Adopted under the laws of the State of North Carolina and consistent with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Article I – Name and Identity
The name of this organization is Get Jesus Church, a Christian, LGBTQ+ affirming, biblically bound church organized and operating under the laws of the State of North Carolina.
Article II – Purpose
The Church exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, promote love, compassion, and inclusion, and provide accessible Christian education throughout the United States. The Church affirms all people as made in the image of God and welcomes everyone into full participation in the life of the Church.
The Church is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Article III – Offices and Registered Agent
The principal office shall be located in the State of North Carolina. The registered agent shall be Pastor Mark at the principal address of the Church. The Church may maintain additional offices or meeting locations as needed for ministry and outreach.
Article IV – Membership
1. Classes of Membership
- Guest – may attend and donate voluntarily.
- Level 1 Member – applies through official membership application.
- Level 2 Member – applies through clergy after Level 1 approval.
- Level 3 Member – applies through clergy after Level 2 approval.
- Clergy Member – serves under pastoral leadership after Level 3 approval.
Note: Up to three Head Pastors may exist at any time. They obtain their position by appointment of the Founder or by a 75% or greater vote of the clergy.
2. Rights and Privileges
- Official Members may participate in meetings, ministries, and petition processes as described herein.
- Voting rights apply to clergy members acting as directors.
- Membership is non-transferable.
3. Donations
- Guests: optional.
- Levels 1–3: 10% of income encouraged.
- Clergy: 10% expected, more encouraged.
4. Termination and Appeal
Membership may be discontinued by written notice, inactivity, or decision of clergy for cause. Members removed for cause may submit a written appeal to one of the Head Pastors within 30 days for reconsideration by clergy vote.
Article V – Governance / Board of Directors
1. Structure
The clergy of Get Jesus Church shall constitute the Board of Directors for purposes of North Carolina law. The Head Pastors serve as spiritual leaders of the Church and as a check and balance. Other officers include Secretary and Treasurer. All offices may be held concurrently by the Founder unless separated for accountability.
2. Authority
The Head Pastors and Clergy collectively oversee doctrine, worship, and administration. The Founder retains final decision-making authority unless declared mentally unfit by written opinion of at least three licensed professionals. In such case, full authority transfers to the clergy and officers.
3. Terms and Vacancies
Officers and clergy serve indefinite terms until resignation, removal for cause, or appointment of successors. Vacancies are filled by clergy consensus.
4. Meetings and Quorum
The Board shall meet at least once annually. All meetings shall be called at least thirty (30) days in advance unless deemed an emergency situation. Special or digital meetings may be called by the Pastor or any two clergy. A quorum shall consist of a majority of clergy members. Majority vote (>50%) governs unless otherwise stated.
5. Recordkeeping
Minutes shall be maintained for all official meetings and retained for at least seven (7) years.
Article VI – Petitions and Governance Voting
- Any official member may submit a petition to the clergy requesting a change in governance, doctrine, or policy, accompanied by a reasonable donation as set by clergy vote.
- Clergy shall review and vote by simple majority. Approved petitions advance to the Pastor for review. Rejections require written explanation and are returned to the clergy for an override vote as specified herein.
- If the Head Pastors reject a petition, it is returned to the clergy with written explanation for reconsideration. An 80% clergy vote may override the Head Pastors rejection; a 90% clergy vote may override a President’s denial.
- A majority of Head Pastors must agree for any measure to advance to the President. If they cannot reach majority agreement, the petition is returned to the clergy with written explanations from each Head Pastor who opposed it.
- Votes must occur within 30 days unless extended by majority clergy vote for complexity or volume.
Article VII – Finances
- Fiscal year ends December 31.
- The Treasurer maintains accurate records and issues annual financial reports.
- Funds are used solely for ministry, outreach, and operations. No earnings benefit private individuals except reasonable compensation for services rendered.
- Annual internal financial review shall occur; external audit may be commissioned by clergy majority.
- Financial and membership records shall be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years.
Article VIII – Conflict of Interest Policy
All directors, officers, and clergy must act in the best interests of the Church. Any individual with a financial or personal conflict must disclose it to the clergy and abstain from related votes. All disclosures and recusals shall be recorded in meeting minutes.
No director, officer, or member shall receive compensation except for reasonable and approved payments for services actually rendered.
Article IX – Indemnification
The Church shall indemnify its directors, officers, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by North Carolina law against any liability arising from lawful acts performed in their official capacities.
Article X – Non-Discrimination
The Church does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age. Individuals under the age of eighteen (18) may only become Restricted Level 1 Members with documented consent of a parent or legal guardian, who remain responsible for the minor’s actions while participating in Church activities and platforms.
Article XI – Doctrine
The Church upholds the Holy Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God. Interpretation and teaching shall align with love, compassion, and inclusion consistent with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Supplementary doctrinal statements approved by clergy shall be maintained as reference documents for teaching and governance.
Article XII – Committees and Ministries
The President may create or dissolve committees or ministry teams to support the mission of the Church with majority support of the clergy.
Article XIII – Meetings and Notices
Annual clergy meetings are required. Notice shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior by email or posting on the Church website. Digital meetings constitute valid gatherings if properly recorded.
Article XIV – Amendments
These bylaws may be amended using the petition and voting process set forth herein, with public notice on the Church website at least seven (7) days prior to adoption. Any member may submit proposed amendments for clergy review under the same procedures and thresholds described for petitions, and a majority of clergy must cast a vote for adoption.
Article XV – Dissolution
Upon dissolution, all remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit Christian organization consistent with the inclusive mission of Get Jesus Church, as determined by clergy. No part shall inure to any individual.
Certification and Signatures
We, the undersigned officers of Get Jesus Church, certify that the foregoing Bylaws were duly adopted by majority clergy approval in accordance with Article XIV.
| Title | Name | Signatures | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pastor | Mark | ||
| President | Mark | ||
| Secretary | Mark | ||
| Treasurer | Mark |
Notary Acknowledgment (North Carolina)
State of North Carolina
County of
On this ____ day of ______, 20____, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared the above-named officers of Get Jesus Church, who executed the foregoing instrument on behalf of the organization and acknowledged it to be their voluntary act and deed.
Signature of Notary Public: _______
Printed Name: _______
My Commission Expires: _______
Notary Seal:
