Amendment A
Offered by Resolution February 5, 2025
Article XII: Lead Pastor’s Succession Plan
Pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws implemented on February 24, 2016, this Amendment A, is hereby adopted and incorporated into the Constitution and Bylaws as if fully set forth therein. This amendment shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the voting members through a majority vote, and shall hold equal authority and enforceability as all other provisions within the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 1. Establishment of the Role of Executive Pastor(s)
The Lead Pastor shall designate an Executive Pastor (or Co-Executive Pastors) to assist the Lead Pastor in the President’s duties (Article VI Section 5.1). The Executive Pastor(s) shall be appointed by the President with ratification by the Voting Members (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4) through a simple majority vote, provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present. The Executive Pastor(s) shall serve under the leadership and direction of the President/Lead Pastor.
Section 2. Establishment of the Role of Bishop
The role of Bishop is hereby established as an honorary and advisory position within LifeChurch International, Inc. The Bishop shall provide spiritual guidance, doctrinal oversight, and mentorship to pastors, leaders, and congregants, ensuring the continued spiritual health and growth of the church.
1. Duties and Responsibilities:
a. Serve as an advisor and overseer for all ministries of LifeChurch.
b. Ensuring doctrinal integrity and providing spiritual direction to the church.
c. Mentoring pastors and leaders to strengthen leadership development.
d. Representing the church at local, national, and international levels as needed.
e. Offering pastoral care and direction to ensure the church remains focused on its mission and vision.
2. Concurrence with the Lead Pastor Role:
a. The Bishop may concurrently serve as Lead Pastor/President until he chooses to retire from full-time pastoral responsibilities.
b. Upon retirement as Lead Pastor, the Bishop may continue serving in this role as long as he is willing and able to fulfill the duties.
c. If a vacancy occurs due to retirement or passing, the Corporation will follow the guidelines outlined in this Amendment A Section 3.
3. Qualifications and Appointment:
a. The Bishop shall be the Lead Pastor/President, and continue as a credentialed member of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and be responsible to both the Arizona District and church leadership.
b. The selection and appointment of a Bishop shall be guided by prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, ensuring adherence to biblical principles and church guidelines.
c. The position shall be officially established effective immediately, with Lead Pastor Terry Baughman concurrently serving as Bishop. Upon his passing or retirement as Bishop, this position will be reviewed to assess its impact and effectiveness for the future leadership of the church.
Section 3. Succession in the Event of the Lead Pastor's Passing or Retirement
1. In the event the current Lead Pastor/President:
a. Passes Away: The Executive Pastor(s) shall assume the responsibilities of interim President/Lead Pastor to ensure the continuity of pastoral duties (Article VI Section 5.1 & 5.2). Within 60 days of the Lead Pastor/President’s passing, a business meeting will be scheduled to conduct a vote of affirmation confirming the Executive Pastor(s) to become Lead Pastor (Co-Lead Pastors), subject to qualifications in Article VI Section 3. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present.
b. Retires: In the event of the Lead Pastor's planned retirement, the Executive Pastor(s) will become Lead Pastor (co-Lead Pastors), subject to qualifications in Article VI Section 3. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present.
2. In the event the Executive Pastor(s) are not elected through a majority vote:
a. In the event of a vacancy in the Lead Pastor position due to passing (Section 3.1.a) or retirement (Section 3.1.b), and the Executive Pastor(s) are not affirmed by a majority vote, the Executive Pastor(s) shall continue to serve in their capacity while leading the Trustee Board of Directors in facilitating a pastoral search process (Article VI Section 5.4.d.). The interim period shall not exceed 6 months, unless extended by a majority vote of the Trustee Board of Directors.
b. In the interim, pastoral candidates shall be reviewed by the Trustee Board of Directors and presented to the church’s Voting Members for consideration individually. If a majority desires to consider the candidate, a business meeting will be scheduled and a secret ballot taken. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present. If the candidate does not receive a majority vote of affirmation from the Voting Members, the process shall be repeated with a new candidate.
Section 4. Qualifications for Executive Pastor(s):
The Executive Pastor(s) shall meet the biblical qualifications of church leadership as outlined in Article VI Section 3 (outlined in Scripture, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9) and shall demonstrate proven experience in ministry leadership, administrative oversight, and alignment with the vision and mission of the church.
Section 5. Accountability and Oversight:
The Executive Pastor(s) shall be directly accountable to the Lead Pastor/Bishop during their tenure. In the event of the Lead Pastor's death, the Executive Pastor(s) will serve as Lead Pastor(s) according to the process outlined in Article XII, Section 3a. Otherwise, the Bishop will continue to give counsel and guidance after his retirement as Lead Pastor as long as he is willing and able to fulfill this role.
Section 6. Communication to the Congregation:
Any transition of leadership, including the interim period under the Executive Pastor(s), shall be communicated transparently and prayerfully to the congregation.
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Revisions to the LCI Constitution and Bylaws and Succession policy (Amendment A) were approved in the annual business meeting of voting members on February 5, 2025.
Pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws implemented on February 24, 2016, this Amendment A, is hereby adopted and incorporated into the Constitution and Bylaws as if fully set forth therein. This amendment shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the voting members through a majority vote, and shall hold equal authority and enforceability as all other provisions within the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 1. Establishment of the Role of Executive Pastor(s)
The Lead Pastor shall designate an Executive Pastor (or Co-Executive Pastors) to assist the Lead Pastor in the President’s duties (Article VI Section 5.1). The Executive Pastor(s) shall be appointed by the President with ratification by the Voting Members (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4) through a simple majority vote, provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present. The Executive Pastor(s) shall serve under the leadership and direction of the President/Lead Pastor.
Section 2. Establishment of the Role of Bishop
The role of Bishop is hereby established as an honorary and advisory position within LifeChurch International, Inc. The Bishop shall provide spiritual guidance, doctrinal oversight, and mentorship to pastors, leaders, and congregants, ensuring the continued spiritual health and growth of the church.
1. Duties and Responsibilities:
a. Serve as an advisor and overseer for all ministries of LifeChurch.
b. Ensuring doctrinal integrity and providing spiritual direction to the church.
c. Mentoring pastors and leaders to strengthen leadership development.
d. Representing the church at local, national, and international levels as needed.
e. Offering pastoral care and direction to ensure the church remains focused on its mission and vision.
2. Concurrence with the Lead Pastor Role:
a. The Bishop may concurrently serve as Lead Pastor/President until he chooses to retire from full-time pastoral responsibilities.
b. Upon retirement as Lead Pastor, the Bishop may continue serving in this role as long as he is willing and able to fulfill the duties.
c. If a vacancy occurs due to retirement or passing, the Corporation will follow the guidelines outlined in this Amendment A Section 3.
3. Qualifications and Appointment:
a. The Bishop shall be the Lead Pastor/President, and continue as a credentialed member of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and be responsible to both the Arizona District and church leadership.
b. The selection and appointment of a Bishop shall be guided by prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, ensuring adherence to biblical principles and church guidelines.
c. The position shall be officially established effective immediately, with Lead Pastor Terry Baughman concurrently serving as Bishop. Upon his passing or retirement as Bishop, this position will be reviewed to assess its impact and effectiveness for the future leadership of the church.
Section 3. Succession in the Event of the Lead Pastor's Passing or Retirement
1. In the event the current Lead Pastor/President:
a. Passes Away: The Executive Pastor(s) shall assume the responsibilities of interim President/Lead Pastor to ensure the continuity of pastoral duties (Article VI Section 5.1 & 5.2). Within 60 days of the Lead Pastor/President’s passing, a business meeting will be scheduled to conduct a vote of affirmation confirming the Executive Pastor(s) to become Lead Pastor (Co-Lead Pastors), subject to qualifications in Article VI Section 3. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present.
b. Retires: In the event of the Lead Pastor's planned retirement, the Executive Pastor(s) will become Lead Pastor (co-Lead Pastors), subject to qualifications in Article VI Section 3. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present.
2. In the event the Executive Pastor(s) are not elected through a majority vote:
a. In the event of a vacancy in the Lead Pastor position due to passing (Section 3.1.a) or retirement (Section 3.1.b), and the Executive Pastor(s) are not affirmed by a majority vote, the Executive Pastor(s) shall continue to serve in their capacity while leading the Trustee Board of Directors in facilitating a pastoral search process (Article VI Section 5.4.d.). The interim period shall not exceed 6 months, unless extended by a majority vote of the Trustee Board of Directors.
b. In the interim, pastoral candidates shall be reviewed by the Trustee Board of Directors and presented to the church’s Voting Members for consideration individually. If a majority desires to consider the candidate, a business meeting will be scheduled and a secret ballot taken. The role of Lead Pastor/President will be established and become effective through a simple majority vote of affirmation by the church’s voting membership (Article III Section 1, 2, 3, 4), provided that a quorum of Voting Members is present. If the candidate does not receive a majority vote of affirmation from the Voting Members, the process shall be repeated with a new candidate.
Section 4. Qualifications for Executive Pastor(s):
The Executive Pastor(s) shall meet the biblical qualifications of church leadership as outlined in Article VI Section 3 (outlined in Scripture, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9) and shall demonstrate proven experience in ministry leadership, administrative oversight, and alignment with the vision and mission of the church.
Section 5. Accountability and Oversight:
The Executive Pastor(s) shall be directly accountable to the Lead Pastor/Bishop during their tenure. In the event of the Lead Pastor's death, the Executive Pastor(s) will serve as Lead Pastor(s) according to the process outlined in Article XII, Section 3a. Otherwise, the Bishop will continue to give counsel and guidance after his retirement as Lead Pastor as long as he is willing and able to fulfill this role.
Section 6. Communication to the Congregation:
Any transition of leadership, including the interim period under the Executive Pastor(s), shall be communicated transparently and prayerfully to the congregation.
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Revisions to the LCI Constitution and Bylaws and Succession policy (Amendment A) were approved in the annual business meeting of voting members on February 5, 2025.