Constitution Of Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church Article I Name The name of this church shall be the Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church. Article II Confession We believe in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, as the inspired Word of God, and the only perfect rule for faith, creed and conduct. ARTICLE III PURPOSE The purpose of this church is to unite believers in fellowship for spiritual edification, for the winning of souls for Christ, and for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through home and foreign missions. ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to anyone who through faith in God s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has been born again to a living hope, has manifested themselves as a true Christian, and desires to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. ARTICLE V OFFICERS The officers of the church will be 1. Chairperson 2. Vice Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. And up to 5 trustees 1. These offices will be elected for a two year term, one half of the board to be elected each year. 2. This board will be known as the Leadership Team. ARTICLE VI MEETINGS The church shall have an annual meeting in January of each year and at least one other business meeting throughout the year. Reports from the pastor(s), chairperson, and other department head shall be submitted at the annual meeting. 1 Constitution
ARTICLE VII AFFILIATION This church shall be a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada and the Evangelical Covenant Church of America. ARTICLE VIII DESCENT OF PROPERTY In case of dissension, the title to all church property, real and personal, shall remain with that group abiding by this constitution, and upon dissolution the property and all assets of the church shall become property of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS Amendments to this Constitution can be adopted only by a two-thirds majority vote at an annual business meeting of the church, and must be present in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Article II, VII, VIII, and IX can only be amended or changed with the concurrence of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. ARTICLE X BY-LAWS By-Laws not in conflict with this Constitution may be adopted at any regular business meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present, but a proposed bylaw or amendment shall first be presented in writing at a preceding regular business meeting. 2 Constitution
BY-LAWS ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP 1. Admission of Members: Persons desiring membership in this church shall apply to the pastor(s) or a member of the Leadership Team. The individual will then be interviewed by the Leadership Team as to his/her faith and spiritual life. If he/she confesses Jesus Christ as Saviour and is compatible with the doctrines of the Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church, they shall be recommended for membership at the next business meeting. The new members shall be welcomed into the fellowship of the church at the next Sunday service and asked to make a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Members will be encouraged to follow the Lord s example in baptism. 2. Negligent Members: Members who willfully neglect their duties and have not attended or supported the local church for a period of at least a year shall be deemed to have left the fellowship and their name may be dropped from the membership at the next annual meeting. 3. Erring Members: IF a member errs in doctrine or conduct, it is the duty of the member who has that knowelde to warn or correct him/her. If they do not heed the warning, the board shall report the case to a business meeting of the church, which shall then act according to Matthew 18:15-18. The exclusion of members must be acted upon by the church which alone has that authority. 4. Transfer of Members: The transferee shall be interviewed by the Leadership Team as to his or her Christian experience and give a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. 3 Constitution
ARTICLE II OFFICERS 1. The Chairperson: The chairperson shall preside at all the church business meetings and the Leadership meeting according to parliamentary rules and orders. He/she shall be actively interested in the welfare of the church and in the absence of the pastor shall be responsible for the leadership of the church service. 2. Vice Chairperson; The vice chairperson shall assume the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson. 3. The Secretary: The secretary shall keep minutes of all business sessions of the church and of the church board. He/she shall preserve all correspondence relating to the work of the church. 4. The Treasurer: The treasurer shall receive and record all funds contributed to the church. These funds will then be given to the bookkeeper, who will maintain the church s banking, recording and will help with the budget process of the church. 5. The Leadership Team: The leadership team shall direct the spiritual affairs of the church and exercise proper supervision over the church properties and the day to day functions of the church. The leaders are not permitted to make disposition of, or additions to any church property for the church except as directed by the church through a duly approved motion at a regular or special business meeting. Small repairs and other disbursement not exceeding $1000 in cost may be decided by the leadership team. 6. Auditing of the Books: The treasurer and chairperson shall oversee the auditing of the financial books. The auditors will be appointed by motion at the annual business meeting. 7. Committees: Committees of the Leadership Team will be set up and appointed by the chairperson. 8. Qualification of Leadership Team: Those serving on the Leadership Team shall endeavor to reflect the requirement stated in Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3:12-13 and Titus 1:6-9. 9. Nomination Process: Elections of officers of the church will be through the nominating committee only. 4 Constitution
ARTICLE III PASTOR 1. The pastor of the church should be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach. He shall be a member of the church. Accusations against the pastor shall not be considered unless supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he err in doctrine or conduct, the church board shall admonish him. If this does not have the desired effect, the matter shall be referred to the conference superintendent for action with the church. 2. It shall be the duty of the pastor to devote himself and his time to the service of the church, preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments. He shall watch over himself and his flock, visiting, as far as his time permits, all the members of his church, especially the sick and the poor. He shall instruct the children and youth of his parish in the Holy Scriptures. He shall keep adequate records. When a member moves away the pastor should show interest in locating an appropriate church for that member, and issue a letter upon application. At every annual meeting he shall submit a written report of his work. 3. The pastor shall, both in work and precept, work in harmony with the larger work of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada, seeking to enlist support of all its enterprises and to work in harmony with its ministers, seeking always the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4. The pastor(s) will be a member of the Leadership Team, but will be subject to the guidance and direction of the Leadership Team. ARTICLE IV: Special business meetings may be called by the chairperson of the Church or a majority of the Leadership Team. ARTICLE V: QUORUM Fifty per cent of resident members of the church including two officers shall constitute a quorum of the church. ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS Amendments to these by-laws may be adopted at any regular business meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present, but a proposed by-law or a bylaw amendment shall first be present in writing at a preceding regular business meeting. 5 Constitution