Grace Covenant Baptist Church

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

Our Constitution

Sola Scriptura : Soli Deo Gloria : Solus Christus : Sola Gratia : Sola Fide
 

Constitution of Grace Covenant Baptist Church

August 2005

This Constitution was first published in Riverside, in 2005. The text herein is not under copyright, since we are indebted to several other churches for many of the Biblical insights embodied in this document. Particular gratitude is expressed to the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONSTITUTION OF
Grace Covenant Baptist Church Of Riverside, California

PREAMBLE

We, the members of Grace Covenant Baptist Church of Riverside, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this church shall be Grace Covenant Baptist Church of Riverside.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of this church is to glorify the God of the Scriptures by maintaining and promoting His worship both individually and corporately, by edifying His saints, and by evangelizing sinners. Therefore, we are committed to the proclamation of God's perfect Law and of the glorious Gospel of His grace through all the world, to the defense of that "faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), and to the pure and faithful celebration of the ordinances of the New Covenant.

ARTICLE III

COVENANT

  1. Introductory Statement
    God has graciously entered into a covenant relationship with His believing people (Jer 31:31-34; 32:40; Heb 8:7-13; 10:16, 17; 13:20, 21). Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb 8:6). His blood is the blood of the New Covenant, which infallibly secures all the benefits of the covenant for all of God's people (Matt 26:26-28; Heb 13:20, 21). God has in this New Covenant made us members one of another (Rom 12:4, 5; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:25). Therefore, we have covenant responsibilities to each other, as well as to God. God has promised in this covenant to write His laws in our hearts and to cause us to walk in His ways (that is, to enable us to keep our covenant responsibilities). The motivation and ability to obey God's laws spring from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, by His death, satisfied the holy wrath of God that was against us due to our sins. It is by the enablement of the Holy Spirit that we obey, in loving gratitude for Christ's righteousness, which has been imputed to us, and not to establish our own righteousness before God. We obey with the confidence that the end of Christ's death will be realized in us (that is, "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" [Rom 8:4] and that we should be a people "zealous of good works" [Titus 2:14]. The following paragraphs are a summary of what we believe are our covenant responsibilities toward God and toward one another. This summary forms the basis for our giving and receiving instruction for ourselves and for our families.
  2. Summary of Our Covenant Responsibilities (the Laws Written in Our Hearts):
    1. We agree to worship only the one true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. We will have no other gods before Him.
    2. We agree to worship God in His appointed way and to exclude from our worship anything that He has not appointed.
    3. We agree not to use the name of our God emptily or to take it upon ourselves carelessly, but to walk in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
    4. We agree to cease from our own works on the Lord's Day, if they are not works of mercy, piety, or necessity, and to positively sanctify the day by special exercises of public and private worship.
    5. We agree to honor and obey, within the bounds of Scripture, all our superiors, whether in family, church, state, or business; and, if we be superiors, to deal reasonably and lovingly with our subordinates and thus to teach them by word and example to fear God and keep His commandments.
    6. We agree to avoid whatever tends to destroy us or our neighbors and to engage vigorously in all lawful endeavors to preserve our own lives and the lives of others, especially by ready reconciliation and faithful exhortation in the church.
    7. We agree to possess our bodies in holiness as vessels joined to Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and to avoid all uncleanness of thought, speech, or action.
    8. We agree to be diligent in our vocations, that we may provide for our own households, avoid theft of time, money, or goods, and have to give to him who has need.
    9. We agree to earnestly promote truth among men and to avoid anything that would prejudice the truth or injure our neighbor's good name.
    10. We agree to be fully content with our own condition in life, to rejoice in the advancement of our neighbor, and to avoid envying him or coveting anything that is his.

ARTICLE IV

ARTICLES OF FAITH

We agree with and accept as our secondary doctrinal standard The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

  1. Requirements for Membership
    1. To be eligible for membership, a person must demonstrate repentance toward God and the fruits thereof (Acts 26:20), as well as that faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) which produces godly works (Eph 2:8-10; Jas 2:18, 22). The demonstration of these realities naturally requires observation over a period of time. The duration of this time shall be determined by the elders on a case by case basis (Acts 9:26). He must be baptized by immersion after exercising faith in Christ. He must also profess voluntary, intelligent, and substantial agreement with the purpose (as stated in Article II), covenant (as stated in Article III), confession (as stated in Article IV), and government of this church. Substantial agreement is that which satisfies the elders that there is such like-mindedness as to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).
    2. Church members must be in submission to the ordained rule of the church to which they belong (Heb 13:17). He who cannot intelligently and freely submit to a church's government should not belong to that church.
    3. Anyone who is in basic disagreement with the purpose, constitution, and/or the confession of the church could not be consistently submissive to the church's teaching ministry. Therefore, to admit such a person to membership in this church would be unwise, divisive, (Eph. 4:3) and unscriptural.
    4. Mastery of The London Baptist Confession of 1689 is not required of any disciple before he is admitted to church membership. Such a requirement would violate the order of Matthew 28:19, 20, which instructs us to disciple, to baptize, and then to teach the baptized disciple to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded. It is necessary, however, that any disciple applying for membership manifest a willingness to be taught and agreement with what he already knows concerning the church's doctrine and government.
  2. Reception into Membership
    1. Any person desiring to become a member of the church must submit a written testimony to the Elders explaining his understanding and experience of the Gospel of Christ. Exceptions to this shall be determined by the Elders in cases involving extraordinary circumstances. The twofold purpose of the written testimony is to enable present members to have proper spiritual discernment concerning potential members and to enjoy knowledgeable fellowship with them.
    2. If the applicant is, or has been, a member of another church, special effort will be made to determine his standing in that church and his reasons for leaving. At the discretion of' the Elders, a letter of' inquiry concerning the person's standing may be sent to that church before his acceptance as a member in this church is determined.
    3. Upon the reception of any written testimony, the Elders may at their discretion ask for a preliminary meeting with the applicant; otherwise, the name of the applicant shall be announced for at least three consecutive Lord's Days at stated meetings of the church. This time period is for the purpose of enabling the members to read his testimony and to raise any questions or objections concerning the applicant's qualifications. Members are expected to consider this a personal duty of the most serious character. They are expected to voice to the Elders all questions or objections that have not yet been resolved, though personal contact has been made with the applicant (Matt 18:15ff; Lev 19:16, 17). After at least three consecutive Lord's Days, the applicant will meet with a majority of the Elders. During the interview the Elders will seek to clarify any questions the applicant may have concerning the church or church membership. They shall also determine whether or not that person meets the qualifications as stated in Article V, Section A, of the Constitution and, if necessary, resolve any questions or objections raised by the church. The Elders may postpone the reception of the person into membership until proper investigation can be made into any objections that are not resolved at that time. If the Elders are satisfied that the applicant meets the qualifications, the person will be publicly received at a stated meeting of the church (Matt. 3:6-12; Acts 9:26, 27; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 2:2).
  3. Termination of Membership
    1. By Physical Death. When a member of the church is removed from our midst by death, his name shall be transferred to the file of former members.
    2. By Removal to another Faithful Church. When it is so requested, the Elders may transfer a departing member of good standing to the fellowship of another church. A letter of transfer will be sent to the appropriate officebearer(s) of the church to which the member wishes to transfer. No such letter may be given to a member who is at the time under the corrective discipline of this church. The Elders may refuse to grant a letter of transfer to any church which is in their judgment disloyal to "the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3) or which does not exercise godly care over its members. There are times in the providence of God that members will relocate to a new geographical location. Members are strongly urged to ensure the safety of their souls (i.e., a known faithful church where their souls will be fed and cared for) before such a relocation is carried out (Matt. 6:33). The membership of said member will not be maintained in this local assembly beyond a six month period. The reason for this is twofold. 1) Absent membership is meaningless membership. The elders of the church cannot be faithful to, watch over, nor feed members who are not present with the local body. 2) To enforce upon the consciences of a departing member the seriousness and vital importance of joining themselves to a faithful assembly in their new locale.
    3. By Resignation
      1. Occasionally, a member whose conduct does not warrant corrective discipline and who is in good standing in the church might request termination of his membership. Because membership in the Reformed Baptist Church is entered into and initiated jointly, by voluntary commitment from the individual applicant and acceptance by the membership of the church, members cannot, under all circumstances unilaterally terminate their membership. If circumstances make it improper for the church to terminate his membership by transfer (see Paragraph 2 above), such a member would be terminated from the membership.
      2. While there is no explicit precedent for resignation in the New Testament, it is consistent with and necessitated by Biblical principles. Even though such a member may not be transferred, neither may the sanctions accompanying corrective discipline (I Cor 5:9-13; II Thess 3:6-15) be properly applied to him. Thus, the dictates of Biblically defined love and the exigencies of a church not yet wholly redeemed demand termination by this means.
      3. Because of the seriousness of church membership, members shall have their membership terminated by the Elders upon their request after due admonition. This request must be made in writing to the Elders. If and when the Elders conclude that such termination is warranted, a letter shall be sent granting the requested termination.
    4. Exclusion. If due to relocation or other unique circumstances a member ceases to maintain vital contact with this church, he may be excluded at the discretion of the Elders. No congregational approval shall be needed for exclusion. Elders shall simply communicate to the congregation that such a person is no longer a member. If one who has been excluded again applies for membership, the normal procedures shall be followed as set forth in Section C of this Article. Exclusion may be warranted for the following reasons: (1) a member in good standing may conclude that he is not truly saved; or (2) a member in good standing may wish to terminate his membership for reasons that do not impugn his Christian profession. The latter may be granted a letter of Christian character should he request it.
    5. By Excommunication. According to the teaching of Holy Scripture, a congregation must cut off from its fellowship and visible membership any person who teaches or insists on holding to false and heretical doctrine, or who blatantly or persistently conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with his Christian profession, or who persists in disturbing the unity or peace of the church (Matt 18:15ff; I Cor 5:lff; Rom 16:17; Titus 3:10, 11). The procedure to be followed in such excommunication is set forth in Article VI, Section B, of this Constitution.
  4. Expectation of Members
    1. All the members of this church are required to attend all the stated meetings of' the church unless providentially hindered by illness, unusual working conditions that do not violate the Lord's Day, and other such circumstances (Heb. 10:24, 25). The stated meetings of the church are as follows:
      1. All services on the Lord's Day (Bible school, morning and evening worship, the Lord's Supper, and baptisms);
      2. Midweek prayer service;
      3. Congregational business meetings; and
      4. Any special meetings that the Elders shall occasionally deem necessary. When any member is absent from the above stated meetings, it is required that an Elder directly or indirectly be informed of the reason. The dictates of biblical love, Christian courtesy, and biblical order demand that this be so.
    2. All the members of the church are required to make use of the various other means of grace that are available to them, such as the systematic daily reading of the Bible, daily private and family worship, and a proper reverence for and observance of the Lord's Day.
    3. Because it is clearly taught in the Scriptures that Christians should financially support the work of the Lord by systematic and proportionate giving made through the local church (Matt 3:8-10; I Cor 16:1, 2; II Cor 8:9), all the members of this church are required to conform to this rule of Scripture. The tithe (ten percent of one's gross income) is not imposed on the people of God as a tax but is strongly urged upon each member as an expression of' worship and the Biblical norm for basic giving. Added to this should be gifts and offerings according to one's ability and the willingness of' his heart (II Cor 8:1-5; Exod 36:2-7).
    4. All the members of this church are required to obey the teachings of' Scripture in respect to family life and government. The husband is the God-appointed head of the family and must rule his household with gentleness, love, wisdom, and firmness (Eph 5:25f'f; I Tim 3:4, 5; I Pet 3:7). The wife must be in Scriptural subjection to her husband in all things (Eph. 5:22-24; I Pet 3:1-6). The husband and wife must bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4). This includes setting a godly example before them, consistently instructing them from the Scriptures (Deut 6:4-9), and administering corporal chastening to them when needed (Prov 13:24; 22:15; 29:15; Heb 12:7). The biblical duties of the family are in force even when the home is divided. The Christian husband must love his wife regardless of her spiritual state, and the Christian wife must likewise render to the husband her biblical duties even if he is not a believer (1 Peter 3). Single believers must keep themselves pure in this immoral age and give themselves only to a godly, growing believer. Counsel, wisdom, and guidance must be sought by those in authority over them. In the event of believers who are widowed or divorced, the church will seek to provide the comfort and aid due them, particularly in the raising of children who are fatherless or motherless.
    5. It is the duty of every Christian, as an individual and as a member of a local church, to labor by prayer, word, and deed for the extension of the kingdom of God in ever widening circles beginning at home and stretching forth to the ends of the earth (Isa 54:1-3; Acts 1:8). Therefore, every member of this church is expected prayerfully to recognize and to seize every opportunity to bear witness to his faith in Christ, both by consistent Christian conduct and by the testimony of his lips (1 Peter 3:15).
    6. Each member of the church is required to render loyal obedience to all the moral precepts of God's Word in his daily life (Rom 8:3, 4; I Cor 9:20, 21; James 2:12). If God has not condemned or forbidden a practice in His Word, a Christian is at liberty to participate in it. The exercise of Christian liberty, however, must at all times be governed by an earnest desire to walk in the fear of God and to glorify Him in all things (I Pet. 1:17; I Cor. 10:31), a loving regard for the consciences of weaker brethren (I Cor. 8:9; Rom. 15:1-3), a compassion for the lost (I Cor. 9:19-22), and a zealous regard for the health of one's own soul (Rom. 13:14; I Cor. 6:12; 9:24-27; Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Pet. 2:16).
    7. All who come into the membership of this church are expected to recognize and to submit to the authority of the eldership of the church (I Cor. 16:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; Heb. 13: 17).
    8. We who have been joined to Christ by faith and are members of this church are also members one of another (Rom. 12:5). With this privileged relationship come particular responsibilities. We must maintain mutual transparency and honesty (Eph 4:25). We must rejoice in each other's honor and bear one another's sorrows (I Cor 12:26). We must discreetly confess our faults one to another James 5:16). We must mutually oversee each other, faithfully admonish and encourage one another, and avoid all backbiting and gossip (Matt 18:15ff; I Thess 5:14, 15; Heb 3:12, 13; 10:24, 25). Also, we must, when necessary, help meet the material needs of our brethren (Gal 6:10; James 2:14-16; I John 3:16-18).
  5. Status of Members
    The Elders shall keep a file of all past and present members. This file shall have three divisions: members in good standing, members not in good standing, and former members. The file of former members shall include the date and reason church membership was terminated, as well as any other necessary information (see Article V, Section D). All members in good standing shall constitute the total voting membership of the church for the purposes specified in the Constitution.

ARTICLE VI

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

  1. Formative Discipline
    Every disciple (follower) of Christ must be under His discipline (His instruction and correction, which is administered to each one through the church (I Cor. 12:12-27; I Thess. 5:12-15; Heb. 3:12, 13; 10:24, 25). Mutual submission to one another (Eph. 5:21) and to the eldership which the Lord has set over His church (I Pet. 5:5) will result in the sanctification of each member individually and of the whole body of the church collectively. There are occasions, however, when one's failure to respond to this formative discipline makes the application of corrective discipline necessary.
  2. Corrective Discipline
    1. Public Reproof or censure
      Public reproof consists of a pastoral effort, before the gathered church, to call an impenitent church member to repentance for sin too blatant to be dealt with in an exclusively private manner; or to deal with serious sin even where there may have been repentance. The elders may administer public censure whenever in their judgment either public misconduct, patterns of sin, or serious doctrinal error pose a significant threat to the godliness, unity or testimony of the congregation. Those who humbly receive the word of public reproof, own and confess their sin, and manifest a transformed life shall afterward be publicly commended for their godly repentance. If the reproof is not heeded, further discipline may be imposed.
    2. Suspension of privileges
      1. Some kinds of conduct and doctrine may be categorized as "disorderly" (1I Thess 3:6, 7, 11; I Thess 4:11, 12; 5:14). Such conduct indicates that "a soldier of Christ's army is out of step". It is really sinful. Disorderly conduct, however, is to be distinguished from conduct that is actually "traitorous". As such, a disorderly member is not to be immediately excommunicated if he does not respond to counsel. Rather, privileges of membership are suspended, in accordance with the directions of II Thessalonians 3:6-15 and "counted not as an enemy, but admonished as a brother" that "he may be ashamed" and repent.
      2. A member guilty of sinful conduct that warrants excommunication may be suspended if upon the admonition of the church (Matt. 18:17) he shows hopeful, but yet uncertain, signs of repentance. Such a member could not properly be excommunicated under such circumstances. Nevertheless, his sinful conduct must not be overlooked, lest occasion be given "to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (II Sam 12:14), lest others be emboldened to sin, and lest the offender himself' fail to test his own soul and to appreciate the gravity of his offense. Therefore, such a member should be suspended until the issue of his case is certain.
      3. Suspension is to be enacted at a congregational meeting by the church. To be valid, an act of suspension must have the approval of a majority of the members present (Matt. 18:17; II Cor. 2:6). The Elders may bar any member from the Lord's Table on account of disorderly or immoral conduct until the matter can be discussed at a congregational meeting ( I Cor. 5:11; 11:29).
    3. Excommunication
      1. Some kinds of' conduct and doctrine are not merely disorderly, but are actually traitorous to the cause of Christ (Matt 18:15-17; Rom 16:17, 18; I Cor 5:1-13; I Cor 6:9, 10; I Tim. 1:19, 20; II Tim 2:16-18; Titus 3:10; Rev. 2:2, 14-6, 20). A member guilty of such conduct or doctrine must be cut off from the fellowship of the church (Matt 18:17; I Cor 5:3-5, 13). Before such action is taken, earnest efforts must be made to bring the offender to repentance (Matt. 18:15-17; Titus 3:10). If' these efforts fail, this offender is to be excommunicated, at a congregational meeting, by the church. To be valid, an act of excommunication must have the approval of a majority of the members present (II Cor 2:6).
      2. A suspended member shall be excommunicated if he continues impenitent.
  3. Restoration
    The purposes of church discipline are to restore a fallen brother or sister and to keep the church pure. Therefore, it is the duty of the church to forgive and to restore to full membership a suspended or excommunicated member who gives satisfactory evidence of his repentance (II Cor 2:6-8). This shall be done in a duly convened business meeting of the church by a majority of the members present.

ARTICLE VII

ORDINANCES

  1. General Statement
    There are two ordinances of special significance that our Lord has commanded us to observe, namely, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. (These are sometimes referred to as "sacraments".) Neither of them has saving merit, nor is any grace imparted to the recipient through the water of Baptism or through the bread and the cup of the Supper. These ordinances are not means of "special grace", but they are special "means of grace" and powerful aids to the faith of the believers who participate in them.
  2. Baptism
    Only confessed disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ are proper candidates for Baptism, and all such persons should be baptized and joined to a local church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 5:13, 14). Believing that Baptism is the God-ordained sign of one's personal union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and the door of entrance into the visible community of the people of God, we shall receive into the membership of the church only those who have been baptized in the Biblical manner, which is by immersion and "into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Because baptism is the door of entrance into the visible community of the people of God, only those who are capable of maturely and intelligently assuming the responsibilities and liabilities of church membership are to be baptized. Not all who are truly converted or joined to the Lord Jesus (i.e., children making a good profession of faith) are ready for these responsibilities.
  3. The Lord's Supper
    Whereas Baptism is the initiatory ordinance by which one enters the visible church, and should be observed only once by each believer, the Lord's Supper should be celebrated frequently by the assembled church (I Cor. 11:26). While this is a most holy ordinance and should be observed with solemnity and dignity, the bread and the cup of the Supper are and remain only symbols of the broken body and the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to maintain the purity of this ordinance, the Elders will faithfully seek to determine that only those who are biblically qualified are admitted to the Table.

ARTICLE VIII

OFFICE BEARERS

  1. General Statement
    Jesus Christ alone is the Head of His Church (Col. 1:18). He has ordained that individual churches should be governed by Himself through office bearers whom He appoints, who are endowed by His Spirit with the gifts and graces needed to accomplish their work. Therefore, it is the duty of the whole congregation to seek continually to discover those to whom Christ the Lord has imparted the necessary graces and gifts for office bearing. Christ has ordained that local churches are to be administered by Elders and Deacons (Phil. 1:1; I Tim 3: 1-13).
  2. Elders
    1. Those who have been called of God to rule and teach in the church are called Elders, Pastors, or Bishops. These are three interchangeable names designating one and the same office in New Testament church (Acts 20:17, 28; Eph 4:11, 12; Titus 1:5, 7).
    2. Anyone desiring the office of an Elder must evidence to God's people the personal, domestic, and ministerial qualifications that are set forth in the Scriptures (I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). In order that this evidence secure the confidence of the congregation substantial time shall be afforded for the man and his family to properly gain their confidence.
    3. Elders must seek to discharge their duties as set forth in the Scriptures (particularly in such passages as Acts 20:17, 28ff'; I Pet 5:1-4; and Heb 13: 17)
    4. While Elders are Overseers (Bishops) of the flock, they are themselves members of the flock. Therefore, each individual Elder is under the oversight of his fellow Elders and is subject to the same discipline as are all the other members of the church.
    5. Every Elder (Pastor) has equal rule in the church, though gifts possessed and functions performed will vary from Elder to Elder. Elders will be maintained in material necessities and disentangled from the cares of another vocation according to their gifts, the needs and capability of the church, and the direction of Christ her Head (I Tim 5:17ff).
    6. Though a plurality of Elders is the New Testament norm for every church, the New Testament does not specify the number of Elders each church should have, nor does it dictate the length of an Elder's term of office. One truly called to this office is usually called to it for life. He is a gift of Christ to the church, and the gifts of God are without repentance. Only when an Elder fails to meet the necessary Scriptural qualifications for his office does he disqualify himself from being an Elder. An Elder may honorably resign from his office for a time if he feels he is providentially hindered from properly discharging his pastoral responsibilities. He may at the discretion of the Elders and without re-examination by the congregation re-assume the office when these providential hindrances have been removed.
    7. Anyone called to this office must be able to conscientiously affirm his agreement with the church's Confession of Faith and Constitution. If he should at any time move from this position, he would be under spiritual and moral obligation to immediately make that fact known to the church in an orderly manner.
  3. Deacons
    1. Deacons are responsible primarily to administer the benevolent concerns of the church as well as its business affairs (Acts 6:1-4). They must fulfill the duties of their office in cooperation with, and in subjection to, the Elders.
    2. The number of Deacons shall not be fixed. The church shall set apart as many men as give evidence of having the Scriptural qualifications for that office, as set forth in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
  4. Appointment of Office Bearers
    1. General Statement
      The appointment of Elders and Deacons is the prerogative of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. However, He has ordained that each local church exercise the responsibility of recognizing those whom He has appointed to be Elders and Deacons in that particular church. Elders and Deacons are ordained to office by the laying on of hands by the Eldership (I Tim 4:14). This is an expression of approval for which the Elders are responsible. Therefore, each office bearer must have the approval, not only of' the church as a whole, but of the Eldership in particular. The Lord's appointment of an individual to either of these offices is recognized by means of' that individual's possession of those graces and gifts required by Scripture for the particular office and his own conviction that the Lord is calling him to minister in that office. The recognition of office bearers is a matter of such importance that it should never be dealt with without much prayerful waiting upon God, an honest perusal of the relevant passages of' Scripture, and a frank evaluation of those who are being considered. Each member of the congregation has a spiritual responsibility to be intelligently informed regarding these matters.
    2. Procedure of Appointment
      The recognition of those whom the Lord has appointed to bear office in this church is executed in three steps: nomination, election, and ordination.
      1. Nomination
        Nominations to either office are made by the Eldership. At least once every year at the annual business meeting an advisory ballot shall be taken. On this ballot each member in good standing may write the name of any male members and the office for which he believes that member to be qualified.
      2. Election
        Any congregational meeting for the election of office bearers shall be announced on four consecutive Lord's Days previous to its being held. The names of all nominees shall be separately discussed and voted upon. During the discussion the nominee under consideration and his immediate family shall leave the presence of the congregation until he is voted upon. The Scriptural qualifications shall be read and expounded, and the nominee's graces and gifts shall be scrutinized in the light of them. The congregation should seek unity of mind concerning each nominee, but should such unity not be fully realized, no fewer than three fourths of those ballots cast shall be required for election. This vote shall take place by written ballot subsequent to a full and free discussion oriented to the relevant Scriptural passages. The vote shall stand as it is first given in the written ballot.
      3. Ordination
        Following the election of an office bearer there shall be a portion of a regular worship service set aside at which time the office bearer shall be ordained by the laying on of the hands of the Eldership. This solemn act should always be accompanied by the special prayers of the whole church (Acts 13:1-3). The laying on of the Elders' hands shall signify their approval of an office bearer-elect. Should the Elders be unable to conscientiously ordain an office bearer-elect (I Tim 5:22), they shall inform each member of their reasons in an appropriate manner.
  5. Review of Office Bearers
    1. There shall be a review of each office bearer's qualifications for the office (I Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 6:3) four years after his ordination into the office and every fourth year thereafter for as long as he occupies the office in this church. The procedure for review will be the same as that outlined in Paragraph 2.b above entitled "Election".
    2. There may arise reasons that would require an office bearer to be reviewed before the regularly scheduled time. Such a review meeting may be called by a unanimous decision of' the Elders (or the other Elders in the case of' an Elder). The members may also request such a meeting. This request must be set forth in writing with the signatures of one-third of the members in good standing. It must be presented to the Elders, who shall in turn make the proper announcement of the meeting.
    3. Such a review meeting would also follow the procedure outlined in Paragraph 2.b entitled "Election".
  6. Full Support of Elders
    1. Though all Elders are equal as to the authority of their office, not all Elders possess qualifications warranting full financial support in the office. The Bible teaches that special ability in ruling the church and, more especially, in public teaching and preaching are gifts worthy of full financial support (Gal 6:6; I Tim 5:17; I Cor 9:1-14). Thus, before it undertakes his full support, the congregation must recognize that an Elder possesses special ministerial gifts and that he is excelling in the employment of those gifts for the benefit of the church, in ways appropriate to his opportunities. Special caution should be exercised in giving full support to an Elder for the following reasons: (1) full support necessitates his removal from a secular vocation, which, in the interests of Christ's Kingdom and of his family, might be a more advantageous position for him to occupy; (2) a major portion of the church's financial stewardship is involved, for which its Head will hold it accountable; and (3) a fully supported Elder has a greater influence upon the congregation, for good or ill. In recognizing any man for full support the procedures outlined in Article Viii, Section D, Paragraph 2, shall be followed. Special attention shall be given to these passages: Galatians 6:6; I Timothy 5:17; and I Corinthians 9:1-14. Ordination would not be appropriate for a man who is already an Elder of the church. The provisions of this section apply to any proportion of financial support required by all increase of ministry that would hinder an Elder's full-time employment in a secular vocation.

ARTICLE IX

OFFICIAL BOARD

In order to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's", this church shall have an official Board of Trustees. The official board shall consist of Pastors (Elders) as voting members and Deacons as non-voting members, with the chairmanship rotation amongst the Pastors. Officers of the board shall serve as the legal representatives of the church.

ARTICLE X

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

  1. Calling of Meetings
    There shall be an annual business meeting of the church held in January or February. At the annual meeting reports shall be given by the Elders, the Deacons, and the Treasurer. Also, a nominations ballot shall be cast (see Article VIII, Section D, Paragraph 2.a) and pastoral support shall be reviewed.
  2. Special Meetings
    Congregational meetings may be called by the Pastors, or when one-fourth (1/4) of the voting members make a written request for such a meeting. This request must state the reason for the meeting, be signed by one-fourth (1/4) of the members in good standing, and must be presented to the Pastors, who shall in turn make the proper announcement of the meeting. Every congregational meeting at which business is to be transacted shall be announced at regular services for at least two (2) successive Sundays. Other congregational meetings at which there is no business transacted by vote may be called at the discretion of the Pastors without previous notice.
  3. Voting
    All voting member should regard their presence at a duly called congregational meeting with the same seriousness with which they would regard their attendance at a stated service of worship; It shall be our goal to prayerfully discern the mind of God so that in all matters of church business it may be said of us, as it was said of that church business meeting recorded in Acts 6, that this thing "pleased the whole multitude". However, in situations in which this unanimity is not realized, no less than a three-fourths (3/4) majority of those voting will make a resolution valid.

ARTICLE XI

CHURCH AFFILIATION

Section 1.

We acknowledge no ecclesiastical authority other than our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church (Eph. 5:23) and who directs the affairs of the church through elders chosen and ordained according to the precepts of Holy Scripture (Acts 14:21-23; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). The elders themselves at all times and in all their activities stand under the authority of Holy Scripture (Acts 16:4; 1 Cor. 7:17).

Section 2.

The church should cooperate with other like-minded churches in matters of mutual interest and concern (2 Cor. 8:8-24). We may seek the assistance (1 Cor. 16:1-2) and should seek the counsel (Prov. 1:14; I Thes. 2:14) of other churches in matters of special importance and concern to us, but the decision of no other church, group of churches, or council shall ever be binding on this church (Acts 14:21-23; Phil. 4:15; London Confession 26:15).

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted by three-fourths of those voting at any regular congregational meeting or at a special meeting called for this purpose provided, in either case, that such proposed amendments shall be distributed in written form to the membership at least four (4) weeks prior to such a meeting.

ARTICLE XIII

BY-LAWS

By-Laws shall be adopted and/or repealed by a simple majority of' the total voting membership.

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