A lot has changed in the last 10 years and we are updating our Bylaws to not only reflect those changes but to allow for future growth. The 'Bylaws' are required by the State of Georgia and outline procedures and convictions that allow us to operate as a faith organization in this great state.
We are asking the Membership to vote to affirm the changes to our Bylaws at the August 6, 2023 Member's Meeting.
All the changes have been described in the links below.
We are asking the Membership to vote to affirm the changes to our Bylaws at the August 6, 2023 Member's Meeting.
All the changes have been described in the links below.
Key Changes
1. Our Affiliation with the SBC and our own Nonprofit Status with the state of Georgia.
In January 2023, the Elders launched a full assessment of our legal documents and discovered that our 501C-3 status is tied to our relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. This means that if we ever decided to disaffiliate with the convention we would, for some time, lose our nonprofit status with the state of GA. In Article I - NAME, we have removed all language that ties Sojourn Woodstock to the Southern Baptist Convention. This change will allow us to pursue our own 501C-3 status with the state. The Elders have not made a decision regarding our relationship with the SBC. When the time comes for a more robust discussion of our relationship with the convention, we will welcome the input of our members. The proposed change in the bylaws will allow for whatever future decision is made with our affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention to be ratified with confidence that it will not put our own nonprofit status at risk.
2. Our Faith in and Submission to Christ and the Holy Scripture.
In Article IV - GOVERNANCE, we have clarified that Sojourn Woodstock submits to Christ and the Holy Scripture as our ultimate authority and that we are first and foremost a community of believers, existing for Christ’s mission and, secondarily, a civil corporation established in the state of GA.
3. Our desire to Empower and Release Ministers of the Gospel.
We have added Article XV - Licensure and Ordination, that outlines our belief that the Holy Scripture gives the church the authority to ordain and license ministers who are recognized by the State of Georgia and the United States.
In January 2023, the Elders launched a full assessment of our legal documents and discovered that our 501C-3 status is tied to our relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. This means that if we ever decided to disaffiliate with the convention we would, for some time, lose our nonprofit status with the state of GA. In Article I - NAME, we have removed all language that ties Sojourn Woodstock to the Southern Baptist Convention. This change will allow us to pursue our own 501C-3 status with the state. The Elders have not made a decision regarding our relationship with the SBC. When the time comes for a more robust discussion of our relationship with the convention, we will welcome the input of our members. The proposed change in the bylaws will allow for whatever future decision is made with our affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention to be ratified with confidence that it will not put our own nonprofit status at risk.
2. Our Faith in and Submission to Christ and the Holy Scripture.
In Article IV - GOVERNANCE, we have clarified that Sojourn Woodstock submits to Christ and the Holy Scripture as our ultimate authority and that we are first and foremost a community of believers, existing for Christ’s mission and, secondarily, a civil corporation established in the state of GA.
3. Our desire to Empower and Release Ministers of the Gospel.
We have added Article XV - Licensure and Ordination, that outlines our belief that the Holy Scripture gives the church the authority to ordain and license ministers who are recognized by the State of Georgia and the United States.
Reasons for Changing the Bylaws.
1. A lot has changed over the last 10 years and we needed to update our Bylaws to meet legal requirements.
2. We live in a world that is increasingly antagonistic towards churches and the updated Bylaws seek to reduce risk to Sojourn by stating our convictions more clearly as an incorporated faith-based organization in the state of GA..
3. The new Bylaws provide greater flexibility to Sojourn as an incorporated faith-based organization in the state of GA.
4. The new Bylaws provide clarity and consistency by removing redundant, out of date or unnecessary content.
2. We live in a world that is increasingly antagonistic towards churches and the updated Bylaws seek to reduce risk to Sojourn by stating our convictions more clearly as an incorporated faith-based organization in the state of GA..
3. The new Bylaws provide greater flexibility to Sojourn as an incorporated faith-based organization in the state of GA.
4. The new Bylaws provide clarity and consistency by removing redundant, out of date or unnecessary content.
Click the image above to read the new Bylaws in their entirety.
Click the image above to read all of the changes that have been made and to read through the old Bylaws.
We Would Love to Hear From You
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, or want to sit down and talk through the Bylaws, we would love to hear from you.