Harvest Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited

Board of Trustees

Manual for the Local Church

INTRODUCTION

This manual is produced to provide hands on training for the Board of Trustees of all Harvest

churches. The training is essential for members of each local Board of Trustees so that they understand,

function and serve according to their constitutional authority and responsibilities. Included are the

general powers, number of trustees, terms of office, qualification, removal, reappointment, and

relationship to the office of the Pastor of the local church, etc.

The function and role of the Board of Trustees of Harvest Intercontinental Churches as

designated by the By-Laws and Constitution; our legal document, is based on our government system.

We have embraced both the Congregational and Episcopal forms of church governments. It is therefore

essential for each Board Member to have an appreciated knowledge of this document.

It is our desire that local Pastors will take time to train their Board of Trustees ensuring

that they understand fully their responsibilities and functions. Once the Board of Trustees and Pastor

understand that they are a team; the vision of the local church will be fulfilled.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

I. General Powers of the Board of Trustees:

The legal affairs of the Church shall be managed by the Board of Trustees whose members shall

have a fiduciary obligation to the church. The Board of Trustees is responsible for development and

implementation of constitutional and legal policies that govern the local church. The pastor and the

appointed Board members serve as the Board of Trustees for the success of the ministry of the local

church.

Subject to any limitations in the Constitution and Bylaws, the legal affairs of the Church shall be

conducted, and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of

Trustees. The Board may delegate authority to provide services to the local Church, any person or

persons, or committee, however composed, provided that the said services to the Church shall be

managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board.

The Board of Trustees shall determine and approve the purchases and sales of all church real

estate properties subject to the approval of the Presiding Prelate of Harvest Intercontinental

Ministries Unlimited or his designee. It shall determine and approve the salary of the Pastor. The

Board shall also approve the salary of all other employees or staff of the church as recommended by

the Pastor.

II. The Number, Term, and Qualifications of the Board of Trustees:

The Board of Trustee of a local Harvest Intercontinental Church shall consist of the Pastor-

Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and at least two other Trustees (minimum of five) but shall not

exceed thirteen. Other officers may be elected or appointed in accordance with the Constitution and

By-Laws, and the Manual of Policies, Practices and Procedures of the Harvest Intercontinental

Ministries Unlimited.

Members of the Board are appointed to serve for at least one year but not more than fifty

percent of the members of the board will be replaced at the same time. The Pastor is the only

person who serves as long as he/she is pastor of the local church and remains in good standing with

HIM-U. Existing Board members can be reappointed by the Pastor-Chairperson at the end of their

term if the Pastor deems it fit or is led by the Lord to do so. New Trustees may be appointed

annually by the Pastor-Chairperson with the advice and consent of the majority members of the

current Board of Trustees.

Trustees who signed the Articles of Incorporation shall comprise the original Board of Trustees;

however, this does not lend them eternity on the Board. It simply makes reference to the fact that

they are original Board members of the local church. It is already established constitutionally that

Trustees shall serve for at least one year. Original Trustees, who continue to meet the qualifications

and expectations of the pastor, may at the discretion of the Pastor, be reappointed to serve on the

church Board.

Any member of the Board of Trustees must also be an active and faithful member of Harvest

Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited. Nevertheless, non-members can serve as official advisors to

the Board of Trustees without the right to vote. If permitted to vote by the chairperson, their vote(s)

should not be considered to determine the majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

III. Regular Meetings of the Board of Trustees:

At least two regular bi-annual meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held each year. The

Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for holding additional regular

meetings without other notice than such resolution. Additional regular meetings shall be held at the

principal office of the Church in the absence of any designation in the resolution.

IV. Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees:

Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by or at the request of any three (3)

Trustees, or by the Pastor-Chairperson, and shall be held at the principal office of the Church or at

such other place as the Trustees or Pastor- Chairperson may determine. This document discourages

the calling and holding of Board meetings by an individual. It must be by any three Trustees and the

venue must be at the principal office of the church. The Pastor-Chairperson must also be aware

even if they are not attending the meeting. Remember that the Pastor is chairperson of the Board of

Trustees. Board Members will be out of order if Board meetings are called and held without prior

knowledge of the chairperson or their designee.

V. Notice of the Board of Trustees:

Notice of the annual, regular or special meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be given by oral

notice to each Trustee. The attendance of a Trustee at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of

notice of such meeting, except where a Trustee attends a meeting for the expressed purpose of

objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

The business to be transacted at the meetings need not be specified in the notice or waiver of the

notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these By-Laws.

VI. Quorum of the Board of Trustees:

A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business

at any meeting of the Board; but if less than a majority of the Trustees are present at any meeting, a

majority of the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

For any resolution at a Board meeting to be binding, there must be present in said meeting two

thirds of the members of the Board. Two thirds of members of the Board of Trustees are considered

a majority of the Board of Trustees.

VII. The Functions of the Board of Trustees:

The Board of Trustees including the Pastor of the local church serves the local church as a team.

The Pastor serves as chairperson of the Board and acts in concert with the other members of the

Board in establishing legal and financial policies that affect the operation of the church and

properties. It is to the benefit of the Pastor and of the congregation that this team work together.

The Pastor must provide copies of this handbook and a copy of the By-Laws and Constitution of

Harvest Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited to each member of the Board. It is the responsibility

of the Pastor to train and minister spiritually to members of the Board and share passionately the

vision the Lord has given HIM-U and the local church. In so doing, they can together harness all

efforts, talents and treasures so as to fulfill the one and common vision from Lord. It is important for

the vision to become the vision of each member of the board.

The power of the Board of Trustees is limited to matters of legal, financial and constitutional

issues. Their power does not extend to the spiritual role of pastoring and caring for the local church.

It is the Pastor with the help of the elders and deacons who must seek spiritual direction from the

Lord.

VIII. Financial Decisions of the Board of Trustees:

The Board of Trustees shall be responsible to approve the annual budget of the local church. It

shall go through the annual budget of the coming year and work with the Pastor for approval. It is

the responsibility of the Pastor as chief administrator, with the help and advice of the Board of

Trustees, to ensure that the finances of the church are executed according to the approved budget.

The approved personnel responsible for the church’s expenditure must be held responsible by the

Board to ensure that budgetary policies and measures agreed upon are adhered to by all concern,

including the Pastor. They should always be in the position to remind the Pastor of budget lines for

each line of expenditure and make sure there is no deficit in the expenditure. In the event of a

necessary expenditure over and above the budget, the Pastor should seek the advice of the

appropriate personnel and if necessary, the Board of Trustees.

The Board shall require a Quarterly or Bi-annual financial report from the office of the Pastor.

Financial decisions of the majority of the Board of Trustees must be adhered to by the approved

personnel of the local church.

IX. Other Decisions of the Board of Trustees:

The act of a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be

the act of the Board of Trustees, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these

By-Laws.

X. Vacancies, Additions, Elections, Removal of Board members:

Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Trustees, and any trusteeship to be filled by reason of an

increase in the number of Trustees, shall be filled by the Pastor with the advice and consent of the

current majority of the Board Trustees. Trustees may be removed by the Pastor-Chairperson with

the advice and consent of the majority vote of the current Board of Trustees.

In the event all trustee positions shall become vacant, the diocesan bishop shall appoint an

Interim Board of Trustee until the vacancies are filled.

XI. Compensation of Board Members:

Trustees as such shall not receive any salaries for their services.

XII. The Removal of a Trustee for or Without Cause:

The Board may declare vacant the office of a Trustee who has been convicted of a felony; or found,

based on the Trustee's personal admission, the testimony of 2 eyewitnesses of good character, or

unambiguous authentic photographic or written evidence to have committed any of the following

offenses: (1) chronic abuse of illegal drugs (2) chronic alcoholism (3) adultery or fornication (4) theft of

church funds (5) any other act(s) found contrary to Biblical leadership as interpreted and taught by the

leadership of the Corporation.

Any or all Trustees may be removed without cause if such removal is approved or ratified by the

affirmative vote of a majority of the votes represented and voting at a duly held meeting of Trustees

at which a quorum is present, subject, however, to the provision of Article III Section 13 of the Bylaws.

XIII. The Pastor-Chairperson of the Church:

The Pastor shall have general oversight of all spiritual matters concerning the church, according

to the Holy Scriptures. The Pastor shall function as shepherd, teacher, and leader for the Church.

In the event the Pastor-Chairperson should voluntarily choose to leave or dies in office, their

successor shall be appointed by the Presiding Prelate of the Harvest Intercontinental Ministries

Unlimited with the advice of the Board of Trustees. The Pastor-Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive

Officer of the Corporation, and shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business

and Officers of the Corporation. The Pastor-Chairperson shall, along with the Board, determine the

general policies and best financial operations of the Corporation and shall be vested with the authority

to determine and further the nonprofit religious purposes of the Corporation. The Chairperson shall

preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, shall be ex officio a member of all the standing

committees including the Executive Committee, and shall have the general powers and duties as

prescribed by the Constitution and Board of Trustees.

XIV. OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

a. Officers

The officers of the church shall be the Pastor-Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer, who are also

members of the Board of Trustees, and such other officers as may be elected or appointed in

accordance with the provisions of the Article of Incorporation. The Board of Trustees may elect or

appoint such other officers, including one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant

treasurers, as it shall deem desirable. Such officers are to have the authority and perform the duties

prescribed, from time to time, by the Board of Trustees. Any two or more offices may be held by the

same person.

b. Election and Term of Office

The executive officers of the Church (the Pastor-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) with the

exception of the Pastor shall be elected annually by the Board of Trustees at the regular annual

meeting of the Board of Trustees. If the election of officers is not held at such meeting, such election

shall be held as soon thereafter as is convenient. New offices may be created and filled at any

meeting of the Board of Trustees. Each officer shall hold office until a successor has been duly elected

and installed.

c. Removal

Any officer, with the exception of the Pastor, elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees may

be removed by the Board of Trustees whenever, in its judgment, the best interest of the church

would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if

any, of the officer so removed.

d. Vacancies

A vacancy in office, except that of the Pastor, because of death, resignation, removal,

disqualification, or otherwise, may be filled by the Pastor for the unexpired portion of the term. In

the event the vacant position being filled is that of the Pastor, the presiding prelate shall fill said

position pursuant to Article X {10.005 (a), (b)}.

XV. Resignation and Removal

a. Resignation

In the event the Pastor (with the exception of the Dean of a Cathedral) should voluntarily

choose to leave, resigns or is removed their successor shall be appointed by the Presiding Prelate in

consultation with the Diocesan Bishop, Bishop, or National Overseer of the Harvest Intercontinental

Ministries Unlimited, after seeking the advice of the Board of Trustees and the Council of Advisors.

Said appointment shall be interim for a period of one (1) year after which the congregation shall

express their desire and will concerning the appointment by a simple majority vote at a duly called

meeting of the registered members of the church.

b. Removal

(i) In the event the Pastor shall have serious moral charges or doctrinal departure from the

Tenets of Faith proffered against them or their ministry has ceased to be effective in accomplishing

the purpose of the Church, the matter shall be brought to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees or

the Chairperson of the Council of Advisors either of which is required to report it to National

Overseer or Bishop who may authorize an investigation of such charges by the National Executive

Council, or in the absence of a Council, a Committee of at least four of their peers who will

recommend appropriate disciplinary actions to the National Overseer, Diocesan Bishop or Presiding

Prelate for approval and implementation. Such measure(s) may include suspension, dismissal, and

or counseling. The decision of the Council or Committee should be communicated to the office of

the Presiding Prelate for implementation.

XVI. BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ RIGHT TO APPEAL

The Board of Trustees of a Harvest local church shall exercise the authority and right to appeal

directly to the office of the Presiding Prelate or through His principal deputy, a Diocesan Bishop to

intervene in any matter affecting the local church. In an event where the Pastor-Chairperson or an

officer of the local church behavior, doctrine, or character undermines the stability of the church,

and after having done everything to resolve the problem but could not, the Board of Trustees and

other spiritual leaders of the church may seek for intervention and invite in person the Presiding

Prelate to resolve the issue and restore the spiritual conditions conducive for the continuity of the

ministry of the local church to its community. The Presiding Prelate may however, delegate any

other officer or officers to represent him to resolve the issue in the event he is unable to personally

do so.

XVII. Summary of the Trustees’ Responsibilities:

1. Trustees shall serve on the Board of Trustees of the local church.

2. They shall assume general supervision for the maintenance and upkeep of the Church’s real

estate property.

3. They shall represent the church in all legal matters, consistent with the laws of the Nation.

4. They shall ensure that the provisions of the church’s Constitution and By-Laws are adhered to

and that the local church governs itself according to the standards and practices of The Harvest

Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited Inc. Except as required by the laws governing 501 (c) 3 or

laws of the nation, organizations, or where specific authority is granted by this Constitution to

the Board, their role in the operation of the church is advisory.

5. Trustees and the Pastor of the local church are members of the Board of Trustees and are on the

same team.

6. One of the primary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees is to ensure that the vision of Harvest

Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited is understood and being implemented through the local

church they serve.