You Are Loved
Heartland Community Church welcomes those who are single or married, divorced or engaged, gay or straight. We welcome the filthy rich, dirt poor, or no habla ingles. We also welcome those who are crying newborns, old as dirt, skinny as a rail, or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you are dressed to the nines or have only the shirt on your back. We welcome anyone who can sing like Stevie Wonder or can’t carry a tune in a bucket. You are welcome here if you are just browsing, just woke up, or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you are holier than Swiss cheese or haven’t been in church since your nephew’s baptism in 1988..
We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, nose-pickers, tax collectors, veterans, and junk-food junkies. If you blew all your offering money at the casino, you are welcome here. If you are inked, pierced, or both, you are in the right place. If you are in recovery or still addicted, we are happy to see you. We welcome you because we have experienced the thrill of being welcomed by God. We were once a mess, in fact at times we still are a mess, but God willingly welcomes us through the Cross-stretched arms of Jesus and He is in the process of transforming us! Jesus gave His life so we could experience real life and be part of His forever family. God is delighted to see you here. We are too!
What to Expect at Heartland
Why We Do What We Do:
Our Purpose at Heartland Community Church, our PURPOSE is to engage people in the process of FINDING and FOLLOWING Jesus while SHARING His love with our community and the world.
FIND
We enjoy sharing our lives with people in our “sphere of influence” and inviting them to journey with us as we take one step closer to Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 2:8). We desire to build intentional relationships that will enable us to share not only the Gospel of God, but also what Jesus is doing in our lives.
FOLLOW
We are intentionally teaching people how to be “Disciples Who Make Disciples” by modeling what living life in the Kingdom of God looks like (Ephesians 4:11-13). One of the methods we use is forming smaller groups of people dedicated to pursuing intentional, relational discipleship.
SHARE
We are empowering people to share the love of Jesus by using their gifts and abilities to serve others, and extend the Kingdom of God in our community and throughout the world (Mark 10:45 and James 1:27). Our methods include short-term mission trips, local outreaches and strategic missional partnerships with ministries and organizations that share values similar to ours. Our goal is to empower everyone who calls Heartland their home to be able to share the love of God with their community.
A Church That Sends:
In the spirit of Ephesians 4:11-13, we see Heartland Community Church recruiting, training, empowering and SENDING people into their world to share the love of Christ with anyone they can build a relationship with. We are intentionally investing significant resources into our SEND Program, Campus Pastors and Global Partners to be able to send them off with radical generosity to participate in God’s Kingdom in the world. As Jesus says in John 20:21, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We are all called to be a SENT people – every single one of us! Where may God be sending you?
Our Values:
We Are Welcoming:
We welcome everyone because we have experienced the thrill of being welcomed by God. We were once a mess, in fact at times we still are a mess, but God willingly welcomes us through the Cross-stretched arms of Jesus and He is in the process of transforming us! Jesus gave His life so we could experience real life and be part of His forever family. God is delighted to see you here. We are too!
We Are Real:
What you see is what you get around here! We are real, because pretending to have it all together is no way to live. We are all in the process of learning what it means to follow Jesus. Part of this process includes understanding the value of being transparent and honest, choosing to live in intentionally vulnerable relationships with one another despite our mess.
We Are Transforming:
We can’t make any real, lasting changes through our own power, but with the help of God’s Spirit, we are becoming more and more like Jesus. We welcome you where you are, but love you too much to allow you to stay there. As we seek to follow Jesus, the result is a community of people that are transforming each and every day. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. It’s our mission for this transformation to overflow into our community and world!
We Believe These Things:
About God: God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
About Jesus: Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and God in the flesh. He was born to the Virgin Mary and Joseph, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified on a Roman cross, died, was buried, and rose from the grave three days later. Jesus is the clearest picture we have of what God is like and God’s attitude toward people is revealed in Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. As such, eternal life is had by placing our confidence in Jesus and making Him the Ruling King of our life.
About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our source of spiritual guidance and right living. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired people to compile their ideas about their human experience and what God is like. This compilation is known as the Bible.
About The Bible: Written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is our source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
About Human Beings: Human beings bear the image of God. Our greatest good is to live in a relationship with God and we were created for this purpose. Yet, human beings have the ability to go their own way and not reciprocate God’s desire for a relationship. God will never give up pursuing people and desiring their good, which is enjoying a relationship with God forever.
About Sin: Human beings choose to go their own way and pursue their own plan rather than God’s plan for their life. Sin keeps us from experiencing the life God has designed us to experience in a loving relationship with Him.
About The Church: The Church is composed of everyone who has decided to follow Jesus and commits to living under His rule and reign. As followers of Jesus are faithful in this commitment, they will be transformed into living more like Jesus would if He were in their shoes. Such people will genuinely want to share the good, transformative news of Jesus with others by showcasing the beauty of living life on God’s terms.
About The Ordinances: We publicly declare we are following Jesus and that Jesus is transforming our life by getting baptized. We continue to remember the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection through the sharing of communion.
Bible Verses That Inspire Us
We find value in the scriptures and they speak to the above statement of belief in greater depth. And still, there are some passages that bring special inspiration to how we do ministry at Heartland.
Genesis 1:26-28 and 31 – Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 5:39-40 – You study the scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 17:3 – Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:11-13 – So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Philippians 2:5-11 – In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians 2:9-10 – For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
How Not What:
At Heartland, there are a few convictions we hold with great confidence, we list them in our belief statement. In these core beliefs, we strive for unity. But on other matters outside of our belief statement, we extend liberty to one another, that is, we agree to disagree, agreeably in the most loving way possible. This is what we call practicing “theological hospitality”. We believe it’s better to teach people how to think instead of what to think. We value reading authors who we may not fully align with theologically, but doing so with discernment. We welcome open dialogue about the spiritual journey. We believe surrounding ourselves with people who think a bit differently than we do makes us more like Jesus because that’s what Jesus did! Even his own closest disciples came from strikingly different backgrounds and didn’t agree on everything. We welcome spiritual questions, doubts and disagreements. We value mystery and understand that although we won’t always have an answer to every spiritual question, what matters most for our community is that we worship our resurrected Savior named Jesus. We trust Him, we love Him and if this is the kind of faith community you’re looking to be a part of, we invite you to join us on this spiritual journey.
Church Constitution
Article I – Identity
The name of this church, an Ohio non-profit religious corporation, shall be Heartland Community Church.
Article II – Mission and Vision
Mission: At Heartland Community Church our purpose is to engage people in their process of finding and following Jesus while sharing his love with our community and the world.
Vision: We are a church that sends.
- In the spirit of Ephesians 4:11-13, we see Heartland Community Church recruiting, training, empowering and SENDING people into their world to share the love of Christ with anyone they can build a relationship with. We are intentionally investing significant resources into our SEND Program, Campus Pastors and Global Partners to be able to send them off with radical generosity to participate in God’s Kingdom in the world. As Jesus says in John 20:21, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We are all called to be a SENT people – every single one of us! Where may God be sending you?
Article III – Statement of Faith
About God: God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
About Jesus: Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and God in the flesh. He was born to the Virgin Mary and Joseph, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified on a Roman cross, died, was buried, and rose from the grave three days later. Jesus is the clearest picture we have of what God is like and God’s attitude toward people is revealed in Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. As such, eternal life is had by placing our confidence in Jesus and making Him the Ruling King of our life.
About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our source of spiritual guidance and right living. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired people to compile their ideas about their human experience and what God is like. This compilation is known as the Bible.
About The Bible: Written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is our source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
About Human Beings: Human beings bear the image of God. Our greatest good is to live in a relationship with God and we were created for this purpose. Yet, human beings have the ability to go their own way and not reciprocate God’s desire for a relationship. God will never give up pursuing people and desiring their good, which is enjoying a relationship with God forever.
About Sin: Human beings choose to go their own way and pursue their own plan rather than God’s plan for their life. Sin keeps us from experiencing the life God has designed us to experience in a loving relationship with Him.
About The Church: The Church is composed of everyone who has decided to follow Jesus and commits to living under His rule and reign. As followers of Jesus are faithful in this commitment, they will be transformed into living more like Jesus would if He were in their shoes. Such people will genuinely want to share the good, transformative news of Jesus with others by showcasing the beauty of living life on God’s terms.
About The Ordinances: We publicly declare we are following Jesus and that Jesus is transforming our life by getting baptized. We continue to remember the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection through the sharing of communion.
Article IV – Affiliation
Heartland Community Church shall have full power and authority to associate itself with and participate in organizations in keeping with the character and purpose of the church as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. Heartland Community Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control. Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches, Heartland voluntarily affiliates with the North American Baptist Conference in its national, state, and local expressions.
Article V – Dissolution
The term of existence of this corporation shall be permanent without a specific term of existence. The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to Christian purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment of the corporation, after providing for its debts and obligations, its assets will not benefit any private person but shall be distributed, as existing officers direct, to the North American Baptist Conference or other such exclusively Christian organizations which are in keeping with the mission of Heartland Community Church.
Addendum – Bible Verses That Inspire Us
We find value in the scriptures and they speak to the above statement of belief in greater depth. And still, there are some passages that bring special inspiration to how we do ministry at Heartland.
Genesis 1:26-28 and 31 – Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 5:39-40 – You study the scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 17:3 – Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:11-13 – So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Philippians 2:5-11 – In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians 2:9-10 – For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Church Bylaws
Herein are the Bylaws of Heartland Community Church, the living document by which our doctrine and church body are governed. They are written, amended, and upheld by the Servant Leaders and voted upon and approved into rule by the members of the church.
Heartland Community Church has been organized as a non-profit organization under the laws of the state of Ohio and conducts operations as a church. Heartland Community Church is qualified and operates under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Heartland Community Church’s property is irrevocably dedicated to religious and charitable purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment, shall not inure to the benefit of any private individual.
Article II: Church Membership
Membership Qualifications: The membership of Heartland Community Church consists of individuals who have affirmed their commitment to the church based upon their belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior and have completed the necessary membership process. Minors 16 or older must have the written consent of their parent or legal guardian for church membership.
Membership Process: All individuals who meet the above qualifications and who desire to be a participating member of Heartland Community Church will be asked to complete the current process for joining the church.
Membership Status: Individuals who have completed the membership process and remain engaged with the ministry of Heartland Community Church through their attendance, involvement in a group or team, and financially giving will be considered active members.
Membership status may be revoked for the following reasons:
- The request of that member
- The death of that member
- Becoming non-active without valid reason and having failed to communicate with the church for a period of one year
- At the discretion of the Servant Leader Team, if the member’s life and conduct hinders the ministry influence of Heartland Community Church
Membership Privileges: Every member 18 years and older may hold an office and shall have the right to vote on the following matters:
- The calling or removing of the Lead Pastor
- Amendments to the Bylaws or Constitution of Heartland Community Church
- Dissolution of the church
- Any other issues deemed pertinent by the Servant Leader Team. Each member is permitted to cast one vote while the opportunity to vote is officially open.
Membership Responsibilities: Each member has the responsibility and privilege to display stewardship in all areas of life. Stewardship is simply the managing well of all God has given each individual member. At Heartland Community Church we encourage each member to consider how they can best use the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that God has provided them.
Membership Non-Liability: No member of HCC shall be personally liable for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of Heartland Community Church.
Article III: Servant Leader Team (Board of Directors)
Duties and Powers: Consistent with the words of Scripture, Heartland Community Church is protected and guided by a team of Servant Leaders, not one person who reports to a board. This team of Servant Leaders governs, corrects, cares for (shepherds), and oversees the spiritual interests of this church.
Members and Officers: The Servant Leaders shall be composed of not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) men and/or women. The Servant Leader Team may also consist of the following non-voting members: Executive Director/Pastor of Operations and Campus Pastoral Servant Leaders. The number of Servant Leaders must be limited by the number of qualified people that the Lord raises up and the ability of the Servant Leaders to maintain relational trust by growing deep relationships between its members. It is imperative that the Servant Leaders model accountability, care, and every other aspect of authentic biblical community. As ex-officio members, the Lead Pastor will serve as President and the Executive Director/Pastor of Operations will serve as Secretary.
Election and Term: Before being affirmed as a Servant Leader, individuals must meet the qualifications set down in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, be actively engaged in ministry, and be a member in good standing of Heartland Community Church.
The selection of a new Servant Leader shall, at a minimum, follow the four (4) steps below:
- Candidate Identification—When the Servant Leader Team decides additional Servant Leaders are needed, members will be invited to nominate individuals to be considered by the Servant Leader Team. Any potential Servant Leader shall be identified by the Servant Leaders as a man or woman fitting the biblical qualifications of a Servant Leader of the church and shall be submitted to a period of prayerful consideration by the existing Servant Leaders.
- Notification of the Potential Servant Leader—Following a season of prayer, the Servant Leaders, upon initial confirmation of the potential Servant Leader, shall notify the potential Servant Leader that they are being considered as a Servant Leader of the church. The potential Servant Leader shall submit themselves to a time of prayer concerning God’s call upon their life and their possible service as a Servant Leader of the church.
- Validation—Upon the confirmation by the potential Servant Leader of God’s call on his or her life, the Servant Leaders shall begin a validation process which, at a minimum, consists of writing out their Christian Testimony, to determine whether he or she meets the qualifications of a Servant Leader as set forth above; a re-affirmation that the potential Servant Leader is in agreement with the Statement of Beliefs and Governance of the Church; and various potential interviews with third parties concerning the potential Servant Leader’s character, life, and Christian witness.
- Confirmation—Upon satisfactory completion of the validation process, the potential Servant Leader shall be presented to the congregation for its comment on their character, qualifications, or any other issue which would affect their suitability to serve as a Servant Leader of the church. This process should also serve as a way of modeling to the congregation exactly what high-level spiritual leadership looks like at Heartland Community Church.
Servant Leaders will be appointed for a three-year term. At the end of that term, they may succeed themselves for one more term. At the end of two successive terms, the Servant Leader will take a one-year sabbatical before being eligible to be appointed for another term. A Servant Leader may resign from the Servant Leader Team by giving written notice to the Team. If for some reason a Servant Leader is disqualified in some way for the position, the individual in question will be removed from the Servant Leader role by a majority decision of the other Servant Leaders after due process.
Staff (with the exception of the Lead Pastor) and members of their immediate family (parents, spouse, and children) are not eligible for election to the Servant Leader Team.
Article IV: Officers
The officers of Heartland Community Church shall consist of a President and Secretary.
President: The President of the corporation shall be the Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor shall serve as a voting member of the Board and a Servant Leader, and shall be responsible for managing the Staff. All members of the Staff shall directly or indirectly report to the Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor shall report to and be accountable to the Board. The Lead Pastor shall present to the Board all personnel matters involving executive-level staff for their advice and consent. The Board shall periodically evaluate the Lead Pastor’s efforts in leading Heartland Community Church. The Board retains the authority to remove the Lead Pastor from office and terminate their employment.
In the event of the Lead Pastor’s resignation, death, or removal, the Board will coordinate with the Heartland Community Church Executive Team and form a search team to identify and interview Lead Pastor candidates. The Board will select a final Lead Pastor nominee and submit the nominee to the Heartland Community Church staff team for consideration and comment. At the conclusion of the comment period, the Lead Pastor will be ratified by a vote at a meeting of the Heartland Community Church membership.
Secretary/Treasurer: The Executive Director/Pastor of Operations as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board, will serve as the Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings of the Board and be responsible to report on behalf of the Finance Team.
Article V: Meetings
Annual Business Meeting: Understanding the importance of congregational engagement, there will be an annual update shared with the congregation on the last Sunday each January. The purpose of this “State of the Church” address will be to update the congregation on pertinent matters determined by the Lead Pastor, Executive, and Servant Leader Teams. The meeting shall be presided over by the Lead Pastor. In case of the Lead Pastor’s absence, a member of the Executive and/or Servant Leader Team as appointed by the Executive Team shall preside. Unless otherwise presented, any voting decisions will be made by a simple majority. Voting by proxy will not be permitted.
Special Business Meetings: Special business meetings may be called at any time by the Lead Pastor, Servant Leader Team, or 15% of the voting membership (18 years and over), as needed, provided that notice shall be given ten days in advance by an oral announcement at a regularly scheduled service, announcement in an official church communication delivered by the United States mail or e-mail to each member identified on the membership roll, or distribution of written material to the congregation at a regularly scheduled service. No business other than that stated in the notice can be conducted during that session.
Quorum: Those members participating and voting at a meeting duly noticed and called shall constitute a quorum of the membership for the transaction of business.
Article VI: Other Matters
Fiscal Matters: The calendar year shall function as the church fiscal year. The church books shall be reviewed annually and audited per recommendations by the Finance Team, not to exceed every five years.
Real Property: Title to all real property of Heartland Community Church shall be in the name of Heartland Community Church. Real property may be purchased and/or sold, mortgaged, conveyed, transferred, or otherwise disbursed in the name and on behalf of Heartland Community Church by the act of the Servant Leader Team and/or other legal representatives of Heartland Community Church after the proposal to do so has been approved by the Servant Leader Team.
Amendments: Faithful but fallible people drafted the constitution and bylaws of Heartland Community Church. All requests for amendments to the constitution and bylaws must be in writing and shall be submitted to the Servant Leader Team for study and consideration. They shall issue a timely response to the proposed amendment, alteration, or revision. It is up to the Servant Leader Team to decide whether or not to propose such amendments to membership of Heartland Community Church for adoption. If proposed, amendments to the constitution and/or bylaws require the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members present at a church meeting of Heartland Community Church.
Finance Team: The Heartland Community Church Finance Team advises the Servant Leaders in matters pertaining to planned giving and administration, investment, and expenditures of funds. The Finance Team is a standing team of the Servant Leaders of Heartland Community Church.
Note: Minor revisions to this document not affecting theology, ministry philosophy, or overall structure and governance shall be made at the discretion of the Servant Leader Team (eg. rewording, clarification of ideas considered to be confusing, added scriptural support, etc.) and reported to the church membership within 31 days by an oral announcement at a regularly scheduled service, announcement in official church communication, delivery by the United States mail or email to each member identified on the membership roll, or distribution of written material to the congregation at a regularly scheduled service.