ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

 

Section 1. Name

 

The name of this corporation is The Well Worship Center (TWWC).

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Section 2. Religious Purpose

 

This corporation is organized exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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Its purpose is to glorify God by fulfilling the mission given in Matthew 28:18–20: Go. Make Disciples.

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ARTICLE II - NON-PROFIT STATUS

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The corporation shall not issue stock and shall have no shareholders.

No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

 

TWWC operates as a non-member governed religious corporation under Kansas law.

Congregants do not possess statutory voting rights regarding governance, property, or financial decisions.

 

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

 

The corporation shall be governed through:

1. Regional Elders

2. TWWC Elders

3. Governing Board

 

All governing bodies act by majority vote.  Quorum = majority of active members of that body.

 

ARTICLE V - REGIONAL ELDERS

 

Regional Elders provide external accountability.

 

Section 1.  Authority 

 

They may:

• Investigate allegations

• Provide corrective discipline and/or removal of Lead Pastor

• Provide corrective discipline and/or removal of TWWC Elders

• Have authority to call a meeting with any, or all, TWWC Elder Board members.

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Section 2. Terms and Removal

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• Regional Elders are appointed by a majority vote of the TWWC Elders

• The term is perpetual until ​

  • the Regional Elder no longer desires to serve on the board

  • A majority vote of removal is made by TWWC Elders

 

ARTICLE VI - TWWC ELDERS

 

Section 1. Authority

 

Elders shall:

• Guard doctrine

• Shepherd the congregation

• Exercise church discipline

• Appoint Governing Board members

• Provide spiritual oversight

 

Section 2. Terms and Removal

 

No term limits.  Service continues while biblical qualifications are maintained.

 

Removal of elders can happen by:

• A majority vote of Regional Elders

• A majority vote of TWWC Elders.  ​

  • If TWWC Elders make a removal, a report of the removal must be sent to all members of the Regional Elder board.

 

ARTICLE VII - GOVERNING BOARD

 

Section 1. Authority

 

The Governing Board shall:

• Decide, vote upon, and determine the annual operating budget

• Oversee financial stewardship

• Execute major property purchases 

• Enter into contracts

• Conduct long-term financial planning and strategies that advance the church mission.

• Hold quarterly meetings.​

  • Agendas and voting items must receive prior majority approval of TWWC Elders.

 

Section 2. Limitations

 

The Governing Board shall not:

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• Establish doctrine

• Exercise church discipline

• Remove elders

• Override Elder spiritual authority

• Be paid employees of TWWC

 

Section 3. Terms and Removal 

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• Board members are appointed by a majority vote of the TWWC Elders

• Three-year terms

• Unlimited consecutive terms if reappointed

• Vacancies filled by Elder appointment for remainder of term

• Removal occurs by majority vote of TWWC Elder Board

 

ARTICLE VIII - LEAD PASTOR

 

The Lead Pastor:

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• Serves as primary preaching Elder

• Oversees staff

• Hires and fires within approved budget

• Is responsible for providing the primary vision and direction for TWWC.

• Accountable to Elders and Regional Elders.

 

ARTICLE IX - CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

All board members from all three branches of government must:

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• Disclose conflicts

• Recuse from conflicted votes

• Avoid personal financial gain from position

 

Violation may result in removal.

 

ARTICLE X - FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

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• Annual budget available upon request

• Annual summary provided to congregants

• Independent financial reviews are allowed at anytime so long as the persons requesting such reviews are willing to pay for the cost of the reviews. 

 

ARTICLE XI - ELDER DISCIPLINE

 

• Accusations must be documented and supported.

• For an Elder other than the Lead Pastor, the investigation and any consequent discipline can be handled by the TWWC Elder Board.   Or, if the Elder Board votes to do so, it may choose to have the Regional Elders handle the situation.  In such a case where the Elders choose to handle an investigation, their investigation and final report must be sent to all members of the Regional Elder Board. 

• In the event the Lead Pastor is under investigation, the Regional Elders must conduct investigation.

• Actions of corrective, discipline, or removal require a majority vote.

 

ARTICLE XII - SUCCESSION

 

Temporary incapacity → Elder-appointed interim.

 

Permanent vacancy → Elder-led search process.

 

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS  

 

These bylaws may be amended only by:

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1. Two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the TWWC Elders, AND

2. Majority written affirmation by Regional Elders.

 

No amendment may:

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• Remove Regional Elder accountability

• Remove Elder agenda oversight of the Governing Board

• Transfer spiritual authority to the Governing Board

 

Unless unanimously approved by both Elder bodies.

 

ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION

 

Upon the dissolution of The Well Worship Center, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed in the following manner:

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1. All liabilities and obligations of the corporation shall be paid and satisfied, or adequate provision shall be made therefore.

2. After satisfaction of all liabilities, all remaining assets shall be distributed exclusively for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

3. Specifically, such assets shall be transferred to one or more nonprofit organizations:

   • Organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes;

   • Recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3);

   • Whose doctrine and mission substantially align with the historic Christian faith and the mission of The Well Worship Center.

4. The determination of the recipient organization(s) shall be made by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the TWWC Elders, with majority affirmation of the Regional Elders.

5. In the event that no such qualified organization is selected, the assets shall be distributed by a court of competent jurisdiction within the State of Kansas exclusively for exempt purposes consistent with Section 501(c)(3).

 

No assets shall be distributed to any private individual, member, officer, or director of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE XV - FINAL AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

 

Section 1. Supreme Authority

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The Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God.

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In all matters of faith, doctrine, practice, discipline, governance, and moral standards, the Scriptures shall be the final and supreme authority of The Well Worship Center.

 

Section 2. Doctrinal Interpretation

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The interpretation and application of Scripture for The Well Worship Center shall rest exclusively with the TWWC Elders.

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In matters involving Elder qualification or discipline, interpretive authority shall include oversight by the Regional Elders.

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No civil court, governmental body, or external authority shall have jurisdiction to determine matters of doctrine, theology, moral teaching, or ecclesiastical governance.

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Section 3. Supremacy Over Governing Documents

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These Bylaws, policies, and all governing documents of The Well Worship Center are adopted in submission to the authority of Scripture.

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In the event of any perceived conflict between these Bylaws and the Holy Scriptures, as determined by the TWWC Elders (with Regional Elder oversight where applicable), Scripture shall prevail.

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Section 4. Matters of Moral and Religious Conviction

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The Well Worship Center retains the exclusive right to determine:

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• Standards of membership

• Qualifications for leadership

• Moral conduct expectations

• Marriage and human sexuality doctrine

• Church discipline procedures

• Hiring and employment standards

 

All such determinations shall be made in accordance with the church’s understanding of Scripture.