SHMBE BY-LAWS

By-Laws For Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah
A Messianic Synagogue

 

These By-Laws establish this Messianic Synagogue as a body of believers and define a form of government that aligns with Scripture.

Founding Rabbi – The Founder of Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah
Senior Rabbi – Congregational Leader
Associate Rabbi – Congregational Co-Leader and Assistant to the Senior and/or Founding Rabbi
Board of Directors – Voting members who govern the legalities and maintain the legitimacy of the Synagogue (referred to in this document as 'the Board' or 'the Board of Directors'). 
President – Shall be the current president for the Corporation of Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah filed with the State of Colorado and to comply with Colorado State Government and Federal laws regarding the 501c3. The President will have the sole authority to appoint his successor due to illness or retirement who must also qualify by being amended to the bylaws of the Simchat HaMashiach Corporation as acting President.
Treasurer – Recommendations for the office of Treasurer will be made, discussed, and approved by a majority of the Board of Directors for this position which will oversee two separate positions maintaining one organization overseeing the accounts receivable and accounts payable.  
Secretary – Recommendations for the office of Treasurer will be made, discussed, and approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for this position which will maintain records of board minutes.
Shamashim/Advisory Board – Recommendations for the Shamashim will be made, discussed, and approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for this position, who are Helpers/Servants who display dedication and compassion for the congregation and who also look out for the good and wellbeing of the Synagogue and its Leadership.
Leadership Teams – Ministries that serve the congregation through dance, worship, meals, events, security, education, finance, etc.
Bimah – The Hebrew word bimah means “platform” and refers to the platform in the center of the synagogue from which the Torah is read. It also refers to the reading table and is solely governed by the Senior Rabbi. 

It is understood that the Synagogue bylaws establish the officers who run the synagogue day to day. These bylaws also help to prevent confusion and chaos in the governance, actions and decisions of the synagogue.  The corporation bylaws establish the roles and responsibilities of the corporation’s officers and directors which are filed with the State of Colorado and are separate from these bylaws that govern the day-to-day operations of the synagogue. 

ARTICLE ONE: The Messianic Synagogue

1.1      Name: The name of this Messianic Synagogue is “Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah” a 501c3 filed under Simchat HaMoshiach Corporation in 2008.   SHMBE is used as the acronym of Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah. 

1.2     Messianic Synagogue Structure: This Messianic Synagogue is an autonomous congregational body not subject to the control or jurisdiction of any ecclesiastical body or organization. These By-Laws shall define the structure and order of rule for this body. Congregational meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rule of Order. The Senior Rabbi shall oversee the flock of God (Acts 20:28-31).

Recommendations for the Shamashim will be made, discussed, and approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for this position and are accountable to the Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors. The number of Shamashim shall be no less than three (3).

Leadership/ Ministry Team members shall be confirmed by the Senior Rabbi, the Associate Rabbi and the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE TWO: Membership

2.1      The term “Congregational Member” denotes a person meeting membership requirements of Simchat HaMashiach Beit Emunah. Any person of Biblical/New Testament moral character who has confessed Yeshua HaMashiach as Lord and Savior, walks in Torah, and agrees with Simchat HaMashiach’s Statement of Faith and By-Laws. Membership does not require any oaths or vows made to any one in a specific leadership role, rather a commitment to the entire congregation, Statement of Faith and By-Laws of this congregation they willingly attend, thus denoting a commitment of unity of all. A Congregational Member will be afforded access to all essential notifications of SHMBE in-house activity, and opportunities to participate in SHMBE’s various ministries.

2.2       The term Non-Member will be considered a guest of Simchat HaMashiach, enjoying the benefits of Shabbat, fellowship, lunches, events and access to the children’s ministry.

2.3     Discipline. Any Member or Non-Member is subject to the terms of SHMBE discipline. If any Member or Non-Member is found not living a sanctified life in accordance with the Holy Scripture (1 Corinthians 5:1-11; i.e., sowing seeds of discord), the Senior Rabbi along with the Shamashim shall have the authority to discipline. Non-members shall also be disciplined; their attendance subjects them to the same governing guidelines that members must follow.

In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 a list of sins is given including sexual immorality, covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness and swindling. In 1 Corinthians 5:13 allusion is made to Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7; 12; 19:19; 21:21. Other passages are found in Romans 11:9; 14:14; 16:17-18, which speak of the unity of fellowship and not causing hindrances to other Believers. 

The fundamental passage providing procedures for discipline is Matthew 18:15-20. One method of discipline is by dis-fellowship (i.e., ungodly behavior such as propagating heretical teaching, soliciting funds and personal information, sowing seeds of discord and making inappropriate advances to those present). The Senior Rabbi and Shamashim under the guidance of the Senior Rabbi may expel such a member from fellowship. This procedure starts with one person going to the member privately, confronting the sin issue and providing an opportunity for repentance. If there is no repentance, the person is to go with one or two others who know of the sin and privately confront the sin issue and provide an opportunity for repentance. If there is still no repentance, the sin issue is to be brought before the Congregation. Public discipline is only for members who are on the Congregational membership roll. Non-members have not agreed to subject themselves to the code of purity defined by scripture held by the Congregation. A person who has been expelled may be restored as a member by confession of his/her errors and giving satisfactory evidence of repentance to the Senior Rabbi and Shamashim who shall restore, forgive, and demonstrate love toward any such repentant person (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). Egregious offense will not be tolerated by members/non-members and will be subject to immediate expulsion by the Board of Directors, when justified.

2.4      Same sex/gender marriage will not be condoned nor will such unions be performed on the premises (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-28). Additionally, SHMBE will not support or condone any fornication or adultery. The use of restrooms is allowable only to those according to their birth gender with the exception of parental escort of small children at times of necessity.

2.5 Members and non-members may not solicit, distribute literature, or in any way propagate their own ministry, or other ministries without prior approval from the Senior Rabbi. Members and non-members that engage in activities to divide or discredit or otherwise draw congregants away from SHMBE will be subject to immediate expulsion. 

ARTICLE THREE: Meetings of the Congregation

3.1     Worship Service. Regular worship services for the congregation shall be held traditionally every Shabbat (Saturday) and special services for the Feast Days, as described in Leviticus 23, Purim, and Hanukkah. The format of the Regular Worship services shall be Praise Music, Congregational Dance, Blessing of the Children, and Torah study structured by the Senior Rabbi and Associate Rabbi. 

3.2      Business Meetings. Business meetings for the transactions of the business of the Congregation shall be held at least once per year on an agreed date between the Senior Rabbi, Associate Rabbi and Board of Directors.  Business meetings shall be called as necessary.

3.3 S     Special Business Meetings. The Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors shall call meetings for the conducting of special business when considered necessary or appropriate. No business shall be transacted at a Special Business Meetings other than the business that has been publicly announced and specified in the notice given for that meeting.

3.4      Leadership/Ministry Meetings may be called at an agreed upon time, designated by the Leader of each individual ministry. 

3.5      Procedure. The Senior Rabbi shall preside over the Business Meetings. In the absence of the Senior Rabbi, the Associate Rabbi shall preside over the scheduled Business Meetings. The customary parliamentary rules, as set forth in the Robert’s Rule of Order, shall govern the conduct and procedure of all business meetings when not in conflict with these By-Laws. Established quorum of two-thirds of the Board of Directors is considered a Quorum.

3.6    When deemed necessary or appropriate, the Shamashim may request of the Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors a special congregational meeting. 

ARTICLE FOUR: Duties and Qualifications of all Leadership/Ministry Roles

4.1       All of those in any leadership position shall be a member of the Congregation and an individual who meets or exceeds the following scriptural standards:
(i) Be called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)
(ii) Be above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach (1Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7-8)
(iii) Be able to exhort and refute with sounds doctrine (Titus 1:9)
(iv) Be sober, gentle, un-contentious and free from the love of money (1Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)
(v) Have a well-managed family that maintains dignity and their children that are not rebellious (1Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6)
(vi) Have genuine faith (1Timothy 3:6)
(vii) Have a good reputation with those outside of the Congregation (1 Timothy 3:7)
(viii) Be with one living wife (a Person who has repented of a prior scriptural divorce and remarried shall not be deemed to have more than one wife) (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6; Matthew 5:32)

4.2     Duties of the Senior Rabbi. The role of the Senior Rabbi shall be to oversee the Congregation for the purposes of nurturing, maturing, selecting speakers for the Bimah, Torah studies, for purposes of order, structure, health, Scriptural accuracy, all ministries, discipline and welfare. The Senior Rabbi will abide by the Statement of Faith and By-Laws.

4.3     Duties of the Associate Rabbi are to assist the Senior Rabbi in the above stated description, abiding by the Statement of Faith and the By-Laws.

4.4     Duties of the Board of Directors are voting members who govern the legalities and maintain the legitimacy of the Synagogue adhering to the Statement of Faith and By-Laws.  In lieu of a vacancy of the Senior Rabbi, the Board of Directors and the Associate Rabbi will conduct a search based on the above standards to approve the Senior Rabbi. The Board may nominate the Associate Rabbi to assist in ministry to the Congregation in interim. The Senior Rabbi upon retirement, or illness, may nominate the Associate Rabbi to fill that position and the Board shall vote to approve any Associate Rabbi to that position.

4.5   Shamashim. The Shamashim shall minister to the physical needs of the congregation and are to provide oversight, where needed, in regard to the congregational needs. Each Shamash shall be an individual who has been a member for at least six contiguous months and who regularly participates in the Sabbath service. In accordance with scriptural standards, each Shamash shall be a person who:
(i) is reputable and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3)
(ii) is worthy of respect, sincere, sober, honest and above reproach (1 Timothy 3:8-9)
(iii) is tested and of proven character (1 Timothy 3:10)
(iv) has one wife (a person who has repented of a prior scriptural divorce and remarried shall not be deemed to have more than one wife) who is temperate and worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:12)
(v) has a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:12)
(vi) a female may also qualify as a Shamash and has one husband (same as Section (iv)) 

4.6     Worship Leader. The Worship Leader will oversee the teaching of music, dance, performance, and other forms of praise, worship, and creative expression. The Senior Rabbi, Associate Rabbi and Board of Directors will agree upon by vote the worship leader. The worship leader will live a life style according the following:
(i) is reputable and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3)
(ii) is worthy of respect, sincere, sober, honest and above reproach (1 Timothy 3:8-9)
(iii) is tested and of proven character (1 Timothy 3:10)
(iv) has one wife (or husband if a female) (a person who has repented of a prior scriptural divorce and remarried shall not be deemed to have more than one wife) who is temperate and worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:12)
(v) has a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:12)
He/She will appoint members/volunteers of the worship team according to the congregational leaders life style standards. 

4.7     Head of Children’s Education. The Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors will appoint one person to oversee ministries of Tot Shabbat, Bo Yeladim, Teen Growth Classes and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah programs. Each sub ministry will have its own volunteer leader/teacher responsible for the growth of that class.  All teachers are subject to a background check, must comply with Article 2.1 under ‘Membership’ and possess these qualities. 
(i) is reputable and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3) 
(ii) is worthy of respect, sincere, sober, honest and above reproach (1 Timothy 3:8-9)
(iii) is tested and of proven character (1 Timothy 3:10)
(iv) has one wife (a person who has repented of a prior scriptural divorce and remarried shall not be deemed to have more than one wife) who is temperate and worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:12)
(v) has a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:12)
(vi)be called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28) 
(vii) Be above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7-8)
(viii) Be able to exhort and refute with sounds doctrine (Titus 1:9)

4.8     The Breaking of Bread.  It is SHMBE’s belief that fellowship/meals and special events are one of the main components of a spiritual life and community awareness.  The Senior Rabbi and the Shamashim will appoint the leader of the Oneg Ministry. He/She will be diligent is planning and organizing menus, meals and coordinating High Holy Day events. He/She will work closely with volunteers in service, decorations and preparations. He/She will follow the guidelines of the Statement of Faith and the By-Laws. 

4.9    The Care and Support Ministry will be responsible for the due diligence of care concerning congregational members regarding but not limited to; meal trains, outside community assistance, home visitation, weddings, hospital visits, prayer requests, mikvah services, home mezuzah ceremonies and funerals.  The Senior Rabbi and Rebbetzin will oversee this ministry working closely with volunteers confirmed by the Senior Rabbi. The Senior Rabbi may appoint the Associate Rabbi if needed to assist in these matters.

4.10     Head of Security. The Senior Rabbi will appoint the Head of Security. He/She will provide a safe and secure environment for the Congregation. Members of the Security Team will be subject to a background check and approved by the Head of Security. The Head of Security has the authority to appoint and remove members of the Security Team. It is the desire of SHMBE to provide a safe and secure environment for our Congregation. It is the hope of the Senior Rabbi, Board, Shamashim, and members of the Congregation that non-lethal means shall be utilized whenever possible to defend and protect its members and attendees. However, should the need arise; additional forces may be required to protect the Congregation from any and all threats. If so needed, SHMBE has determined that this may include, but is not limited to, eliciting the cooperation and aid of the police, the utilization of authorized handgun carriers within the Congregation, and designated internal security. Security is authorized to utilize all legal and effective means of force, up to and including lethal force in accordance with Federal, State, and Local laws.

 

ARTICLE FIVE: Financial Matters

5.1      Annual Budget. Once a year, preferably October, the Financial Secretary shall prepare and propose to the Senior Rabbi and the Board of Directors, for their approval, the annual Congregational budget for the ensuing calendar year, including: 
(i) The total funds expected to be received by the Congregation each month during the year 
(ii) The proposed expenditures for the year set forth by specific line item and aggregated under specific categories. The Board shall review, discuss, and vote on the proposed budget.
(iii) The Senior Rabbi and Board shall amend the proposed budget by the end of December.

5.2     Disbursements. The Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors shall establish appropriate procedures governing the expenditure of funds for items included as part of the approved annual budget. Proposed expenditures not included as part of the approved annual budget must be presented by the Financial Secretary and be approved by the Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors.

5.3     Private Benevolence. When a person is in need of money, SHMBE may provide assistance through a benevolence fund or benevolence payment assistance, a group congregational love offering and/or private help to a family or individual that is a member, will be established by the Senior Rabbi and the Shamoshim. 

5.4     A Financial Committee, derived by three will be designated by the Senior Rabbi, will work together in the financial capacity of disbursements and accounts receivable and maintain accurate records of giving by members and others who contribute tithes and offerings, and shall provide for the deposit of the same in the Congregation’s approved account(s) and shall ensure that personal contributions remain confidential. All financial information is accessible to the Senior and Associate Rabbi and Board of Directors. 
(i) Treasurer will be responsible for all knowledge of accounts receivable, accounts payable, tithes and offerings, benevolence assistance and special financial occurrences. Once per quarter, a financial report will be produced by the Treasurer and prominently posted in a publicly accessible space to the Congregation.
(ii) Assistant to the Treasurer will be responsible for logging accounts receivable.
(iii) Financial Secretary/Administrator will be responsible for but not limited to; accounts payable, end of year accounting information, current contracts with utility companies, internet providers, government filings and fees, and professional assistance including fees.

5.5.   Tithes and Offerings.  There is no compulsory membership fee, tithe or offering.  All gifting is through the Holy Spirit and done by free will. All tithes and offerings will be received every Shabbat through the tithing box, as each individual feels led.
Tithe is considered ten percent of an individual’s income.
Offering is considered an amount of money given beyond the 10% tithe.
First Fruits Offering is considered a onetime offering as a blessing. 

ARTICLE SIX: Ordination and Licensing of Ministers

6.1    Qualifications. To be ordained as a Rabbi of the Congregation, a candidate must be a member in good standing and one who has: (a) Contributed to the general spiritual welfare of the Messianic body of believers (i.e., works, prayers); (b) Met the qualifications for a Minister (believe in the five fundamentals of the faith, as outlined in our Statement of Faith); (c) Been affirmed as a Rabbi by a board of his ordained colleagues; and/or (d) Licensing and Ordination by a qualified synagogue, and/or voted in by the congregation.

ARTICLE SEVEN: Amendments 

7.1     Amendments. The Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors may amend these By-Laws by agreement. Amendments to the bylaws, as reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors during any regular Business Meeting, shall be made publicly available and notice provided to the Congregation. To be adopted, an amendment must be approved by a majority vote of the Board.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

 

Associate Rabbi — Rabbi Darrell Robertson

 

 

Board of Director - Hannah H. Johnson

 

 

 

 

Signed September 21, 2024