Constitution and Articles of Faith Community Baptist Church, South Bend, Indiana OUR CHURCH COVENANT

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1 Constitution and Articles of Faith Community Baptist Church, South Bend, Indiana OUR CHURCH COVENANT Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one 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 contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the Gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and 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, back-biting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks; to abstain from all activities contrary to our Biblical faith as stated in the following constitution, 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 our Savior to secure it without delay.

2 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. 2

3 CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE We, the members of Community Baptist Church do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves: ARTICLE I Name The name of this church shall be Community Baptist Church of South Bend, Indiana. ARTICLE II Purpose Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a self-supporting, independent, local Baptist church in accordance with the Word of God - seeking to win the lost to Christ; assembling for prayer, spiritual fellowship, and worship; preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God; administering the ordinances; maintaining a testimony of godliness and good works in the community; carrying on a worldwide missionary program; standing for the Biblical faith; ordaining qualified men of like faith to the gospel ministry; exercising Biblical discipline; instituting, operating, and maintaining associated ministries for evangelism, education, discipleship, spiritual growth, and any other 3

4 ministry the church deems necessary. Timothy 2:15 and 3:16-17). (Luke 19:10; John 20:31; II ARTICLE III Doctrine So many in these latter times have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; so many have turned away their ears from the truth, and turned unto fables; so many are busily engaged in scattering broadcast the seeds of fatal error, directly affecting the honor of our Lord and the destiny of the soul, that we feel constrained by fidelity to Him to adopt the following statement of doctrine to which we ask the assent of all applicants for membership. (II Timothy 3:1-7 and 4:1-4). 1. Scriptures. We believe that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole of the book called the Bible; nor do we take the statement in the sense in which it is sometimes foolishly said that works of human genius are inspired, but in the sense that the Holy Ghost gave the very words of the sacred writings to holy men of old; and that His divine inspiration is not in different degrees, but extends equally and fully to all parts of these writings; historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical; and to the smallest word, and inflection of a word, provided such is found in the original manuscripts. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; I Cor. 2:13; Mark 12:26-36; Mark 13:11; Acts 1:16 and Acts 2:4). 4

5 2. Trinity. We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. (Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:3-4; II Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6). 3. Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, which is to say, He is Himself very God; He took upon Himself our nature, being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary; He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the world; He arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; He ascended into heaven in that body glorified, where He is now, our interceding High Priest. He will come again personally and visibly to set up His kingdom and to judge the quick and the dead. (Col 1:15; Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 1:18-25; I Pet. 2:24-25; Luke 24; Heb. 4:14-16; Acts 1:9-11; I Thess. 4:16-18; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15-17; Rev. 20:4-6 and 11-15). 4. Hell. We believe that there is a literal hell and a literal fire of hell as a place for the eternal and conscious punishment of all the unsaved. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-50; Rev. 20:14-15; Rev. 21:8). 5

6 5. Satan or Devil. We believe that Satan is a person. He is the unholy god of this age, the prince of the power of the air, and the prince of this world. The Devil was a murderer from the beginning. He is a liar and the father of lies. There is absolutely no truth in him. He is the enemy of God and man and the author of all the powers of darkness. He is a deceiver and blinds the minds of men to the end that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ may not dawn upon them. He is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. (John 8:44; John 16:11; Eph. 2:2; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10). 6. Man. We believe that man, originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, fell from his high and holy estate by eating the forbidden fruit, and as the consequences of his disobedience the threatened penalty of death was then and there inflicted, so that his moral nature was not only grievously injured by the fall, but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil. (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:17; John 5:40; John 6:53; Eph. 2:1-3; I Tim. 5:6; I John 3:8). 7. Man All Have Sinned. We believe that this spiritual death, or total corruption of human nature, has been transmitted to the entire race of man; the man Christ 6

7 Jesus alone excepted; and hence that every child of Adam is born into the world with a nature which not only possesses no spark of divine life, but is essentially and unchangeably bad, being enmity against God, and incapable by any educational process whatever of subjection to His law. (Gen. 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; Psa. 51:5; Jer. 17:9; John 3:6, Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12-19). 8. Salvation Only Through Jesus Christ. We believe that owing to this universal depravity and death in sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again; and that no degree of reformation, however great; no attainment in morality, however high; no culture, however attractive; no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies, however useful; no baptism or other ordinance, however administered, can help the sinner to take even one step toward heaven; but a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word, is absolutely essential to salvation. (Isa. 64:6; John 3:5-18; Gal. 6:15; Rom. 6:23; Phil. 3:4-9; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; I Pet. 1:23). 9. Salvation The Blood of Christ. We believe that our redemption has been accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was made to be sin, and made a curse for us dying in our room and stead; and that no degree of repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolution, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church, or of all the 7

8 churches that have existed since the days of the Apostles can add in the very least to the value of the precious blood, or to the merit of that finished work, wrought for us by Him who united in His person true and proper divinity with perfect and sinless humanity. (Lev. 17:11; Matt. 26:28; Rom. 5:6-9; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19). 10. Justification. We believe that Christ, in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His obedience unto death, is received by faith alone, and that the moment we trust in Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, being justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved, and having His place and portion as linked to Him, and one with Him forever. (John 5:24; John 17:23; Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 6:1; Eph. 2:4-13; I John 4:17; I John 5:11-12). 11. Assurance. We believe that it is the privilege not only of some, but of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, to be assured of their Salvation from the very day they take Him to be their Savior; and that this assurance is not founded upon any fancied discovery of their own worthiness, but wholly upon the testimony of God in His written Word, exciting within His children filial love, gratitude, and obedience. (Luke 10:20; Luke 12:32; John 6:47; Rom. 8:38-39; II Cor. 5:1; II Cor. 6:8; II Tim. 1:12; I John 5:13). 8

9 12. Scriptures Christ-Centered and Practical. We believe that all the Scriptures, from first to last, center about our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Person and work, in first and second coming; and hence that no chapter even of the Old Testament is properly read or understood until it leads to Him; and moreover, that all the Scriptures from first to last, including every chapter of the Old Testament, were designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 7:2-3; Acts 18:28; Acts 26:22-23; Acts 28:23; Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11). 13. The Church A Unity of Believers. We believe that the Church is composed of all who are united by the Holy Spirit to the risen and ascended Son of God, that by the same Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, and thus being members one of another, we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry, and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:32-47; Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 4:3-10; Col. 3:14-15). 14. Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit not as an influence, but as a Divine Person, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, is our abiding comforter and helper, that He never takes His departure 9

10 from the Church, nor from the feeblest of the saints, but is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him, and not with ourselves nor with our experiences. (John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Phil. 3:3). 15. Christian Walk. We believe that we are called with a Holy calling to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the Spirit that we should not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; but the flesh being still in us to the end of our earthly pilgrimage, needs to be kept constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence to the dishonor of His name. (Rom. 8:12-13; Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:1-10; I Pet. 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9; Titus 2:1-15). 16. Eternal State. We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in the glory; but the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord 10

11 and from the glory of His power. (Luke 16:19-26; Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15). 17. Second Coming. We believe that the world will not be converted during the present dispensation, but is fast ripening for judgment, while there will be a fearful apostasy in the professing Christian body, and hence that the Lord Jesus will come in person to introduce the millennial age, when Israel shall be restored to their own land, and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord; and that this personal premillennial and imminent advent is the blessed hope set before us in the Gospel for which we should be constantly looking. (Luke 12:35-40; Luke 17:26-30; Luke 18:8; Acts 15:14-17; II Thess. 2:3-8; II Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 1:11-15). 18. Missions. We believe that it is the obligation of all believers to witness by deed and word to these precious truths stated above. We are ambassadors of Christ and it is our duty to proclaim the Gospel to all the world. We believe it is impossible to be thoroughly loyal to Christ without active participation in the spread of the Gospel to lost humanity everywhere. We believe that obedience to the missionary call of Christ requires study, intercessory prayer, and the consecration of our time, talent, and money. (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; II Cor. 5:20; Rom. 10:14-15). 11

12 19. Baptism. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water 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 our resurrection to a new life. It shall be pre-requisite to membership in this Church. (Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; Col. 2:12). 20. The Lord's Supper. We believe that the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. The Lord's Table is not a barrier to separate believers, but rather a sacred place where all true Christians meet. (I Corinthians 11:23-28). ARTICLE IV Membership Section 1. Requirements for Membership The true church is composed of the body of believers who have been called out from the world, and who are under the dominion and authority of Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:5; II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:27). We know that the church visible may be weakened and cursed through unregenerated church membership. Therefore, we shall strive with the help of the Almighty God to enroll no name that is not already 12

13 written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:27). Any sincere child of God (John 1:12) will be welcomed to membership regardless of wealth or social position. (II Corinthians 10:17-18; James 2:9) if he meets the following requirements: (a) Persons desiring to unite with this church shall have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. He shall have confessed his faith by being baptized by immersion. (b) The candidate desiring to unite with this church shall have a lifestyle free from any activities or attitudes which would be considered worthy of church discipline according to the Scriptures or this constitution. (c) The candidate shall, in one or more conferences with the pastor and deacons, be interviewed regarding his Christian experience and the basis of his salvation. (I Peter 3:15) (d) The candidate shall have been given a copy of the Constitution of this church so that he may ask questions concerning any part of our doctrine or government. It is our prayer and earnest desire that each person may be fully informed and in full agreement before joining our fellowship. (e) The candidate will be required to assent, without reservation, to the statement of doctrine contained in Article III, and agree to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of this church. (f) Anyone regardless of age, who has met all the requirements of Article IV, Section 1 may be accepted as a member upon majority vote of the congregation. 13

14 Section 2. Duties and Goals for Members (a) Each member should endeavor to lead a godly life, observe the ordinance of God's house, be diligent in prayer, and for his own edification, attend the meetings of our public worship including prayer meetings. (b) Heads of families should pray with their families and set before them a godly example in all the Christian virtues. (c) Every one should strive to walk as in the presence of God and maintain at all times a close communication with God. He should never speak evil of his fellowmen, but practice love toward all men, and endeavor to be a follower of Jesus Christ. (d) We believe that the Christian is to separate himself unto Christ in true holiness (Romans 12:1,2) to separate himself from any participation in or endorsement of sin or worldliness (I John 2:15,16), from ecclesiastical organizations and religious personalities that deny the faith or compromise its message (II Corinthians 6:14-18), and from brethren who walk disorderly or who continue in sin. (II Thessalonians 3:6; I Corinthians 5:4,5; Titus 3:10-11). (e) Members of this church should study and practice the principles of Christian stewardship and in recognition of God's ownership, devote at least a tithe of their income to the Lord's work and fulfill the conditions mentioned in Malachi 3:8-12 and Matthew 6:33 for enlarged blessings from God. (f) It is the duty of every member of the church to contribute for the support of the local church, and all its missionary interests. It is 14

15 earnestly requested that all our members practice the Biblical method of systematic giving. (I Corinthians 16:2). (g) Inasmuch as the Lord has commanded us not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2), but to put away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness (James 1:21), and as the principles were taught by both the precepts and examples of our Saviour, we humbly beseech and admonish the members of this church to observe these precepts. We believe that each member must remain separate from such ungodly practices as sodomy, pornography, fornication, adultery, gambling, the illegal use of drugs, and other such vices prominent in the world system in which we live. (h) Let us be deeply sensible of all the evil of a division in principle, spirit, or practice, and of its tragic consequences to ourselves and others. Therefore: (1) Let us each one study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. (2) Let us pray earnestly for one another, and speak freely to one another. (3) When we meet, let us not part without prayer, if prayer is at all practicable. (4) Let us take care not to despise one another's gifts. (5) Let us never speak lightly of one another. (6) Let us defend one another's character in everything as far as is consistent with the truth. (7) Let us labor, in honor each preferring another before himself. 15

16 i. We believe that the foregoing rules are founded upon the Word of God, and that their observance is incumbent upon all members. Should any violate or habitually neglect these rules, he should admonish to reformation by the pastor and deacons. ARTICLE V Discipline Any matter of discipline should be brought to the attention of the pastor and the deacons, who shall be governed by Matthew 18:15-17, with the goal of repentance and return of the Lord. If such repentance and return do not take place, the pastor and deacons are to proceed according to the following stipulations: Section 1. Exclusion a. Should any member be absent from the church for a period of three months, and fail to communicate with the pastor or clerk during that time, his name may be excluded from the roll of church members. A two-thirds vote of members present at a regularly called business meeting is necessary for exclusion of a member. b. Should any member be accused of assenting to such doctrine or such conduct as shall in the judgment of the pastor and deacons be so opposed to the Word of God as to threaten the life and faith of the church by destroying the possibility of our fellowship, that member's name may be excluded from the roll of the church by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regularly called business meeting. 16

17 Section 2. Restoration of Excluded Members The right to exclude members or the withdrawal of fellowship is in harmony with the teaching of the New Testament (Matthew 18:15-17; II Corinthians 5:2; II Thessalonians 3:6). The apostolic church had, also, the right to restore excluded members who gave satisfactory evidence of being penitent (II Corinthians 2:6-8). The object of exclusion having been accomplished, the pastor and deacons shall recommend to the church to restore the penitent member. A two-thirds vote of the members present at a regularly called business meeting is necessary for the restoration of the member's name. Section 3. Church Letters The customary usage of interchange of letters with churches of like faith and practice will be observed and letters granted by a majority vote of members present at a regularly called business meeting. Non-resident members are strongly urged to keep in touch with the Church through correspondence with the pastor or clerk. ARTICLE VI Government The government of this church is vested in the body of believers of which this church is composed. The church acknowledges only the Lord Jesus as its head, the Holy Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, discipline, and order; the Holy Spirit as its teacher, and is not and never shall be 17

18 amenable of or under the jurisdiction or supervision of any other ecclesiastical body of any kind or nature whatsoever. Section 1. Officers The officers of this church shall be the Pastor, the Deacons, the Trustees, the Clerk, the Financial Secretary, the Church Treasurer, the Sunday School Superintendent, and such other officers as the church shall deem advisable. (a) Pastor The pastor shall be a male, called by God to preach, and meeting the Scriptural demands set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-11. He must believe and adhere to the articles of faith and practice of the church, and be uncompromising in the preaching and exercise of these truths. The pastoral relation shall be formed and dissolved upon the recommendation of the deacons by a three-fourths majority of the voters present at a specially called business meeting, the purpose of which has been announced on the two (2) Sundays preceding the meeting. Only one candidate shall be recommended for consideration at one time. If either party desires to dissolve the pastoral relation, at least thirty days' notice shall be given the other party. (b) The Deacons 18

19 Deacons shall be males and shall meet the Scriptural qualifications of the office as set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6. They shall have been active members of the church for at least three years prior to their election to office. There shall be not less than three nor more than nine deacons. They shall be elected by the church for a term of three years on rotation basis so that the terms of approximately one-third of the members of the Board shall expire each year. A deacon who has served one full term shall not be eligible for re-election to the same office until the expiration of one year. The chairman of the deacons shall be elected by a majority vote of the deacons at the first Board meeting following the church election of officers. (c) The Trustees Trustees shall be men of God according to the spirit of Biblical leadership. They shall have been active members of the church for at least three years prior to their election to office. There shall be not less than three nor more than seven trustees. The term of office, manner of election and eligibility for re-election shall be the same as for the deacons. The chairman of the trustees shall be elected by a majority vote of the trustees at the first Board meeting following the church election of officers. (d) Other Officers The Clerk, the Financial Secretary, the Church Treasurer, and the Sunday School Superintendent shall be elected annually by the church (see Article VI, Section 3, Paragraph a, and Section 6, Paragraph a-4). 19

20 Section 2. Method of Election. (a) Nomination of candidates for offices will be received from the church congregation by nominating form no less than two weeks prior to the annual election of officers and shall be reviewed for recommendation to the church by a nominating committee comprised of the pastor and deacons. The final slate of candidates will be presented to the church for vote, and those having the largest number of votes shall be elected. (b) Election of all officers shall be by ballot. Section 3. Qualifications of Officers (a) No person shall be elected or appointed to fill any office or position in either the church or any of its ministries until he has been a member of the church for at least three months, and is in regular attendance at the meeting of our public worship, including prayer meeting (see Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph a). (b) If a question is raised concerning the competence of a person to hold office in either the church or any of its ministries, the matter shall be referred to the pastor and deacons. (c) If any officer of the church shall absent himself from three regular business meetings which is his duty to attend, without presenting a reasonable cause to the pastor and deacons, his name may be removed from the office and his successor appointed in the manner described in Article VI, Section 5. 20

21 Section 4. Duties of Officers (a) Pastor It shall be the duty of the pastor to preach and teach the Word, administer the ordinance, and perform the other duties incumbent to his office. He shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees. (b) Deacons The duties of the deacons shall include, but not be limited to, visiting the sick, preparing and distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper, and acting as a pulpit committee, obtaining supply pastors in the absence of the pastor, and recommending to the church changes in the pastoral relation. The chairman of the deacons shall assist in maintaining communication and mutual understanding between the pastor and deacons. In the absence of a senior pastor, he shall be responsible to report the recommendations of the deacons to the church congregation. (c) Trustees It shall be the duty of the trustees to be custodians of the church property in accordance with the will of the local body and provisions of the Act of the Legislature of Indiana relative thereto, and they shall make necessary purchase for the operation and maintenance of the church property. New projects and all expenditures thereto shall be authorized by the church at a regular or special business meeting (Article VI, Section 6, Paragraph a and b). The chairman of trustees shall assist in 21

22 maintaining communication and mutual understanding between the pastor and trustees. (d) The Clerk It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep accurate record of the proceedings in all business meetings of the church and advisory board. (e) The Financial Secretary It shall be the duty of the financial secretary to accurately record all monies received from donors for current expenses and missions. He shall be responsible for reporting to individuals in the church their personal donations at the end of the calendar year. He shall make a report when called upon by the pastor and advisory board. (f) The Church Treasurer It shall be the duty of the treasurer to keep an accurate account of all receipts and expenditures and present a report at each monthly business meeting of the church or when called upon by the pastor and advisory board. He shall submit his books for an annual audit and in such a manner as may be directed by the pastor and advisory board. (g) Sunday School Superintendent 22

23 It shall be the duty of the Sunday school superintendent to have general supervision of the Sunday School. He shall make a report when called upon by the pastor and advisory board. (h) The Advisory Board There shall be an advisory board consisting of the pastor, the deacons, the trustees, the clerk, and the treasurer. This board shall meet before each business meeting of the church and at other times when necessary. Though not vested with executive power, it shall have the right to make recommendations to any of the various departments or to the whole church, with the understanding that the vote of the Church shall constitute the final decision. Section 5. Vacancies Should the office of any officer become vacant before the expiration of his term of office, his successor shall be appointed by the pastor and the advisory board. The term of such appointment shall be only until the next meeting of election, at which time his successor shall be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any, in manner prescribed for his office. Section 6. Meetings and Order (a) Regular Meetings (1) Regular Sunday services shall be held, including, but not limited to, Sunday school and morning and evening preaching and worship services. 23

24 (2) Mid-week prayer services shall be held. (3) A monthly business meeting of all church members shall be held on the Wednesday following the monthly board meeting unless otherwise stated. (4) The annual election of officers and the annual business meeting shall be held in October, the date and time to be announced on two consecutive Sundays preceding the meeting. Terms of officers, except for the pastor, shall begin upon election. The annual reports shall be based on the fiscal year and given by the officers of the past year. The October monthly business meeting shall be combined with this meeting unless otherwise announced. (5) The Lord s Supper shall be observed the first Sunday of every other month, in either the morning or evening service, and at such other times as the pastor and deacons deem advisable. (b) Special Business Meetings Special business meetings of the church may be called by the pastor, by a majority vote of the deacons or trustees, or by the presentation of a petition to the clerk containing the names of at least 40 active members of the church. Notice of such meeting must be given at regular services on two consecutive Sundays preceding the day appointed. (c) Fiscal Year and Quorum The fiscal year of the church shall begin on the first day of July. In all meetings, the voting members present shall constitute a 24

25 quorum, providing such a meeting has been called according to the constitution of this church. All members of the church 18 years of age and over who are in good and regular standing at the time may vote on all matters brought before the church. (d) Order of Meetings Robert s Rules of Order shall be used as the standard in all business sessions. Section 7. Ordination (a) Since it is our hope that Spirit-filled men will be called out from among us to proclaim the Gospel of the grace of God, such men may be given a commission to preach and perform all duties of the ministry by a two-thirds vote of the church, provided that the candidate has the suitable gifts; and provided that their judgment is based upon his experiential success, rather than on their hopes of what he may do; and provide his experience shall have covered a period of at least one year of public preaching. (b) When the church decides that one of its candidates possesses the Scriptural qualifications for ordination, as provided for in Section 7, Paragraph a, the church shall call a council of ministers and brethren to examine the qualifications of the candidate, to which council the propriety of and arrangements for ordination shall be referred. 25

26 (c) In the matter of commissioning missionaries to represent our church in the harvest fields of the world, we believe that the local church is the sending agency for the missionary (Acts 13:1-3), working in cooperation with mission boards approved by the pastor and advisory board. Section 8. Finances We believe that the Bible teaches that the proper method of financing the Lord s work is by the offerings of a consecrated heart, in systematic proportionate giving of money (II Corinthians 9:6-7). Therefore, this church will under no circumstances consent to the collection of money through bazaars, suppers, entertainments, or any similar method. Section 9. Ministries All ministries of the church are subservient parts of the church and shall under no circumstances be considered as separate and apart from the church. Section 10. Church Properties This church shall have the right to own, buy, or sell tangible properties, both real and personal in its own name and through properly elected and authorized officers. No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any persons from the assets, holdings, or other transactions in which this corporation may be involved. 26

27 All the facilities and properties of the church are dedicated to Jesus Christ and shall be used only for those activities that are approved by the church as being consistent with the Word of God and the ministry purposes of the church. Section 11. Amendments (a) Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted by a three-fourths vote of the church at any business meeting called for the purpose, provided that such amendment shall be distributed in written form to the membership at least two weeks prior to the meeting. (b) No part of Article III shall ever be amended or changed in any respect. Section 12. Dissolution In the event of the dissolution of this corporation, 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 trustees to such non-profit religious corporations as are in agreement with the letter and spirit of this constitutional statement of faith, and in conformity with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code of 1954 (Section 501 c-3) or any subsequent amendment thereto. Constitution as approved by the Church by congregational vote September 7,

28 AMENDMENTS Effective: July 23, 2003 Amendment of Article 6 (Government) - Section 1(c) and any related Articles and Amendments, the following to be amended: There shall be not less than three nor more than nine trustees. 28