NORTH SHORE BIBLE CHURCH CONSTITUTION Article I NAME The name of this church shall be North Shore Bible Church (NSBC), having its primary place of worship in Manson, Washington. Article II PURPOSE The purpose of North Shore Bible Church is to develop Christ-like people who are experiencing the abundant life offered by Christ. (John 7:37-38, John 10:10) Our focus is loving God, loving others, serving together and reaching out to those who do not yet know Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to do all things for the honor and the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Article III STATEMENT OF FAITH God We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, perfect in every way and eternally existing in a unit of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Being all-knowing, sovereign and loving, God purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to lavish upon them the riches of His grace. (Deu. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 1:3-4) The Bible We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally-inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of God s will for salvation and the ultimate authority for how we should conduct our lives today. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet.1:20-21) The Human Condition We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image in a perfect environment, but Adam and Eve sinned when tempted by Satan. Because we are descended from Adam, all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. (Gen.1:26; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:17-19) Constitution PAGE 1 of 6
Article III STATEMENT OF FAITH (cont.) Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, who was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our Shepherd, High Priest and Advocate. (Matt. 1:18-23; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; 1 John 2:1-2) The Work of Christ We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitutes the only ground for salvation. (Rom. 5:6-9; 1 Cor. 15:20-28; 2 Cor. 5:20-21) Salvation We believe that salvation is by grace, through faith, and not a matter of human effort or merit. God gives His righteousness to those who repent and rely on Christ alone for their salvation, and makes them a part of His eternal family. (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 John 5:11-12) The Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit s central ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in all He does. The other ministries of the Holy Spirit include: convicting the world of its need for Christ, regenerating sinners, indwelling believers and baptizing them into union with Christ and adopting them as heirs of God s kingdom. The Holy Spirit also illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. (John 16:8-11; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18-21) The Church We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, which is His body here on earth and is composed of all people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The universal church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be comprised only of believers. The Lord Jesus Christ mandated two ordinances for the church--baptism and the Lord s Supper--which visibly and tangibly express the Gospel. (Eph. 1:18-23; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Rom. 6:1-11) Christian Living We believe that God s purpose is to complete the work of salvation that He began in those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. To that end, spiritual growth is a process that should progress over the course of a lifetime that involves loving God, loving others, and serving and reaching out to those who don t yet know Jesus. It also involves compassion for the poor and justice for the oppressed. The Christian life is not lived in our own strength but through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. (Gal. 5:16; Col. 1:28; 1 John 3:13-18) Constitution PAGE 2 of 6
Article III STATEMENT OF FAITH (cont.) Marriage We believe God created marriage for the preservation and enjoyment of humanity. We believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. We believe it is God s intention that a husband and wife should love each other for as long as they both shall live. Divorce is allowed by God, but only as a last resort. Every step should be taken to preserve what God has joined together. (Gen. 2:18-24; Matt. 19:3-12; Eph. 5:22-33) Christ s Return We believe in the personal and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and Godly living as we eagerly wait our blessed hope. (Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-16) Eternal Destiny We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and will judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to eternal condemnation and the believer to eternal joy with the Lord in the new heaven and new earth. (Rev. 20:1-15; 21:1-27; 22:1-5) Article IV PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY Tenet No. 1: We serve a great God. (Psalm 96:1-4) Tenet No. 2: Tenet No. 3: Jesus Christ is the living active Head of North Shore Bible Church. (Colossians 1:15-20) Lay people are capable of planning and carrying out a ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Tenet No. 4: Our primary task is to reach the unsaved. (Matthew 28:18-20) Tenet No. 5: Tenet No. 6: Tenet No. 7: If everyone gives what they can, there will be enough for every need. (Acts 4:32-37) We glorify Christ and become like Him when we are: worshiping together, growing together, serving together, and enjoying life together. (Acts 2:42-47) There is alignment between Children s, Youth and Adult Ministries. (Philippians 2:1, 2) Constitution PAGE 3 of 6
Article V CHURCH STRUCTURE Jesus Christ is the sole Head of North Shore Bible Church, the Leader before whom all human leaders must bow. He communicates His will for the church through His Word (The Bible) and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The structure of North Shore Bible Church can be described with the following phrases: Board Protected The Elders provide overall direction and oversight of all church ministries. Staff Led The Staff lead and equip the congregation in managing the ministries of the church. Congregation Serving The people of the church are using their gifts and talents in serving each other. Community Served The congregation is actively involved in serving others in the Lake Chelan valley and beyond, through acts of compassion, such as encouraging ministry to the needy and distressed. Membership Members of North Shore Bible Church shall be the overall governing body of the church and vote to approve: Elder Board members Calling of, or termination of, the Senior Pastor Calling of Associate Pastors and paid ministry directors Amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws An annual church budget Acquiring or selling real property Any discretionary purchase that exceeds five percent of the annual budget Borrowing money Formal association with other churches and organizations Constitution PAGE 4 of 6
Elder Board Article V CHURCH STRUCTURE (cont.) The Elder Board, made up of men who are members of North Shore Bible Church and who meet the biblical qualifications of an Elder, shall be the highest authority under the congregation. According to Scripture, their role is one of oversight and shepherding. Elders are to serve as representatives of God in leading the people into obedience to God s Word. Their responsibilities include: Praying for the individuals and the ministries of NSBC. Determining the overall vision and direction of the church. Partnering with the Senior Pastor to insure the vision and values approved by the Elder Board are being carried out Ensuring the church s teaching and practices reflect biblical truth. Providing direction on all financial matters. Maintaining NSBC operations and policy manuals, ensuring that they are current and fully implemented. Providing avenues for pastoral care, conflict resolution, discipline, and restoration. The Elder Board shall consist only of elected Elders and the Senior Pastor. Other paid staff members may not serve as Elders. Leadership Team The Leadership Team is comprised of the Senior Pastor, pastoral staff and all ministry leaders (deacons). Leadership Team members will direct the various ministries under their supervision, fill vacant staff positions as authorized by the Elder Board, and recruit volunteers. They will also make recommendations to the Elder Board, the Finance Committee, and the congregation as appropriate in matters affecting the various ministries of the church. Constitution PAGE 5 of 6
Article VI MEMBERSHIP All individuals who desire membership must complete a New Member Orientation during which they will learn about the requirements and the expectations for members of our church. Members must have received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, agree with the church s statement of faith, and agree to support the vision, strategy and structure of the church. All members must sign the Membership Covenant in which they pledge to protect the unity of the church, encourage the growth of the church, serve the church family, support the testimony of the church and be affirmed as members by vote of the Elder Board. Details regarding membership are included in the Bylaws of the church. Article VII AMENDMENTS Constitutional amendments require a three-fourths affirmative vote of all the Elders before they can be proposed to the membership. Amendments may also be proposed by a petition signed by 20 percent of the membership. Amendments to this Constitution shall be adopted at any duly called business meeting by at least a three-fourths affirmative majority of votes cast. Voting shall be done by secret ballot. A four-week prior notice in writing and announcement from the pulpit must be given for all proposed amendments. Constitution PAGE 6 of 6