Bylaws
of The Church of Korihor
We worship the Light of Reason as taught by our Exemplar, Korihor.
Article I
Membership
Section 1: Members (Fellows)
This church is comprised of persons who believe in the Light of Reason as contained in the teachings of Korihor, the Martyr of Reason, and have been received into Fellowship. Henceforth, Members are referred to as "Fellows".
This Fellowship shall remain theirs for the rest of their life unless they resign or are removed by no less than three Heralds of the Church.
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Section 2: Voting Rights of Members
Every Fellow of the church is entitled to vote in the General Ballot in all matters as relate to the leaders of the Church and on all questions submitted to the Fellowship, provided that the Fellow is present or has access to the Church Ballot. Proxy voting is prohibited.
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Section 3: Conversion
A person ("Friend") shall become a member upon performing the Oath of Reason in the presence of a Church Herald or Luminary ("Witness") and being received by the same.
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The Oath of Reason is taken by both the Luminary and the Friend, holding up the right hand and placing the left hand over the heart and reciting the Oath as follows:
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"From this breath to my last breath, I [legal name], do hereby swear that I embrace the teachings of my Exemplar, Korihor. I renounce all faiths and their wicked charlatans and seek only the Light of Reason. I humbly seek to be received in Fellowship in the Church of Korihor. Amen."
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The Witness will then present the individual to any who may be present and declare:
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"My friend, I witness your Oath and do warmly receive you in Fellowship as an Acolyte of Reason. Welcome, Fellow!"
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That day - or as soon as reasonably possible - the Witness shall provide the Fellow with a Certificate of Fellowship and register the same in the Records of the Church.
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Those present are welcome to applaud and declare their welcome with the words: "Welcome, Fellow!"​
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A person may take the Oath of Reason and be admitted to the Fellowship by any of the following ways:
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In person. Wherever a Herald or Luminary is found is a suitable place to Witness the Oath of Reason.
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Online. A person may record their oath on video or audio and upload it through the Church's website or may request to take the Oath at an upcoming Online Service and be witnessed. Upon receipt of the proof of the Oath.
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Through an interpreter. If the individual does not speak the same language, an interpreter shall interpret their words and sign the Certificate of Fellowship with the Witness.
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​Section 4: New Fellow Enlightenment
New Fellows will be expected to join the Church's website and make an Annual Offering of an amount that is affordable to them. In this way, the Fellow can participate in a New Member Enlightenment program as developed and implemented by the church.
Section 5: Rights of Fellows
Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions put up for General Ballot. Every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for the elective offices in the church. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.
Section 6: Termination of Fellowship
Membership shall be terminated in the following ways: (1) death, (2) resignation, (3) acknowledgement when a member has joined a church of another faith, or (4) Removal by action of the Heralds.
Article II
Church Staff and Offices
Section 1: Officers
The officers of this church shall be as follows:
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Herald (an Ordained office)
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Director (an Administrative office)
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Clerk (an Administrative office)
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Section 2: The Role and Order of the Heraldry
"Heralds" are ordained clergy who are salaried officers of the Church; as distinct from Luminaries, who are lay clergy who can perform sacraments and receive donations but are not salaried personnel nor authoritative decision-makers for the Church and do not have to be Fellows of the Church. Heralds can perform all sacraments and can vote in Heraldry Ballots. The successor of the First Herald is Second Herald. The successor to the "Second Herald" is called "Third Herald", then "Fourth Herald", and so forth.
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Section 3: The Role of the First Herald
At any point in time, the First Herald is the primary officer of The Church of Korihor.
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Section 4: Election and Succession of the First Herald
The successor of the First Herald is Second Herald. This succession occurs in the event that the First Herald is removed by 1) resignation, 2) retirement, 3) removal in a General Ballot or 4) death. In the event that the succession is unclear, the order of the Heralds can be filled by calling for a "Renumeration" General Ballot. The successor to the "Second Herald" is called "Third Herald", then "Fourth Herald", and so forth.
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Section 5: Removal or Renumeration of Heralds
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Section 3: Directors
A Board of Directors are elected from among the
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Article III
Church Employment
When a vacancy occurs in an elected office ("Heraldry"), any officer of the Church can nominate a replacement but said replacement must be confirmed by a Herald above that position in the Succession.
Nominations can be made from the floor for the youth and at-large positions. One of these persons will be chairman of the deacons; one, president of the Woman's Missionary Union; one, president of Baptist Men; one, youth; and three at- large members. The committee will present only one candidate at a time. For election a candidate must receive 85 percent of the votes cast. Ministerial Pastoral Church Staff will be recommended by the pastor, the deacons and appropriate committee. The individual will be called with an 85 percent vote. Should dismissal of a pastor or ministerial staff members become necessary, a majority vote will be necessary. This consideration can only be done when all possible attempts at reconciliation have been exhausted. Proper notice of this vote will be made known to members of the congregation at least two (2) weeks in advance of the vote. Support staff work at the call of the Personnel Committee or Deacons with recommendation of the pastor.
Article IV
Church Meetings
Plato's Porch
The church shall meet online each Sunday morning, for instruction, rites, and worship. These meetings will be open to everyone and shall be conducted under the direction of the pastor. Exceptions can be made by recommendation of the deacons.
Special Services
All church meetings which are essential to the promotion of the objectives of the church shall be placed on the church calendar, published in the church newsletter at least once prior to the meeting being held and announced at all services on the Sunday prior to the special service being held.
Herald Business Meetings
Regular business meetings shall be held quarterly on the second Wednesday night of the month.
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 in the church newsletter or bulletin for the specially called business meeting at least one week before the meeting and announced at all services on the Sunday prior to the special business meeting.
Quorum
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 these Bylaws. The most senior Herald at any meeting shall be the Chairperson of any meeting. This position may be delegated to any Fellow to adhere to the bylaws when it is in the best interest of the fellowship.
Article V
Rites & Sacraments
Section 1: Conversion
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 may be administered by the pastor or whomever he shall authorize. (3) Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service. (4) Baptism shall be as soon as possible after the public confession of faith.
Section 2: Sacrilege
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 at least quarterly, preferably on the first Sunday of the quarter. (2) The pastor, church staff, and deacons shall be responsible for administration of the Lord's Supper.
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Section 3: Ordinations
​An application fee is processed that is sufficient to cover a background check.
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Section 4: Rites of Passage
​Weddings, Funeral Services, Name Ceremonies, and other Rites of Passage can be conducted by Luminaries and Heralds of the Church.
Article VI
Organizations, Ministries, and Committees
Church Organizations
All program organizations of the church shall be under church control, all officers being elected by the church and reporting regularly to the church.
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Missions of Reason
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Assemblies of Reason
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Ministries
The Heralds of the Church shall evaluate, plan, organize, and implement such ministries as the church deems necessary.
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Committees
The church shall elect such committees as the church deems necessary. Committee members must be members of the church and will serve on a rotating basis for a three- year term.