the senior minister or around doctrinal matters other than those contained in the statement of faith or around methods and activities not approved by the elders warrants excommunication.

6.3 Precursors To. When it is suspected that a member of the congregation is involved in an excommunicable activity, an investigation shall be undertaken by one or more elders to substantiate the accusations. If the accusations appear to be valid, the person shall be confronted and warned by an elder (Matt 18:15) followed by a second warning by two or more elders if the first warning is unsuccessful in bring about repentance (Matt 18:16). If the offence(s) continue(s), the matter shall be brought before a quorum of elders who will decide in favor of the offending party's excommunication if the charges are verified (Matt 18:17).

6.4 Procedure Of. After the elders decide to excommunicate a person or persons, the fact of their excommunication shall be presented to the congregation at a corporate gathering of the senior minister's choosing. The name of the individual and the general nature of the offense will be made known, but unnecessary details of the offense shall not be revealed to the congregation. One of the elders shall be appointed by the senior minister as a contact between the excommunicated party and the church.

6.5 Results Of. Following excommunication, the offending party shall not be permitted to attend or participate in any church sponsored activity, nor shall the person be permitted on or in any church property, nor still shall he or she have any social contact with any member of the congregation.

6.6 Restoration From. Upon the evident repentance of the excommunicated individual and contact with the designated elder, the person may return to full fellowship within the church. The fact of the person's restoration to fellowship shall be announced joyfully at the next possible church gathering.

7.1 Articles of Incorporation. This constitution and bylaws composes the governing principles of the church and is presumed to be compatible with the less specific Articles of Incorporation. In the event that a technical contradiction is discovered between the two documents, these bylaws shall take precedence over the Articles of Incorporation. Moreover, the Articles will automatically be amended to comply with these bylaws at the direction of the senior minister. Otherwise, the Articles of Incorporation may be amended by a three quarters majority vote of the entire board of elders (not just a quorum). It is not necessary for the entire board to be present for such a vote, only that three quarters of the total board membership vote for the amendment. The president (senior minister) has the power to veto any such vote. No vote may override the president on this matter.

7.2 Constitution and Bylaws. This constitution and bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed at any meeting of the board of directors (elders) with a three quarters majority vote of the entire board of elders (not just a quorum). It is not necessary for the entire board to be present for such a vote, only that three quarters of the total board membership vote for the amendment. The president (senior minister) has the power to veto any such vote. No vote may override the president on this matter.

7.3 Statement of Faith. Articles I through IX (inclusive) may be altered, amended, or repealed only upon a unanimous vote of the entire board of elders (not just a quorum) including the senior minister. Articles X through XVIII (inclusive) may be altered, amended or repealed and additional articles included upon a three quarters majority vote of the entire board of elders (again, not just a quorum). The president (senior minister) has the power to veto any such vote. No vote may override the president on this matter.