The Vine
A Christian Fellowship
Bylaws
Introduction
These Bylaws are adopted for the purpose of establishing the ecclesiastical governance, doctrinal integrity, organizational structure, and operational order of The Vine (the “Church”). They are intended to provide clear guidance for leadership, membership, and fellowship conduct, and to ensure that all activities of the Church are carried out in a manner consistent with its religious mission and biblical convictions.
The Church exists as a ministry operating under the authority and oversight of Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM). Accordingly, these Bylaws are subordinate to the governing authority of RVM and are to be interpreted and applied in harmony with the Church’s Statement of Beliefs and the spiritual direction provided by RVM leadership.
These Bylaws are adopted to promote unity, accountability, order, and faithfulness to Scripture, while maintaining simplicity in structure and practice. All officers, members, and participants of the Church are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with these Bylaws as an expression of obedience, mutual respect, and commitment to the body of Christ.
Article I – Name and Affiliation
1.1 Official Name.
The official name of this church fellowship shall be The Vine (hereinafter referred to as “the Church”).
1.2 Affiliation.
The Church is a ministry operating under and as part of Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM) and is subject to the oversight thereof.
Article II – Governing Authority
2.1 Bylaws and Statement of Beliefs.
These Bylaws and the Statement of Beliefs constitute the governing documents of the Church.
2.2 Amendments.
These Bylaws and the Statement of Beliefs may be amended, modified, or repealed only by Reverend Virgil, or his duly designated successor acting on behalf of Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM). In making such decisions, prayerful consideration shall be given to the counsel and input of Senior Pastors and Elders, as deemed appropriate.
Article III – Officers
3.1 Senior Minister.
The Senior Minister of the Church shall be Reverend Virgil Castleberry of RVM, or such successor as he may designate.
3.2 Senior Pastor.
The Senior Pastor shall be the pastor of the local Church fellowship and shall meet at least one of the following qualifications:
Ordination by a Christian organization that ordains only Christian ministers,
Ordination by a recognized body of Christian ministers; or
Prior service as a Roman Catholic priest.
3.3 Assistant Pastor.
The Assistant Pastor should preferably meet the same ordination requirements as the Senior Pastor. However, at the request of the Senior Pastor, an individual holding a valid Ministry License may serve in this role.
Individuals serving solely under a Ministry License shall not be authorized to:
Solemnize marriages;
Perform baptisms; or
Administer communion.
3.4 Sergeant at Arms.
The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for maintaining safety and security during Church meetings and events. The individual serving in this role should possess experience as:
Active or retired law enforcement;
A licensed security guard (active or inactive); or
A military veteran.
The Sergeant at Arms shall be armed while performing official duties.
3.5 Security Detail.
The Sergeant at Arms may appoint additional individuals to serve temporarily as Security Detail for specific events. Such individuals shall possess experience deemed appropriate by the Sergeant at Arms and shall be armed while serving. These positions are not permanent offices.
3.6 Elders.
The Elders of the Church shall consist of RVM leadership and Senior Pastors. All Elders shall be ordained ministers of the Gospel. No separate ordination process exists for Elders beyond ministerial ordination.
3.7 Deacons.
Deacons shall be elected to serve the members of the Church and shall be ordained by the membership of the local fellowship. The appointment of Deacons is optional for small congregations, and the number of Deacons, if any, shall be determined by the Senior Pastor.
Article IV – Organizational Structure
4.1 Authority Structure.
All Vine fellowships operate under the supervision of RVM. Local or Senior Pastors are accountable to RVM. Assistant Pastors are accountable to the Senior Pastor. Church members are accountable to the Senior Pastor.
Article V – Scriptural Translations
5.1 Approved Translations.
The following English Bible translations are authorized for preaching and teaching:
a. King James Version (KJV).
The King James Version, also known as the Authorized Version, is in the public domain in the United States. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the Authorized Version are held by the Crown and administered by Oxford University Press under royal letters patent.
b. New King James Version (NKJV).
The New King James Version®, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
c. English Standard Version (ESV).
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
d. Legacy Standard Bible (LSB).
Scripture quotations are taken from the Legacy Standard Bible®, copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
e. New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, and 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
f. Other Literal, Word‑for‑Word Translations.
Other English Bible translations that adhere to a literal, word‑for‑word translation philosophy may be used for preaching and teaching with the approval of the Pastorate, provided such translations are consistent with the Church’s doctrinal convictions and applicable copyright requirements.
5.2 Non-Approved Translations.
Paraphrased or dynamic-equivalence translations, including but not limited to the New International Version and The Story, may be used for general reading but shall not be used for formal study or teaching. Other Non‑Approved Translations are those English Bible translations whose translation philosophy or rendering of the text is not in agreement with the doctrinal convictions of Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM), including but not limited to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
5.3 Copyright Compliance.
The Church shall adhere strictly to all applicable copyright requirements when quoting Scripture in any written format, including but not limited to printed materials, study guides, handouts, publications, and electronic documents. Whenever a copyrighted Bible translation is quoted, the appropriate copyright notice shall be included in accordance with the requirements of the respective copyright holder.
Article VI – Finances
6.1 Church Finances.
The Church shall not collect, hold, or manage funds. No checking, savings, or investment accounts shall be maintained in the name of the Church. No financial officer shall be appointed.
6.2 Member Transactions.
All financial matters related to events or activities shall be handled directly by individual members.
6.3 Separation of Finances.
The finances of RVM are entirely separate from those of the Church.
Article VII – Membership
7.1 Eligibility.
Membership is open to all individuals who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and affirm the Church’s Statement of Beliefs.
7.2 Admission to Membership.
Membership may be granted by:
Public profession of faith and repentance at a Church meeting;
A verbal Statement of Faith before the assembled membership with a request to join; or
Transfer by letter from another Christian church.
Article VIII – Guidance, Discipline, and Excommunication
8.1 Guidance.
Members found living in sin or in violation of the Statement of Beliefs shall first receive pastoral or peer guidance, including counsel and prayer for deliverance.
8.2 Discipline.
If guidance proves insufficient, the Pastor or an RVM representative may place the member under discipline, which may include corrective works or a defined period intended to foster spiritual growth.
8.3 Excommunication.
If discipline fails, or if a sin is deemed egregious, the member may be removed from membership and prohibited from attending meetings. Immediate excommunication requires the joint agreement of the local Pastor and RVM.
Article IX – Meetings
9.1 Meeting Locations.
Meetings may be held in private homes, outdoor locations, restaurants, or other appropriate venues.
9.2 Conduct.
All members and visitors shall conduct themselves in a manner that honors Jesus Christ and reflects positively upon the Church.
9.3 Dress and Modesty.
When swimwear is required, modest attire appropriate to a public, family-friendly environment shall be worn, with specific standards for men, women, and children as determined by the venue and Church expectations.
9.4 Children.
Parents are responsible for the conduct of their children at all times. Children shall be supervised and shall not disrupt other patrons or environments.
9.5 Courtesy.
The Church shall always act with kindness, respect, and consideration toward others sharing the meeting venue.
9.6 Politics.
Political beliefs or affiliations shall not be discussed during Church meetings or official gatherings. Under no circumstances shall the Pastorate, Elders, or any Church leadership dictate, endorse, or encourage voting for or against any political candidate, party, or ballot measure. Voting is recognized as an inherently private matter of individual conscience. The Vine affirms that each person is responsible to vote according to their conscience, informed by prayer and their understanding of the Word of God.
9.7 Weapons.
It is the expectation of The Vine that all members, officers, and attendees comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding the carrying of weapons at Church meetings and events. Additional restrictions may apply where required by the rules or policies of a particular meeting venue and shall be honored accordingly. Unless expressly prohibited by the venue, the Sergeant at Arms and any appointed Security Detail shall be armed while performing their official duties. For all other officers, members, and visitors, the carrying of weapons, when lawful and permitted by the venue, shall be a matter of individual conscience and personal responsibility.
Article X – Business Matters
10.1 Fellowship Meetings.
No formal business shall be conducted during fellowship meetings.
10.2 Recorded Decisions.
If a matter requires a formal decision and record, the Pastor may convene a separate meeting and appoint a recorder. Audio or video recordings may serve in place of written minutes.
10.3 Expectation of Simplicity.
RVM anticipates minimal need for formal business proceedings within the Church.
Article XI – Conflict Resolution
11.1 Biblical Foundation and Purpose.
The Church affirms that all disputes, disagreements, or conflicts among members shall be addressed in a manner consistent with biblical principles, seeking reconciliation, unity, and the preservation of Christian fellowship. All parties are expected to act in good faith, with humility, respect, and a willingness to submit to spiritual authority.
11.2 Initial Resolution at the Member Level.
Members are encouraged, where appropriate, to seek resolution of disagreements directly with one another through prayerful discussion, consistent with scriptural instruction. If such efforts do not result in resolution, the matter may be escalated for pastoral involvement.
11.3 Pastoral Review.
Disputes that cannot be resolved at the member level shall be presented to the local Pastor. The Pastor shall provide counsel, mediation, and guidance as deemed appropriate, and may render a determination intended to resolve the matter and promote peace within the Church.
11.4 Elder Review.
If a dispute remains unresolved following pastoral review, or if the nature of the matter warrants broader oversight, the issue may be escalated to the Elders. The Elders shall prayerfully review the matter and provide direction or a determination consistent with the Church’s Statement of Beliefs and governing authority.
11.5 Final Authority of Reverend Virgil Ministries.
In the event that a conflict cannot be resolved at the local or elder level, or where the matter involves doctrinal, disciplinary, or organizational concerns of significant gravity, final authority shall rest with Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM). Decisions rendered by RVM shall be final and binding upon all parties.
11.6 Submission and Compliance.
All members, officers, and leaders of the Church agree, as a condition of participation and membership, to submit to the conflict resolution process set forth herein and to abide by the final determination of the appropriate governing authority.
Article XII – Media
12.1 Media Inquiries Concerning the Local Fellowship.
All requests for information, interviews, statements, or comments from any form of media concerning the local fellowship of the Church shall be directed exclusively to the Senior Pastor or to Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM). No member, officer, or attendee is authorized to speak on behalf of the Church to the media unless expressly designated to do so by the Senior Pastor or RVM.
12.2 Media Inquiries Concerning Reverend Virgil Ministries.
All media requests pertaining specifically to Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM), its leadership, doctrine, operations, or activities shall be referred directly to Reverend Virgil Ministries. The local fellowship shall not respond to or comment on such inquiries unless expressly authorized by RVM.
Article XIII – Indemnification and Limitation of Liability
13.1 Indemnification in Principle.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Church affirms the principle of indemnification for any Pastor, Elder, officer, appointed leader, volunteer, or agent of the Church who was or is a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, arising from actions taken in good faith and within the scope of his or her duties on behalf of the Church.
13.2 No Financial Obligation of the Local Fellowship.
In accordance with Article VI (Finances), the Church does not collect, hold, manage, or disburse funds and therefore does not assume any direct financial obligation for the payment or advancement of legal fees, expenses, settlements, or judgments.
13.3 Relationship to Reverend Virgil Ministries.
Any indemnification, advancement of expenses, insurance coverage, or other financial protection for individuals serving the Church shall be provided, if at all, by Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM) in accordance with its policies, determinations, and available resources. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to create an independent financial obligation on the part of the local fellowship.
13.4 Limitations.
Indemnification shall not apply to acts or omissions involving willful misconduct, gross negligence, knowing violation of the law, or actions taken outside the scope of authorized Church duties.
13.5 No Personal Liability of Members.
No member of the Church, by reason of membership alone, shall be personally liable for any obligation, claim, or liability asserted against the Church or against any individual serving in a leadership or volunteer capacity.
Article XIV – Conflict of Interest
14.1 Duty of Loyalty.
All Pastors, Elders, officers, and individuals serving in positions of trust or authority within the Church shall act in the best interests of the Church and Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM) and shall avoid situations in which personal, financial, or relational interests could reasonably be perceived to conflict with those interests.
14.2 Disclosure.
Any individual subject to this Article who becomes aware of a potential or actual conflict of interest shall promptly disclose the nature of the conflict to the Senior Pastor or to RVM, as appropriate.
14.3 Determination and Resolution.
The Senior Pastor, in consultation with RVM when deemed appropriate, shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists and what corrective action, if any, is required. Such action may include recusal from decision‑making, reassignment of responsibilities, or other measures intended to preserve integrity and trust.
14.4 Governing Policy.
The Church shall adhere to any Conflict of Interest Policy adopted by Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM), which policy may be amended from time to time and shall govern where applicable.
Article XV – Severability
15.1 Severability.
If any provision of these Bylaws, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions. The remaining portions of these Bylaws shall continue in full force and effect.
Version: 1.0
Date of Adoption: February 21, 2026
Adopted by the governing authority of Reverend Virgil Ministries (RVM)