Index

Article I - Name
Article II - Purpose
Article III - Statement Of Faith
Article IV - Principle Office
Article V - Sovereignty And Fellowship Of The Local Church
Article VI - Membership
Article VII - Government
Article VIII - Officers
Article IX - Rites Of Ordination
Article X -Deacons
Article XI - Auxiliaries
Article XlI - Amendment Of By-Laws
Article XIII - Annual Accounting Period
Article XIV - Miscellaneous

The purpose of this church shall be:

A. To worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (John 4:24).

B. To build up the Church of Jesus Christ through the teaching of the Word and the ministry of the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

C. To increase Christian faithfulness "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).

D. To encourage individual Christians toward attaining "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

E. To be ambassadors of Christ in our community and unto the nations and to lead men and women to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (2 Corinthians 4:20-21; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:16).

WE BELIEVE that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all and governs all.

WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

WE BELIEVE in God The Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and His personal, visible return to earth.

WE BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.

WE BELIEVE that all people are sinners by nature and choice and therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord; that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service.

WE BELIEVE in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: 1) water baptism and 2) the Lord's Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

WE BELIEVE also in the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders and deacons and for the receiving of gifts of the Spirit of healing.

WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible return of Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.

WE BELIEVE in what is termed "The Apostle's Creed" as embodying fundamental facts of the Christian faith.

Believing in the independence of the local church with full freedom of deliberation, decision and deportment under God, this church is to be autonomous and self-governing, but may affiliate with another organization of churches of like beliefs for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, this church desires the fellowship of all evangelical churches and Christian groups who will cooperate with us to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A. Qualifications for Membership - The membership of this corporation shall be open to any believing and confessing Christian, who has attained the age of eighteen (18) and who acknowledges and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who understands the beliefs, policies and purpose of this church and who will not contest these, desiring to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of love.

B. Application for and Confirmation of Membership - Persons desiring membership shall apply for membership by contacting a pastor or elder and receiving confirmation of membership.

C. Membership Roles - The Secretary shall maintain a list of active members of the church and shall have the list reviewed and updated at least annually and upon direction by the Board of Directors. Members who do not regularly attend and participate in church activities shall be placed on an inactive role of permanent records of membership.

D. Voting Rights - All active members shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any meeting of the members. Provision of Proxy - In the event of an active member's inability to attend a meeting, in which a vote is taken, said member may designate another active member to cast a vote in their stead. Written and signed intent of vote by proxy must be given to the Senior Pastor prior to the vote.

E. Annual Meeting - The annual meeting of the members of this corporation shall be held on the first Sunday of November each year at 6:00 PM at the principle office of the church. No notice need be given if the meeting is held on the date and at the time immediately above stated. The Board of Directors may have the meeting held at a different time, date and place if notice is given to the members.

F. Special Meetings - Special Meetings of the members of the church may be called for any purpose by the Senior Pastor or any two Directors upon notice to the members.

G. Notice of Meetings - For any meeting requiring notice, date, time and place of the meeting shall be given verbally during the regular Sunday services two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

A. The Headship of Christ - The government of the church shall be focused on seeking and maintaining the Lordship and direction of Jesus Christ over His body. All those in authority shall continually ask His mind and will through His Spirit and the Word of God in all actions and decisions.

B. The Overseeing of the Church by the Senior Pastor and Elders - The Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Church Council, shall be comprised of the Elders and the Senior Pastor who will head the Church Council as its Chairman. The Church Council shall be the governing body of the church.

1. Number of Elders: The Church Council shall consist of a maximum of twelve (12) and a minimum of three (3) elders.

2. Authority: The Church Council is the highest governing body in the church to which all other boards, committees and auxiliaries are responsible.

3. Their Ministry:

a. The Church Council shall oversee and rule the ministry of the church by precept and example under the leadership of the Senior Pastor. They shall pray together regularly, review the progress of the church life and counsel and pray together as frequently as needed for mutual counsel.

b. Subject to the laws of the State of California, the Articles of Incorporation and these By-Laws, all powers of the church shall be exercised by or under the authority of the Church Council.

c. Without limiting the general powers, the Church Council shall have the following powers:

(1) To select and remove all other officers, agents and employees of the corporation; prescribe such powers and duties for them as may be consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws; fix their compensation; and require of them faithful service. (See Article VIII D. 3-5)

(2) To conduct, manage and control the affairs of the business of the church; to make rules and regulations consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws.

(3) To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose of the church and for that purpose, to authorize to be executed and delivered in the church's name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges and other evidences of debt and securities, except that it shall not be able to encumber, transfer, sell or purchase any land or building without the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present on the active roll of the church consenting to such action.

4. Election and Term of Office of Elders - The Elders shall be nominated by the Senior Pastor and confirmed by a majority vote of the Church Council. Their election to the Church Council shall be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting members present at a regularly scheduled membership meeting. An Elder's term of office shall be for three years and he cannot succeed himself in office. The Senior Pastor, as Chairman of the Church Council shall maintain his office for so long as he is Senior Pastor.

5. Qualifications of an Elder:

a. The nominee to the church Council shall meet the qualifications of an Eider as prescribed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

b. An Elder should have a firm conviction in his own heart of being a servant to Jesus Christ and to the people of Christ and of conducting himself in such a manner so as not to be a stumbling block in any way to those in the Body of Christ or those without. (1 Corinthians 10:23-33; Romans 14:13-23)

c. An Elder must be a "born-again" believer in Jesus Christ and will subscribe to the Statement of Faith of Calvary Chapel of Oxnard (Article III).

d. An Elder shall be a man of high moral character, monogamous, temperate, prudent, respectable, not self-willed, self-controlled, just, devout and not covetous.

e. An Elder shall be a man who rules his own home well and whose children follow his example.

f. An Elder shall be a man who handles himself uprightly among others; not given to the imbibing of alcoholic beverages or the use of illicit drugs or mood altering chemicals, not pugnacious, gentle, uncontentious, hospitable, a lover of good and of good reputation in the world.

g. An Elder shall be a mature believer who is knowledgeable in the Scriptures and is able to teach.

h. An Elder shall be committed to serving the Lord and have demonstrated this commitment prior to becoming an Elder.

i. With the exception of the Senior Pastor, no Church Council member shall be a paid staff position.

6. Meetings of Elders - The Church Council shall regularly meet at a time, date and place designated by the Council. Calling of meetings of the Elders may be done at any time by the Senior Pastor or any two Elders. Excepting regularly scheduled meetings, all Elders shall receive written notice of the time, date and place of the meeting at least five (5) days before the meeting. The notice requirement of meetings may be waived by a quorum and majority of Elders who signs a Written Waiver of Notice and Consent to Hold the Meeting or a majority written approval of the minutes. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the Secretary and made part of the Minutes of the Meeting.

7. Vacancies - A vacancy occurring during the term of an Elder shall be filled by the appointment of the Senior Pastor and confirmed by a majority vote of the remaining Elders. The appointed Elder shall serve the unexpired term of his predecessor and is eligible for reappointment.

8. Removal - An Elder may be removed by resignation, by completion of the three year term or by a majority vote of the remaining Elders and the Senior Pastor in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:19-21; and Galatians 6:1. Said Elder will abstain from voting on his own removal.

9. Compensation - Elders shall receive no compensation for their services as Elders.

10. Voting Procedures/Quorum - A quorum for any meetings of the Church Council shall be a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Church Council. With a quorum present, a simple majority of the total Church Council is needed to pass any resolution.

A. Officers - The officers of this church shall be the Senior Pastor, who shall serve as President of the Corporation, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers other than the President need not be a member of the Church Council.

B. Election and Term - With the exception of the Senior Pastor, the officers shall be elected by the Church Council for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified.

C. Vacancies - A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise shall be filled by the Church Council.

D. President (Senior Pastor) - The Senior Pastor shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business affairs of the corporation. The Senior Pastor shall serve as the Chairman of the Church Council. He shall be responsible for presiding at all meetings of the Church Council and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Elders.

1. His Ministry:

a. The Senior Pastor shall minister unto the Lord in regular personal worship and praise. He shall give himself to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6:4) and shall walk uprightly before the Lord in his personal life. He shall seek the mind of God.

b. The Senior Pastor shall be the shepherd of the church. He shall give considerable time to the study of the Word and shall teach the Scriptures to the flock by precept and example. He shall aim to feed the flock, equip the saints for ministry and guard the church against the attack of the enemy.

c. The Senior Pastor shall be the president of the corporation, its chief executive officer and chairman of the Church Council. He shall oversee the business of the church on a daily basis and give leadership to the Associate and Assistant Pastors, the paid staff, the Elders, the Deacons, the general church body and its ministries. The Senior Pastor shall have general supervision of the entire church and charge of all services, gatherings and meetings. The paid staff members' compensation shall be specified by the Senior Pastor and ratified by the Church Council at the time of their hiring. Periodic increases or decreases shall be established by the Senior Pastor and ratified by the Church Council. The positions of staff members may be terminated by the Senior Pastor at his prerogative.

d. The Senior Pastor, as Chairman of the Church Council, shall have the right to veto any decisions of the Church Council. Pastoral vetoes can be overridden by unanimous vote after reconsideration by all the Elders (the Church Council).

2. His Qualifications:

a. The Senior Pastor shall be generally qualified according to the qualifications of an Elder and Overseer (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

b. The Senior Pastor shall be a Spirit-filled teacher of the Word of God, an ordained pastor of good reputation, of Biblically conservative theology, Christ-centered, and willing to serve a non-denominational church without promoting denominational interest.

3. His Appointment - In the event of a vacancy, the Church Council shall constitute a Nominating Committee. This committee shall seek, find and nominate a candidate. They shall seek first among the Associate or Assistant Pastors from within the fellowship. Upon unanimous approval of the Church Council, the candidate will be presented to the congregation. The Senior Pastor shall be elected by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the voting membership present. The resigning or retiring Senior Pastor may nominate, in conjunction with the Church Council, a successor and/or participate in the selection of his successor.

4. His Compensation - The Senior Pastor's initial compensation shall be specified by the Church Council at the time of his calling and reviewed periodically. The church shall provide, if possible, adequate salary, housing allowance, health insurance, expense allowance, conference funds, vacation time, continuing education, pension and other special funds as needed for the ministry. The church shall also pay the cost of sending the Senior Pastor to out of town conferences or conventions attended for the church as approved by the Church Council.

5. Potential Termination - For the purpose of potential termination of the Senior Pastor for moral, ethical or doctrinal reasons, any two (2) Elders may call a joint meeting of the Church Council in line with Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:19-21 and Galatians 6:1. The meeting shall be in accordance with the procedure outlined for calling a special meeting (Article VII B, 6). A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Elders is necessary to terminate the Senior Pastor's position, with the Senior Pastor abstaining from the Council's vote when his position is in question. If the Senior Pastor accepts the vote, then a written statement of his resignation shall be appended to the minutes and the decision will be final. The resignation will be presented to the membership of the church at a specially called meeting in accord with Article VI, F.However, if the Senior Pastor wishes to challenge the Council's decision, then the Council shall contact the Moderator from the presbytery of the participating Pastors who will call together a Court of Inquiry. A minimum of, but not limited to three (3) Pastors, excluding the Moderator who will not vote, will constitute the Court which will meet at an agreed upon location by the Church Council and the Court in Oxnard. At the discretion of the Church Council the Moderator and Court of Inquiry will be reviewed and may be reconstituted at the time of the appointment of the Senior Pastor. A review and correspondence to constitute the Court shall be done annually. The entire Court shall be selected by a majority of the Church Council.

During the Court of Inquiry, all evidence will be presented by the Church Council for its decision, including witnesses, etc. and the Senior Pastor may also present his case. Such a Court shall last no longer than a seven (7) consecutive days. The Court's decision will be final and binding. The Moderator of the Court shall announce the decision of the Court at a special meeting of the members of the church (Article VI, F). No vote by the congregation will be needed since the Court's decision is final. If the Senior Pastor has been retained he has the right to reconstitute the Church Council.

From the time of the Church Council's vote to remove the Senior Pastor until the final vote of the Court of Inquiry, the Senior Pastor will take a temporary leave of absence with pay from said pastorate.

E. Associate or Assistant Pastors:

1. Their Ministry:

a. The Associate or Assistant Pastor or Pastors shall minister unto the Lord in regular, personal worship and praise. He shall give himself to the ministry of the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4) and seek to walk uprightly before the Lord in his personal life. He shall seek the mind of God.

b. The Senior Pastor shall define an Associate or Assistant Pastor's ministry upon his appointment. He shall serve under the Senior Pastor's direction and with the Senior Pastor in the teaching of the Word.

2. Their Qualifications - An Associate or Assistant Pastor shall meet the same requirements as the Senior Pastor.

3. Their Appointment - The Senior Pastor shall appoint and the Elders shall ordain the Associate or Assistant Pastor to share in the ministry.

4. Their Compensation - The Associate or Assistant Pastor's compensation shall be specified by the Senior Pastor and approved by the Church Council at the time of their calling. For a full-time Pastor, the church shall provide, as possible, adequate salary, insurance, housing allowance, pension, conference and continuing education funds and vacation. For part-time assistants, the church shall provide as seems appropriate and ratified by the Church Council.

5. Termination - The dismissal of Associate or Assistant Pastors shall be the prerogative of the Senior Pastor with the advice of the Church Council.

F. Vice President - In the event of absence or disability of the Senior Pastor, the Vice-Chairman shall perform temporarily all duties of the Senior Pastor and in so acting shall have all the powers of the Senior Pastor until the Church Council takes action on the vacancy. The Vice President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Church Council.

G. Secretary - The Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of all proceedings of the Church Council, shall keep the seal of the church and affix it to such papers as may be required in the regular course of its affairs, shall issue such notices as may be necessary or proper, shall supervise the keeping of records of the church and shall discharge such other duties of the office as prescribed by the Church Council.

H. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of all funds of the church; shall insure their deposit in the appropriate financial institutions, as designated by the Senior Pastor or Church Council; and shall prepare accurate financial records for review by the Church Council.

A. Principles of Ordination - A Candidate for ordination recognizes that only our Sovereign, Holy God can truly call and ordain His children for service in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The calling of a minister is not the result of a title; rather, the title is the result of his calling. This calling is recognized as from the true and living God. It is man's privilege and specifically the privilege of the overseers of the true Church of Jesus Christ to ratify the ordination of God when such is obviously placed upon a man's life. The purpose of this Article is to provide for the ordination rites of the ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Calvary Chapel of Oxnard.

B. Qualifications for Ordination - The qualifications for ordination are as follows:

1. A Candidate for ordination must be a "born-again" believer in Jesus Christ as described by our Lord in the third chapter of the Gospel of John.

2. A Candidate must subscribe to the Statement of Faith of Calvary Chapel of Oxnard (Article III).

3. A Candidate must have completed four (4) years of Bible study or the equivalent as designated by the Church Council.

4. A Candidate should have evidenced the obvious calling of God upon his life to the satisfaction of the Church Council.

5. A Candidate for the pastoral ministry shall be a man (1 Timothy 2:12-15).

C. Procedure for Ordination:

1. Each person fulfilling the above requirements and upon their presentation to the Church Council, will receive full recognition for ordination into the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Calvary Chapel of Oxnard.

2. The Elders may make exceptions to these qualifying standards where, in the unanimous opinion of the Elders and under the strong compelling conviction of the Holy Spirit, such exception is according to the will of God and consistent with His Word.

3. Upon unanimous approval of the Church Council, the Candidate will be ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the right to perform ministerial functions in accordance with the laws of the land and the ordinances of God's Holy Word, with all prerogatives of such a calling and office.

4. All Candidates, successful or otherwise, will be notified of the Church Council's decision in writing within one (1) week of the final decision.

5. Certificate of Ordination - The following is the text of the Certificate of Ordination to be issued to each successful candidate:

CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION
This is to certify that (Name of Ordainee) was duly ordained by Calvary Chapel of Oxnard as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has completed all studies and has met all the requirements of this body for the recognition of such office; further, by rite of ordination this date he is duly ordained to perform all ministerial functions within the limits as prescribed by the By-Laws, as accorded by the laws of the land and in compliance with the ordinances of God's Holy Church as set forth in the Holy Bible. We now pray for God's Divine blessing and the power of the Holy Spirit upon him.

Given this _____________ day of ________________, __________________

__________________________________ __________________________________
Chairman Secretary

__________________________________ __________________________________
Vice-Chairman Elder

D. Revocation of Ordination - The Church Council has the power to revoke any certificate of ordination it has issued with the exception of the Senior Pastor whose employ must be terminated before revocation.

A. Their Ministry - The Deacons shall carry on various ministries within the body to meet the physical needs of the church under the direction and encouragement of the pastoral staff. The Deacons shall counsel with the pastoral staff regarding the physical needs which arise within the body and shall pray for any in the body for whom they are caring; and shall serve the body with hospitality, love, care and counsel.

B. Number of Deacons - The number of Deacons shall be set within the discretion of the Senior Pastor.

C. The Appointment and Term of the Office of Deacons - The Senior Pastor shall appoint Deacons to their office with the advice and consent of the Elders and serve for an indefinite duration. The Senior Pastor shall review each appointment yearly and make reappointment where appropriate. Their appointment shall be acknowledged at a regularly scheduled worship service to be selected by the Senior Pastor within one (1) month of their appointment or reappointment.

D. Qualifications of Deacons - In addition to meeting the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:13-18, they shall be serious, not double-tongued and not given over to the imbibing of alcoholic beverages or the taking of illicit drugs or mood altering chemicals; they shall be monogamous, obedient to the faith, mature and have a tested walk in the Lord.

E. Meetings of Deacons - The Deacons shall be in regular contact with the Senior Pastor, pastoral staff and Church Council and shall meet at the discretion of the Senior Pastor.

Any organization, group or club whose membership is primarily for a church activity, shall be subject to the By-Laws of the church and shall be considered an auxiliary of the church. As an auxiliary organization it shall exist only in cooperation with the Senior Pastor and Elders.

The By-Laws may be amended or repealed and new By-Laws adopted by the majority vote of the members at the annual meeting or a special meeting (See Article VI F & G).

The annual accounting period for this corporation shall begin on the first day of July each year and conclude on the last day of June each year.

A. The Execution of Documents - The Church Council may authorize, by majority vote, any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the church and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent or other person shall have any power or authority to bind the church by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.

B. Inspection of these By-Laws - The church shall keep in its principle office the original or a copy of its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended to date, certified by the Secretary, which shall be open to inspection by the members at all reasonable times during the office hours.

C. Construction of Definitions - Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of construction and definition contained in the California General Non-Profit Corporation law shall govern the Construction of these By-Laws.

D. Quorum - All works, committees and auxiliaries shall have a quorum present when two-thirds (2/3) of the total membership is present. A simple majority of those present is needed to pass any action unless otherwise specified.

E. Rules of Order - The rules of order contained in Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall be the general guide to govern all board meetings of the church, except in the instances of conflict between said Rules of Order and the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the church or provisions of the law of the land.

__________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
Date: November 10, 2000