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Senior Pastor and Wife/ Leroy and Annie Williams |
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Our Mission The mission of our ministry as directed by or lord Jesus Christ is to spread the good news, or gospel throughout our communities, and the world. Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Mark 16:15, “And
he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” John 20:21, “Then said
Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send
I you.” Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Our Church Covenant Having
been led by the Holy Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as 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 this
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 this
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 pre-eminence over all institutions of human
origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministries
of this church and the expenses of this church, the relief of the poor, and the
spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to train our
children according to the Word of God; to seek salvation of our kindred, and all
of our acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our
dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid
all tattling, backbiting and aggressive anger, 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 in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for
reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of the Savior, to secure it without
delay. We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unit with some other church of like faith, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant, and the principles of God’s Word. Our Church BylawsARTICLE I
SUMMARY
We believe that a Bible
Believing christian is One, who believes, ·
In a supernatural Bible ·
Which tells of a supernatural
Christ: ·
Who had a supernatural birth ·
Who spoke supernatural words ·
Who performed supernatural miracles ·
Who lived a supernatural life ·
Who died a supernatural death ·
Who rose in supernatural power ·
Who ascended in a supernatural
splendor ·
Who intercedes as a supernatural
priest ·
Who will one day return in a
supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
(or
Statements of Faith) I.
OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy
Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any
admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is and shall remain to the end
of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man;
the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. 1.
By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from
Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and
convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. 2.
By “inspiration’ we mean that the books of the Bible were written by
holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way
that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from
error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21, Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psalms
119:160; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke
24:44-45; Psalms 119:89; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4; I Peter 1:23, Revelation
22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalms
19:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39. II.
OF THE TRUE GOD We
believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God: infinite,
intelligent Spirit, the Maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence
and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons … the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and
executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20:2-3;
Genesis 17:1; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalms 147:5; Psalms
83:18; Psalms 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; I Timothy
1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6;
I John 5:7; III.
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT That
the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son
and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation
to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil one until God’s purpose is
fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgement and of righteousness; that He
bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is
the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses,
sanctifies, and helps the believer. John 14:16-17,
Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; IV.
OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN We
believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride
and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels;
that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god
of this world. We hold him to be
man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the
saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present
apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of
darkness – however, destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son,
and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and
his angels. Isaiah 14:12-15;
Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; V.
OF CREATION We
believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted
literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly
in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a
matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through
interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animals and
vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they
should bring forth only “after their kind.” Genesis 1:1; Exodus
20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; VI.
OF THE FALL OF MAN We
believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by
voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of
which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and
therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6;
Romans 5:12; Romans 5:19; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1,3; Romans 1:18; Ezekiel
18:19-20; Romans 1:32; Romans 1:20, Romans 1:28; Galatians 3:22. VII.
OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH We
believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God who by appointment of the Father, freely
took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His
personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our
sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as
a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place,
the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body
on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and
uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection.
He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all
sufficient Savior. Ephesians 2:8; Acts
15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; VIII.
OF THE GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION We
believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new
birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that is instantaneous and not a
process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a
partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God;
that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not
by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, by wholly and solely by
the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure
our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that is proper evidence appear in the
holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. John 3:3; II
Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; I John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Peter 1:4; Romans
6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 1:12-13;
Galatians 5:22; IX.
OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION We
believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free
to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a
cordial, penitent and an obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of
the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated
condemnation. I Thessalonians 1:4;
Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah
55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isaiah
53:7; John 3:15-16; I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; John
5:40; John 3:18,36. X.
OF JUSTIFICATION We
Believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe
in Him is Justification; that is justification includes the pardon of sin, and
the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not
in consideration of any works or righteousness; that it is bestowed not in
consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely
through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us. Acts 13:39; Isaiah
53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17;
Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:38. XI.
OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH We
believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable
graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being
deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of
salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and
supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus
Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Acts 20:21; Mark
1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Psalms 51:7; Isaiah
55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-11. XII.
OF THE CHURCH
We
believe that a Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a
covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said church being understood to
be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing the
ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and
privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are
pastors of elders whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in
the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great
Commission: First, to make
individuals disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and
instruct as He has commanded. We do
not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the
absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy
of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is
Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to
cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of
the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and
method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of
government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is
final. Acts 2:41; Acts
2:42; I Corinthians 11:12; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; XIII.
OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER We
believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the
name of the Father, of the Son, who is Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost, with
the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful
emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in
our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the
privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s supper in which the members
of the church by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to
commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn
self-examination. Acts 8:36-39;
Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19, 20; XIV.
OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS We
believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their
persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from
superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare;
and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. John 8:31-32;
Colossians 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matthew 13:19-21; Romans 8:28; XV.
OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED We
believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous
and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous
in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His
sight wicked and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in
and after death, in; the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting
conscious suffering of lost. Malachi 3:18;
Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 1:18; Romans 1:17; XVI.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT We
believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good
order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously
honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the
kings of the earth. Romans 13:7; II
Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; XVII.
OF THE RESURRECTION AND THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS We
believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face
and full value. Of the
Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “The third day according to
the Scriptures;” that He alone is our “merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God;” “that this same Jesus which is taken from you
into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven”
– bodily, personally and visible; that the “dead in Christ shall rise
first,” that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” “that the Lord God shall give unto
Him the throne of His Father David;” and that “Christ shall reign a thousand
years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.” Matthew 28:6-7; Luke
24:39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-7; XVIII.
OF MISSIONS The
command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this
Commission was given to the churches. Matthew 28:18-20,
“And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end
of the world. Amen.” Mark 16:15, “And
he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” John 20:21, “Then
said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.” Romans 10:13-15,
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent?
As it is written, How beautiful are the feet that preach the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” XIX.
OF THE GRACE OF GIVING Scriptural
giving is one of the fundamentals of faith. II Corinthians 8:7,
“Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace
also.” We
are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the
church) upon the first day of the week. I Corinthians 16:2,
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as
God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Under Grace we give,
and do not pay, the tithe – “Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils” –
Hebrews 7:2,4 – and this was four hundred years before the law, and is the New
Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, “These ye ought to have done”
– Matthew 23:23. We
are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. Leviticus 27:30,
“The tithe … is the Lord’s.” Malachi 3:10,
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open
you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it.” In
the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church. Acts 4:34, 35, 37,
“And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the
apostles’ feet … Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT
THE APOSTLES’ FEET.” XX.
OF THE ETERNAL STATE We
believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life with
God, and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment without God; 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 first resurrection, when the
souls of unbelievers of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery
until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall be
judged and cast into the “Lake of Fire” not to be annihilated, but to suffer
an everlasting conscious punishment. Matthew 18:8, 19:29,
25:41, 25:46; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 5:1, 16:9, 19-31, 18:30; John 3:16, 36,
4:14, 5:24, 6:27, 6:40,47, 11:25, 12:50, 14:1-6; Acts 2:31, 13:46, 24:15; Romans
6:5,22, 16:26; 1 Corinthians 15:21,42;2 Corinthians 5:8; Galatians 6:8;
Philippians 3:10; 2 Th 1:9, 2:16; 1
Tim 1:16, 6:16; Heb 6:2, 13:20;1 Peter 1:3; 2 Pet 1:11; Jude 1:6; Rev 14:6,
19:20, 20:6,10,14-15 XXI.
OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK FOR WORSHIP We
believe that Sunday is to be set aside for special worship in commemoration of
the Resurrection of Christ; this day was set aside for New Testament worship by
the disciples to bring the Christian into remembrance that we the saved are no
longer under the “Law” but now are under “Grace.” This day should therefore be observed in a manner that calls
the world and church to remembrance of Him. Mat 28:1; Mark
16:2,9 Luke 24:1; John 20:1,19; Acts 20:7,18; 1 Cor 16:2; Phil 1:5 ARTICLE II PURPOSE A.
This assembly is organized and maintained for the following purposes: 1.
To edify Christians through preaching and teaching the whole council of
God. 2.
To promote fellowship among believers. 3.
To promote worship of God. 4.
To encourage prayer, bible study, and Christ centered life styles. 5.
To administer the church ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s supper. 6.
To earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. 7.
To fulfill the Great Commission as given in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark
16:15. B.
Means of Promoting the purposes: In order to fulfill these purposes, this church shall
engage in activities and conduct ministries which may include, but are not
limited to, worship services, evangelistic services, prayer meetings, youth
activities, radio and television programs, a day school, a Sunday school, a bus
ministry, a Children’s church, missionary activities, nursing homes, a Bible
Institute, a college, and / or seminary. ARTICLE III Membership A.
Admission of New Member defined: 1.
To be eligible for membership of this local assembly a person MUST meet
the following requirements: a.
He / She MUST have received the Lord Jesus Christ as his / her personal
Savior and followed the Lord Jesus Christ in Baptist. b.
He / She MUST have made or will make a public profession of his / her
salvation. c.
He / She MUST have been scripturally baptized by immersion in water by a
church of like faith. d.
He / She may come by a promise of a letter from another Church. e.
He / She may come by statement of Faith if a letter from another Church
can NOT be obtained. f.
He / She may come by “RESTORATION”: any person whose membership has
been terminated may be restored only upon careful consideration; and close
examination of the evidence of that person’s repentance and reformation; upon
vote of the church, and the extending of the right hand of Christian fellowship. B.
DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIP: 1.
Read the Church Covenant and Articles of Faith at least once annually. 2.
Pray for this church, its’ ministries and leaders regularly. 3.
Systematically give a portion of income to this church in obedience to
Scriptures. 4.
Regularly attend services of this church. 5.
Whole-heartedly support the services and activities of this church. 6.
Exercise the gift or gifts that God has given you in the context of this
church. 7.
Must uphold and teach all the doctrines; precepts and covenant of Faith
accepted, preached and taught within this church. 8.
To help further the gospel, build and maintain the ministries of this
church. C.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: 1.
Membership shall terminate in the event of any of the following: a.
Death of the member b.
Letter of recommendation on behalf of the member to another church of
like faith and order. c.
After one year of inactivity. d.
Discipline by church council pursuance to the terms of Article VI hereof. e.
By acquiring membership in another church. 2.
All privileges of membership, including any right, title, and / or
interest in or to the church corporation or its property, shall immediately
cease on the termination of his or her membership. ARTICLE IV Discipline of
Members A.
A board may be appointed by the Pastor to investigate a written charge
made by one or more active members of this church against another member
alleging he / she is guilty of any of the following: 1.
Manifesting inconsistency of flagrant sin in his or her Christian life. 2.
Showing indifference toward the Christian life and of this Church. 3.
Holding a position or positions contrary to the Article of Faith. 4.
Showing a disregard in the church. 5.
Causing contention or strife within the church. 6.
Immoral conduct. 7.
Evidencing any other conduct contrary to the Covenant or Statement /
Article of Faith or to the Bible. B.
If the board finds that the charges are substantially or completely
accurate, it shall direct the LEAST DRASTIC remedial measures necessary to
rectify the matter and return the guilty member to fellowship with the church. C.
If it is NOT possible to restore the member to fellowship with the
Church, the board shall recommend to the Church, as a LAST RESORT, that his /
her membership be terminated. D.
In the case of personal differences between members of the church, the
Pastor shall recommend that the parties endeavor to settle their differences
scripturally in the manner laid down by our Savior in Matthew 18:15-17. ARTICLE V Government A.
ECCLESIASTICAL This church shall never come under the authority of
any ecclesiastical body, but shall remain an independent testimony,
acknowledging only the Lord Jesus Christ as its Head, the Holy Scriptures as its
infallible guide and the Holy Spirit as its teacher. B.
INTERNAL Under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, the
government of this church is vested solely in the Body of the believers who
compose its voting membership (hereafter referred to as the “church
council”). ARTICLE VI Officers and other Leadership Positions A.
The officers of this church shall be the President (Pastor), Clerk, and
Treasurer. B.
The Pastor shall direct the church leadership as the Holy Spirit directs
him. C.
All church leaders and officers, regardless of position shall: 1.
Be church members of this church. 2.
Be faithful to all public services of the church. 3.
Have a vital Christian testimony and demonstrate the call of God to the
local church in their specific field of service. 4.
Engaged in soul winning. 5.
Give a recorded record of all tithes and offerings from their income. D.
All candidates for elected church offices or leadership positions MUST be
approved by
the Pastor prior to their being nominated.
Any member may submit the name of
another member to the Pastor for consideration as a
candidate for a church office or elected leadership position. E.
Vacancies in an elected church office or elected leadership position may
be filled by appointment
by the Pastor.
Description of
Leadership Positions A.
CLERK 1.
ELECTION: a.
The clerk shall be elected at the annual Church Business Meeting to serve
for a period of one year. 2.
DUTIES: a.
He / She shall keep current
and accurate minutes of all church business meetings. b.
He / She shall, upon his / her retirement or removal from office, deliver
to his / her successor or the Pastor all records, files, documents, papers, or
items belonging to the church and present the same with all contents complete to
the date of surrender. B.
TREASURER 1.
ELECTION: a.
The treasurer shall be elected at the annual Church Business Meeting to
serve for a period of one year. 2.
DUTIES: a.
He / She shall receive from the Pastor all funds and shall be responsible
for the crediting and banking of such funds each week to the accounts of the
church, in a bank designated by the Church. b.
He / She shall disperse funds by cash or check against the bills,
invoices or statements properly approved by the Pastor or against authorized
expenditures. c.
He / She shall submit a financial statement to the Pastor each month. d.
He / She shall, upon his retirement or removal from office, deliver to
the new treasurer or Pastor all records, checks, cancelled vouchers, receipts,
papers or any other items held by him / her during their duration as treasurer. C.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND DEACONS 1.
QUALIFICATIONS: a.
All members of these boards shall be men or women at least twenty-one
years of age. Holding membership in
this church for at least six months. 2.
ELECTION: a.
The trustees and deacons shall be elected by the body and approved by the
pastor. 3.
TERM: a.
These boards shall be composed of lay members of this church and the
Pastor. b.
These boards shall be elected at the annual church business meeting. 4.
DUTIES AND AUTHORITY: a.
Assist the Pastor in securing and holding in trust all property and other
legal matters. b.
Seek out members of the church who need assistance and use the necessary
resources of the church for their relief under the direction of the Pastor. c.
Perform all other duties and acts specified in other Articles of this
Constitution but NOT specifically enumerated in the Article. 5.
MEETINGS: a.
The officers shall meet whenever necessary as determined by the Pastor. b.
Except as otherwise provided herein the acts at a duly called meeting of
the Officers of a majority of the quorum present shall be the acts of the
Officers. D.
COMMITTEES: 1.
The Pastor shall create all committees of the church. 2.
The Pastor shall appoint the Chairman of each committee. 3.
All committee members shall be members of this church. 4.
All committees are responsible to the Pastor and exist at the discretion
of the Pastor. 5.
No committee or committee member has authority to act on behalf of the
church except as specially authorized to do so by the Pastor, but shall only
make recommendations to the Pastor and church. E.
PASTORATE 1.
QUALIFICATIONS: a.
He shall have the gift of pastor-teacher for equipping the saints to do
the work of the ministry. b.
He shall have a wholehearted committal to the task of world evangelism. c.
He shall express his conviction that he is called of God to be the Pastor
of this church. 2.
CALL: a.
He shall be interviewed by the Pulpit committee and thereafter be
recommended to the church. b.
He shall be extended a call only after such recommendation and a
two-thirds vote of the quorum present at a duly called church meeting. 3.
DUTIES: a.
He shall assume the spiritual leadership of all areas of church life. b.
He shall give himself to much prayer and Bible Study. c.
He shall hire and supervise all ministries of the Church, which have as
their primary function spiritual goals and objectives. These persons include, but are NOT limited to, assistant
pastors, ministers of Christian Education, youth, music, evangelism and all
office personnel. d.
He shall serve as moderator of all church business meetings. e.
He shall preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God at all regular
scheduled church services, except when he is absent from the pulpit, and then he
will see that the pulpit has bee filled by someone qualified. f.
He shall administer the ordinances referred to in Article XIV hereof, or
appoint an assistant who is qualified. g.
He shall perform all other acts and duties commensurate with teaching of
the Bible with regard to the Pastor of a local New Testament Church. 4.
SALARY a.
Salary will be agreed upon at the time the Pastor has been called by the
Church. The Pastor will approve all
raises or increases.
F.
CHURCH STAFF
1.
EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES: a.
The hiring and duties of the Church staff shall be the responsibility of
the Pastor. 2. TERMINATION: a.
Termination of any member or employee of the Church shall be at the
discretion of the Pastor. b.
The Pastor will determine salaries, benefit packages, and pay increases. ARTICLE
VIII Missions A.
POLICY Any person desiring consideration as candidate(s) for
missionary support must have received recommendation by the Pastor of this
church. An organization or person
desiring support must contact the Pastor by letter of telephone.
The Pastor will review the application to determine whether the applicant
is qualified. The applicant will
upon approval of the Pastor, present his ministry to the church.
If funds are available, or can be raised, then the church will offer
support of such ministry efforts on the recommendation of the Pastor. B.
QUALIFICATIONS 1.
The Pastor of this church shall determine the qualifications of
Missionaries or Mission projects. 2.
An applicant must, or have immediate plans to, be actively engaged in the
preaching of the Gospel and the establishment of indigenous local churches on an
acceptable mission field. 3.
An applicant shall have a vital Christian testimony and demonstrate a
call of God to his ministry and field of work. 4.
An applicant or organization, missionary or Mission Board being supported
must maintain a sound financial policy that is readily available for observation
and study. C.
TERMINATION OF MISSIONARY SUPPORT 1.
Support provided a missionary by this church does not constitute a
binding contract. Missionary
support is terminable at will, by the Pastor without due cause. ARTICLE
IX Services A.
The Church shall meet Sunday morning of every Lord’s Day for public
worship of God, prayer and Bible studies. B.
The Church shall meet at least once per mid-week for worship, prayer and
Bible study. C.
The Church shall meet at other times designated by the Pastor. ARTICLE
X Business
Meetings A.
An annual church business meeting shall be held at a time appointed by
the pastor. 1.
In addition to any other business which may be timely considered, annual
reports shall be presented, and elected leaders shall be voted on at this
meeting. B.
SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS 1.
Special business meetings may be called in any of the following manners: a.
By the Pastor at any time. C.
All voting for a Pastor and changes in the Constitution or By-Laws shall
be on secret ballots. Other voting
shall be by show of hands or voice vote. D.
All decisions are subject to the Pastor’s final approval. ARTICLE
XI Order
of Business A.
The moderator shall be the pastor. He shall keep and maintain order and
state. B.
The moderator shall cause the meeting to be opened and closed in prayer. C.
The moderator, when appropriate, shall establish a quorum and call for
the business of the church in the following order: 1.
Devotional exercise. 2.
Read the minutes of the previous meeting. 3.
Give the financial report and any other applicable reports. D.
BUSINESS PROCEDURE 1.
All items of business handled during a congregational meeting are to be
presented by the Pastor. 2.
The following steps will be followed: a.
A motion will be asked for and seconded in order to open the item up for
discussion. b.
The motion is then discussed and voted upon.
A majority congregational vote not in favor will cause the motion to be
dropped. ARTICLE
XII Ordinances THE CHURCH SHALL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING TWO
ORDINANCES
A. BAPTISM
1.
Baptism is to be administered only after a candidate’s profession of
faith in Jesus Christ and is to be conducted by the Pastor or by an assistant
appointed by the Pastor. B.
THE LORD’S SUPPER 1.
The Lord’s Supper is to be administered by the Pastor as often as the
Pastor deems necessary with grape juice and unleavened bread. ARTICLE
XIII Financial
Policy This church shall be supported by tithes and the
freewill offerings of the Lord’s people. ARTICLE
XIV Amendments A.
This Constitution, other than the Covenant and Statement of Faith, may be
amended at a duly organized business meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members
present and upon the recommendation and approval of the Pastor. B.
The Covenant, The Summary, and the ARTICLES OF FAITH therefore shall NOT
be repealed, amended, altered or modified in any manner whatsoever. ARTICLE
XV Miscellaneous
Provisions A.
All church financial statements shall be kept on file and stored at the
church and made available for review by all active members during daily office
hours. B.
This church, including all of its ministries, shall accept no funds,
services, or benefits of any kind whatsoever from any level of government or
agency unless the church pays a fair market value for the same. C.
No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any persons from the
assets, holdings, or other transactions in which this church may become
involved. D.
No fees shall be levied against any member of this church. E.
The fiscal year of this church shall be from January 1 through December
31. ARTICLE
XVI Dissolution In the event of the dissolution of this church, all of
its debts shall be fully satisfied. None
of its assets or holdings shall be divided among the members but shall be
irrevocably dedicated by the Officers to such other, non-profit religious groups
as are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Statement of Faith,.
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