Church of the Divine Sage Bylaws and Rules

Church of the Divine Sage
Bylaws and Rules

(A Nonprofit Religious Corporation formed and operated pursuant to the laws of the State of Illinois)

Table of Contents

ARTICLE I -the Church

ARTICLE II - Purpose

ARTICLE III - Creed

ARTICLE IV - Membership

ARTICLE V - Officers of the Corporation

ARTICLE VI - Liabilities of Officers

ARTICLE VI - Ordination of Ministers and Religious Orders

ARTICLE VIII - Principal Office

ARTICLE IX - Seal

ARTICLE X - Amendments

ARTICLE I -The Church

The name of this corporation shall be known as the "Church of the Divine Sage" and hereinafter referred to as "the Church." The Church shall adhere to the goals, tenets, doctrines, codes, Creed, policies and practices set forth, and through the practice and promulgation of the primary religious experience of discovering and uniting with God, the Godhead, the Source Consciousness, the Divine, or any other term one uses to describe the experience of awakening to one's true nature and/or God within through our Holy Sacrament of Salvia divinorum.

The Officers, Stewards and Agents of the corporation shall be bound by and shall observe the foregoing to the end that the operations and activities of this corporation shall support and maintain the Church as a Church of the Divine Sage in compliance with the religious scriptures selected by the Church, drawing mainly upon texts from Buddhism, Christianity, and Sufism; subject, however, at all times and in every respect to the paramount requirement of observance of and compliance with all applicable laws, and the provisions of the Articles and of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE III - Purpose

The corporation shall espouse, present, propagate, practice, ensure and maintain the purity and integrity of, the Church of the Divine Sage, as the same has been developed and may be further developed and interpreted by members of the Church to the end that any person desiring participation or participating may derive the greatest possible good of increased awareness as an immortal, loving spirit.

The Church shall have the authority to manage, use and make available for use by other Churches of the Divine Sage, the body of information and practices that form the foundation of our religion, including the ancient traditions of the original founders; the Mazatec Indians in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our foundation is the belief that a human's best evidence of God is the God one finds within oneself, and trusting, with enduring faith, that the Creator of the Universe intended life to thrive within it, so the Church of the Divine Sage is founded with the following general goals:

a. Establishment of a religious body (Acts 6: 1-7) and entity to promote, protect, administer and encourage the goals of our Church;

b. Foundation, construction and use of a church, establishments, tutorial schools, retreats, parsonages, cultural centers, centers of training and other centers, for the teaching, dissemination and administration of the beliefs of the Church of the Divine Sage, which aspires to the religious and ethical guidance and improvement of the individual character, and also to better and clarify the human spirit; (Titus 1:5; Psalms 107:3; Acts 2: 42; 46, 47; Heb 10:25)

c. To help all people of all races to discover the truth that "The Kingdom of God is within you;" (Luke 17:21)

d. The publication and distribution of religious literature and other sectarian aids;

e. To minister to the spiritual needs of the parishioners and congregants of the Church through the conduct of services, both group and individual; and

f. To protect, propagate, steward, preserve the Holy Sacrament of Salvia divinorum and its strict religious use as our Holy Sacrament.

ARTICLE III - Creed

The Church of the Divine Sage is completely non-denominational and is devoted to fundamental freedom of thought and transformation of consciousness through love, compassion, and respect for all living creatures. It is our belief that the strict and responsible use of Salvia divinorum as its Holy Sacrament, when combined with deep meditation practice, can be a catalyst for spiritual revelation and connection with God and with the God within oneself, revealing the true soul of a person, extending ones knowledge of the infinite Being to oneself, making known what is knowable about the Divine to every single individual. We believe that Salvia divinorum provides a gateway to the Divine, but once one discovers the doorway, it is then the power of the mind that can cultivate and strengthen one's connection to the God within oneself and others.

The Church subscribes, and its object is and purposes are that all of humankind, regardless of race or previous religious orientation may subscribe to and practice the following Creed:

WE OF THE Church of the Divine Sage BELIEVE:

In both Buddhist, Christian, and Sufi teachings, both which state that we should love others as ourselves.
In the sacramental use of Salvia divinorum by all races as a gateway to connection with God as a reflection of ourselves and us as a reflection of God
In the inalienable First Amendment right of all members of the Church of the Divine Sage to freely and responsibly explore, protect, propagate, steward, and preserve the Holy Sacrament of Salvia divinorum and its religious use as our Holy Sacrament.
In healthy living, including the practice of vegetarianism
In Non-Violence
And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set aside our rights, overtly or covertly

ARTICLE IV - Membership

Section 1. Requirements. Membership is available to anyone who:

Is over 18 regardless of race or spiritual orientation, and
who donates time, labor, money, or properties to the Church and who supports the right of Church members to partake of the Holy Sacrament of Salvia divinorum.
Members and applicants cannot use any synthetic, recreational, or illegal drugs at any time for any reason. We do not condone the use of alcohol or tobacco, though we will not deny membership on those grounds.
Although vegetarianism is highly encouraged, it is not required for membership.
Applicants and members must strictly adhere to the Creed as stated in Article III

Section 2. Purpose of Affiliation. The goal of the Church is the attainment of a state of peaceful existence for all humans and the unquestionable knowledge that God does exist and is inside each one of us.

Section 3. Voting Rights. Each member shall be entitled to one vote as a member of the corporation. The following are the rights and privileges of voters:

All members must diligently follow the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church of the Divine Sage. One may be subject to dismissal by the Official Board if one violates the Constitution and Bylaws of the Corporation, or if his/her life is found to be contrary to that of the Creed and Membership requirements aforementioned above.
No member (except the Official Board with the Senior Pastor's approval) has the right to govern any of the internal affairs of the corporation unless the Senior Pastor has given him permission. Votes carry no authority to make decision. Votes serve as advice to be given to the Senior Pastor and Official Board in a time when the Pastor and Official Board feels more advice is needed.
The Official Board with the Senior Pastor's approval will determine when a voter's meeting is necessary, or any member may request a meeting subject to approval by the Official Board.
Advanced notice shall be given as to when, where, and for what reason, a voter's meeting will be called.
All votes will be viva voce and all members that are present will have an opportunity to express one's opinion.

ARTICLE V - Officers of the Corporation

Section 1. Officers. Officers of the corporation shall consist of:

          a. There shall be a Senior Pastor/President
          b. There shall be an Executive Vice President/Associate Pastor
          c. There shall be a Vice President
          d. There shall be a Secretary
          e. There shall be a Treasurer
          f. Other officers shall be added as needed
          g. The Senior Pastor may remove these offices

Section 2. Official Board. The Official Board shall consist of the Senior Pastor, Executive Vice-President/Associate Pastor, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the three Incorporators if any do not serve in the capacity of an officer. The Senior Pastor shall be Chairman of the Board and ultimate decision-maker of the
direction of the corporation.

Section 3. Committees. There shall (as the occasion may demand) be operational committees appointed by the Senior Pastor to serve in the capacity of expediting the work of the ministry.

Section 4. Pastors. In any established place of worship the Senior Pastor will appoint a pastor to govern the affairs
of said place of worship. The appointed pastor will give account to the Senior Pastor of the corporation concerning every aspect of the established place of worship.

Section 5. Duties of Officers.

a. The President shall have general supervisory responsibility for the business affairs of the corporation. The President shall be the Chief Executive officer of the corporation, to whom other officers and their agents shall report and be responsible for the proper performance of their duties.

b. The Executive Vice-President, if any, shall carry out such duties on behalf of the corporation as may be assigned to him/her by the the President. In the absence or disability of the President, the duties of the President shall be discharged by the Executive Vice-President.

c. The Vice-President, if any, shall carry out such duties on behalf of the corporation as may be assigned to him by the the President or Executive Vice-President. In the absence or disability of the Executive Vice-President, the duties of the Executive Vice-President shall be discharged by the Vice-President.

d. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the corporation and shall have custody of its corporate funds, books and financial records. The Treasurer shall have authority to receive and accept money, collect debts, open bank accounts, and make disbursements in the name of the corporation. The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept proper books of account reflecting all business done by the corporation and of all monies received and disbursed, and shall prepare or cause to be prepared financial statements at the request of the Board of General Directors. The Treasurer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation, with such depositories as may be designated by the President. The Treasurer shall, whenever requested to do so by the President, account for all transactions engaged in or authorized by him as Treasurer.

e. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept a book of minutes of all meetings of the officers and of the meetings of any committee for which the President requires that minutes be kept. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal office of the corporation, a copy of these Bylaws. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation and shall attest all certificates or other legal documents requiring certification on behalf of the corporation.

Section 6. Execution of Contracts. Contracts, instruments of conveyance or encumbrance, or other obligations of the corporation may be executed and delivered on behalf of the corporation by any two (2) officers of the corporation .

Section 7. Execution of Contracts. Contracts, instruments of conveyance or encumbrance, or other obligations of the corporation may be executed and delivered on behalf of the corporation by any two (2) officers of the corporation .

ARTICLE VI - Liabilities of Directors and Officers

Directors, Officers, Stewards and other agents of the corporation, and the property of such persons, shall not be subject to or chargeable with payment of corporation debts or obligations.

ARTICLE VII - Ordination of Ministers and Religious Orders

Section 1. Ordination. the Church shall have full power and authority to ordain ministers, who shall be empowered to perform marriage ceremonies, administer the confessional, bury the dead, baptize, practice spiritual healing, give spiritual healing, give spiritual advice, and minister to the spiritual needs of congregations and parishioners; to revoke such status of ordained minister; and to grant and revoke such other degrees and certificates of attainment or qualification as may be appropriate.

Section 2. Religious Orders. the Church may establish and maintain religious orders, the purposes of which shall be the carrying out of the religious and administrative activities of this Church and corporation. The specific functions and duties of such religious orders, and of the members of such orders, shall be as determined and assigned by the Officers and consistent with the purposes for religious orders herein stated.

Acceptance of persons into the religious orders of the Church shall be governed by the applicable Scriptures. Persons seeking acceptance into a religious order of this Church shall enter into a covenant expressing the
individual's desire and intent to devote himself to accomplish the goals and purposes of this Church and the religion of Entheology. All members of the religious order shall agree to abide by the policies of this Corporation, the Scriptures, the Articles, and these Bylaws.

Section 3. Terminations. Membership, affiliation, charters, ordinations, certifications, or other special dispensations, or recognitions, shall terminate; by direction of the Officers of the Corporation, for the following causes:

a. Death,

b. Resignation,

c. Actions deemed contrary to the principles, purposes, aims, code, ecclesiastical letters, policies, covenants, agreements, the Bylaws of this corporation.

Section 4. Return of Property. Upon any termination, pursuant to Section 3 of this Article X, then the person who's status has been terminated shall be required immediately to return to the corporation or Church any
and all real and personal property issued to such person by this corporation or Church.

Section 5. Discretion of Directors. Membership in a Religious Order, ordination, or affiliation may be denied or revoked for cause deemed to be sufficient by the General Directors in their sole discretion.

ARTICLE VIII - Principal Office

The corporation's principal office shall be located at such place, within or without the State of Illinois, as a majority of the Board of General Directors may, in its discretion, determine from time to time.

ARTICLE IX - Seal

The corporation shall have a seal, the form of which shall be determined and adopted by the Board of General Directors.

ARTICLE X - Amendments

Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by unanimous vote of the Boards; provided that amended Bylaws or new Bylaws do not jeopardize the tax-exempt status of this corporation, do not alter the purposes of this corporation or the qualifications required of its Trustees and Directors, and do not contravene the Scriptures.

CERTIFICATION

We, the undersigned, do hereby certify:

1. That we are the Directors of the Church of the Divine Sage, a nonprofit religious corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois; and

2. That the foregoing Bylaws constitute the Bylaws of said corporation, as duly adopted at a meeting of the Directors of said corporation, held on the 1st day of July, 2002.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 1st day of July 2001.