alcf By-laws: Article vii - Pastor

Section 1 — Qualifications. The qualifications for the pastor shall be the same as those for elder or overseer as found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. He must be of good reputation in the body of Christ and outside the body of Christ. He must be courteous, hospitable, and a good teacher. He must not be controversial, but gentle. — He must be the husband of one wife. He must be one who manages his own household well and is able to control and command the respect of his children. He also must be a mature Christian, not a new convert, so that he may be able to handle the responsibilities and pressures of the position. He must be bold but still have a servant's heart with the humility and love of Christ radiating from his own spirit-filled life.

Section 2 — Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the pastor shall be faithfulness in praying for the people of the Fellowship and those in the community. He shall be responsible for teaching and preaching the Word of God by example and proclamation, not altering the written Word in any way. He shall oversee the equipping of the members of the Fellowship for the work of service, to build up the body of Christ. He shall have authority to call upon qualified Active Members or other persons of the body of Christ (i.e. guest speakers outside the Fellowship), to teach or preach the Word of God if he discerns it to be God's will. He aiso shall delegate any other responsibility to another Active Member gifted by the Holy Spirit to fulfill such responsibility if he discerns it to be God's will. This would include calling upon those with physical or spiritual needs.

Section 3 — Relationship to the Board of Directors. The pastor shall be the head elder and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors. The pastor can, at his discretion and with agreement from the Board of Directors, delegate presiding over Board of Directors meetings to another member of the Board of Directors. The elders and deacons shall assist and support the pastor to enhance the fulfilling of all needs of the Fellowship. The pastor shall council with the elders and deacons and seek God's will together. Rev. 10/11

Section 4 — Relationship to the Watchmen. The pastor shall also seek the council of the watchmen who shall assist in discerning the needs of the Fellowship.

Section 5 — Resignation. The pastor shall resign from his position when he discerns his position is no longer God's will for him. A letter of resignation shall be given to the Board of Directors two months prior to the completion of his services.

Section 6 — Removal. The pastor shall be excused from his position for failing to meet the qualifications as stated for that position. It is the responsibility of the Elders and Deacons, excluding the Pastor, to discern God's will concerning the Pastor's continuation in his position.

Section 7 — Filling vacancy.
a) In the event that the position of pastor is vacant or there is foreknowledge of the position becoming vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint an ad hoc Pastoral Committee to earnestly seek God's will in selecting the person to fill that position.
b) The Pastoral Committee shall consist of three to five persons with the qualification of an elder, but need not be an elder.
c) The Pastoral Committee shall recommend a candidate to the Board of Directors for consideration.
d) If the Board of Directors is in agreement with the selection, then a call to pastor this Fellowship for a trial period not exceeding six months shall be extended to the candidate.
e) This initial period shall give the candidate and the Active Members opportunity to discern God's will concerning a more permanent calling.
f) At the end of the initial period, if the candidate desires to continue, the Active Members shall vote on the matter.
g) The Board of Directors shall determine from the vote whether or not to extend the call to pastor the Fellowship.
h) If the Board is not in agreement with the Pastoral Committee's selection (refer to part c.) or the candidate does not gain enough support from the Active Member's vote, then the Pastoral Committee shall seek another candidate.