Church organization & bylaws

Blackberry Family Church - Nashville, Tennessee 

Section 1 History

The members of the Blackberry Family Church have been meeting together since June 2020. The founding member families formalized the church organization in October 2021 for the purposes of conducting church business and establishing church bylaws for future operation of the church. The church has a website at www.blackberryfamilychurch.org.

Section 2 Founding Members and Bylaws

Several families have met sporadically with the church since its beginning. Three families have been consistent in attendance, support, and provided leadership and teaching for the church. They are:

·  Rogers and Jane Heather Clayton, 1018 Gateway Lane, Nashville TN 37220

·  Dale and Vivian Armstrong, 527 Midway Circle, Brentwood TN 37027

·  James and Dorothy Warren, 900 Dorset Drive, Brentwood TN 37027

The three husbands, namely Rogers Clayton, Dale Armstrong, and James Warren are deemed as founding members who will have administrative responsibility for conducting church business and establishing church bylaws.  

 Bylaws

The following list of bylaws has been created by the founding members and voted on by the church membership on October 31, 2021 and passed unanimously. 

Members -This church is comprised of persons who profess a personal faith and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, have received baptism in a church according to the New Testament, and actively follow the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship. 

Voting Rights of Members - Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church, provided the member is present. Proxy voting is prohibited. 

Reception of New Members- A person shall be considered a member upon approval of the founding members. A person may be received for membership by any of the following ways: 

1.  By profession of faith. A person publicly confessing personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidence of a regenerate heart and adopting the practices held by the church, shall, upon baptism be admitted into the fellowship of the church.

2.  By statement. Any person who has been baptized upon profession of faith in a church of like faith and order may be received into membership after giving satisfactory evidence of a regenerate heart, Christian conduct, and scriptural faith. Any person presented for membership who has been baptized by immersion in a church of like faith and order shall be received by statement.

3.  By baptism from another denomination. Any person who professes a personal faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and actively follows the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship but has been baptized by any method other than immersion in another church must be immersed to become a member of this body. 

Rights of Members - Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church. 

Termination of Membership - Membership shall be terminated in the following ways: (1) death, (2) transfer to another church, (3) stating that they no longer wish to be a member, or (4) exclusion by action of the church. 

Worship Services - The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning for preaching, instruction, evangelism and for the worship of almighty God. These meetings will be open to everyone and shall be conducted under the leadership of the founding members. 

Special Services - All church meetings that are essential to the promotion of the objectives of the church shall be placed on the church website (www.blackberryfamilychurch.org) and announced at the service on the Sunday prior to the special service being held. 

Regular Business Meetings - Regular business meetings shall be held annually. Matters of a significant nature will be publicized on the website. 

Special Business Meetings - A specially called business meeting may be held to consider matters of a significant nature. Notice of the subject, date, time, and location must be published on the website for the specially called business meeting at least one week before the meeting and announced the Sunday prior to the special business meeting. A quorum consists of those who attend the business meeting, provided it is a regular meeting or one that has been properly called. 

Parliamentary Rules-The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church in areas not addressed by the Bylaws. The 

The moderator, who will be one of the Founding Members will be responsible to ensuring compliance with Robert's Rules of Order and the bylaws when it is in the best interest of the fellowship. 

Section 3 Ordinances

Baptism - Baptism is a symbolic act of obedience. A person who receives Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publicly at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord, shall be received for baptism. (1) Baptism shall be by immersion in water. (2) Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service. 

The Lord's Supper - The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming. (1) The Lord's Supper shall be observed weekly 

Section 4 – Church Organization 

Blackberry Family Church will be an unincorporated church under Tennessee State Law. Those who financially contribute to the church can deduct their contributions on their federal income taxes according to IRC Section 501(c)(3)

·  The Church is  organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, and charitable purposes; 

·  Church funds may not inure to the benefit of any private individual; 

·  No substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation; 

·  The church may not intervene in political campaigns; and 

·  The church’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy. 

Section 5 – Ministries

The church shall evaluate, plan, organize, and implement such ministries as the church deems necessary. 

Section 6 – Banking and Giving

Banking – The founding members will establish a checking account with a local bank for the purposes of holding member contributions as well as disbursement of funds for church operations.

Member Giving and Donations – Members may give funds to the church via, cash, check, or digitally. The Founding members were directed to establish appropriate digital giving methods, e.g. credit cards, PayPal, etc. We now use Tithe.ly

EIN Assigned: 87-3125605  Blackberry Family Church is a 501C3 Organization

Section 7 - Appointment of Elders May 2024

Rogers Clayton

Ryan Hunt

James Warren

Spencer Howell

Ben Muir