Abusive LOCAL CHURCH BYLAWS from Hopewell Network Of Churches

This article is by Gregory P. Garwood

LOCAL CHURCH BYLAWS
PREAMBLE

 

 

The covenant membership of this church accepts the Bible as its authority. The Bylaws are intended to apply biblical concepts to the establishment of the structure and function of this church body. These Bylaws establish the interpretation of these biblical concepts commonly held by the Hopewell Network of Churches.

2 Tim. 3:1617– All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND INCORPORATION
A. Name of the Corporation
This congregation shall be known as _______________, incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B. Church Location
Mailing address is:
C. Incorporation
This church is incorporated under the nonprofit Corporation Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of establishing a Christian church.
D. Organization Purpose
The corporation is organized exclusively for religious purposes.
1. The corporation does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidental or otherwise.
2. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation is authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and distributions in the furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Bylaws.
3. Upon dissolution of the corporation or the closing of the church, in consultation with the Hopewell Network Leadership Team, the assets of the corporation shall be used to pay all legitimate debts and liabilities, and thereafter be distributed to the Hopewell Network of Churches (or appropriate affiliation qualified under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to be used as determined by the administrative body of such affiliation. )

(If you join the “Network” you will be signing away more than just your name. You will also be signing away your independence and any assets you may have. . Any question for the purpose of discernment will be viewed as willful insubordination and dealt with harshly. I know. . . .I lived through it. Let me ask you, if your church should violate the bylaws of the Hopewell Network and they ask you to leave does that mean that they confiscate your assets? Hmmmm, of the Hopewell Network, by the Hopewell Network and for the Hopewell Network.)

4. All reference to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be deemed as including corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
E. Term
The term in which the corporation is to exist is perpetual.

ARTICLE 2 – CORPORATE OFFICERS
The corporate officers of the congregation shall be the Chairman of the Corporation, which is the Senior Pastor, who will have the authority to act as corporate President; a Secretary of the Corporation; and a Treasurer of the Corporation. The Elders together with the Senior Pastor serve as the governing Board of Directors.

(This is a very unhealthy situation. The senior pastor should never have influence over the board of directors. It’s no different than the President of the United States sitting with the Supreme Court. The “senior pastor” has too much influence here. Just look at what’s going on with Kenny (The Jet) Copeland. Do you think Senator Grassley has conducted a frivolous investigation? No! Kenny has the same control as you see here and look at the corruption in that ministry.)

A. Chairman of the Corporation
The Senior Pastor shall be the President and Chairman of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Corporation is responsible for discharging the duties of the office in a manner consistent with the Bylaws, the requirements for covenant membership, and the best interests of the congregation. If the office of Senior Pastor is vacant, the Network Leadership Team, with counsel from the local Elders, will appoint an Acting Chairman who will serve until a replacement is discerned.

(As a church YOU decide who will become the next pastor, not some unaccountable “Network!” you want a pastor, not a hand picked puppet serving at the will of some deluded “Network.” Show me ANY third party authority that is effective and accountable? Look at our government, Look at the Health Care industry, none of them work well. As a matter of fact YOU, as a church, have the right to decide what “Network” you belong to! Escape this one NOW before it’s too late and you get swallowed up! Ooops, I forgot the surrender all of your assets clause! I guess it’s gonna cost you allot to leave this aberrant cult.)

 

 

 

B. Secretary of the Corporation
The Secretary of the Corporation shall be an Elder appointed by the Elder Team as its representative. The term of office shall be two years and shall automatically renew for successive two year terms until terminated as provided in this document. The Secretary of the Corporation is responsible:
1. To attend all meetings of the Elders
2. To maintain the minutes of Elders’ meetings and congregational members’ meetings.
C. Treasurer of the Corporation
The Senior Pastor and Elders shall appoint the Treasurer of the Corporation. The term of office shall be two years and shall automatically renew for successive two year terms until terminated as provided in this document. The Treasurer of the Corporation is accountable to the Senior Pastor and Elders to assure that the following duties are properly discharged.
1. To oversee all funds of the congregation and deposit those funds in a reliable banking institution approved by the Elders and Finance Team
2. To see that all bills are paid by properly authorized means at the request of the Finance Team or Senior Pastor
3. To see that accurate records are kept of all receipts and disbursements.
4. To prepare a regular financial report and an annual report.

 

 

(This article gives the “senior pastor” too much influence, especially in matters of finance. Whenever you grant such sweeping power to a senior pastor the possibility of financial malfeasance is difficult to detect and almost guaranteed. Here the “senior pastor” has the ability to hand pick his treasurer, now how safe is that?)

ARTICLE 3 – AFFILIATION
This congregation is affiliated with the Hopewell Network of Churches for oversight and Accountability.

(There’s that phrase again! Oversight and accountability! Let me ask you, who are they accountable to? Why that would be apostle Lester, of the Association of Radical Church Networks of course!)

The Hopewell Network Leadership Team shall appoint an Overseer to give oversight to this congregation. The Overseer is accountable to the Hopewell Network Leadership Team for oversight and counsel given. The Senior Pastor and Elder Team are responsible for the vision, budget, finances, facilities, programming, and administration of the life of the congregation. The Overseer provides counsel, support, accountability, pastoral candidate screening, and oversight to the Senior Pastor and his team.

(See that, THEY know so much better than you do about whom should be your next pastor! This is very dangerous because it allows only one man, Good ole Lester, lead apostle of the “Network,” to establish an agenda and control you and your church. Remember, one question from you and you are out the door. One other thing, who does Lester answer to? )

The Overseer also provides structural accountability and authority in case of internal congregational crisis.

(They just LOVE that authority word don’t they? I guess it makes them feel important!)

 

 

This congregation accepts the vision, values, and goals of the Hopewell Network of Churches as outlined in its manual.

(Yes. . . We will be a puppet of the all powerful “network.”)

ARTICLE 4 – CONFESSION OF FAITH
This congregation accepts the Confession of Faith adopted by the Hopewell Network of Churches.

 (Heretical apostles and all!)

 ARTICLE 5 – PURPOSE AND MISSION

 

(In this section write out your church purpose and mission statement) (Subject to “Network approval of course.)

ARTICLE 6 – MEMBERSHIP
A. Petition for Membership
Petition for membership is made by filling out and signing a membership card as an indication of intent to enter into a relationship with the members of this congregation. Membership will be extended to anyone who meets the requirements for membership and its membership terms. The Elder Team may establish a requirement attendance at instruction classes and the Senior Pastor may waive the requirement when it has been determined that such instruction is unnecessary.
B. Requirements for Membership
Membership is open to anyone who:

 (Grab your ankles boys it’s time to have your teeth cleaned!)

 

 

 

1. Attends consistently for a period of time and understands and agrees with the vision and direction of the church.

 

(As I learned the hard way, anyone who questions heretical teaching is perceived as a trouble maker and run off as I was. Actually, I was considered “A goat among the sheep.” A title I wear with great joy now that I know the truth.)

  

 

 

2. Is willing to come under the spiritual leadership of this fellowship and has satisfactorily dealt with past commitments.

 

(Commitments to whom?)

 

3. Understands that this is an agreement to minister to one another’s spiritual needs; it is entered into by mutual consent of the church leaders and also ends by mutual consent. However, the Senior Pastor in consultation with the Elder Team can end a person’s membership when the terms of this membership are not met.

 

 

(Who “measures” you? What are the criteria by which you are measured? Kinda sounds like works oriented salvation to me. The position of “senior pastor” reminds me of the Pharisees. Let’s read from the word of God what Jesus has to say about those who measure others with laws and bind them in covenant. I’m sure the following scripture applies to the “senior pastor” outlined in these “bylaws.”)

  

Matthew 23:1 – 28 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells[e] in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

(Jesus spoke these words in righteous anger because He saw right through all of the lies and laws of the hypocritical Pharisees as we see through all of the lies and laws of the “senior pastors” of the Hopewell Network Team.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Is in agreement with the Bylaws and membership terms and is willing to commit him or herself to this church body by signing the membership card and adhering to its requirements.

 

(Can anyone spell BONDAGE? This requirement reveals a few points. First, it shows great insecurity on the part of “The Network.” It also shows a lack of trust. I mean, when do you ever obtain signatures except when you don’t trust an individual to fulfill an obligation? Therefore a signature is a device to bind one to his word. It must also be understood that, even though the “Covenant Card” is non binding from a truly legal stand point, the action of signing the card appears to give the “Network” authority that they really don’t have. All smoke and mirrors as usual.)

 

 

5. Agrees that membership may be revoked when the membership terms are not followed or at the sole discretion of the Pastor and Elder Team.

 

 

 

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