THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CHURCHES,INC.
The Evangelical Protestant Church/Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church

Church Bylaws and Constitution

PREAMBLE

The purpose of this Constitution and Bylaws is to declare our Faith, Function, Purpose and Organizational Structure

ARTICLE I. NAME

We shall be known as The Evangelical Protestant Church (GCEPC)Inc., herein referred to as The GCEPC. Lutheran Evangelical Protestant/Evangelical Protestant shall be the denominational identity for the GCEPC.The GCEPC/EPC/LEPC is the denominational Church. The General Conference of Evangelical Protestant Churches (GCEPC)is registered with the Secretary of State for South Carolina as a 501(c)3 non-profit religious corporation.The Evangelical Protestant Church (GCEPC) Inc. is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

Upon the winding up and dissolution of the Evangelical Protestant Church (GCEPC) Inc., after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the GCEPC, the remaining assets shall be distributed 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.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC shall be to "Reclaim the faith once delivered," offer a Denominational identity, spiritual home and oversight for the evangelical protestant church, its ministers, pastors, evangelists, church planters, churches, cell groups, prayer groups, ministries, missions and other such individuals and groups who may affiliate for religious purposes ; and for the credentialing of such ministers that the gospel of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed to all the world..

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

The GCEPC may choose at the descretion of the Presiding Bishop and Executive Bishop/Officer to affiliate with any other Evangelical Organizations.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

The GCEPC governing body shall consist of Presiding Bishop (PB), Executive Bishop/Officer (EB, EO), and other administrative officers or servers as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Presiding Bishop to comprise the Executive Staff/Board.There shall be a Board of Advisors (BOA) with at least three(3) members, and Synod Bishops as required or needed.

The Executive Staff/Board may, at their discretion, create and fill specialized positions such as the following:Director of Chaplaincy Services,Crisis Response Team Coordinator,On-Line Ministry Coordinator,Deacons,Concordia Theologica Institute For Biblical Studies Staff & Faculty, and other positions as needed.

The Executive Staff/Board and Board of Advisors of the GCEPC shall also voluntarily serve The Concordia Theologica Institute For Biblical Studies established for the training of new LEPC/EPC ministry candidates.

No salaries shall be paid any officer of the GCEPC.

PRESIDING BISHOP: The Presiding Bishop (PB) is the spiritual leader of the GCEPC/LEPC and President of the GCEPC. The Office of Presiding Bishop is a life appointment. The Board of Governors with the Board of Advisors(BOA) appoints the Presiding Bishop. The presiding bishop shall be the pastor and teacher of this church and shall provide leadership for the life and witness of this church and shall preach, teach, and administer the sacraments in accord with the faith of this church. The presiding bishop shall be an ordained minister of this church. The presiding bishop may be male or female, as may all other officers of this church. The presiding bishop shall: a. Be the president and chief executive officer of the corporation, overseeing the work of the church organization as a whole b. Be the chief ecumenical officer of this church and its primary representative in any national or international interchurch agencies in which this church is involved. c. Provide for the preparation of the agenda for the Churchwide Conference, Council of Bishops, Executive Committees, Conference of Bishops, Cabinet of Executives, or other Executive duties and preside at the Churchwide Conference. d. Provide leadership and care for the bishops of the synods. e. Supervise the work of the other officers. f.Call for the preparation of a budget for the churchwide organization when needed. g. Nominate and direct the work of the executive for administration. h. Coordinate and supervise the work of executives of churchwide units.i. Appoint members of all churchwide committees for which election procedures are not provided. j. Be responsible for the chaplaincies of this church in federal agencies, institutions, and armed forces and provide for the pastoral care of those called to these ministries or provide for a designee. k. Serve as an advisory member, with voice but not vote, on all committees of this church and all boards or committees of churchwide units, or designate a person to serve as the presiding bishop’s representative. L. Recommend legal counsel. Promote or designate a representative for promotion of missions and ongoing education of ministers.

The Presiding Bishop, in consultation with The Executive Bishop shall make recommendations to the BOA pertaining to all spiritual decisions and appointments for advice and guidance. However, The Presiding Bishop shall have the ultimate, final decision, in all areas, provided that sound scriptural guidelines are adhered to. By exercising "veto power," the Presiding Bishop shall provide to the board sound scriptural reasoning for overriding the Board of Advisors.

Upon the completion of the Presiding Bishop's term of service, the appointed Vice President of the Board of Governor’s will take office with approval of the Board of Advisors. In the case of retirement of the Presiding Bishop's term of service, if he or she has served admirably, he or she may be awarded the title "Presiding Bishop Emeritus." The Presiding Bishop Emeritus shall be an honorary position for life.The Presiding Bishop shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Advisors after retirement of the term of service.

EXECUTIVE BISHOP: The Board of Governors with approval of the Board of Advisors shall appoint the Executive Bishop/Officer (EB, EO) for a three-year term renewable term. The Executive Bishop serves as Conference Administrator and shall give direction, guidance, counsel and other requested assistance to the Presiding Bishop, Board of Advisors, and Synod Bishops. The Executive Bishop shall serve on the Board of Advisors as an Ex-Officio member upon completion of his or her term of service.

DEACONS: The Board of Advisors may appoint Deacons as required to assist the Executive Staff with the day to day operation of the EPC. Deacons shall serve for terms concurrent with those of the EPC/LEPC Synod Bishops as recommended by the Presiding Bishop and Executive Bishop/Officer.

BOARD OF ADVISORS: The Board of Advisors (BOA) shall consist of no less than three members, recommended by the Presiding Bishop and Executive Bishop, and elected by the Synod Bishops. The Board of Advisors shall consider the recommendations of the Presiding Bishop concerning decisions on all spiritual matters of the EPC/LEPC and the Executive Bishop/Officer concerning decisions on all administrative matters of the EPC/LEPC. Responsibilities of the Board include but are not limited to affiliations, ordinations, recognition of ministerial credentials, appointments and daily operations. In the event that a Board of Advisors member is unable to complete their term then the Presiding Bishop in consultation with the Executive Bishop shall make appointment to fill the unexpired term.

Members of the Board of Advisors are appointed for staggered terms. Two seats shall be three-year terms and one seat will be a two-year term; as such, each year one, three-year seat and one, two-year seat will expire. Members of the Board of Advisors may be reappointed. The Presiding Bishop and Executive Bishop shall serve on the Advisory Board as Ex-Officio members at the completion of their terms of service.

SYNOD and SYNOD BISHOPS: The GCEPC shall include Synods with Bishops as overseers in all States as needed for oversight of ministries and congregations in the Synod region. Synods may be added or divided as needed by the GCEPC/LEPC/EPC Executive Board. The purpose and function of the Synod Bishop is to serve as a liaison between the EPC/LEPC and the respective synods. As the synod’s pastor, the bishop shall: 1) Oversee and administer the work of the synod. 2) Preach, teach, and administer the sacraments in accord with the faith of this church. 3) Provide pastoral care and leadership for the synod, its congregations, its ordained ministers, its associates in ministry, its deaconesses, and its diaconal ministers. 4) Give Advice and counsel to the Council of Bishops. 5) Exercise solely this church’s power to ordain (or provide for the ordination by another synod bishop ) approved candidates who have received and accepted a properly issued, duly attested letter of call for: the office of ordained ministry (and as provided in the bylaws of this church); an associate in ministry; a deaconess/deacon; and as a diaconal minister; and shall install (or provide for the installation of): a) the pastors of all congregations of the synod; b) ordained ministers called to extraparish service or ministries within this church.6) All ministerial credentials of the GCEPC/LEPC/EPC are to be approved by the Executive Board and Board of Advisors and issued at the General Conference level by the Executive Board.7)Represent and interpret the work of this church to congregations and to the public and participate responsibly in society and the ecumenical community as representative of the synod.

The Presiding Bishop, with the approval of the Board of Advisors, appoints the Synod Bishops for a five-year, renewable term. Requirements include abiding by and incorporating into the respective Synod the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC Statement of Faith and core beliefs, the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC Constitution and By-Laws, ordination by the EPC/LEPC, and Compliance with the EPC/LEPC Code of Conduct. Non-geographical synods must be authorized by the presiding bishop and function according to the dictates of the Executive office and the non-geographical arena, the Code of Conduct, Bylaws and Constitution and the Core Beliefs of this church. All bishops are directly responsible to the presiding bishop and will give report on a regular basis as to the actions, involvements, goals and plans of the Synod. The presiding bishop of this church, or a bishop appointed by the presiding bishop of this church, shall preside for the installation into office, in accord with the policy and approved rite of this church, of each newly elected synod bishop.

ARTICLE V. STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Statement of Faith of the General Conference of Evangelical Protestant Churches is explicitly stated as "We unashamedly believe in God the Father; Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior; the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide; and, the authority of Holy Scripture in matters of Faith and Practice. We stand firmly for Biblical morality. Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." We profess and confess the statements of the Nicene and Apostles Creeds.

ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT
Each Bishop, Synod, Minister, and all other entities belonging to the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC shall adhere to the Statement of Faith and Core Beliefs. Each Bishop and entities within his or her Synod must follow the congregational polity of church government, adhere to the Constitution and Bylaws of the GCEPC/LEPC/EPC, to the Code of Conduct and to the Core Beliefs

ARTICLE VII. MINISTERIAL ORDINATION

Ordination as a EPC/LEPC minister is available to all men and women called by God to the Gospel ministry who accept the GCEPC Statement of Faith and Core Beliefs.

Candidates for ordination must have at least a Bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry, Theology, Bible or a related field or equivalent and are encouraged to obtain a Master’s Degree in a theologically-related field. All Ordination candidates must also complete three courses ("History of the GCEPC," "Spiritual Gifts Inventory” and “Biblical Leadership" through Concordia Theologica Institute For Biblical Studies.

Ministers from other evangelical bodies may be received by transfer upon acceptance of the Statement of Faith and Core Beliefs and resignation of any prior denominational ordination.

Dual Ordination is not allowed.

Candidates holding no credentials must be ordained in a ceremony by the "laying on of hands." Synod Bishops assist with this ceremony.

ARTICLE VIII. CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Lawfulness, ethics, values and character are vitally important to the Church. The actions of Executive Officers, Board of Advisors and Synod Bishops cast a direct reflection on the Church and, in turn, to the work of the Church in God's service. The GCEPC/EPC/LEPC has a responsibility to address any issues of impropriety, founded or unfounded, brought forward. Privileges may be suspended until the resolution of any such claims providing no impropriety was committed.

All Members, Ministers, Concordia Institute Staff and Faculty, Officers, Board members and Synod Bishops may be disciplined or removed by the Board for conduct unbecoming a Minister of the Gospel, false statements, misrepresenting or calling into disrepute the GCEPC, convictions of criminal acts, actions contrary to the GCEPC Statement of Faith and Core Beliefs or any other actions the Board deems inappropriate. The Presiding Bishop shall call for a Ministerial Committee to investigate and recommend action. The Executive Office will abide by the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee and present such findings to the Board of Advisors.

If there is an accusation or suspicion of sexual abuse by a member, the Executive Board/Staff and Advisory Board MUST be notified immediately. The suspected abuse will be reported to the proper authorities immediately. All information about the suspected abuse must be kept confidential wherever possible. Immediate suspension shall result if a member is suspected of child abuse until a complete investigation and decision are made by the proper authorities.

Discipline of members below the level of Synod Bishop is handled by the Executive Staff and Advisory Board with input from the Bishop assigned to that area.

ARTICLE IX. MEMBERSHIP

Evangelical Christian ministries wishing to become GCEPC/EPC/LEPC ministries may do so providing they adhere to our Statement of Faith and Core Beliefs, register with the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC and withdraw any prior denominational affiliation. Dual denominational affiliations are not recognized for ministries. Exceptions may be made solely at the discretion of the Executive Office.

The GCEPC/EPC/LEPC exercises limited control and authority over ministers, members, churches or any other ministry entity belonging to the EPC/LEPC. The GCEPC/EPC/LEPC does however reserve the right to revoke ministerial credentials for violations of the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC Code of Conduct, Constitution and By-laws and Core Beliefs. Ministries and ministers of the GCEPC/LEPC are autonomous. The GCEPC/LEPC/EPC is not responsible for the legal actions of ministers, officers, or bishops.

ARTICLE X. ANNUAL MEETINGS and FISCAL YEAR

Regular meetings shall be held at least once per year at times and places fixed by the Presiding Bishop and the Board of Advisors. These meetings may be held in person, via telephone or through online communications. For business purposes, the GCEPC/EPC/LEPC shall recognize January 1 to December 31, as our fiscal year.<

ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Meetings shall be conducted under the guidelines of the Holy Scripture, i.e., they will be orderly for "God is not the Author of confusion."

ARTICLE XII. AMMENDMENT OF BY-LAW AND CONSTITUTION

In the event of amending the GCEPC Constitution or By-Laws, the Executive Staff shall prepare the amendments and present them to the Board of Advisors for acceptance.

ARTICLE XIII. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP: The General Membership of the GCEPC/LEPC/EPC shall consist of all ordained ministers. The private and personal contact information of the ministers of the General Membership shall not be published to the general public by the GCEPC/LEPC/EPC for reasons of security and privacy.

ARTICLE XIV. VOTING

Elections and other votes of the GCEPC/EPCEPC/LEPC, not assigned to the Board of Advisors, shall conform to the following guidelines to be considered valid: All Bishops in good standing will be eligible to vote and will be notified ten (10) days prior to the vote by posting on the EPC/LEPC E-groups message board. As members may select several notification options through egroups it is the responsibility of the member to regularly check egroups, as there will be no further notification. Votes will be submitted by individual email to the Executive Bishop/Officer or their representative who will tally the votes and post the results on the E-groups board. A deadline for submission of votes will be included in the Vote Warning.

If the vote is for election of Advisory Board Members, a list of potential Board Members will be included in the Vote Warning along with a deadline for submission of votes to the Executive Bishop/Officer. Votes for new Board Members will occur on or around June 1st of each year with the term starting on July 1. It is the responsibility of any member interested in a Board seat to notify the Executive Bishop/Officer prior to any impending election for inclusion on the list. Each potential Board Member may post a biography and/or a statement on the E-groups site during the 10-day period before the vote. Only those potential Board Members on the list will be considered for votes, no write in votes will be considered valid.

Votes are cast by each Bishop sending a personal email to the Executive Bishop or their representative who will tally the votes and post the results for the membership on the E-groups board. No votes posted publicly on the E-groups board will be considered a valid vote.

In the event that the need arises to fill a vacant position prior to the end of the term for that seat, the Executive Board will make recommendations to the Board of Advisors who will appoint an interim person until the end of the existing term.

A simple majority of those Bishops who voted is considered valid for the vote to carry.

At the discretion of the Executive Board and Board of Advisors a special consideration vote may be taken form the General Membership of the GCEPC for the purpose of polling, recommendations, and support.

ARTICLE XV. DISSOLUTION

In the event that The GCEPC/EPC/LEPC Board of Governors and its executive officers votes to dissolve this corporation, no person shall freely assume any of the assets of the corporation individually. Dissolution shall be referred to the Board of Governors consisting of at least a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.