ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1.01—NAME
This congregation of believers shall be known as Jesus Is Lord Community Church.
SECTION 1.02—PURPOSE1
This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educa-
tional purposes including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious
worship, 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 believ-
ers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture, both in Sabbath 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 FAITH2
The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.
The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testa-
ment to be the verbally and plenarily 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. (2 Tim. 3:16-17;
2 Pet. 1:20-21)
Dispensationalism. We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural,
literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which de-
fine 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)
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,
coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14)
The Person and Work of Christ.
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 sin-
ful 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)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption
through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary
sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet.
2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
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; Rom.
8:34; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of
righteousness, and of judgement; 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)
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. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
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.
(Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)
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. Speaking in
tongues (languages) through the power of the holy spirit for the demonstration
of God's power, wisdom, and purpose in establishing the Church, and was always
done only in a known language. (Acts 2:6, 1 Corinthians 14:22)
Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consum-
mation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses
to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8;14:21-22)
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. Man is totally depraved and, of himself,
utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23;
Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
Salvation. We believe that salvation is the free gift of God brought to all of mankind without exception
by grace, and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed
on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except blasphe-
my of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.
(Matt. 12:31-32; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9)
The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.
We believe that all the redeemed, once truly saved, 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)
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. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
The Church. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride
of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons. (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor.
11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is
clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27;
20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external author-
ity 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)
We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordi-
nances of obedience for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20;
Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
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 associa-
tions, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings,
and bodily markings. (Lev. 19:28; Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Cor. 6:19-20;
2 Cor. 6:14;7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)
The Great Commission. We believe that every born again person is called by
Christ to be his disciple whose primary purpose in life should be to make Christ known to
the world through personal evangelism. (Matt 28 18-19, Mark 16:15, John 17:18,
Acts1:8, 2 Cor 5 18-20, 1 Pet 1:17; 2:11)
The Second Advent of Christ. We believe in that blessed hope, the personal,
imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church to Heaven and destroy the wicked by the brightness
of his coming on the last day, at which time the earth is destroyed. After a 1000 year period with his church in
Heaven, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic
Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess.
1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
The Eternal State.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life,
and the unsaved to judgement and destruction. (Matt. 25:46;
John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)
We believe that the dead, absent from the body and present with the Lord, sleep where in
conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when breath of life and body are reunited
to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17;
Rev. 20:4-6)
We believe that unbelievers remain sleeping in the grave, after death,
until the second resurrection, when with breath of life and
body are reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgement, and
shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, to be destroyed and eternally seperated from
God and their loved ones. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48;
Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
The 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 and
man; and that he shall be eternally destroyed in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isa.
14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
Creation. We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods.
We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution
as unscriptural theories of origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
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 authori-
ties 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 Bib-
lically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24;
Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
Human Sexuality. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one 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. All homosexual people may attend Church at Jesus Is Lord Community Church, but membership is available only to born again believers who shun homosexuality. Homosexuality among members instantly forfeits membership in our Church. (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)
We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2;1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23) Pertaining to the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding marriage; Jesus Is Lord Community Church, publicly declares their established rules concerning any and all marriages conducted by any representative of the church, whether on or off the property owned by the church.
No person will be considered a candidate for marriage, no matter their sex, unless they are a member of Jesus Is Lord Community Church, and is found to be living a faithful Christian life according to the teachings of the New Testament (Rev. 2:10). Those who desire to become a member of Jesus Is Lord Community Church must first meet the requirements for church membership as established by God in the New Testament in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost in A.D. 33 (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13, 2 Pet. 3:9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Anyone who fails to meet all the requirements of church membership, as taught in the New Testament according to the interpretation of Jesus Is Lord Community Church pastor and elders, will not be considered a candidate for marriage by anyone representing Jesus Is Lord Community Church, or on property owned by the church. Anyone who meets the requirements for membership, and is found to be living a faithful Christian life according to the teachings of the New Testament (Rev. 2:10), will not be forbidden marriage by the church.
Family Relationships
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. The husband is to be the
leader of the home and the church, with woman his helpmate, and God
expects both men and women to assume leadership roles in the church.
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institu-
tion 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 correc-
tion. (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; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb.
13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)
Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God has commanded husband and
wife to love one another as Christ loved the Church, and that God wants a good
Christian marriage to last until death. We also recognize that in Biblical Jewish
divorce law, the actions of divorce and "put away" are two different actions. Christ
repeatedly forbade "putting away" a spouse (dismissing them without a "Get", the
divorce certificate required by the law of Moses) and that Christ reference to committing
adultery was about marrying a person who had been improperly divorced (put away),
because a woman who had been put away without a certificate of divorcement (called
the "agunah") was still married to the first spouse. It was not considered a sin in the
Bible for any properly divorced person to remarry or to serve in the Church, otherwise
even God himself, who divorced Israel in Jeremiah 3, along with many others that God
chose to use in the Bible would be disqualified from serving. 1 Timothy 3:2 (mias gunaikos,
Greek, -of, or belonging to one woman) is a verse that condemns polygamy, not divorce.
We also acknowledge that the "God hates divorce" scripture was improperly translated,
and is about putting away ("shalach"), not divorce. Paul wrote that a "woman is bound
by the law of her husband as long as he liveth" because women had no right to divorce
in the law of Moses; only men. "Equally yoked" couples (two professing Christians of proper
age and opposite sex), including the otherwise qualified properly divorced, may marry,
remarry, or serve in this Church in any capacity, even as a Deacon or Pastor, in keeping
with Christ's promise of forgiveness and only ONE unpardonable sin, as we are not forgiven
if we are still considered unworthy to serve or remarry even after repentance.
Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn
child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused tak-
ing of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abor-
tions 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 accept-
able. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
Euthanasia. We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a
moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected
from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission
which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering consti-
tutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that
are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate
refusal of over-zealous treatment. (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)
Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fel-
low believers, but also toward both those who are not believers, those who oppose
us, and those who engage in sinful actions. 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)
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)
Missions. We believe that God has given the church a great commission to pro-
claim 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
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)
Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s
wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We
believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Chris-
tian 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 his 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)
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 State-
ment 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 our 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 chil-
dren; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circum-
spectly 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
such worldly amusements as watching ungodly movies, gambling, rock music, and danc-
ing; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and 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 – MEMBERSHIP3
SECTION 3.01—QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Upon a majority vote of the members present at any church service or meeting, member-
ship 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 Sav-
ior; 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 cov-
enant, doctrine, and bylaws 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:
By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior;
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;
By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion; or
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, and satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the pastor
(or the Board Of Ministers if the office of pastor is vacant).
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SECTION 3.02—DUTIES OF A MEMBER
On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in Section
2.03, each member 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, 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 MEMBERSHIP4
Only members 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 ministers commitee.
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 under-
shepherd with the counsel of the ministers committee. 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 ministers commitee shall give counsel and assistance to
the pastor as requested by him.5
Membership in this church does not afford the members with any property, con-
tractual, 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 prop-
erty remains private property. The pastor (or in his absence, an individual desig-
nated by the ministers committee) 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 ministers comittee), be treated as a trespasser.6
A member may inspect or copy the prepared financial statements of the church
and the minutes of the proceedings of church meetings, provided he shall have
made a written request upon the church and the church has received the written
request at least five business days before the requested inspection date.
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 MEMBER7
There shall be a discipline committee consisting of the pastor and the ministers commitee.
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 committee member is the
subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the discipline committee.
The pastor and ministers committee shall be entitled to the same steps as
other church members and be subject to the same discipline.
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.
If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, either a minister 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.
If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined 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, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the
offending member and seek that member’s restoration.
If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined above 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.8
No matter may be heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the steps
outlined above have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.
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.
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
The membership of any individual member shall automatically terminate without
notice if the member in question has not attended a regular worship service of the
church in the preceding two years. 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. 9
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 de-
scribed in Section 2.01 or files a lawsuit in violation of Section 2.01.
No provision contained in this section shall be subject to or governed by the proce-
dures regarding discipline of members set forth in Section 3.04.
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 AND CHURCH STAFF
Christ is the true head and chief shepherd of the church (Col 1:18, 1 Peter 5:4),
although today's legalistic people refuse to accept him in spirit. Therefore, his written word
(John 1:1, 14; Heb 4:12) must be our guide for today's church. God's word proclaims church
leadership by pastors, or under shepherds.
The pastor is the chief overseer of the church, including it's spiritual ministry, programs, business
affairs, and material affairs. These powers and duties are inherited by the office of pastor, and are to
be exercised under guidance of the holy spirit in agreement with the teachings of God's word, and
wise counsel of the minister's committee.
Duties of the Pastor:
1. His primary responsibility is to teach the word of God and to proclaim it with clear historical,
grammatical, literal, and contextual methods of scriptural interpretation. He is to give account to
God for his leadership and spiritual message. Hebrews 13:17- "Obey them that have the rule over you,
and submit yourself: for they watch for your souls, as they must give account, that they may do it with
joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you".
2. The Pastor is to minister to the membership and encourage them as needed, per spiritual instruction,
admonition, comfort, and rebuke with loving kindness. (2 Tim 4:2)
3. The Pastor is to lead the church in acheiving its statement of purpose and mission. (Col 1: 25-28; 4:3-6,
Matt 28: 18-20, Acts 1:8; 2:42).
4. The Pastor is to preside over and keep order in business meetings.
5. The Pastor is responsible for hire or call of all church staff to help with the church mission, and he may
request help of the Ministers Committee. All staff, paid and voluntary, are to be supervised by the Pastor,
and may be dismissed by the Pastor, who may seek counsel from the Ministers Committee. No staff, including
the pastor, may be used in the church who disagree with statement of faith or constitution and bylaws.
Call and Termination of Pastor:
As often as necessary due to death, resignation, or removal, the church may call to pastorate any pastor who
meets character traits as described in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7. We acknowledge that "mias guinaikos" Gr, of or belonging
to one woman means that "husband of one wife" is a reference condemning polygamy, a common problem
in Old Testament culture. We also acknowledge that in "agunah" (google and search) Christ condemned putting
away (without a certificate of divorcement), which caused adultery for new relationships of those still married,
not divorce. Otherwise qualified divorced or remarried candidates may be considered for pastoral candidates by the
ministers committee.
The pastor is to be elected and/or terminated by secret ballot, with membership being notified at least one
week in advance of such proceeding. Only one candiate at a time shall be brought before the church by the
ministers committee. All pastoral candiates must agree to the scriptural context in constitution/bylaws upon which
the church was founded. Pastor is elected to an indefinite term that may be terminated at any time by pastor or
by the church, with both parties required to give 30 days notice of intent. If church terminates the pastor, he
shall be given a minimum of two months salary and benefits after termination. Pastors salary shall be a fair
percentage of the offering, which shall add incentive for the pastor to recruit and maintain proper relationships
with his membership.
Ministers Committee
The Ministers Committee shall consist of five (5) ministers:
1. The Minister of Worship, who will guide the church through the Psalms and the Proverbs using the
example of Romans 12: 1-2.
2. The Minister of Bible Study, who will strive to maintain the standard set forth in 2 Timothy 2:15.
3. The Minister of Discipleship and Evangelism, who will proclaim the Great Commissions of Matthew 28: 18-20,
and Colossians 1: 25-28.
4. The Minister of Prayer, who sets forth the standard of Ephesians 6:18 and Colossians 1: 9-10.
5. The Minister of Fellowship, who will proclaim the standards of Christ in John 13: 34-35, Galatians 6:1-2,
and breaking of bread in Acts 2:42.
The Ministers are to be responsible for the following:
1. Help the Pastor in the spiritual ministry of the church.
2. Seek out, visit, and minister to physical, moral, and spiritual needs.
3. Visit the active membership at least 4 times per year and seek the regularity and faithfulness to membership
and support of the church and its ministries.
4. Help the pastor with the administration of the church ordinances.
5. Closely guard and promote a spirit of unity, love, and peace in the church.
6. Act as a liason between the congregation and the pastor and share any known concerns that are
important to the spiritual welfare of the church.
The ministers must meet the requirements given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Any Minister may be removed upon
recommendation of the pastor or majority vote by the ministers committee. Nominations to the ministers
committee shall come from the committee itself, with ministers being responsible for ascessing the
qualifications of nominees, and nominees must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the committee. The new
minister shall then be presented to the congregation in an ordination ceremony.
Deacons
Deacons (servants) will be called and appointed as needed by the Ministers Committee as need for servants
increase per the congregation and facilities. All Deacons must meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13
and Acts 6:1-6. Any Deacon may be removed by vote of ministers committee after recommendation of
pastor or committee member.
Church Staff
The pastor may call or dismiss church staff as needed or deemed necessary to assist him in the ministry
needs of the church. They are to work under his direct supervision of the pastor or another staff member
appointed by the pastor. Compensation, if any, shall be determined by pastor and ministers committee.
SECTION 4.02—DESIGNATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS
As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, the corporate officers are to be President,
Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Pastor shall serve as President of the corporation, and shall
appoint the other officers from within the ministers committee. The committee may elect an interim
President to serve during times during which the church has no pastor.
SECTION 4.03—ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
The church shall not install or retain a pastor or an officer who fails to adhere to
or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith and doctrine/bylaws upon
which the church was founded. All church officers, upon request of the pastor, shall
affirm their agreement with the Statement of Faith and founding doctrine and bylaws.
All church officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the pastor
in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
Only church members are eligible for election or appointment to any church office
or position.
SECTION 4.04—BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Ministers Committee shall also serve as the Board of Trustees for the corporation. The
Board of Trustees has only the following specific powers, after majority vote of active
members at a duly called meeting.
1. To purchase, reserve, or lease real and personal property on behalf of the church, or to
receive willed or gifted real or personal properties for 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 to incur indebtedness for the purpose and 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, and to exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the corporation.
ARTICLE 5 – DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
Designated Contributions- For religious, educational, and charitable purposes, the church may create
various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions, but
all suggestions are received as advice but not mandates. All contributions shall remain
subject to control of the pastor and ministers committee.
ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS
Unless otherwise changed by the pastor, the church shall meet each 7th day Sabbath for worship, and at least
once during the week for Bible study and prayer. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is to be observed as
often as the pastor and ministers committee think necessary. (1 Cor 11:26-27)
An annual church administration meeting will be held the last Sunday in January in which quorum shall be
members present. This meeting, and all other meetings, shall be open and closed with prayer for divine
guidance and blessing.
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:
Devotions & prayer
Reading of minutes
Reception of members
Dismissal of members
Report of officers
Reports of standing committees
Reports of special committees
Unfinished matters
Election of officers
New matters
Adjournment
Benediction
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 discre-
tion, that circumstances so warrant. If the moderator determines that compliance
with his order of removal is unsatisfactory, the moderator may, in his sole discre-
tion, revoke the disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises and treat the
person as a trespasser.
The pastor (or ministers committee 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
one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for the
calling of a pastor or the severance of the relationship between the church and pas-
tor shall be called in accordance with the provision of Section 4.03(A).
Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the pastor
deems beneficial.
The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.
ARTICLE 7 – 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. The church doctrinal interpretation of qualifications for service,
upon which this church was founded, may never be changed.
These bylaws must be agreed to and signed by every prospective member. indicating that
they are in full agreement with with the provisions set herein before becoming a member,
and that their membership may be subject to termination by pastor or ministers committee if
serious disagreement should arise.
signed, _________________________________ date__________________________
__________________
Date
______________________________
Minister of Records