Bylaws - What's this all about?
Redeemer Christian Church is entering an exciting new season—we’re aiming to become a fully independent church. To do that at all and to do it well, we need our own bylaws.
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Bylaws are more than just a legal requirement. They shape how we make decisions, care for people, and protect the legal integrity of our ministry. Healthy bylaws help prevent confusion and conflict by giving us clarity and accountability as a church family.
We want to start this new chapter grounded in wisdom and led by the Spirit—and this is one of the key ways we do that. Whether you're here for a quick overview or ready to dig into the details, we’ve made it easy to follow. And we’d love to hear your thoughts (more on that below).
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Quick Link: Full text of the bylaws
Timeline
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Monday, June 30, 2025: Draft bylaws will be sent to all members; admin will begin collecting questions and feedback.
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Sunday, July 13, 2025: RCC members will attend a congregation meeting to review the bylaws. This is a chance to ask questions, understand key points and hear from leaders about why these matter–but not the vote itself.
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August 2025 (date TBD): We will hold a special congregation meeting to vote on adopting the bylaws
Tl;dr: Bylaws Overview
If you don’t have time to read the full text (keep scrolling), here’s a quick summary of what these bylaws cover:
What We Believe
A clear statement of our core Christian beliefs about Scripture, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the Church, and the future consummation of all things.
Membership
Who can become a member (and how), what expectations come with membership, and the process for removal or reinstatement.
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Congregation Meetings and Voting
How often the congregation meets, how members are notified, what decisions require a congregational vote (like budgets or property matters), and how voting and quorum work.
Church Leadership and Structure
The role and responsibilities of the RCC Council (the main governing body made up of pastors, elders, and deacons), as well as the process for selecting, ordaining, and rotating leaders. Also includes descriptions of officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Financial Officer) and their duties.
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Pastors, Elders, and Deacons
Eligibility, selection, and terms for pastors, elders, and deacons. Includes the responsibilities of each role and how pastors are hired or dismissed.
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Committees
How committees are created, what authority they have, how they report to the Council, and how they are dissolved when their work is complete.
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Amendments
How changes to the bylaws are proposed, communicated, and approved by the congregation.
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Dissolution
What happens to RCC’s property and resources if the church were ever to close.
These bylaws serve as a foundational framework for how we function as a church—legally, organizationally, and spiritually—while allowing flexibility to adapt policies and practices as our community grows.
Keep scrolling to get to the full text of the bylaws
Full text of draft bylaws
Click here to open the full text of the bylaws.
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Please remember that we will not have time to accommodate a live Q&A session about the bylaws during the July 13 congregation meeting. Instead, we will be addressing questions asked in advance on this form.
Supporting Documents
Read Pastor Andrew Chun's essay exploring what the Bible says about women in church leadership.
The bylaws include a framework for the roles of Elders and Deacons, but do not specify how they are to be elected. This is by design—to allow for flexibility as the makeup and needs of our church change. The Transitional Leadership Team did, however, create a plan for how Elders and Deacons will be selected that are not a part of the bylaws.
The bylaws written by the Transitional Leadership Team are based off the original bylaws—bylaws written by Korean Christian Church and translated into English. You can find the original English translation here.
FAQ
1 / Who wrote the bylaws?
The bylaws were written by the Transitional Leadership Team that was installed after the congregation meeting vote in April 2025. They were reviewed by Pastor Steve Chang, founding pastor of Living Hope Community Church in Brea, CA, and current president of SOLA Network, the consultant helping us during our time of transition.
2 / Why do we need bylaws?
As RCC grows and becomes an independent church, we need a clear, shared agreement about how we operate—especially around things like leadership, finances, and membership. Bylaws help define how we make decisions and function together as a church.
They’re also required if we want to apply for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which is an important step toward managing our own resources. But more than just a legal requirement, bylaws are a sign of maturity. They give us a healthy foundation for unity and clarity as we move forward together.
3 / But there's so much room for interpretation
This is by design. The bylaws are meant to give a flexible framework, not an exact manual for every situation. Churches grow, change and face new challenges, so we’ve intentionally left room for interpretation to allow leadership to respond wisely in context. Over time, we’ll create policies and procedures—more detailed documents—that spell out more specifics. These policies will reflect the heart of the bylaws and the lived realities of our church’s culture and rhythms. The bylaws are like a blueprint; the policies (forthcoming) will be like the interior layout.
4 / If I have access to the bylaws now, why do I need to be at the July 13 congregation meeting?
We will be reviewing some of the questions that come in, and we would love all members who are able to be a part of that conversation. Our Transitional Leadership Team will also be doing some vision casting that you won’t want to miss.
5 / What's the timeline for what happens next?
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Before the July 13 congregation meeting, we would like members to read the bylaws and submit questions and feedback using the Google Form or by emailing rccdenverco@gmail.com by July 11.
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At the July 13 congregation meeting, the Transitional Leadership Team will officially present the bylaws and address some of the questions that were submitted.
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We will not be voting to approve the bylaws on July 13.
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In August (date TBD), after members have had time to reflect on the information presented at the July 13 meeting, we will hold a special congregation meeting to vote to approve the bylaws.
6 / Will there be changes to the bylaws before the vote in August?
The Transitional Leadership Team has been working hard to produce a set of bylaws that is suitable for our church and agreeable to all. We do recognize that there could be parts of the bylaws where there is disagreement. If this is the case, further revisions will be made and communicated in advance of voting.
7 / What specifically will we be voting on?
In August (date TBD), we will be voting to adopt the entirety of the bylaws. This is why it’s so important for our members to review the bylaws and send in questions or feedback before our vote in August.
8 / Where can I submit my feedback or questions?
Please send us your feedback and questions! We will not have time for a live Q&A about the bylaws during the July 13 meeting, so we are asking folks to submit their questions in this form. The Transitional Leadership Team will address the questions received during the July 13 congregation meeting.
9 / Who is eligible to vote?
All active members who took the RCC membership class and took membership vows are eligible to vote.
10 / How can I become a member?
Becoming a member is easy! To become a member, start by signing up for a one-day membership class which takes place quarterly. Click on the link to let us know to keep you in the loop for the next membership class!