As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
DAVIS MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY CHURCH
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Davis Mountains Community Church, a Holy Spirit-led body, eager to respond more
effectively, faithfully, and obediently to the gospel, through the power of the love of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord,
through His salvation and in obedience to the holy scriptures, do hereby adopt this constitution and these by-laws
this 27th day of July, 2014, as a revised edition to all previous constitutions and by-laws of this organization.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME, DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
SECTION A: NAME AND DESCRIPTION
THE NAME of this congregation is the DAVIS MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY CHURCH, located at 500 Tomahawk Trail in
the Davis Mountains Resort, Fort Davis, Texas. This church is non-denominational and is not affiliated with any
other church, governing body or organization.
SECTION B: PURPOSE
THE PURPOSE of this congregation shall be




to study God’s holy word (Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
to worship our Lord (Come, let's worship him and bow down. Let's kneel before the LORD who made us,
because he is our God and we are the people he takes care of and the sheep that he tends. Psalm 95: 6-7,
NiV)
to promote personal salvation of all according to the scriptures "Neither is there salvation in any other;
for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 14:12)
to serve the community in the name of our Lord. “Even so let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven:” (Matthew 5:16)
“… I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they
may be saved”. (1 Cor. 10:33).
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP AND BAPTISM
SECTION A: REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP SHALL be based on the applicant’s adoption of the Statement of Faith which follows and applicant’s
agreement to abide by the principles expressed in Micah 6:8 (“…to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.”)
Page 1 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
STATEMENT OF FAITH
I believe and accept God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our
Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified
for my sins, Died and was buried; On the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits on the
right hand of God the Father Almighty, from where He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I further believe
that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I will follow his commandments as stated in Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus
replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first
and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (NIV)
SECTION B: MEMBERSHIP
Membership of this congregation shall consist of those who are now members of the congregation as of the
signing of this Constitution and By-Laws and those of any or no denomination who shall request membership,
expressing their adoption of the Statement of Faith. Dual membership shall be allowed EXCEPT for full time
residents of the Davis Mountains Resort. Full time residents shall be defined as those persons living in the Davis
Mountains Resort at least nine of every twelve months of the year.
A MEMBERSHIP ROSTER shall be kept by the Secretary of the Church. New members shall be added to the roster
after they have met with the minister expressing their desire for membership and their acceptance of the
Statement of Faith. Members shall be removed from said roster at their request, in the event of death of the
member, or in the event that the church has lost contact with the member for a period of one (1) year.
SECTION C: VOTING PRIVILEGES
Voting privileges go to members of this church who are 18 years of age or older and who have been a member
Davis Mountains Community Church for at least 30 days previous to voting. There will be absolutely no absentee
or proxy votes, only the votes of those present the day of voting will be considered. All voting will be by numbered
paper ballots.
SECTION D: BAPTISM
An individual should be able to request baptism and the method of baptism desired. If performed by the minister
of Davis Mountain Community Church, this baptism shall be performed according to the conviction of the minister.
However, the Church shall accept other forms of baptism.
ARTICLE III: TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
SECTION A: TRUSTEES ELECTION AND TERM OF SERVICE
Trustees, of which there should be no fewer than five nor more than seven, shall be elected by the membership
qualified to vote. The Trustees’ office terms are for staggered four-year periods. Every two years on even
numbered years, the membership qualified to vote shall elect Trustees to fill the expired and/or vacated terms. All
members of the Board of Trustees shall serve in a volunteer capacity.
SECTION B: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following officers shall be elected by the Trustees every two years when a new Board convenes, or more often
to fill vacancies.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Page 2 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
Secretary
Treasurer
Meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held with the admonition of 1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done
decently and in order” clearly in mind and in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
SECTION C: DUTIES OF TRUSTEES
The Trustees are charged by the membership with the duty of conducting the business affairs, planning and
executing the programs of the church. The Trustees receive their authority from and will function by the
Constitution and By-Laws. The actions of the Trustees are at all times subject to a Congregational vote of approval
or disapproval in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, and the ultimate authority in matters of business,
planning and executing programs of the Church shall rest with the membership.
Every two years, at the regular expiration of Trustees’ terms, the Board of Trustees shall present a slate of
Preferred Candidates for Trustee at the July Congregational Meeting to elect new trustees. At the time such
presentation shall occur, nominations from the floor are acceptable, providing the member so nominated shall
have previously agreed to be nominated and meets the qualifications to serve as Trustee.
The Board of Trustees, working as a whole, is responsible for overseeing the cleaning and general maintenance
work done in and around the church.
SECTION C: QUALIFICATIONS OF TRUSTEES
All members of the Board of Trustees shall be members of the Davis Mountains Community Church according to
the definition of membership noted above (Section B: Membership), and must have been members of this church
for at least six (6) months. Only one person at a time per immediate family can serve on the Board.
SECTION D: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. Chairman shall keep
order according to Robert’s Rules of Order. Chairman of the Board shall be in charge of making all changes to
signature requirements, whether for banking or purchasing, within one week of any needed change.
VICE-CHAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees at which the
Chairman is unable to preside. When Vice-Chairman is presiding he/she shall have all powers and duties of
Chairman.
SECRETARY of the Board of Trustees shall keep notes of all meetings, transcribe and present said notes in standard
form at each meeting of the Board of Trustees, and shall retain said MINUTES, as corrected in the meeting, in a
permanent, chronological file. Secretary of the Board of Trustees shall keep a chronological file of all governing
documents of this church, including past and current copies of the CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. It shall be the
duty of the Secretary, should he/she be temporarily unable to fulfill his/her duties to appoint, from among the
Board of Trustees, a temporary substitute for necessary notes and transcriptions.
TREASURER of the Board of Trustees shall keep and maintain all financial records for the Davis Mountains
Community Church, including an ongoing ledger of ASSETS, INCOME AND EXPENSE, the checkbook and records
pertaining to the Certificate of Deposit(s). Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will Treasurer allow any check of the Davis
Mountains Community Church to exist in a signed, but incomplete, condition. Chairman of the Board, Vice
Chairman OR Treasurer shall be allowed to sign checks and make deposits.
SECTION E: DISMISSAL OF TRUSTEE
Page 3 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
Trustees of the Board shall be liable to dismissal at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board acting on behalf of
the general Board for the following reasons:
1.
2.
3.
Behavior by a Trustee of the church which is contrary to the spirit of the Statement of Faith or which is
deemed, by the general Board of Trustees, as detrimental to the effectiveness and reputation of the Church.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” When such dismissal is accomplished, the office
shall be declared vacant and subject to refilling. Dismissal action requires approval by a majority of the board
members present.
In the event of a dismissal, resignation, or death of any Trustee of the Church, the Trustees shall, at their own
discretion, appoint a member of the Church to serve out the remaining term of the vacant office until such
time as the next scheduled election.
Missing any six meetings per year results in dismissal of Trustee.
ARTICLE V: THE MINISTER
SECTION A: ROLE OF THE MINISTER
THE MINISTER of the church shall, in communication with the Board of Trustees, encourage orderly procedures in
the life and work of the Church through preaching of the scriptures and use of the Constitution and By-Laws.
Minister gives copies of Constitution and By-Law to PROSPECTIVE members.
SECTION B: SELECTION OF MINISTER
The minister shall be chosen by the church membership as herein provided:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Trustees shall take under consideration any applications for minister obtained through ministerial
alliances, advertising or word of mouth.
Applicants considered shall preach at least three (3) times before the consideration is handed over to a
vote of the membership.
The recommendations of the Trustees must be accepted by at least a majority of church members who
are present and qualified to vote in a regular or special called meeting of the membership before a call to
the minister may be extended. Votes will be by numbered paper ballot.
The duration of the term of service of the minister shall be unspecified and may be terminated by either
party upon sixty (60) days’ notice. A written statement setting forth the salary to be paid and other
benefits, if any, shall be made in duplicate: one copy for the minister and one copy for the Church
secretary.
A temporary, week-by-week Minister shall be chosen by the Board of Trustees in the absence of a regular
Minister. Recompense for said Temporary Minister is included in document RECOMPENSE FOR
TEMPORARY SERVICE.
SECTION C: MINISTER’S SERVICE ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minister of the church shall be allowed to sit with the Board to make suggestions, but not make or second motions
or vote.
SECTION D: REVIEW OF MINISTER’S SALARY
Details of Minister’s salary and benefits are included in AGREEMENT TO HIRE.
SECTION E: RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTER
Page 4 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
Resignation of the minister shall be submitted to the Trustees in writing prior to notification of the membership.
The Chairman shall announce the resignation to the membership. Minister should give Chairman of the Board of
Trustees at least six weeks written notice of his intention to resign, if possible. The membership and the minister
shall remember that their relationship is more than a mere contract and conduct themselves accordingly in the
spirit of our Lord.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS
The Constitution or its By-laws may be amended at any annual business meeting of the membership by a majority
of the members qualified to vote and present, provided that the proposal has been read or distributed to those
present on each of two immediate Sunday morning services before the vote is taken.
ARTICLE VIII: CEMETERY USE AND MAINTENANCE
SECTION A: OWNERSHIP
The cemetery located adjacent to the Davis Mountains Community Church and located on Lot 10, Block 2 in the
Davis Mountains Resort, Jeff Davis County, Texas, the address of which is 500 Tomahawk Trail, Fort Davis, Texas
79734, is owned and governed entirely by the Davis Mountains Community Church and provisions in Article VIII
(Cemetery Use and Maintenance) may be altered as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees of the Davis
Mountains Community Church. There are approximately 120 plots sectioned out in the cemetery.
SECTION B: RIGHTS FOR BURIAL
Davis Mountains Resort property owners and their significant others and children of property owners who have
lived here when property was owned, as long as plots were reserved while the property was owned, may be
buried in the cemetery adjacent to Davis Mountains Community Church. A plot reservation register is kept at the
Davis Mountains Community Church.
There is no plot cost to owners of property in the Davis Mountain Resort for their plots. Davis Mountains
Community Church is not liable for any costs for burial expenses (including, but not limited to, grave digging,
funeral home services, memorial dinners, and tombstones). Such expenses must be met by the survivors of the
deceased.
SECTION C: MAINTENANCE OF CEMETERY IN GENERAL AND INDIVIDUAL PLOTS IN PARTICULAR
General mowing, weed eating and tree trimming will be accomplished on a volunteer basis (contact chairman of
Board of Trustees) at least twice a year and more often if it is necessary. Only the cemetery grounds, fence line
and tombstones marking individual or family plots will be maintained.
For that reason, beginning July 1, 2014, a YEARLY donation of $10.00 per plot RESERVED or OCCUPIED would be
appreciated. This fee is to cover things like mowers, blades, weed eaters, chainsaws and repairs.
Page 5 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
Because there is limited space in the cemetery (approximately 120 plots) it is imperative that those property
owners moving away, dying and buried elsewhere, or others who no longer need space in the cemetery advise the
Davis Mountains Community Church so that any reservations for plots or plots not to be used for any other reason
be made available to other persons. A diligent effort will be made to locate those reserving lots.
Page 6 of 7
As Revised and Accepted: July 27, 2014
BY-LAWS
I.
II.
The church year shall run from July 1 to June 30.
The Board of Trustees shall:
A. Hold monthly meetings at a time and place determined as most convenient by the Trustees.
B. Hold special meetings on the call of the chairman or at the request of the majority of the
members of the Board of Trustees.
C. Consider a majority of the occupied trustee’s positions present as constituting a quorum.
D. Observe the following agenda with business meeting rules governed by “Robert’s Rules of
Order”:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
III.
Procedures for administering the church programs shall be as follows:
A.
B.
C.
IV.
Establishment of Quorum
Meeting Called to Order
Prayer
Reports of Secretary, Treasurer
Discussion of old business on agenda
Discussion of new business on agenda
Members’ general comments
Comments of pastor and visitors
Adjourn with prayer
The administration of the various church programs shall be delegated to special committees as
needed and shall be under the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
Each committee shall organize itself to study its responsibilities, plan its programs, meet regularly
to attend to its business, discuss objectives, evaluate is programs, and submit reports to the
Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees, upon receiving and approving the committee report may, at its discretion,
submit the report to the membership qualified to vote, for final approval.
Most recent Constitution and By-laws supersede all previous. Current changes were made under the
auspices of:
Board of Trustees
Robert Tyree, Chairman
Jimmy G. George, Vice-Chairman & Temporary Treasurer
Wretha Smith, Secretary
Sue Low, Member
David King, Member
Karen Rhea, Member
Lloyd L. Low, Minister
Page 7 of 7