Constitution and By Laws
of
Val Verde Baptist Church
ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.01—Name
This congregation of believers shall be
known as the
Section 1.02—Purpose
This congregation is organized as a
church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within
the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the
corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including,
but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of
religious worship, licensing and ordaining men to the gospel ministry, the
building of churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television
stations, rescue missions, print shops, daycare centers, and camps; the
evangelizing of the unsaved by the
proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the educating of believers
in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture, both in Sunday
and weekday schools of Christian education; and the maintaining of missionary
activities in the United States and any foreign country.
ARTICLE 2 – STATEMENT OF FAITH AND
COVENANT
Section 2.01—Statement Of Faith
The following
comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.
(A) The Holy
Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and
God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New
Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according
to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation
and meaning shall be determined by the pastor.
The 1611 King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only
translation used by the English speaking church. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet.
(B) Dispensationalism. We
believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal
divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s
responsibilities in successive ages.
These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely
ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations—the law, the
church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture.
(Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col.
1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6)
(C) The Godhead. We
believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in
power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John
14:10, 26)
(D) The
Person and Work of Christ.
1. 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 men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6;
Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross through the shedding
of His blood as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary
sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead. (Acts
3. 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.
(E) The
Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
1. 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.
(John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)
2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher
who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it
is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph.
3. We believe that God is sovereign in the
bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.
God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers
in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (
4. We believe that the sign gifts of the
Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing,
were temporary. Speaking in tongues was
never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy
Spirit, and though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers
for physical healing, ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death
awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection. (1 Cor. 1:22;
13:8;
(F) The Sinful State of
(G) Salvation. We
believe that salvation is the gift of God offered to man by grace and received
by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on
(H)
The Eternal Security and Assurance of
Believers.
1. We believe that once saved, all are kept
by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1
Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)
2. We believe that 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.
(I) The Church
1. We believe that the local church, which
is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again, Scripturally baptized persons. (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph.
2. We believe that the establishment and
continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New
Testament Scriptures. (Acts
3. We believe in the autonomy of the local
church free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31;
20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)
4. We recognize water baptism by immersion
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord’s
Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this
age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts
(J) Separation. We believe that all the saved should
live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God
commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and
sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest
and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. (
(K) The
Second Advent of Christ. We
believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ
Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will
personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly
Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of
(L)
The
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of
all mankind, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and
everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46;
John 5:28, 29;
2. We believe that the souls of the
redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where
in conscious bliss they await the resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are
reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil.
3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers
remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the
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 and torment. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26;
2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
(M) The Personality of
Satan. We believe that Satan is a literal fallen
angel, the author of sin and the deceiver and tempter of Man; that he is the
open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished
in the
(N) Creation. We
believe that God created the complete universe in six literal, 24-hour
days. We reject evolution, the Gap
Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of
origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
(O) Civil Government. We
believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three
basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the
church, and 3) the state. Every person
is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves)
are answerable to God and governed by His Word.
God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and
balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has
the right to infringe upon the other.
The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their
respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1
Pet. 2:13-14)
(P) Human Sexuality.
1. We believe that God has commanded that no
intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and
a woman. We believe that any form of
homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication,
adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We
believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender
by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24;
Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1
Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
2. We believe that the only legitimate
marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph.
5:22-23)
(Q) Family
Relationships
1. We believe that men and women are
spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and
separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home,
and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for
licensure and ordination by the church.
(Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
2. We believe that God has ordained the
family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ
loves the church. The wife is to submit herself
to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the
headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord.
Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral
values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate
discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps.
127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph.
5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7)
(R) Divorce and
Remarriage. We believe that God intended marriage to
be between one man and one woman and to last until death. We do understand that divorce and remarriage
is dealt with in God’s Word and that each situation must be considered on a case
by case basis. (Gen
(S) Abortion. We
believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a
living human being. Abortion constitutes
the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of
pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or
population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are
acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5;
20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
(T) Love.
We believe that
we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but
also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to
deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the
taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving
personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to
abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in
such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom.
12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John
3:17-18)
(U) Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited
from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve
personal disputes. We believe the church
possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between
members. We do believe, however, that a
Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance
company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)
(V) Missions. We
believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel
to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation,
tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must
use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to
come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15;
Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)
(W) Giving. We
believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth
entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe
as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other
offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief
of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel.
We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of
the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10;
Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1
John 3:17, Ex. 35:5)
Section 2.02—Authority Of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust
the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all
that we believe. We do believe, however,
that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the
Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in
complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.
Section
2.03—Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the
Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on
profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and
this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another,
as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the
Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement
of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity
and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines;
to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to
contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the
expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel
through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and
private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation
of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the
world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary
in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to
abstain from worldly amusements such as viewing movies that would bring
reproach on the name and cause of Christ, gambling, ungodly music such as rock,
country, etc., and dancing; to be free from all ungodly oath-bound secret
societies and refrain from entering into partnerships with unbelievers; to
abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or
intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance
the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one
another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other
in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and
courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for
reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to secure
reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage,
that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with
some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God’s Word.
ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.01—Qualifications For Membership
Upon a majority vote of the members
present at any church service or meeting, membership shall be extended to all
who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration
through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior;
who renounce sin; who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord;
who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith contained herein; who enter into
the church covenant contained herein; who agree to submit to the authority of
the church and its leaders as set forth herein; and upon compliance with any
one of the following conditions:
(A) By
baptism (immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior;
(B) By letter of transfer from another
Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement
of good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by
immersion subsequent to a profession of faith;
(C) By testimony of faith, having been baptized
by immersion; or
(D) By restoration,
if having been removed from membership, upon majority vote of the congregation
after confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or
sins involved.
Section 3.02—Duties Of A Member
On becoming a member of this church, in
addition to the covenant contained in Article 2, Section 2.03, each one further
covenants to love, honor, and esteem the pastor; to pray for him; to recognize
his authority in spiritual affairs of the church; to cherish a brotherly love
for all members of the church; to support the church in prayer, attendance,
Christian service, tithes, offerings and with other financial support as the
Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands, to support through a
lifestyle walk affirming the beliefs and practices of the church.
Section 3.03—Privileges Of Membership
(A)
Only members at least eighteen years
of age who are physically present at a duly called meeting of the church shall
be entitled to vote. There shall be no proxy
or absentee voting. The eligible membership of the church has certain limited
areas to exercise a vote. Members may
not vote to initiate any church action, rather the vote of a member is to
confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by the pastor and
the board of deacons.
(B)
This congregation functions not as a
pure democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and
the direction of the pastor as the undershepherd with the counsel of the board
of deacons. Determinations of the
internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be
determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The pastor shall oversee and/or conduct all
aspects of this church. The board of
deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him.
(C) Membership in this church does not afford
the members with any property, contractual, or civil rights based on principles
of democratic government. Although the
general public is invited to all of the church’s worship services, the church
property remains private property. The
pastor (or in his absence, an individual designated by the board of deacons)
has the authority to suspend or revoke the right of any person, including a
member, to enter or remain on church property.
If after being notified of such a suspension or revocation, the person
enters or remains on church property, the person may, in the discretion of the
pastor (or in his absence, an individual designated by the board of deacons),
be treated as a trespasser.
(D)
A member, upon five-business days prior
written request made upon the church, may inspect or copy the prepared
financial statements of the church, the minutes of the proceedings of church
meetings, and the minutes of the proceedings of board meetings.
1. A
member may not, under any circumstances, inspect or copy any record relating to
individual contributions to the church, the list of names and addresses of the
church members, or the accounting books and financial records of the church.
2. The
church may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and
material, for copies of any documents provided to the member before releasing
the copies to the member.
Section 3.04—Discipline Of A Member
(A) There shall be a
discipline committee consisting of the pastor and the board of deacons. These men shall have sole authority in
determining heretical deviations from the Statement of Faith and violations of
the church covenant. If the pastor or a
deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of
the discipline committee. The pastor and
deacons shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be
subject to the same discipline.
(B) Members are
expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of
such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go
alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes, he should first examine
himself. When he goes, he should go with
a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.
(C) If
reconciliation is not reached, a second member, either a deacon or the pastor,
is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This second step should also be preceded by
self-examination and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of
restoration.
(D) If the matter is
still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been
taken, the discipline committee, as the church representatives Biblically
responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the
hearing before the discipline committee, the committee shall recommend to the
members of the church that they, the discipline committee, after
self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and
seek that member’s restoration.
(E) If the matter is
still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C), and (D) have
been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed
from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the membership
present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.
(F) No matter may be
heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the steps outlined in
subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public
offense.
(G) If an unrepentant
offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him
from that point forward (except by family members) must be for the sake of
restoration.
(H) The procedures
provided in this section are based on Matt. 18:15-20; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor.
5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:1-11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 10-15; 1 Tim.
5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.
Section 3.05—Transfer Of Membership
Members not under the disciplinary
process of Section 3.04 may request that letters of transfer be sent to another
church.
Section
3.06—Termination Of Membership
(A)
The membership of any individual
member shall be automatically terminated without notice if the member in
question has not attended a regular worship service of the church in the preceding
six months. Upon good cause being shown
to the pastor, this provision for termination may be waived in the case of any
individual member at the discretion of the pastor.
(B) No member of
this church may hold membership in another church. The membership of any individual member shall
automatically terminate without notice if the member unites in membership with
another church.
(C) The membership of any individual member
shall automatically terminate without notice if the member states that he or
she is actively involved in any conduct described in Section 2.01 (p) or files
a lawsuit in violation of Section 2.01 (V).
(D) No provision contained in this section
shall be subject to or governed by the procedures regarding discipline of
members set forth in Section 3.04.
(E) A member may
resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good
standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the
pastor.
ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS
Section 4.01—church Officers
The
church officers are pastor (see Article 5, Section
5.01), and deacon (see Article 5, Section 5.02). The pastor, from time to time as he deems
appropriate, may appoint other church officers, subject to a confirmation vote
of the church membership.
Section 4.02—Designation Of Corporate Officers
As an accommodation to legal
relationships outside the church, the pastor shall serve as president of the
corporation; the church secretary shall serve as secretary of the corporation;
the church treasurer shall serve as treasurer of the corporation; and the
chairman of the board of deacons shall serve as vice president of the
corporation.
Section 4.03—Eligibility For Office
(A) The church shall
not install or retain an officer who fails to adhere to or expresses
disagreement with the Statement of Faith as well as meet the Biblical
qualifications set forth in
(B) All church
officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the pastor in
order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
(C) Only church
members are eligible for election or appointment to any church office or
position. This does not include the
Pastor which is called by the church, or church staff, which is hired at the
discretion of the pastor.
Section
4.04—Terms Of Office
(A) The relationship
between the pastor and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the
option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual
consent. The calling of a pastor or
severance of the relationship between the pastor and the church may be considered
at any regular church administration meeting, provided notice to that effect
shall have been given from the pulpit to the church two Sundays prior to said regular church administration meeting. A three-fourths majority of the eligible
members present and voting shall be required to call a pastor or to sever the
relationship between the pastor and the church.
Disciplinary removal of the pastor from office automatically terminates
his membership. A restoration to
membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of
Section 3.01(D).
(B) The term of
service for all offices and positions in the church, except the pastor, shall
be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-appointed.
(C) A vacancy
occurring in any office or board, except in the case of the pastor, may be
filled at any regular church administration meeting.
(D) All elected and
appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their
successors are duly elected or appointed.
(E) Members of the
board of deacons may be removed from office for unbiblical conduct, as
determined by the other board members, upon a majority vote of the remaining
members of the board of deacons.
Section 4.05—Election Of Officers
The annual election of officers by the
church membership shall occur at the annual church administration meeting.
Section 4.06—pastoral Oversight Of Staff
(A) On the condition
that they shall become a member of the church upon assuming their duties, the
pastor may hire associates and assistants to assist the pastor in carrying out
his God-given responsibilities.
(B) All church
staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the pastor
who has the sole authority to dismiss the same.
No employee or volunteer shall be hired, appointed, or retained who
fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE 5 – DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS
Section 5.01—The pastor
(A) The pastor shall
preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel
of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of
the church, act as moderator at church meetings for the transaction of church
matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, and tenderly watch
over the spiritual interests of the membership.
(B) The pastor shall
appoint the members of the various committees at the annual church
administration meeting. He shall serve
as the president of the corporation. He
shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the particular function and
the responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship
to all new members on behalf of the church and perform such other duties as generally
appertain to such a position. The pastor shall be free to choose the means and
methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him.
(C) All appointments
for public worship and Bible study and the arrangements thereof, including time
and place and the use of the property belonging to the church for purposes
other than the stated appointments, shall be under the control of the pastor.
Section 5.02—The Board Of Deacons
(A) The board of
deacons shall assist the pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in
promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious
services, and in performing all other work of the church. They shall make provision for the observance
of the ordinances of the church. They
shall, if requested by the pastor, consider applications for church
membership. They shall, in cooperation
with the pastor, disburse the benevolence fund.
They shall assist the pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic
efforts of the church. The board of
deacons shall assist the pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the
church’s various ministries as requested by the pastor. They shall provide the pulpit supply and
choose a moderator for church meetings if the pastor is unavailable or the
office of pastor is vacant. Upon the
death, resignation, or dismissal of the pastor, the board of deacons may
appoint a pulpit committee.
(B) Immediately
following the annual church administration meeting, the board of deacons shall
assemble and elect, from their own number, a chairman who shall be vice
president of the corporation, a vice chairman, and a secretary.
(C) The board of
deacons shall constitute the board of trustees of the corporation. The board of trustees shall exercise only the
following specific powers, upon authorization by a majority vote of the members
present at a duly called church administration meeting:
1. To purchase,
hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the
church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on
behalf of the church;
2. To sell,
convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of,
and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property
of the church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the
use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the
indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures,
or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure repayment by deeds of trust,
mortgages, or pledges.
3. To exercise
all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation.
Section 5.03—The Church Secretary
The church secretary shall
either personally or by direction:
(A) Certify
and keep at the office of the church, the original bylaws or a copy, including
all amendments or alterations to the bylaws;
(B) Keep
at the place where the bylaws or a copy are kept a record of the proceedings of
meetings of the board of deacons, with the time and place of holding, the
notice of meeting given, the names of these present at the meetings;
(C) Sign,
certify, or attest documents as may be required by
law;
(D) See
that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these
bylaws. (In case of the absence or disability of the secretary, or his or her
refusal or neglect to act, notice may be given and served by the pastor or by
the chairman of the board of deacons.);
(E) Be
custodian of the records of the church, including the membership roll,
baptisms, and certificates of ordination, licenses and commissions;
(F) See
that the reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records
required by law are properly kept and filed;
(G) Exhibit
at all reasonable times to proper persons on terms provided by law the bylaws
and minutes of proceedings of the board of deacons or the minutes of the
meetings of the church members;
(H) Keep
an account of any special events in the life of the church which are of
historical interest and give a report at the annual church administration
meeting of the status of the church membership roll in the past year;
(I) Keep
all records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon
leaving office;
(J) Serve
as the secretary of the corporation.
Section 5.04—the Church Treasurer
The
church treasurer shall either personally or by direction:
(A) Have
charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the corporation,
and deposit all funds in the name of the church in banks, trust companies, or
other depositories as shall be selected by the pastor or the board of deacons;
(B) Receive,
and give receipt for all contributions, gifts, and donations to the church;
(C) Disburse,
or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the church as may be directed by the
pastor, the board of deacons, or the budget adopted by the members of the
church at the annual church administration meeting, taking proper vouchers for
the disbursements;
(D) Keep
and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the church’s properties and
business transactions including account of its assets, liabilities, receipts,
disbursements, and capital;
(E) Make
all expenditures of the church (except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements)
by check;
(F) When
and as requested, render to the pastor and the board of deacons accounts of all
his transactions as minister of finance and of the financial condition of the
church;
(G) Present
a written report of itemized disbursements at regular church administration
meetings and make a general report for the year at the annual church
administration meeting;
(H) Keep
all church financial records at the office of the church and deliver them to
any successor upon leaving office;
(I) Serve as treasurer of the corporation.
Section 5.05—Associate pastors
Under the direction and guidance of the
pastor, the associate pastor(s) of the church shall assist the pastor in
carrying out the ministries of the church.
Section 5.06—Duties Of All Officers
(A) All officers
shall prepare a written report of their work for the annual church
administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their possession to
the minister of records at the close of their term of office to be filed as a
permanent record of the work of the church.
All records are the property of the church and must be kept in the
church office.
(B) Any officer who
neglects his duties as outlined in the bylaws for a period of three months may
be removed from his office at the discretion of the pastor, and another may be
appointed by the pastor to serve the un-expired term.
Section 5.09—Installation Of Officers
A public installation service in which
all newly elected officers of the church are to be dedicated to their
respective offices and the ordination of newly elected deacons shall be held at
a public church service following their election at the annual church administration
meeting.
ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS
Section 6.01—Meetings For Worship
Unless otherwise determined by the
pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and
evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. Except when circumstances forbid it, the
ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed on a regular basis or as the
Pastor feels is needed.
Section 6.02—Meetings For church Administration
(A) The annual
church administration meeting shall be held in January or early February,
when the yearly financial records are reconciled, at which time the regular
church administration shall be considered.
A quorum shall consist of the voting members present.
(B) All church
administration meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer for divine
guidance and blessing.
(C) The moderator
shall determine the rules of procedure according to his sense of fairness and
common sense, giving all members a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a
matter. The moderator is the final
authority on questions of procedure, and his decision is final and controlling.
The following order shall be observed at the regular church administration
meetings:
1. Devotions
& prayer
2.
3. Reception of members
4. Dismissal of members
5. Report of officers
6. Reports of standing committees
7. Reports of special committees
8. Unfinished matters
9. Election of officers
10. New matters
11. Adjournment
12. Benediction
(D) For any meeting under this article, the
moderator, in his sole discretion, shall have full and unilateral authority to
require nonmembers to leave the meeting room and to order the immediate removal
of any member or other person present who is deemed by the moderator to be disruptive
to the proceedings by act or presence.
The moderator shall have full authority to order the removal of all
children (ages to be determined by the moderator) if the moderator determines,
in his sole discretion, that circumstances so warrant. If the moderator determines that compliance
with his order of removal is unsatisfactory, the moderator may, in his sole
discretion, revoke the disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises in
accordance with Section 3.03(C) and treat the person as a trespasser.
Section 6.03—Special Meetings
(A) The pastor (or
deacons if the office of pastor is vacant or the pastor is the subject of
possible disciplinary action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such
a meeting and the purpose for which it is called to the church from the pulpit
at least two Sundays and not less than 10 days prior to said meeting. A meeting for the calling of a pastor or the
severance of the relationship between the church and pastor shall be called in
accordance with the provision of Section 4.04(A).
(B) Bible
conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the pastor
deems beneficial.
Section 6.04—Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the church shall begin
January 1st and end December 31st.
ARTICLE 7 – MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Section
7.01—Purpose
The church believes that the home is
responsible before God for Biblical training.
To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education in
keeping with the following dictates. In
an effort to assist the members, the church shall endeavor to provide the
members’ children with religious education which is based upon and consistent
with Biblical teachings.
Section
7.02—church Participation
All educational programs or courses of
instruction formulated and offered by the church shall be primarily for the
benefit of the members of the church; however, the pastor may permit non-church
members to participate in church educational programs or courses of instruction
if he deems it in the best interest of the church.
Section
7.03—Staff Membership
All instructors, teachers, and
administrators shall be members of this church. This provision shall not apply to visiting
missionaries, evangelists, or preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering
sermons, conducting revivals, or other special meetings on a temporary
basis. This article does not include
child care employees other than the director and assistant director.
Section
7.04—Statement of Faith Accord
All educational programs or courses of
instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the Statement of
Faith of the church. The church shall
not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer for its educational
programs who fails to adhere to or expresses
disagreement with the Statement of Faith.
Section
7.05—Unity
All educational programs or courses of
instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the
church.
Section
7.06—Teaching
All educational programs or courses of
instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant
Word of God. Any assertion or belief
which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and
distortion of the truth which will be disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every instructor
or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of
knowledge and wisdom.
Section
7.07—Christian Walk
All administrators, instructors, and
teachers shall continue or adopt a lifestyle consistent with the precepts which
they teach, whether in or out of the classroom.
ARTICLE 8 – ORDINATION
Section 8.01—Ordination Qualifications
Any member of this church or its mission
churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the
ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus
1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.
Section 8.02—Ordination Procedure
(A) Upon a conference
with the pastor and after the pastor has approved the candidate for ordination,
the pastor shall call a council to examine and pass on the qualification of the
candidate. The ordination council shall consist of ordained ministers of like
faith invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.
(B) If the candidate
is found worthy of ordination by the council, the ordination council may ordain
the candidate on behalf of the church.
(C) The pastor or
staff shall arrange for the ordination service.
ARTICLE 9 – INDEMNIFICATION
Section
9.01—Actions Subject To Indemnification
The
church may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
including all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the church)
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a pastor, deacon, officer,
employee, or agent of the church, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding; and if that
person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the church and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or on a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create
a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the church
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section
9.02—Expenses Subject To Indemnification
To
the extent that a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent has been successful
on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding
referred to in this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in
that action, suit, or proceeding, he or she may be indemnified against
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.
Section
9.03—Limitations Of Indemnification
Any
indemnification made under this Article, may be made by the church only as authorized
in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the pastor,
deacon, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this
Article. The determination shall be made
(a) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of the pastor and deacons who
were not and are not parties to or threatened with the action, suit, or
proceeding; (b) if the described quorum is not obtainable or if a majority vote
of a quorum of disinterested deacons so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion; or (c) by a majority vote of the members of the church.
Section 9.04—Timing Of Indemnification
Expenses
of each person seeking indemnification under this Article, may be paid by the
church as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action,
suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the board of deacons in the specific
case, on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the pastor, deacon, officer,
employee, or agent to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that he
or she is not qualified to be indemnified by the church.
Section
9.05—Extent Of Indemnification
The
indemnification provided by this Article shall be deemed to be discretionary
unless otherwise required as a matter of law or under any agreement or provided
by insurance purchased by the church, both as to action of each person seeking
indemnification under this Article in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding that office, and may continue as to a person who
has ceased to be a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent and may inure to
the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of that person.
Section
9.06—Insurance
The
church may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or
was a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in that capacity, or arising
out of his status in that capacity, whether or not the church would have the
power to indemnify him against liability under the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE 10 –
COMMITTEES
section 10.01—standing committees
The pastor (or the
board of deacons if the office of pastor is vacant) shall appoint standing
committees and designate a chairperson for each standing committee and, except
when otherwise specifically provided in these bylaws, shall determine the
membership of each standing committee.
In addition to the discipline committee, the pastor may appoint other
standing committees as he deems appropriate.
SECTION 10.02—SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The board of deacons, in its discretion, may create special committees to
provide the board with advice and information regarding matters submitted to
the committee by the board for consideration.
The committee shall have no authority to act on behalf of the
corporation. The members of the
committee shall be chosen by a majority vote of the board of deacons and shall
serve solely at the pleasure of the board of deacons. The special committee shall be subject to the
control and direction of the board of deacons at all times.
ARTICLE 11 – DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
From time to time the church, in the
exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish
various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for
their contributions, but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than
mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise
designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the
pastor and the board of deacons. No
fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to
the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of
any of the purposes stated in Section 1.02.
ARTICLE 12 – BINDING ARBITRATION
Section
12.01—Submission To Arbitration
Believing
that lawsuits between believers are prohibited by Scripture, all members of
this church agree to submit to binding arbitration any matters which cannot
otherwise be resolved, and expressly waive any and all rights in law and equity
to bringing any civil disagreement before a court of law, except that judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.
Section
12.02—Notice Of Arbitration
In
the event of any dispute, claim, question, or disagreement arising out of or
relating to these bylaws or any other church matter, the parties shall use
their best efforts to settle such disputes, claims, questions, or disagreement
as befits Christians. To this effect,
they shall consult and negotiate with each other in good faith and, recognizing
their mutual interests not to disgrace the name of Christ, seek to reach a just
and equitable solution. If they do not
reach such solution within a period of sixty (60) days, then upon notice by
either party to the other, disputes, claims, questions, or differences shall be
finally settled by arbitration as described in section 12.01, above, and such
Procedures for Arbitration as are adopted pursuant to Section 12.04, below.
Section
12.03—Limitations On Arbitration Decisions
(A) Should
any dispute involve matters of church discipline, the arbitrators shall be
limited to determining whether the procedures for church discipline as outlined
under Section 3.04, were followed.
(B) Should
any dispute involve the removal from office of the pastor or any church
officer, the arbitrators shall be limited to determining whether the procedures
set forth in Section 3.04 were followed.
Section
12.04—Arbitration Procedures
The
Procedures for Arbitration shall be as adopted by the pastor and the board of
deacons.
ARTICLE 13 – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be revised or amended by
a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular church
administration meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been
submitted in writing and announced from the pulpit fourteen (14) days before
the vote is taken.
These bylaws were adopted by a two-thirds
majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting of the
church in which a quorum was present.
These bylaws supersede any other bylaws
of
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Church Secretary |
Voted and received in June 2005