BYLAWS OF
GRACE LIFE CHURCH

Article I. GENERAL

Section 1. Name. The name of this corporation shall be Grace Life Church. (“the Corporation”)

Section 2. Office. The Corporation’s principal office shall be located at 47 Apple Street, Torrington, Connecticut 06790. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) shall have the power to change the location of the principal office from time to time as it shall determine in its discretion.

Section 3. Purpose. This Corporation is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All funds shall be devoted to said purpose.

Section 4. Limitations. The Corporation shall observe all local, state and Federal laws which apply to a non-profit organization as defined in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article II. DIRECTORS

Section 1. Management By Board of Directors. The activities, property, and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all the powers and do all the things which may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject to any provision of law, the Certificate of Formation, or these Bylaws.

Section 2. Composition of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. Directors shall hold office for the time for which they are elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified, unless they shall cease to be in office as provided in applicable provisions of the Connecticut General Statues, as amended, or are removed in accordance with the procedures specified in these bylaws.

The government and policy-making responsibilities of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which shall control its property, be responsible for its finances, and direct its affairs.

Section 3. Semi-Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors shall hold semi-annual meetings on the first Sunday of January and July of each year, at the principal office of the Corporation, or at a place designated by the President, at such time that the President may designate. At the meeting on the first Sunday of January in each year, the Board shall elect the Directors and Officers of the corporation for the ensuing year. At least two days’ notice of each semi-annual meeting of the corporation shall be given to each Director.

Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place as may be specified from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and no notice thereof need be given, except that, unless stated in a written notice of the meeting, no by-law may be brought up for adoption, amendment or repeal.

Section 5. Special Meetings. At least two days’ notice of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director. Only business within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice may be conducted at a special meeting. .

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the Directors in office at the time shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Voting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present at the time of the act shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the affirmative vote of a greater number is required by statute, by the Certificate of Formation, or by these Bylaws.

Section 8. Transaction of Business Without Meeting. If all of the Directors severally or collectively consent in writing to any action taken or to be taken by the Corporation, such action shall be as valid corporate action as though it had been authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall file such consents with the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 9. Removal of Directors.

A. Any Director except the President may be removed from office, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors present at a meeting called for such purpose, at which a quorum is present at the time of such act, providing that the notice for the meeting is given to the members of the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting and includes notice of the proposed removal. The Director who is the subject of removal may participate in the discussion and vote on the question of the removal of such Director from the Board of Directors.

B. Any member of the Board of Directors may resign upon written notification to the President.

Article III. OFFICERS.

Section 1. Officers. The Board shall elect a Senior Pastor and a Church Clerk. The Senior Pastor shall be the President of the Corporation, and the Church Clerk shall be the Secretary of the Corporation. The Board shall also elect a Treasurer, and may from time to time elect one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and such other officers, as it deems expedient. The duties of the Officers shall be as imposed by these by-laws and from time to time prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Duties of Officers.

A. Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor will serve as the President of the Corporation and will be the moderator of the church. He will lead the staff and have the responsibility to appoint and dismiss staff as needed. In the Senior Pastor’s absence, one of the Directors of the Corporation may act as a moderator.

B. Treasurer. The Treasurer of the Corporation will oversee and cause to be kept adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the Corporation. He or she will also oversee the recognition and disbursement of funds.

C. Church Clerk. The Church Clerk will serve as the Secretary of the Corporation.

Section 3. Compensation. The housing allowance and/or salary of the Senior Pastor shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IV. MEMBERSHIP.

Section 1. General. Membership in this Church shall consist of all persons who have met the requirements for membership, have been approved by the Senior Pastor, and are listed in a membership role.

Section 2. Qualifications for Membership. The qualifications for membership in this Church shall be:

a. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation;
b. Completion of the Church’s membership class and its requirements;
c. Basic agreement with the Church’s statement of faith;
d. Regular attendance at Church services for a period of at least six (6) months;
e. If a potential member’s life and conduct is not in accordance with the Statement of Faith in such a way that the potential member hinders the ministry influence of the Church in the community, such person shall be denied membership.

Section 3. Termination of Membership. Members may be removed from the Church role for the following reasons:

A. Death
B Transfer of membership to another church;
C. Personal request of the member;
D. Dismissal by the Senior Pastor for the following conditions:

(1) the member’s life and conduct is not in accordance with the Statement of Faith in such a way that the member hinders the ministry influence of the Church in the community;
(2) procedures for dismissal of a member shall be according to Matthew 18: 15-17

Article V. RECORDS AND REPORTS

Section 1. Records and Reports. The Church will maintain the following records and reports:

a. Adequate and correct books and records of accounts (financial records);
b. Minutes of the proceedings of its members and Board of Directors;
c. A record of its members, giving their names and address;
d. Contribution statements for contributors;
e. Reports and review of Church financial books, records and proceedings.

Article VI. STATEMENT OF FAITH.

Section 1. Statement of Faith. The Church’s Statement of Faith shall be as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Article VII. MISCELLANEOUS.

Section 1. Seal. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adopt a corporate seal for the Corporation.

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the last day of December in each year unless a different fiscal year is selected by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to change the fiscal year from time to time.

Article VIII. DISSOLUTION

The Corporation is organized exclusively for religious and charitable purposes, under, and within the meaning of, Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, its assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

Article IX. AFFILIATION.

Section 1. Affiliation. This Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs independent of any denomination control, recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches and world missions. This Church voluntarily affiliates with ABEA (Anchor Bay Evangelistic Association)

Article X. AMENDMENTS.

These bylaws may be amended, or altered, or repealed by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors, providing the notice for the meeting includes the proposals for the amendments. Any proposed amendments or alterations shall be mailed or e-mailed to the members of the Board of Directors in writing, at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.

The foregoing bylaws were adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors at its meeting on , 2008.

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Secretary