About Hope Governing Policies
The New Hope Fellowship government is built around four teams of people:
1. The Elders
2. The Advisory Council
3. The Pastor and Staff
4. The Care Ministry Representatives
1. The Elders: 1.1 Their selection: The elders of New Hope Fellowship are selected by the senior pastor and approved by a unanimous vote of the advisory council. The senior pastor is a permanent member of the board of elders. A staff member, other than the senior pastor, may not serve as an elder. The number of elders is based on need. There should be no less than three, including the senior pastor, but no more than five. There are no term limits.
1.2 Their function: The elders function primarily as discerners and guardians of the organization. They are not expected to oversee specific projects or ministry areas in their capacity as elders. They function as overseers for the entire organization, helping the senior pastor evaluate the effectiveness and direction of the organization.
1.3 The qualifications of an elder: A candidate for elder must have been a member of New Hope Fellowship for at least two years prior to his election to office, and have been actively involved in ministry at New Hope Fellowship for at least two years. Furthermore, all elders are required to meet the qualifications outlined in:
1 Timothy 3:1-11, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. (KJV)
Titus 1:5-9, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (KJV)
In light of the increased expectations imposed upon elders and their families, we feel it is wise to choose elders who have continued in their first marriages. The only exception to this would be in the case of a deceased spouse or a man who has never been married.
1.4 The dismissal of an elder: If it becomes apparent that an elder should not serve in the office of elder, he may resign, or by three-fourths vote of the elders and advisory council, excluding the elder under consideration, be immediately retired from the office. His position will remain vacant until the senior pastor selects another who must be then unanimously approved by the advisory council. (Matthew 18)
2. Advisory Council: 2.1: The advisory council shall govern with an emphasis on:
2.1.1 biblically-based integrity and truthfulness in all methods and practices,
2.1.2 outward vision rather than internal preoccupation,
2.1.3 strategic leadership more than administrative detail,
2.1.4 clear distinction of board and chief executive roles,
2.1.5 collective rather than individual decisions,
2.1.6 future rather than past or present,
proactivity rather than reactivity.
The council will produce written governing policies that, at the broadest levels, address each category of organizational decision. These governing policies may be changed by a unanimous vote of the advisory council with full consultation of the senior pastor to meet the present and future needs of the church.
2.2 Their selection: New members to the advisory council of New Hope Fellowship will be added by need, with a ratio of 1 council member to every 50 members. The council must have no less than 5 members, but no more than 10. They will be recommended and voted on by a unanimous vote by the Advisory Council. Both men and women are qualified to serve on this council, but they must meet the following qualifications.
2.3 Their qualifications:
2.3.1 Regular Church Attendance (Sunday, Wednesday)
2.3.2 Tithing
2.3.3 Godly Lifestyle
2.3.4 Loyalty
2.3.4.1 To the Lord: Exodus 20:33 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (KJV)
2.3.4.2 To the pastor and staff: 1 Chr 16:22 “Saying, touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” (KJV)
Your other church leaders deserve your loyalty because God has placed them where they are. We won’t always agree with one another and sometimes we may disagree on issues, but that should never destroy loyalty, unless a leader is doing things that are contrary to the Word of God.
2.3.5 Must be a member of New Hope Fellowship for at least one year.
2.4 Their function: The advisory council of New Hope Fellowship will work hand in hand with the senior pastor to assist him in accomplishing his vision for the church. They will be meeting monthly with the senior pastor, for prayer and consultation.
2.5 Their responsibilities:
2.5.1 The council will assist the senior pastor in all financial matters concerning New Hope Fellowship. The pastor will consult the council via:
2.5.1.1 the building of additional facilities
2.5.1.2 the acquisition of additional property or property improvements
2.5.1.3 the addition of paid staff.
If additional staff is recommended to the council, they will, with full consultation with senior pastor and elders, create a salary proposal to present to the church for majority approval.
2.5.2 The council has authority to approve non-budgeted expenditures up to $10,000.00 by a two-thirds vote of the council. They will assist the senior pastor in recommendations to be presented to the congregation, for a majority vote, which exceeds their $10,000.00 limit
2.5.3 The council shall elect officers to the board in December of each year and the term for that office shall be one year. There will be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer and secretary. The council will determine the responsibilities of each office.
2.5.4 The dismissal of an advisory council member: If it becomes apparent to the members of the advisory council that a member should not serve in the office, he or she may resign, or by unanimous vote of the advisory council (after full consultation with the pastor), excluding the member under consideration, be immediately retired from the office. Their position will remain vacant until it has been filled according to the guidelines set forth in section 2.2. There are no term limits.
3. The Senior Pastor and Staff 3.1: Senior Pastor
3.1.1 His selection: When the position of senior pastor is vacated, the elders and the advisory council will take appropriate action to secure a qualified candidate to serve as senior pastor. Within thirty days of the vacancy the council will form a committee of church members that will accept the responsibility to begin a search for a new pastor. The committee will then present the candidate to the advisory council and elders. Once approved by the advisory council and elders the candidate will be recommended to the membership. Approval by the membership requires a minimum participation of 25 percent of the total membership. This will constitute a quorum. The nominee also requires a three-fourths affirmative vote of those members present.
3.1.2 His responsibilities:
3.1.2.2 Define and administer staff job descriptions.
3.1.2.3 Adhere to the annual budget. The pastor shall not expend more funds than have been budgeted for the fiscal year unless agreed upon by the Chairman and Treasurer of the Advisory Council. In these cases the expenditure shall not exceed 10% of the individual line item budgeted.
3.1.2.4 Prepare and present an annual budget to the council at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting in October. The advisory council will either approve or amend the budget at its regularly scheduled meeting in November. The Pastor will then present a copy of the proposed budget to the church on the first Sunday in December. The church will then have the opportunity to view the proposed budget for two weeks before a vote is held on the third Sunday of December. The proposed budget will pass with a two-thirds majority vote.
3.1.3 Voluntary Resignation of the senior pastor.
In the event the Senior Pastor shall offer a voluntary resignation from his position to the church, he shall submit his resignation to the elders and advisory council in writing, which may accept the resignation effective immediately, or may permit the completion of not more than an additional sixty (60) days of service if the committee believes such additional service is in the best interest of the church.
3.1.4 Involuntary Termination of the senior pastor.
Members are expected to resolve conflicts using the principles set forth in Matthew 18. If a member feels the senior pastor has sinned, he is expected to address the issue privately with the senior pastor. If the situation remains unresolved, any member desiring the removal of the senior pastor shall state their reasons in a signed statement to the elders and advisory council, who will give prayerful and impartial consideration to the reason given while adhering to the principle stated in 1 Timothy 5:19. If the advisory council deems the request unjustified, they shall confer with persons making the request and encourage them to consider their issue resolved, though not in their favor, and to refrain from further activities or speech favoring the senior pastor’s removal. If deemed justified the advisory council will bring the matter to the congregation for a vote, which requires a two-thirds vote to dismiss the pastor.
3.2 Church Staff
3.2.1 The senior pastor’s staff is selected by the senior pastor.
3.2.2 Their dismissal: The senior pastor has the authority to dismiss any staff member after full consultation with the elders and advisory council.
4. The Care Ministry Representatives
Care ministry representatives consist of both male and female volunteers within the Sunday school classes of New Hope Fellowship. They assist the senior pastor in meeting the needs of the congregation, through calls, cards and visitation. Their own Sunday school classes select them. Additional care ministry representatives are added by the Sunday school class teacher, as need arises.
