I. NAME. The name of the church fellowship is Disciple Heritage Fellowship of North Carolina. DHF of NC is organized exclusively for religious purposes. We operate as an affiliate member of Disciple Heritage Fellowship in Lovington, Ill. under their (501 (c) (3)) Internal Revenue Service documentation.

As an affiliate of Disciple Heritage Fellowship, this organization will operate under the general guidelines set by the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability. It will seek to always operate under the broad guidelines and general policies set by Disciple Heritage Fellowship. As an affiliate of Disciple Heritage Fellowship we will submit an annual report by February 1 containing a full financial statement and a report of activities and programs for the previous year.

II. PURPOSE. To establish a Christian fellowship of conservative churches based on the authority of the Holy Scriptures, for the purpose of supporting and strengthening the local church through fellowship, collaboration on ministry programs, spiritual enrichment and shared ministry among the churches, and advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The roots of this fellowship are in the Campbell-Stone movement with its focus on the inspiration and authority of the Bible, the saving power of Jesus Christ and the importance of recovering the dynamics of the New Testament church in today’s experience. The fellowship consists of congregations and individuals who choose to freely associate together as guided by the “Statement of Faith” as established by the fellowship. This association is free and voluntary and is entered into by a vote of the congregation. Individuals may also enter the Fellowship by completing and signing an Individual Membership Agreement Form. We welcome churches and individuals who share the New Testament faith and desire to be faithful to the whole counsel of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures.

a. In the event of dissolution all assets of said fellowship will be distributed to some other similar organization exempted under Section 501 (c) (3) of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

b. Inurement of Income – No part of the net earnings of the fellowship shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers or other private persons except that the fellowship shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

c. Political Activities – The fellowship shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

d. Operational Limitations – Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the fellowship shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.)

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. GOVERNMENT

Disciple Heritage Fellowship of North Carolina is a voluntary affiliation of autonomous churches who agree to join together for the purpose of Christian fellowship, mutual support, shared Christian ministry, and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a fellowship, we shall not be accountable to any other ecclesiastical or denominational body. The affairs of the fellowship shall be managed by a “Leadership Council.” The Leadership Council will consist of a combination of seven clergy and laypersons. The council will guide and direct all the work of the ministry in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws, and submit themselves to the head of the church, Jesus Christ, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in accordance with Holy Scriptures.

1. The members of the Leadership Council (which term is synonymous with the term Board of Directors as used in Chapter 55A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and a member of the Leadership Council being synonymous with the term Director as used in Chapter 55A of the North Carolina General Statutes) will be nominated and approved by the participating churches of the fellowship. Leadership Council members must be actively participating members of a church belonging to the fellowship.

2. The term of office for members of the Leadership Council will be for two years. Every two years, three or four members (as appropriate) of the council will rotate off and three or four new Council members will be appointed. This staggered approach will provide for continuity of support. Former Council members may be re-elected after a one year absence. Any council member may be suspended or expelled for just cause by a majority vote of the Council at any annual meeting or a special called meeting to consider the matter.

3. Nominations for new Council members will be announced to the Fellowship by the Leadership Council sixty (60) days before the expiration of a term. All nominations received will be reviewed by the current Council members and voted on by the member churches.

4. Meetings of the council will be held on a quarterly basis at a time/place agreed to by the council. A minimum of four council members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the acts of a majority of the council members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Leadership Council.

5. Special meetings of the Leadership Council may be called by any two Council members as needed.

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS

All officers within the Leadership Council shall be selected from within the Council itself. A Council Leader shall be selected to guide the Council in the fulfillment of its ministry leadership duties. A Vice-Council Leader shall also be appointed by the Council to share in the duties of the ministry. Officers shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as are provided by the bylaws and as shall, from time to time, be prescribed by the full Leadership Council. The Council Leader shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership Council. The Vice-Council Leader shall act in all cases for and as the Council Leader in the latter’s absence or incapacity, and shall perform such other duties as he/she may be required to from time to time.

1. The Leadership Council will direct the ongoing activities of the fellowship and shall receive and consider input from the churches within the fellowship. The Leadership Council will ensure all minutes, reports, plans and actions are communicated to the participating churches and members. The Leadership Council may solicit and appoint special committees from the churches as the needs require.

2. The Leadership Council will select a Secretary from within the council, or a volunteer from a participating church may be selected as needed. The term of office for the Secretary shall be for a period of two years. The Secretary will record the minutes of Council meetings and fulfill other administrative duties as required to support the fellowship.

3. The Leadership Council will appoint a Finance Committee and Treasurer from volunteers nominated by participating churches. The Finance Committee will consist of three individuals. The Treasurer and the finance committee appointed by the Council shall have general oversight of the fellowship funds and securities. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the fellowship, and shall keep the monies of the fellowship in a separate account to the credit of the fellowship. He/She shall disburse the funds of the fellowship as may be ordered by the Council, and shall prepare a report for the Leadership Council of his/her transactions upon request, such report showing the financial condition of the fellowship. A quarterly report of all expenditures will be provided to participating churches.

4. If the office of any officer, one or more, becomes vacant for any reason, the Leadership Council may choose a successor or successors for the unexpired term.

ARTICLE III. FINANCES

The work and ministries of the fellowship shall be financed by the voluntary giving of participating churches and individual members of the fellowship. The officers of the fellowship shall receive no compensation. This does not preclude reimbursement for expenses incurred by Officers supporting staff in their work for this fellowship, provided such expense has been authorized by the Leadership Council.

ARTICLE IV. BOOKS AND RECORDS

The fellowship shall keep an original or copy of all the proceedings of the Leadership Council, the original or a copy of its Bylaws, including all amendments thereto to date, certified by the Secretary of the fellowship. The fellowship shall also keep appropriate, complete and accurate books or records of account. The records provided for herein shall be kept at the Office of the Fellowship in this State, or at its principle place of business wherever situated.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS

1. The Bylaws may be amended or repealed by two-thirds vote of the Leadership Council at any regular meeting duly convened.

2. Bylaw changes must be circulated to the total participating membership for comment at least sixty (60) days prior to a meeting and in writing.