Eagle Rock Baptist Church Constitution
Constitution
of the
Eagle
Rock Baptist Church
1080
South Bellin Road
Idaho
Falls, Idaho 83402
(First amended May 17, 1978)
(Last
amended October 25, 1998)
(revision 1 request 11/3/2007)
* We as New Testament believers,
affirming our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation and believing in
the Biblical principles as declared in our Statement of Faith, do hereby set
forth and declare the following as our constitution.
* Resting our faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ alone for salvation, believing the teaching of the Holy Bible, we
therefore, unite ourselves as a body of believers in Jesus Christ and adopt,
ordain and establish for our government and plan of worship and service the
following covenant, constitution and by-laws.
Having
been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ
as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the
presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter
into covenant with one another, as one local manifestation of the body of
Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to pray for one
another, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of
this assembly, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity
and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines;
to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the
expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor and the spreading of the Gospel
through all nations.
We’ll
also strive to maintain family and personal devotions and to train our children
in the Christian faith. In cultivating a life of sincere faith in Jesus Christ,
we’ll endeavor to fill our minds with all that’s true, noble, just, pure,
lovely and gracious.
In relationship with our fellow men, we covenant to walk circumspectly
and in Christian love. We pledge to be courteous and kind and to esteem other
Christians and our fellow man, sympathizing with them in their afflictions and
rejoicing in their achievements and victories. We resolve to strive for genuine
humility, for an honest endeavor to forgive and to be forgiven and for Christian
unity of mind and purpose.
We moreover engage that, if we remove from this assembly, as soon as
possible, we’ll unite with some other assembly where we can carry out the
spirit of this covenant and the truth and principles of God’s Word.
The name of this assembly shall be known
as the Eagle Rock Baptist Church, which was incorporated under the laws of the
State of Idaho on May 17, 1978.
This assembly is affiliated with the North American Baptist Conference, home office currently at:
1 South 210 Summit Avenue
And with the Central Pacific Association
of the N.A.B.C. This local church assembly shall be autonomous and
self-governing in all matters physical and spiritual, but recognizes and
maintains mutual cooperation with other N.A.B. local assemblies, and other local
assemblies and organizations of like faith and practice.
1. To worship and glorify God.
2. To present Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit so that people
may
have the opportunity of entering into a personal relationship with Him.
3. To provide spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and monetary
assistance
to both this local assembly and other Christian ministries outside of
this
local assembly, at home and overseas.
4. To provide opportunities for Christian fellowship and service within
the
body of believers.
The
purpose of Eagle Rock Baptist Church is to make followers of Jesus Christ
through witness, instructions, and service.
Article
4: Statement of Faith:
1. The Holy
Scriptures
We
believe both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to be the only verbally
inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant and
infallible in the original writings (2 Tim
3:16-17 / 2 Pet 1:20-21 / Mt 5:18 / Jn 16:12-13 / 1 Cor 2:13).
2. The Godhead
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing and manifest in three
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; co-eternal
in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the
same attributes and perfectness (Gen
1:26-27 / Gen 11:7 / Deut 6:4 / Isa 6:3-8 / 2 Cor 13:14
/ Mt 28:19 / Acts 5:3-5 / 1 Cor 8:6).
3. The Total Depravity
of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but
that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became
alienated from God; and, that man
is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition
(Gen 1:26-27 / Rom 3:22-23 / Rom 5:12 /
Eph 2:1-3, 12).
4. The person and Work of
Jesus Christ
(a) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became
man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man
(Jn 1:1-2, 14 / Lk 1:35 / Col 1:15 / Phil
2:5-8).
(b) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption
through His death on the cross as a propitiatory, substitutionary sacrifice;
and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection
from the dead (Rom 3:24-25 / Eph 1:7 / 1
Pet 1:3-5).
(c) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now
exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the
ministry of Representative, Intercessor and Advocate (Acts
1:9-10 / Heb 9:24 / Heb 7:25 / Rom 8:34 / 1 Jn 2:1-2).
5. The Person and Work of the Holy
Spirit
(a) We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of
sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the supernatural agent
in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and
sealing them unto the day of redemption (Jn
16:8-11 / 2 Cor 3:6 / 1 Cor 12:1-5 / Rom 6:1-11 / Rom 8:9 / Eph 1:12-14 / Eph
4:30 / 2 Cor 1:21-22 / Acts 1:5).
(b) We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guides
believers into all truth and testifies of Jesus Christ; and, that it is the
privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Jn 16:13 / 1 Jn 2:20-27 / Eph 5:18).
6. Salvation
(a) We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace
and freely received by personal faith in Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was
shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Eph
1:7 / Eph 2:8-9 / Jn 1:12 / 1 Pet 1:13, 19).
(b) We believe that genuine faith in Christ guarantees the fruit of good
works in the believer’s life (Eph 2:10 /
Jam 2:20 / Tit 2:11-14 / 1 Jn).
7. The Security
and Assurance of Believers
(a) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God’s
power, and are thus secure in Christ forever (Jn
6:37-40 / Jn 10:27-30 / Rom 8:1, 38-39 / 1 Cor 1:4-8 / 1 Pet 1:5).
(b) We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the
assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which,
however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the
flesh (Rom 6:1-13 / Rom 13:13-14 / Gal
5:13 / Tit 2:11-15).
8. The Two Natures
of the Believer
(a) We believe that even though a Christian is fully redeemed in Christ
in a positional sense, the benefits of that redemption are not yet fully applied
to the Christian in a practical sense. The full effect of redemption on the
believer’s body will not be known until the return of Christ for the Church (Rom
8:23). Thus the believer, even though a new creation in Christ (2
Cor 5:17), yet lives in a body of sin also referred to in the New Testament
as the flesh (Rom 7:23-24).
(b) However, in the Gospel of Christ, full provision is made for the
believer to live free from the dominion of the flesh (Rom
6:3-14 / Rom 8:1-13 / Col 2:20-3:5), but eradication of the flesh and thus
sinless perfection in this life is impossible.
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner so as to bring
glory and honor to their Savior and Lord; and, that while living soberly,
righteously and godly in this present world, they should also deny and separate
their lives from ungodliness, religious apostasy and worldly lusts (2 Tim 3:1-5 / Rom 12:1 / Rom 14:13 / Eph 4:1 / 1 Jn 2:15-17 / 2 Jn 9-11
/ 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 / 1 Pet 1:16).
10. The Church
(a) We believe that the Church, which is the body and espoused bride of
Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this
present age (Eph 1:22-23 / Eph 5:25-27 / 1
Cor 12:12-14 / 2 Cor 12:2).
(b) We believe in the “holy and
royal priesthood” of all born-again believers. Because all believers comprise
the priesthood of the New Testament church, every believer has the personal and
individual right to boldly enter the presence of God and commune intimately with
God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. No particular individual or group
may be interposed between any believer and God (1 Pet 2:5, 9) / Rev 1:6 / Rev 5:10).
(c) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local church
assemblies is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27 / Acts 20:17, 28-32 / 1 Tim 3:1-13 / Tit 1:5-11).
11. The ministry and Spiritual
Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and,
that these gifts are for the purpose of edifying the local church. Each
Christian is specially gifted to do a spiritual ministry as led by Christ (Eph
4:16 / Rom 12:3-8 / 1 Cor 12:4-11 / 1 Pet 4:10-11).
12. Missions
We believe it is both the obligation and responsibility of the saved to
witness by life and word to the truths of the Bible and to seek to proclaim the
Gospel to all of mankind (Mk 16:15 / Acts
1:8 / 2 Cor 5:19-20 / Mt 28:18-20).
13. Ordinances
(a) Baptism: We believe that water baptism by immersion is a physical act
which pictures the work of spiritual baptism performed by the Holy Spirit at the
point of a person’s faith in Christ as taught in Rom 6:3-4. We believe
that water baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is an important and even
necessary act of obedience for every born-again believer to take part in to
display publicly what they believe God has done for them by His Spirit eternally
(Mt 28:18-20 / Acts 2:38, 41 / Acts 18:8).
(b) The Lord’s Supper (Communion): We believe that the Lord’s Supper
serves as a memorial of the vicarious suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the
cross. We believe the elements are symbols of His body and blood; and, that
their consumption is neither a means of salvation nor inward cleansing. We believe the
Christian’s participation in the Lord’s Supper is an act of obedience to
Christ’s command, “this do” (1 Cor
11:23-26).
14. Correctly Handling
the Bible
We believe the Bible should be diligently studied, literally interpreted
in its grammatical, historical and cultural context, and carefully preached and
taught (2 Tim 2:15 / 2 Tim 3:16-17 / 2 Tim
4:1-4).
15. Personality of
Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the cause of
the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God; that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Job
1:6-7 / Isa 14:12-17 / Ezek 28:11-19 / Mt 4:2-11 / Mt 25:41 / Jn 8:44 / Rev
20:10).
16. The Return
of Jesus Christ
We believe in the “blessed hope,” the personal, bodily and visible
second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones (1 Thess 4:13-18 / 1 Thess 5:1-2 / Tit 2:11-13 / 1 Pet 1:3-7 / Rom
13:11-12).
17. The Eternal
State
(a) We believe in the bodily resurrection of all mankind, the saved to
eternal life in the presence of God, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting
punishment (Mt 25:46 / Jn 5:28-29 / Rev
20:5-6, 12-13).
(b) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from
the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious rest they await the first
resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever
with the Lord (Lk 23:42 / Rev 20:4-6 / 2
Cor 5:8 / Phil 1:23 / Phil 3:21 / 1 Thess 4:16-17).
(c) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death, in
conscious misery until the second resurrection when with soul and body reunited
they shall appear at the great white throne judgment, and shall be cast into the
lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious
punishment (Lk 16:19-26 / Mt 25:4-26 / 2
Thess 1:7-9 / Jude 6-7 / Mk 9:43-48 / Rev 20:11-15).
18. The PreMillenial
Return of Christ
We believe that after Christ raptures His redeemed ones from the earth(1
Thess 4:13-18), He will return to the earth with His saints to establish His
millennial kingdom (Zech 14:1-11 / Rev 19:11-20:6).
1. Any person professing faith in Christ as
personal Savior, 2. who gives evidence of regeneration, 3.
has been baptized by immersion, 4. indicates a desire to become a member, 5.
attend a membership class (the scope of the class requirements will be
determined by an interview with the pastor and/or the overseers), 6. is willing to submit to the
process of government as defined by the Constitution, 7.
subscribes to the Statement of Faith, 8. seeks to develop a lifestyle consistent with the Covenant, 9.
and shares his/her testimony with the Overseers will be eligible to be a
candidate for membership
Anyone who teaches in any capacity in
this assembly, though not required to be a member, must subscribe to the
Statement of Faith of this constitution. Any nonmember desiring to teach in any
capacity must first be interviewed and approved by the Overseers.
1. Because we believe the Bible to be the Holy Word of God, verbally
inspired and wholly without error in all that it declares, it is therefore the
supreme and final authority for faith and practice of the individual and the
church assembly as a whole.
2. This assembly’s government shall be entrusted to and executed by
duly selected leaders from the membership. These leaders shall be Biblically
qualified Overseers (1 Tim 3:1-7 / Tit
1:5-9). Deacons (1 Tim 3:8-13 / Acts 6:1-6) shall also be selected by the membership
to assist the Overseers in serving the congregation in all matters of faith and
practice. The responsibilities of
the Overseers and Deacons, the method of their selection, their term in office,
and frequency of meeting shall be in accord with the by-laws of this
constitution.
3. The oversight of this church assembly is delegated by the congregation
to the Overseers and Deacons, which in turn are responsible to the congregation
for determining God’s will and leading the church in carrying out His will.
Any article or sections of this constitution may be amended in accordance
with the by-laws of this constitution, by a two-thirds majority vote of the
qualified voters present at any properly called business meeting. Written notice
of such amendment must be given to resident members at least two Sundays prior
to the meeting. An exact copy of
the proposed amendment shall be publicly posted in the church building for these
two Sundays. The proposed amendment(s) may be modified and adopted at the same
meeting.
Should it ever become necessary to dissolve this corporation, no part of
the net earnings of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any
donor, member or officer of the corporation nor shall any private individual be
entitled to share in the distribution of any corporate assets. Upon dissolution
of the corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and
obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets of the corporation must be
distributed to an organization or agency of the N.A.B. Inc., home office at 1
South 210 Summit Avenue Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, an organization recognized
by the Internal Revenue Service as one organized exclusively for religious
purposes under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, of 1954, as
amended.
As of the following date, (October 25, 1998) this amended constitution
shall take precedence over any previous constitution and statement of faith
adopted by this local church assembly, and any previous constitution and
statement of faith which may have been adopted by this local church assembly
shall be null and void, and this constitution shall henceforth constitute the
sole official constitution of this local church assembly.
Eagle
Rock Baptist Church
1080
South Bellin Road
Idaho
Falls, Idaho 83402
Section 1:
Purpose of Membership
The purpose of a membership is to provide a means of protection for this
local church assembly from the infiltration of heresy, the world, the flesh and
the devil. It is necessary to establish who may exercise the privilege of
voting, holding leadership positions in the local church assembly’s government
and ministry, and participation in other activities as stated under Section 3 of
these by-laws.
Section 2: Reception
of Members
(a)
In accordance with the qualifications described in Article 5 of the constitution
of this local church assembly, reception of members is by recommendation of the
Overseers and vote of the resident membership under the following guidelines:
(1) Candidates for church membership shall be interviewed by the
Overseers who shall hear testimony of their faith in Christ, obedience in
baptism, and agreement with the Covenant and the Statement of Faith of the
Constitution. The Overseers shall then pass upon their interview with the
candidate and prescribe any restrictions they may deem advisable for the best
interest of the candidate and the church body. Having been recommended by the
Overseers, the candidate shall then be recommended to the membership for
acceptance or rejection by majority vote.
(2) Candidates may be accepted by letter of transfer from another
assembly of like faith and practice, after an interview with the Overseers.
(3) Candidates may also be recommended for membership through the process
of restoration. Candidates whose membership has been previously dissolved for
disciplinary reasons, may be restored to membership subsequent to confession and
repentance of their error, and through the normal process of a new membership as
describe in Section 2. a. (1) of these By-Laws.
(4) Dissolved memberships may request reinstatement through the process
describe in Section 2. a. (1) of these By-Laws.
(5) A membership class informing membership candidates of the nature and
procedures of the Constitution and By-Laws of this church assembly, (the total
scope and length of the class will be determined through the interview with the
Overseers), shall be held after recommendation by the Overseers, and prior to
their reception into the membership of this local assembly.
(6) New believers may not become candidates
for membership for a minimum of six months after conversion.
(7) Letters of transfer will be considered by the Overseers after six
weeks of regular fellowship.
(8) Individuals coming from other local assemblies that do not issue letters of transfer may become a membership candidate after six weeks of regular fellowship.
Section 3: Responsibilities
of Members
(a) To live in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel of their Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ (Phil 1:27 / 2 Cor
7:1 / 1 Pet 1:17-19 / Rom 6:3-14) as pointed out in the Covenant set forth
in the Constitution.
(b) To honor, pray for and serve with the Pastor, Overseers and Deacons;
to submit to the Biblical exercise of their spiritual oversight and to
manifest proper consideration for their responsibility and accountability before
God (Heb 13:17).
(c) To engage faithfully in church attendance (Heb
10:25), and in the work of the ministry by the prayerful use of spiritual
gifts (Eph 4:15-16), and to contribute
regularly and cheerfully as God enables to the needs of the ministry of this
assembly.
(d) To uphold and support the Constitution and By-Laws of this local
assembly.
(e) Voting and office holding shall be limited to members 18 years old
and above.
(f) In conjunction with Article 1, Section 2, (6), a new believer (one
year or less), shall not hold a place of leadership in the government or
ministry of this assembly (1 Tim 3:6).
Section 4:
Dissolution of Membership
1. By death.
2. By letter. Members, at their request and with the Overseers consent,
may have their membership transferred to the assembly with which they wish to
unite.
3. By exclusion. Gross misconduct or disregard for this Constitution,
Statement of Faith or Church Covenant, and failure to submit to the Biblical
process of discipline and restoration (Mt
18:15-18 / Gal 6:1), will warrant exclusion from this assembly. Exclusion is
accomplished by recommendation of the Overseers and by a majority vote of the
membership.
4. By removal. Any resident
member requesting withdrawal, or is habitually absent from the fellowship and support of
this local assembly without valid reason, or any non-resident member who fails
to report to the church for a period of one year may be removed from church
membership by the Overseers after prayer, personal care and careful
consideration.
* Understanding that the terms Pastor,
Overseer, Elder and Bishop all refer to the same office, the term Overseer
has been chosen to refer to this office.
Section 1:
Function of Pastor and Overseers
(a)
The shepherding function and responsibilities of the Overseers, including the
Pastor as the senior teaching Overseer, are clearly outlined in the Bible.
Following is an example listing of what the Bible gives as the functions and
responsibilities to the Pastor and Overseers:
(1)
Oversee
or manage - give direction to the entire ministry of the
local
assembly. The title bishop or overseer implies this (1 Tim
3:5).
(2)
Shepherd
- under the authority of Christ, the Bible and the leading of the
Holy
Spirit, direct the affairs and ministry of the local assembly
(Heb 13:17 / 1 Pet 5:5 / Acts 20:28 / 1
Tim 5:17).
(3) Be an example - (1 Pet
5:3).
(4) Lead without lording over the flock - (1
Pet 5:3).
(5) Guard the flock - (Acts
20:28).
(6) Refute false teachers - (Tit
1:9).
(7) Provide for the feeding (spiritual) of the flock - (Acts
20:28).
(8) Teach and exhort - (Tit
1:9 cf 1 Tim 3:2 & Heb 13:7).
(9)
Example and Lead in prayer - (1 Tim
2:1-8 / 1 Thess 5:17 / 1 Pet 5:3)
(10) Pray for the
sick - (James 5:13-15).
(b) The Overseers shall lead in the administration of the ordinances
described in Article 4.13 of the Constitution.
(c) The Overseers shall meet regularly; once per month is suggested. The
Overseers shall also meet regularly with the Deacons for prayer, planning,
coordination and direction for ministry to the assembly. Special meetings may be
called at any time by the Chairman of the Overseers, or upon request of the
majority of the Overseers. The Overseers and Deacons shall choose out from
amongst themselves those authorized to sign for banking transactions involving
church funds on an annual basis.
(d) Congregational members desiring to present a concern to either the
Overseers or Deacons may do so by contacting any Overseer or Deacon indicating
the subject to be presented and requesting permission to be placed on the agenda
at their next meeting.
(e) Annually the Overseers will select from their membership a Chairman
and Vice Chairman. A Secretary and Treasurer will also be selected from the
joint Overseer/Deacon members. The Chairman shall preside over the meetings of
the Overseers and the congregational membership. In the absence of the chairman
at any given meeting, the Vice Chairman shall assume his responsibilities. The
Secretary shall keep records of the Overseer’s meetings, and in conjunction
with the Pastor, conduct all official correspondence of the assembly.
(f) In the case of a vacancy of the position of the Pastor (senior
teaching Overseer), the Overseers, with other appointed members of the
congregational membership, shall constitute a Pastoral Search Committee.
(g) The primary responsibility of the Pastor or senior teaching Overseer
shall be to feed the flock of God in a full time capacity, impartially
admonishing, entreating and caring for the saints. He is to do so through
counseling, teaching and preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word. As a
leader among the Overseers, he shall devote himself to the development of the
spiritual maturity and leadership of the Overseers as he meets with and
disciples them and assists them in their various shepherding responsibilities.
He shall lead in administering of the ordinances of the assembly, and conduct
those weddings and funerals he agrees to conduct. The primary responsibilities
inherent in the shepherding ministry of the Overseers shall be decided amongst
themselves concerning the areas of ministry on which each will concentrate.
Section 2: Qualifications
of Overseers
a. All candidates for
Overseer shall be men who are active members of this assembly, and who conform
to the qualifications set forth in the Bible (1
Tim 3:1-7 / Tit 1:5-9).
b. Note Article 1, Section
3. (d) and Article 1, Section 3. (e) of these By-Laws.
Section 3: Selection
and Tenure of Pastor and Overseers
a. Pastor or Senior Teaching Overseer
(1) He shall be called to his position upon recommendation of the
Pastoral Search Committee, and by an 80% approval vote of the congregational
members present at a business meeting called for that purpose. Voting shall be
by secret ballot, and the candidate shall not be present when the vote is cast
by the assembly. Upon being called, and the candidate’s acceptance of that
call, he shall automatically become a voting member of both this assembly and
the Overseers. (See b. (1-5) of this Section).
(2) He shall hold this office as long as it is apparent to him, the
Overseers and the assembly that he is displaying the Biblical qualifications of
an Overseer, properly carrying out the responsibilities of his office and called
by God to serve the assembly in this capacity.
(3) His wages or “double honor”
(1 Tim 5:17-18) allowances, vacation, etc. shall be fixed by the Overseers
and approved by the membership at the time of his call. These shall be reviewed
annually by the Overseers, and changes may be made at any regular or special
business meeting.
(1) Upon a vacancy in the office of Senior Pastor/Overseer, the Overseers
shall appoint representatives from the congregational membership to serve with
them as a Pastoral Search Committee. The Chairman of the Overseers shall be the
Chairman of this committee and the Secretary of the Overseers shall be the
committee Secretary. The Pastoral Search Committee is encouraged to maintain
confidentiality in their deliberations while also using judgment in keeping the
congregation informed of their progress.
(2) The Pastoral Search Committee shall consider only one potential
Pastoral candidate at a time. If the Pastoral candidate is currently serving in
a Pastoral ministry, it is required that the candidate both request prayer for
and inform his current congregation that he is being considered for the Pastoral
ministry in another assembly, and that it is his intention to seek the Lord’s
will for this consideration. (Exceptions to this requirement will be considered
on a case by case basis.)
(3) The Pastoral Search Committee may secure the services of an Interim
Pastor with the approval of the congregational membership.
(4) The duties of the Pastoral Search Committee shall be to thoroughly
explore the field, beginning with this assembly, for men who are available to
call and whose belief is in keeping with all the doctrines in the Constitution
of this assembly. The committee shall thoroughly investigate each prospective
candidate as to the qualifications listed in these By-Laws. If a particular
candidate has reached the stage of personal consideration, the following suggested
guidelines are encouraged at this assembly’s expense. First, in keeping with
Article 2, Section 3 b. (2), if possible, a minimum of two representatives from
the Pastoral Search Committee shall visit the assembly and community the
potential candidate is currently living and ministering in. The purpose of their
visit would be to visit with several people in order to gain a better
perspective of the candidate, his current ministry, etc. Secondly, the potential
candidate shall spend a minimum three days in this community acquainting himself
with this assembly. He shall teach or preach a minimum of twice, preferably
three or more times, and shall have opportunity to visit and fellowship with
this assembly before he is recommended to the membership for a vote. The
committee shall only present to the church the name of one Pastoral candidate at
a time and only such as they unanimously agree as being a man they can
recommend. The committee shall then extend a call to the candidate if an
affirmative vote of 80% of all the ballots cast by the congregational membership
is made.
(5) Following the approval by the congregational membership of the
candidate for Senior Pastor, the Pastoral Search Committee shall send a letter
in duplicate, setting forth the terms of the call, make a place available for
the signature of the Chairman of the Pastoral Search Committee and the Pastoral
candidate. The call is considered final when the acceptance is received from the
prospective Pastor.
c.
Overseers other than Pastor
(1) They shall be called to their office by a three-fourths majority of
the voting members present at the annual
business meeting or at a business meeting called for that purpose. Voting
approval shall be by secret ballot. They will assume their office and become an
Overseer immediately following the meeting in which they are approved.
(2) If it is the conviction of any voting member of the congregation that
a certain man in the assembly exhibits the Biblical qualifications of an
Overseer, they may bring his name to the Overseers for their consideration and
examination for recommendation to the congregational membership.
- If the proposed candidate is a qualified member (See Article 2,
Sections 1 & 2 of these By-Laws), and if he is in agreement with his
nomination, he will then be recommended to the congregation for prayerful
consideration for at least four weeks before he is brought to the membership for
an approval vote.
(3) Approval to the office of Overseer is not a “lifetime
appointment,” for a
three-year term. The Overseer terms shall be staggered to limit the number whose
terms expire at the same time. The number of terms are not limited. The
Overseer shall maintain his office as long as it is apparent to him,
the Senior Pastor, the other Overseers and this assembly that he is displaying
the Biblical qualifications of an Overseer, properly carrying out the
responsibilities of his office and called by God to serve as an Overseer in this
assembly.
(4) There shall be no set number of men who can hold this office in the
assembly, however the number of overseers shall be as God provides and according
to the needs of the assembly.
(5) The Overseers shall annually review each other’s ministry and
qualifications. If an Overseer receives an unfavorable review by the other
Overseers, he will be asked to step down from the office of Overseer until the
matter of concern is corrected.
d. Removal
of Pastor or Overseers
If there is an accusation of sin concerning any particular Overseer,
including the Pastor, then at least two witnesses with the question or
accusation should contact the Pastor and/or Overseers with their concern In the event the
Overseers consider the accusation sound and the accused refuses to repent after
a first and second admonition, the issue will be brought before the entire
assembly by the Overseers, and if stubbornness prevails, he will be suspended
from the fellowship of this assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting
membership present at a meeting called for this purpose
(Mt 18:15-20 / 1 Cor 5:1-13 / 2
Thess 3:6 / 1 Tim 5:19-20). The
voting shall be by secret ballot.
This suspension shall include termination of the Overseer’s
membership and the admonitions found in 1
Cor 5:9-13 and 2 Thess 3:14-15. As prescribed in the Bible, the goal of this disciplinary
action is to win the individual back to obedience of the Gospel of Christ (Gal
6:1 / James 5:19-20).
e. Resignation
of Pastor or Overseers
(1) The Pastor may resign at anytime and it shall be in writing to the Chairman of the Overseers. It is requested that he do so at least sixty days in advance.
(2) Resignation of Overseers shall be in writing to the Chairman of the
Overseers, and shall be effective on the date specified in the resignation.
Section 1: Function of Deacons
a. As the need becomes apparent to the Overseers and/or this assembly,
service offices requiring capable, spiritual leadership shall be established and
the men filling these offices will be designated Deacons. Deacons shall be responsible to the Overseers and this
assembly in their service. Deacons may choose or appoint Biblically qualified
men or women from this assembly to serve or assist in their efforts to
accomplish the ministry they are assigned.
b. The Deacons shall meet regularly for prayer and coordination of
service as the needs of the assembly and facilities require. They shall also
meet with the Overseers at regular and appropriate times for prayer, planning,
coordination and direction for ministry to this assembly.
c. The specific functions and job descriptions of a particular Deacon’s
ministry shall be worked out between the Overseers and the Deacons. The
following is an example listing of possible service areas
ministered to, in conjunction with the Overseers, by the Deacons and the men and
women serving with them.
(Potential Areas of Deacon Ministries): Secretary, treasurer, church
facilities
maintenance, custodial, library, nursery, S.S., Junior Church, Good News
Clubs,
VBS, teacher training, youth group, growth groups, assembly fellowship,
visitation, missions, evangelism, ushering, music, benevolence ministry,
etc.
d. Each Deacon may choose or appoint individuals or a committee from the
men and women of this congregation to assist and advise him in their efforts to
accomplish the ministry they are called to.
Section 2:
Qualifications of Deacons
a. All those men holding the office of Deacon shall be active members of
this assembly, in good standing, and who conform to the qualifications set forth
in the Bible (Acts 6:3 / 1 Tim 3:8-13).
b. Note Article 1, Section 3. (d) and Article 1, Section 3. (e) of these
By-Laws.
Section 3:
Selection and Tenure of Deacons
a. The assembly shall annually choose from its membership men to serve in
the office of Deacon. Recommendation from any congregational member for men to
serve in the office of Deacon shall be submitted to the Overseers at least four
weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. After careful and prayerful consideration, if
the proposed candidate is a qualified member (see Article 2, Sections 1 & 2
of these By-Laws), and if he’s in agreement with his nomination, he’ll then
be recommended to the congregation for prayerful consideration for a least three
weeks before the Annual Meeting where he’ll be brought to the membership for a
secret ballot approval vote. If the nominee is approved by a three-fourths
majority of the voting members present at the Annual Membership Meeting, he will
assume office and become a Deacon immediately following his approval. Each
Deacon shall serve until the next Annual Meeting.
Approval to the office of
Deacon is for a three-year term. The Deacon terms shall be
staggered to limit the number whose terms expire at the same time.
b. In the case of the need for the selection of a Deacon during the
course of the year, the same process stated above (Article 3, Section 3. (a))
will be followed, except the membership approval vote will take place at a
special meeting called and set by the Overseers.
c. There shall be no set number of men who can hold this office in the
assembly, however the number of Deacons shall be as God provides and according
to the needs of the assembly.
Section 4: Removal
and Resignations of Deacons
(The same process as with the Overseers).
* The officers of this corporation shall
be as follows:
Section 1: Board of Directors: The
combined Overseers and Deacons.
Section 2: President: The Chairman
from the Overseers.
Section 3: Vice President: The
Vice Chairman from the Overseers.
Section 4: Secretary: The
Secretary from the combined Overseers and Deacons.
Section 5: Treasurer: The
Treasurer from the combined Overseers and Deacons.
Section 1: For
Worship
Regular Sunday and midweek assemblies shall be held for public worship,
prayer, praise and Bible study. As circumstances allow, the ordinance of the
Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the first Sunday of the month.
Section 2: For
Special Purposes
Special meetings for the purpose of baptism, prayer, evangelism, Bible
study, missionary work, etc., may be held throughout the year.
Section 3: For
Annual Meeting:
Held annually to conduct regular business of the church, such as the
approval of Overseers and Deacons, budget approval, and other timely business
matters. This meeting will be held early in December
October. Public notice shall be
given from the pulpit and/or the bulletin (a minimum of) two Sundays in advance
stating in general terms the business to be transacted.
Section 4: For
Special Business
a. Special meetings for the business transactions may be called any time
provided a public notice is given from the pulpit and/or the bulletin a minimum
of 2 Sundays in advance
stating in general terms the business to be transacted. These meetings are to be
called for through the cooperation and planning with the Overseers.
b.
Robert’s Rules of Order governing deliberative bodies may be used as a
guide in all assembly business meetings.
c. At meetings where a vote is necessary, 33% of the resident voting
members will constitute a quorum.
d. All questions not clearly defined in this constitution shall be
settled by the combined Overseers and Deacons with general consent of the
membership.
* The church fiscal year shall correspond with the calendar year.
Article
7: Voting approval for various business
transactions:
Type of Business
Approval
Required
Approval of Overseers and Deacons
Three-fourths majority vote
Budget Approval
Majority of
members present
Reception of New Members
Majority of members present
New Major Ministries
Majority of members present
Obligating Church Indebtedness
Majority of members present
Exclusion of Disciplined Members
Majority of members present
Calling of Pastor
80% of returned
ballots
Purchase or Sale of Property
Majority of members present
Constitutional or By-Laws Change
Two-thirds of members present
Termination of Pastor
Two-thirds of members present
Section 1: All officers
and teachers of auxiliary organizations shall be members in good standing of
this assembly or approved by the Overseers.
Section 2: If drafted, the
constitution of any auxiliary organization shall not conflict with the
constitution or by-laws of this assembly.
Section 3: Meetings of the
auxiliary organizations shall not conflict with the meetings of this assembly
and shall be under the oversight of the Overseers.
If, at any time a man requests
ordination, this assembly, by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the qualified
voters present at a specially called meeting, determines that a man possesses
the Biblical qualifications, calling and training for ordination, a time may be
set and a council called to examine such candidate. It is recommended that this
council consist of the Pastor and Overseers of this assembly, any other local
Pastors agreed upon by the Pastor and Overseers of this assembly, as well as an
invitation extended to the C.P.A. Area Minister to participate on this council.
Upon receiving a favorable report from this council, this assembly shall set a
time and place for the ordination service.
Article 10: By-Laws Amendments
These By-Laws may be repealed, amended or added to at the annual business meeting, or any other meeting of the assembly called for that purpose, by a two-thirds majority vote of the qualified voters present provided that the proposed amendments and notice of the meeting have been submitted in writing to this assembly at least two weeks previous to the meeting. No such By-Laws shall be amended or adopted which shall conflict with or void any provision of the Constitution.