Our Constitution
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I—NAME............................................................................... page 1
ARTICLE II—PURPOSE........................................................................ page 1
Purpose.................................................................................................. page 1
Non-Political Activities Clause................................................................. page 1
ARTICLE III—COVENANT & STATEMENT OF FAITH.................... page 1
Part One—Church Covenant................................................................... page 1
Part Two—STATEMENT OF FAITH.................................................... page 2
Section 1—Doctrine of the Bible............................................................. page 2
Section 2—Doctrine of God................................................................... page 2
Section 3—Doctrine of Satan................................................................. page 2
Section 4—Doctrine of Man................................................................... page 2
Section 5—Doctrine of Salvation............................................................ page 3
Section 6—Doctrine of the Church......................................................... page 3
Section 7—Doctrine of Separation......................................................... page 3
ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP.............................................................. page 4
Section 1—Qualifications of Members................................................... page 4
Section 2—Reception of Members........................................................ page 4
Section 3—Fellowship of Members....................................................... page 4
Section 4—Discipline of Members........................................................ page 4
Section 5—Removal of Members.......................................................... page 4
Section 6—Restoration of Members...................................................... page 5
ARTICLE V OFFICERS....................................................................... page 5
Section 1—Board................................................................................ page 5
Section 2—Pastor................................................................................ page 6
Section 3—Deacons............................................................................ page 6
Section 3B—Deaconnesses.................................................................. page 8
Section 4—Officers.............................................................................. page 8
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS..................................................................... page 9
Section 1—Place.................................................................................. page 9
Section 2—Worship Services................................................................ page 9
Section 3—Business Meetings............................................................... page 9
Section 4—Notice................................................................................. page 9
Section 5—Voting................................................................................. page 10
ARTICLE VII FINANCES...................................................................... page 10
Section 1............................................................................................... page 10
Section 2............................................................................................... page 10
Section 3............................................................................................... page 10
Section 4............................................................................................... page 10
Section 5............................................................................................... page 10
ARTICLE VIII MISSIONARIES............................................................ page 11
ARTICLE IX INUREMENT AND DISSOLUTION............................... page 11
Section 1—Inurement............................................................................ page 11
Section 2—Dissolution........................................................................... page 12
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS................................................................ page 12
STATEMENT OF RELIGIOUS MISSION............................................. page 12
STANDARDS FOR WORKERS AND TEACHERS.............................. page 13
ARTICLE I — NAME
The name of this church shall be the FRUITA FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH.
ARTICLE II — PURPOSE
The purpose of this church shall be to carry out the commands of its Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. This involves the preaching of the Gospel, baptizing all who believe the Gospel, and then teaching all believers to observe all things whatsoever Jesus Christ has commanded in His Word; to administer the ordinances of the New Testament, to seek the spiritual improvement of its members, and to extend the Lord's work unto all the earth.
Non-Political Activities Clause
No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) and campaign on the behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE III — CHURCH COVENANT and STATEMENT OF FAITH
Part One - Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior; and, upon the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of 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, regularly and liberally to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the missionary work thereof, and when necessary, the relief of the poor.
We also most solemnly pledge to maintain family and secret devotions, to spiritually train our children; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the whole cause of our Lord Jesus Christ in every sphere of our lives.
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.
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 Holy Word.
And all the people said……"Amen"
Part Two - Statement of Faith
Section 1 - Doctrine of the Bible
We believe that God inspired (II Tim. 3:16) certain men to verbally record (Jn. 6:63) without error (Jn. 10:35) His complete Word (II Peter 1:19-21), which is our supreme authority for doctrine, faith and practice; that this inspiration existed only in the original manuscripts; that He has preserved His inspired Word (Ps. 12:6-7) despite the many copies and translations throughout the centuries; that even though certain phrases and words may need updated from time to time, the 1611 King James (Authorized Version) is an accurate translation of God’s Word. We accept only the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament from Genesis through Malachi, and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament from Matthew through Revelation.
Section 2 - Doctrine of God
We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (I Jn. 5:7); that nothing evolved but that God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) and also man who was created in God’s own image (Gen. 1:27).
A. THE FATHER - The Father is God (I Tim. 1:2. The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (I Jn. 4:14). The Father seeketh those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4:23, 24). The Father showeth the Son His works that are to be done (Jn. 5:20).
B. THE SON - The Son, Jesus Christ, is God (Jn. 1:1 & 14); was born of a virgin (Matt. 1:23); shed His blood for the atonement of sins (Col. 1:14); was bodily resurrected ( Rom. 6:4); ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11); will rapture His church imminently (I Thess. 4:13-17), and before the seven years of tribulation (Dan. 9:24-27), (Rev. Chapter 6 - Chapter 19); which will be followed by His pre-millennial return to establish His Kingdom on earth (Rev. 19:11-16).
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit is God (Matt. 28:19). He convicts (Jn. 16:8); regenerates (Jn. 3:3-5); indwells (I Cor. 6:19); seals (Eph. 1:13-14); in fills (Eph. 5:18); empowers (Acts 1:8); and guides (Jn. 16:13).
Section 3 - Doctrine of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person. He is a created being who sinned and became the arch enemy of God and His creation. He is the chief adversary of God’s children. He seeks to keep man from the Lord, and when he cannot succeed in this, he seeks to weaken the testimonies of Christians. He has at his command a great host of fallen angels and demons to carry out his purpose. He is not omnipotent and can be overcome by the power of God. His doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever and ever (Ez. 28:12-19; Is. 14:12-15; Rev. 12:10; Rev. 20:10; Job. 1:6, 7).
Section 4 - Doctrine of Man
We believe that God created man in His own image (Gen. 1:26, 27) and that man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death (I Cor. 15:20-22) but also spiritual death (Eph. 2:5) which is conscious (Luke 16:23) and eternal separation from God (Matt. 25:46). We believe that all men (Rom. 5:12) are born with a sinful nature (Ps. 51:5), evidenced by sinful acts (Rom. 3:10-23); that man is totally depraved (Jer. 17:9); and that if he is not born again (Jn. 3:7), he is eternally lost (II Thess. 1:8, 9). We believe there will be a bodily resurrection (Jn. 5:28, 29) of all men, the just and the unjust. The resurrection of the just will take place at the rapture of the church (I Thess. 4:14-17) and at the second coming of Christ to set up His Kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6). The unjust will be resurrected after the millennium, then be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
Section 5 - Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God (Act. 13:38-39; Eph. 2:8-9); that the believer has eternal security from the moment of his conversion (Jn. 10:28-29; 5:24); and that any man may trust in Christ if he chooses to do so (Rev. 22:17).
Section 6 - Doctrine of the Church
We believe in the unity of all true believers in the Church, which is the body of Christ, which was established on the Day of Pentecost; and that all believers from Pentecost to the rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:12, 13); that this church, the body of Christ, is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers (Acts 2:41); that its Scriptural officers are pastor and deacons whose qualifications are defined in I Tim. 3:1-13; that this local church is congregationally governed under the superintendence of its Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ (I Peter 5:4) through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:3) and is autonomous and independent from any secular or ecclesiastical organization (I Cor. 6:2, 4; Acts Chapter 6; II Cor. 8:19; I Cor. 5:5; II Cor. 2:7, 8; Acts Chapter 15); that the ordinances of the local church are two in number and that they are strictly symbolic. Neither one nor the other has any vicarious or saving value whatsoever. Baptism is for believers only, and its significance is demonstrated by immersion in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, thus symbolizing the believer’s previous experience of regeneration through faith and his union in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as set forth in (Rom. 6:3-11). The Lord’s Supper instituted by the Lord Jesus is a memorial of His atoning sacrifice to be kept until He returns (I Cor. 11:17-34); that the local church has a mandate from Jesus Christ to propagate the Gospel to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and to teach them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded in His Word (Matt. 28:18-20).
Section 7 - Doctrine of Separation
We believe that God commands Christians to be a separated people (II Cor. 6:14; II Cor. 7:1). The Fruita Faith Baptist Church will be separated from all forms of apostasy and religious inclusivism. We reject the ecumenical movement joining all churches into one body regardless of doctrine or practice and the charismatic renewal movement with its unscriptural emphasis on tongues and healing. We reject homosexuality as it is moral depravity as set forth in the Scriptures (Rom. 1:27; I Cor. 6:9) and go on record as opposed to the practice but will attempt wherever possible to win them to repentance and saving faith in Christ. The church will enjoy fellowship with churches of like faith and order, but will have no part in any council or churches that is ecumenical in nature and thrust.
We believe Christians are to be personally separated from all worldly practices that hinder spiritual growth and stability. We believe that God’s people should not love the world nor the things that are in the world (I Jn. 2:15, 16). We believe that a Christian should live a holy life and maintain a testimony consistent with the New Testament (I Pet. 1:15).
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Qualification of Members
Any person who at a definite time in his life has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul and subsequently has been immersed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is solely for a public portrayal of identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Candidates must be in agreement with the constitution and covenant of this church to be eligible for membership.
Section 2 - Reception of Members
All prospective members must first counsel with the pastor and deacon and possess the proper qualifications as stated above. Candidates may then be received into the membership of the church by a majority vote of the voting membership at any regular or special meeting. The prospective member is required to attend such meeting.
Section 3 - Fellowship of Members
It is a command of God our Father that we maintain fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. However, personal trespasses do happen and must be dealt with according to the procedures given to us by our Lord in Matt. 18:15-17, Rom. 16:15, II Thes. 3:13.
Section 4 - Discipline of Members
Any member who is involved in making ungrounded accusations against another member and will not abide by Section 3 of Article IV of this constitution shall be counseled by the board. If such member is unwilling to obey the procedures a Article IV, Section 3 and proceeds to accuse and gossip he will be subject for action outlined in Article IV, Section 5 (D).
Section 5 - Removal of Members
A. By death - The clerk shall upon notification from the board remove from the membership those members which are deceased;
B. By request - The clerk shall upon the notice of the board remove from the membership the names of those that request such action. Such names shall be reported to the church at the quarterly meeting either in a written or oral report.
C. By neglect - The board shall recommend to the church at the annual meeting the removal from the membership those who in the board’s opinion fail to show proper interest in the services and work of the church during the course of the previous year. A majority vote is needed for the removal of any member. Such member, if removed, shall be notified of such action.
D. By exclusion - If any member of this church has any cause for complaint of sufficiently serious nature to justify expression, this church requires that such complaint be taken to the board for consideration and action, and further, that if any member be known to give expression to sentiments likely to cause division or dissension in the membership or impede the progress of the work such course if persisted in shall constitute sufficient grounds for bringing the name of the member so doing before the church by the board for exclusion from membership. And, be it further resolved that upon recommendation of the board the church may order the name of the member withdrawn for the following reasons:
1. Unchristian conduct - Consistent violation on his part of the adopted and established constitution of this church.
2. Holding or teaching doctrines subversive of those held and preached by this church whether such teaching is done in the church buildings or in some by-the-way class or fellowship.
3. Active opposition to the leadership of the church or conduct calculated to cause or create dissension or division within the church.
4. Fornication, Homosexuality, or any sort of sexual misconduct.
5. Criminal activity of any sort that is contrary to Biblical standards of conduct.
The time of the meeting for such action by the church shall be announced in accordance with Article VI, Section 5. The member accused will be permitted to attend this meeting, but he shall only be able to speak as the board outlines for him. The vote of the church to exclude such member shall also demand that the excluded not only be dropped from the membership but also refrain from attending any of the services or activities of the church until restoration has taken place according to the constitution.
E. The membership of any person uniting with another church shall cease automatically.
F. Any member who so desires shall, upon application to the pastor and deacons, be granted a letter of dismissal by the church clerk upon approval of the church by majority vote.
G. Loss of rights: any person who has been excluded from, or who has withdrawn from the membership shall have no voice in the business of the church, nor any claim upon any church property, and shall immediately return any such in his possession.
Section 6 - Restoration of Members
Any member that has been excluded may be readmitted upon repentance. Such repentance shall be made evident to the board and then upon public confession before the church will be readmitted by the majority vote of the church.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
All officers, committee members, and employees of this church must be members in good standing and subscribe wholeheartedly to the doctrinal position and general ethical standards of the church.
Section 1 – Board
The “Board” as used throughout this constitution is comprised of the pastor and/or pastors and all of the deacons. The board has no power other than that allowed by the church and enumerated in this constitution.
Section 2 - Pastor
A. Qualifications - The pastor shall qualify as outlined in I Tim. 3:1-7.
B. Call - When it is necessary to call a pastor, the deacons, as the permanent pulpit selection committee, shall take the necessary steps to secure a pastor. The matters of salary, parsonage, vacation and such other items as are related to official activities shall be mutually agreed upon in connection with the call of the pastor. These arrangements may be reviewed by the pastor and deacons as needed with any changes being brought to the church by the chairman of the deacons for approval.
C. Election - Upon the recommendation of the board a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose shall constitute a pastoral call, provided notice of the time and nature of the meeting is announced during the two consecutive Sundays immediately preceding the meeting.
D. Tenure - The pastor’s tenure shall be considered permanent. It shall be terminated either upon the pastor’s resignation or upon the recommendation of the deacons and the majority vote of the membership of the church at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose, provided notice of the time and nature of the meeting is announced during the two consecutive Sundays immediately preceding the meeting. Termination shall be upon thirty (30) days’ notice or such lesser period as may be mutually agreed upon between the pastor and the deacons provided, however, that during that period the pastor may be suspended from performing duties incident to that office at the discretion of the deacons.
E. Duties:
1. The pastor, as outlined in Scripture, is also an elder and an overseer (I Pet. 5:1, 2; Acts 20:28).
2. The pastor is the under shepherd (Jesus Christ being the Chief Shepherd) and the spiritual overseer of the church.
3. The pastor shall have charge of the pulpit and conduct the regular and special services of the church.
4. The pastor shall be responsible for the spiritual interest of the church.
5. The pastor shall have the supervisory authority over all teachings within the church and its ministries.
6. The pastor shall perform those duties as traditionally pertain to the office of pastor.
7. The pastor has discretionary authority to serve as moderator at all business meetings, and is empowered to sign for and on behalf of the corporation.
8. The pastor shall be the chairman of the board.
9. The pastor shall serve as ex officio member of all committees and organizations.
Section 3 – Deacons
A. Deacons shall be members in good standing of this church for at least one (1) year prior to holding office. They shall be elected annually to replace those retiring. A full term shall consist of three years. A retiring deacon may succeed himself at the discretion of the church (membership voting). The church may elect competent men, nominated by the board, to complete any unexpired terms.
B. Qualifications: The scriptural qualifications as set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13 shall be adhered to. The candidate for the deaconate shall give a satisfactory account of himself both doctrinally and spiritually.
C. Duties: The deacons shall be associated with the pastor in the furtherance of the spiritual ministry of the church. Their duties include:
1. The pastor and the deacons shall supervise the spiritual, financial, and material work of the church and its benevolences. The deacons serve as spiritual advisors to the pastor.
2. The deacons shall elect a vice-chairman from among themselves who shall serve as vice-moderator of the church. The deacons shall be responsible for the leadership of church services in the pastor's absence. They shall also elect an assistant chairman who shall act as secretary of the board and shall preside in the absence of the chairman.
3. The pastor and deacons shall interview and examine applicants for church membership.
4. The pastor or chairman of the deacons shall call special business meetings when necessary.
5. The deacons shall assist the pastor in administering the ordinances, visitation, caring for the needy and sick and other duties the church may delegate to them.
6. The pastor and deacons shall be in charge of all disciplinary measures and shall carry out the same in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws.
7. The deacons shall have full charge of the deacons' or fellowship fund and elect a deacons' fund treasurer.
8. The deacons shall serve as trustees of the church and shall possess such legal powers as ordinarily conferred upon trustees.
9. The deacons shall appoint three of their members to sign all legal documents. They shall direct the work of the church caretaker, and represent the church legally whenever necessary and be responsible for the insurance, maintenance, cleanliness, safety and comfort of all church property.
10. The deacons shall direct the financial needs of the church, exercise proper supervision over church property, arrange for payment of church salaries, and submit an inventory of all church properties to the annual meeting of the church. The deacons shall not make disposition of, or purchase of any property for the church except as directed by the church at a business meeting.
11. The deacons shall annually appoint a budget committee to review the church budget and finances and present a proposed budget for the coming year. The proposed budget shall be presented to the deacons first, and upon approval they shall recommend it to the church for adoption at the annual meeting.
12. The deacons shall serve as the pulpit committee in the event a vacancy in the pastorate occurs.
13. The deacons shall serve as the nominating committee. They shall put in nomination one or more persons for each elected office at the annual business meeting.
14. The deacons shall interview missionaries being considered for support and shall make recommendation to the church.
15. The deacons shall be responsible to seek the restoration of backslidden members in the spirit of Gal. 6:1.
D. The pastor shall be considered as the chairman of the company and shall preside at all meetings. The deacons shall be considered the directors for purposes of the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act. Their legal authority shall be to collect, discount, negotiate, endorse and assign in the name of the church, all checks, drafts, notes and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments payable to this church, or in which this church an interest, and to draw, sign, and deliver, in the name of this church and with its approval any and all legal documents. They shall hold in trust all properties of the church under the churches general direction and in accordance with the laws of the state of Colorado.
E. Meetings: The deacons shall meet monthly and at such times as is advisable.
Section 3B - Deaconesses
A. Election: Three or more with a maximum of 5 shall be elected for three year terms, so arranged that their terms expire on alternate years. If a deaconess resigns, one may be elected to fill her unexpired term. They shall be elected at the annual business meeting.
B. Duties: The deaconesses shall assist in the preparation for the administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, spiritual and charitable visitation, provide flowers for the decoration of the pulpit (in the event no one is doing it), provide flowers for those in the hospital and funerals in the church. They shall maintain a registration book for church visitors. Together with the deacons, they shall arrange receptions for new pastors, missionaries, or other guests. They shall elect their own chairman and secretary at their first meeting immediately after the annual meeting.
Section 4 - Officers of the Corporation
The following posts shall be filled as officers of the corporation:
A. President - Upon satisfactory call under Article V, Section 2, the pastor shall serve as president of the corporation until death, resignation or removal;
B. First vice-president - The vice-chairman of the deacons shall serve as first vice-president of the corporation; the secretary of the deacons shall serve in the absence of both the president and vice-president of the corporation.
C. Church clerk - The office of church clerk shall be nominated by the board and elected upon a majority vote of ballots cast at the annual business meeting for a term of one year. The church clerk shall be responsible for the following:
1. The church clerk shall keep a record of all business transacted by the church and shall be the keeper of the seal of the church;
2. The church clerk shall conduct all official correspondence; preserve and properly file all letters, reports, and other documents pertaining to his office such as baptisms, marriages, and historical records; and assist when directed in preparing reports required by the church;
3. The church clerk shall have charge of the membership roll of the church and shall keep an accurate record of additions to or dismissals from the church membership;
4. The church clerk shall sign and send all church letters of acceptance and removal;
5. The church clerk shall maintain minutes of business meetings undertaken by the church; and
6. The church clerk shall deliver immediately to his successor all books, files, records, and other documents, and all facsimiles thereof, in his possession.
D. Treasurer - The office of treasurer shall be nominated by the board and elected upon a majority vote of ballots cast at the annual business meeting for a term of one year. The treasurer shall serve as treasurer of the corporation for purposes of the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act and shall perform such functions as are incident to that post including but not limited to the following:
1. The treasurer is empowered to sign checks for and on behalf of the church whether for payment or deposit.
2. The treasurer shall maintain and prepare regular financial reports regarding the corporation; and
3. The treasurer shall make an annual financial report to the church at the annual business meeting and at such other time as may be deemed desirable by the board and/or pastor.
E. Financial secretary - The financial secretary shall be nominated by the board and elected upon a majority vote of ballots cast at the annual business meeting for a term of one year. The financial secretary shall receive and deposit all monies and shall keep an accurate record of individual contributions when they are given through methods where records are possible, such as by check or through the envelope system. Individual itemized statements shall be furnished to each donor at the end of the fiscal year.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 1 – Place
All regular worship services stated in this constitution shall be held at the church facility unless providentially hindered or, by majority vote of the church, another place is designated.
Section 2 - Worship Services
The church shall conduct such meetings as are deemed necessary and desirable for public worship, prayer, evangelism, and promotional work of Christian education and missions, and the general work of the Gospel. Regular worship services of the church shall be held on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening.
Section 3 - Business Meetings
A. Quarterly Business Meetings: All business shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. A quarterly business meeting shall be held during the regular mid-week service on the 3rd Wednesday of April, July, and October.
B. Annual Business Meeting: The regular annual business meeting of the church shall be held at the church during the regular mid-week service on the 3rd Wednesday of January each year or at such other place and time as may be designated by the board. The annual business meeting shall be for the purpose of the election of deacons and officers and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
C. Special Business: Special business meetings may be held at any time providing notice of the same and its purpose shall have been publicly announced from the pulpit at the morning and evening services of the Sunday preceding the date of the special business.
Section 4 - Notice
No notice other than that provided for in Article VI section 5 of this constitution shall be given unless the date, purpose, and/or place of proposed meeting is changed, in which case any and all changes must be publicly announced from the pulpit at the morning and evening services of the Sunday preceding the proposed meeting.
Section 5 – Voting
A. The voting members present at any congregational meeting called in accordance with the requirements of the constitution shall be considered a quorum for the transaction of business.
B. Only active members’ age eighteen years or older are entitled to vote.
C. Voting shall not be by written ballot unless deemed best by the pastor or other moderator or upon request with authorization of a majority vote.
ARTICLE VII – FINANCES
Section 1
This church holds that it is to be supported by voluntary gifts from God’s people. We believe that every Christian should seek to give systematically, regularly, proportionately, sacrificially, and cheerfully of his substance to the Lord’s work through the local church (II Cor. 8:9). By no means shall raffles, suppers, rummage sales, games, or entertainment be used to raise money for the work of the church or its organizations.
No group or organization within the church shall financially support independently any individual or endeavor outside the church, but shall channel all projects through the church and its budget.
The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
Section 2
Missionaries home or on the foreign fields which we support shall be current in support before further financial obligations are incurred.
Section 3
The congregation by a church vote shall make decisions as to special funds, loans, acquisition or sale of real estate property or vehicles, or any other indebtedness. The board, however, shall designate and distribute all monies received in the general fund as is necessary to take care of the work.
Section 4
All offerings shall be counted by at least one deacon and one other individual authorized by the board before any monies leave the church building. A written record of the amount shall be given to the pastor and treasurer immediately.
Section 5
All gifts designated to an individual, institution, or organization when said gift is channeled through the church for the purpose of receiving credit on a giving record, shall be handled as follows:
A. No gift shall be considered unless the one receiving the gift is in complete agreement with the constitution of this church.
B. No gift to an individual shall be considered unless he is in, or retired from, the Lord's work.
C. All designated gifts will be approved separately by the church board as they are received.
D. Should a designated gift be found unacceptable it will be returned immediately to the donor.
ARTICLE VIII – MISSIONARIES
Because the ecumenical and interdenominational pressures both at home and abroad are steadily increasing, and because interdenominational philosophy is expressed in practice by various groups guided by the supposed principle that real soul winning service for Christ is best accomplished outside of the local church making it necessary to rise above all denominational distinctions and thus assuming a superior position over the local church, we declare our belief in the primacy of the local New Testament church as the only Biblical organism or organization for doing God’s work (I Tim. 3:15).
It is our purpose to be evangelistic in all church activities and organizations and we stand opposed to all compromise with any kind of cooperative evangelism which attempts to work with orthodoxy and heresy (that is compromise between fundamentalists and/or conservatives and liberals) in disobedience to the Word of God (II Cor. 6:11-18). And, that we affirm that the saving of souls is not an end in itself, but that any New Testament church has the responsibility to baptize and to instruct born-again people concerning the whole counsel of God (Matt. 28:19-20), seeking to bring them into full fellowship with the New Testament Church (Heb. 10:24, 25).
We are morally and spiritually accountable as stewards of God for the message preached at home and abroad.
We request each missionary supported wholly or in part by our church, to share with us his doctrinal beliefs and practices during each furlough and that he/she be requested to sign without mental reservation our doctrinal statement. If at any time they are unwilling or unable to comply, SUPPORT SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATED and said support be invested in another missionary of like faith and practice with this church.
ARTICLE IX - INUREMENT & DISSOLUTION
Section 1 – Inurement
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of said corporation.
Section 2 - Dissolution
Upon the dissolution or termination of said corporation, after all liabilities have been settled, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit corporation that stands for the fundamental truths of the Word of God and holds to the doctrinal statements as set forth in the Statement of Faith or to such other organization or organizations as are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific organizations as the board of directors shall determine.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended or repealed, or a new constitution may be made and adopted upon the recommendation of the board by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting or special meeting called for that purpose, provided that notice of the time and nature of the meeting be announced during two consecutive Sunday morning worship services immediately preceding the meeting and provided further that copies of the proposed changes be made available for inspection by the membership in a reasonable manner.
Submitted by Pastor and Deacons for church approval at the annual business meeting January 24, 1990, and approved.