Maranatha Bible Church
Constitution
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the Church shall be Maranatha Bible Church.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Church shall be to bring glory to God by worshipping Him and ministering to the spiritual needs of man. This purpose finds expression through evangelization of the lost and the edification of believers through Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship and service.
ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Statement of Faith is published by the Church as a separate document, but it is considered part of this Constitution. The Board of Elders may change the Statement of Faith with a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Board members. The latest adopted version is the expressed position of the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE IV: COVENANT OF MEMBERSHIP
- Qualifications for Membership
Any person who has trusted Christ as personal Savior and attends Maranatha Bible Church is considered a member of this local assembly. Members and those considering membership are encouraged to examine the Statement of Faith and this Constitution and then discuss with a pastor or an elder any matter not understood.
All members shall accept the responsibility of exercising their gift(s) of the Spirit for the benefit of the body.
The Board of Elders accepts the responsibility for the spiritual oversight of those who have believed in Christ and identify with Maranatha Bible Church by their attendance.
- Withdrawing Membership
Membership may be withdrawn at any time by simply notifying the Church in writing of such intent, provided that such withdrawal is during a time when the member is in good standing with the Church. Good standing of a member is lost when:
1. A known and unrepentant sin continues to be practiced by the member.
2. The member is teaching doctrines contrary to the Church's Statement of Faith. Anyone accused of teaching false doctrine may appeal to the Board of Elders to present his view. The Board of Elders has ultimate authority in deciding whether a teaching is in error.
3. The member is exhibiting a divisive spirit in the Church.
C. Submitting To the Elders
The congregation is to be submissive to the rule of the Board of Elders in the same way Christians are to be submissive to Christ. Each member is to accept the privilege of local Church membership and accept the Elders' leadership and loving discipline. Members shall accept the responsibility of exercising their gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of the body. This order also establishes unity in practice and doctrine in the Church. (Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Thess. 5:12,13; 1 Pet. 5:1-5; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Tim. 5:17).
D. Voting Rights
No member shall have any voting rights on any matter pertaining to the Church.
E. Discipline of Membership
To maintain the peace and purity of the Church, Scripture directs the disciplining of any wayward person by restricting active participation and membership in the local Church. Discipline shall be imposed whenever there is uncorrected, deliberate sin, whether in doctrine or in practice (Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2 Tim. 2:16-21). Matthew 18 states the procedure in a step-by-step fashion. The following presents a listing of these steps.
Step 1: Reasonable efforts shall be made, by those who have first-hand knowledge of the doctrinal error or sin, to attempt to correct the offender and encourage him to practice the truth and cease from sin (Luke 17:3; Gal. 6:1).
Step 2: If private reproof fails, the matter shall be brought to the offender by one or more additional witnesses who offer further reproof and spiritual counsel (Matt. 18:16; Deut. 19:15). If the offender admits to and stops the sin, the matter is dropped. If the offender refuses to repent, such witnesses stand as additional evidence of the offender's unwillingness to repent.
Step 3: After reasonable attempts to correct the member have failed, the charges shall be submitted to the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders may request prayer for the offending member by the Church. During this time the offending person is encouraged to change his mind about his sinful course of action.
Step 4: If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Board of Elders, the offender shall be excluded from attendance, participation, fellowship and membership of the congregation. The body is encouraged not to have fellowship with the offending party, but members should pray for and encourage the offender to reconcile with the Church body.
A majority vote of the Board of Elders is necessary to impose the fourth step of the disciplinary action. The decision of the Board shall be announced at a regular worship service or a specially called meeting of the Church members and carried out by the members of the Church (Matt. 18:17; 1 Tim. 5:20; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 1 Tim. 1:20; Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15).
All members have the right to appeal to the Board of Elders and present their case any time during and after the disciplinary process. A written request presented to any Board member is required for a hearing before the Board of Elders.
Step 5: Persons who have been so disciplined, but demonstrate repentance to any member of the Board of Elders or one of the pastors, may be restored to fellowship by a majority vote of the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE V: ORDINANCES
A. Believers' Water Baptism (Matt. 28:18-20)
1. The Statement of Baptism
Baptism is the visible testimony of an inward spiritual transformation. It shall be administered only to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior understanding the cost and commitment of being a disciple (Christian). The Church shall recognize as valid any regular form of believer's water baptism, but the Church shall practice believer's baptism by immersion, which pictures the believer's death, burial and resurrection with Christ.
2. The Requirement for Baptism
a. Identification with Christ (Matt. 10:24-28).
Baptism publicly identifies a believer with Christ and with the body of Christ, the Church. The essential requirement for baptism is salvation. Salvation is granted to the repentant person by God upon believing the gospel. The gospel is that man is a sinner and the penalty for sin is death. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to die on the cross to pay the penalty for mankind. He was raised from the dead to demonstrate that the penalty for sin had been paid. Those who place their faith and trust in Him alone as Lord and Savior receive Him and the forgiveness of sin He provides.
b. Commitment to Christ
A person trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone is born-again. While many have given verbal assent to the terms expressed in the gospel, some have not addressed the question of commitment to Christ. The following Scriptures give the test of faith (discipleship):
§ Allegiance to Christ, not others is required in discipleship. One's allegiance to the Lord does not demand separation from loved ones for separation's sake, but may be required because the Lord Jesus Christ will not share His rightful spot with anyone (Matt. 10:34-39).
§ The Ownership of Self is transferred to Christ. This is expressed as a denial of self. Only Christ shall own our heart, our life, our affections and our allegiance (Matt. 16:24-26).
§ Counting the Cost. Each person is to count the cost in denying self and material possessions.
B. The Lord's Supper: Communion
1. The Statement of Communion: The Lord's Supper shall be administered as a commemoration of Christ's death with the elements being used as symbols of His body and blood. In this observance there is a proclamation made to all that Christ died for us. While water baptism illustrates the truth surrounding initial faith or conversion, communion is the ongoing practice for believers.
2. The Frequency: Communion shall be observed on such occasions as the Board of Elders shall deem desirable.
3. The Participants in Communion: Communion shall be open to all self-examined believers regardless of Church affiliation.
ARTICLE VI: CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
C. Regular and Special Services
The church shall meet at times designated by the Board of Elders for public worship, prayer and Bible study. Special meetings such as Bible conferences, missionary conferences or evangelistic services, shall be arranged by the Board of Elders.
D. Informational Meetings
1. Special meetings shall be held as scheduled by the Board of Elders. These meetings will be given to review various matters relating to any aspect of the Church.
2. Questions may be submitted to the Elders for their consideration before or during the meeting.
3. In all informational meetings, the Chairman of the Board of Elders, or in his absence, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Elders, shall preside.
4. Minutes for the meeting shall be taken by the Board Secretary.
E. Leadership Meetings
1. The Senior Pastor may call 'Leadership Forum' meetings with the men of the Church as he or the Board of Elders choose.
2. Minutes need not be taken of these meetings since they are informational in nature.
3. Any questions concerning doctrine or practice may be raised by those in attendance.
ARTICLE VII: BOARD OF ELDERS
F. Titles and Definitions: The Board of Elders
A group of Elders comprise the Board of Elders. They are the highest ruling Board of the Church. They have the responsibility to lead and govern the body.
G. Qualifications: Moral and Spiritual
The moral and spiritual qualifications of an Elder are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Elders shall be appointed by the Board of Elders in light of these God-given requirements. The Board of Elders shall have the responsibility to assess the on-going qualifications of all members of the Board of Elders.
H. Appointment
The Board of Elders shall act as the appointing body for all new Elders.
I. Duties of Elders: Governing the Body
1. Overseeing
The oversight and government of the Church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, shall be vested in the Board of Elders. Their authority as the Board of Elders is derived from the order as established in Scripture (Titus 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17).
2. Leadership and Management
The Board of Elders shall lead the congregation with loving willingness, not under compulsion, as examples to the Church. They must exercise diligence to be Scriptural in the use of the authority vested in them. They must shepherd the body as a shepherd cares for the sheep (1 Pet. 5:1-4).
3. Teaching and Shepherding
It shall be the duty of the Board of Elders to care for the Church in its spiritual condition, to guard the purity of doctrine and life of the Church, and to discipline the Church in accordance with the Word of God. The Board of Elders shall oversee the teaching of the Word of God. They shall be responsible for administering ordinances, providing biblical exhortation to the erring and needy and comforting the sick and afflicted (1 Thess. 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:2).
4. Ruling
The Board of Elders and the other ministry committees they establish shall comprise the ruling body of the Church and shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the church (1 Tim. 5:17).
5. Appointment of Elders
After the candidate has been interviewed by the Board of Elders and receives a recommendation from the Board, he shall be presented to the congregation for a two week period for comments. If satisfactory qualifications have been exhibited and confirmed by those who know him, the candidate may be appointed Elder.
6. Number of Elders and Term of Office
a. The number of Elders on the Board shall be according to the number who have been appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28). Members of the Board of Elders shall be appointed by a unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.
b. The term of Office for the volunteer Board of Elders' members shall be three years, renewable indefinitely.
c. The titles of Office shall be Vocational Elder, Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor.
d. The term for Vocational Elders is indefinite. They serve indefinitely without any term limitations.
J. Duties of the Senior Pastor.
The Senior Pastor shall:
1. Act as the President of the Board of Elders.
2. Preach the Bible at all services scheduled for that purpose by the Board of Elders except for leaves of vacation, illness, emergencies or for guest speakers.
3. Lead in the development of a philosophy of ministry based on Ephesians 4 which is summarized as:
a. Teaching the Word of God.
b. Equipping the saints.
c. Evangelizing the lost.
4. Assemble a staff of paid and unpaid ministers and workers to carry forward the doctrines and philosophy of the Church and carry on an orderly administration of the Church.
ARTICLE VIII: DEACONS
K. Titles and Definitions: Deacons
Deacons are men who are appointed to the office of Deacon using the procedures as outlined in this section. They may be laymen in the Church or they may be on Church staff. They function in support of the Elders of the Church.
L. Qualifications: Moral and Spiritual
The moral and spiritual qualifications of a Deacon are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons shall be appointed in light of these God-given requirements.
M. Candidates
Recommendations of candidates for the office of Deacon may be made by any Church member who shall make his recommendation of a candidate known to the Board of Elders. The Board shall then act as the interviewing agency.
N. Appointment
After the candidate has been interviewed and receives a recommendation from the Board of Elders, he shall be presented to the congregation for a two week period for comments. If satisfactory qualifications have been exhibited and confirmed by those who know him, the candidate may be appointed Deacon with a title of responsibility as assigned by the Board of Elders.
O. Number Provided
The number of Deacons shall be determined by the Board of Elders. All Deacons shall be appointed by unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.
P. Term
A Deacon appointment is for an indefinite term. However, each Deacon is confirmed in the office of Deacon by the Board of Elders annually.
Q. Duties and General Powers
1. Relationship with the Elders.
It shall be the duty of the Deacons to assist the Elders or other Deacons in the administration of the Church. When a Deacon is appointed he shall be assigned to assist an Elder(s) or Deacon(s) in his area(s) of responsibility. Deacons shall meet with their Elder(s) or Deacon(s) on a regular basis for the purpose of addressing and reviewing their area(s) of responsibility. It shall be the duty of each Deacon to take the necessary measures and steps to meet his responsibility in working with the Elders or Deacons in the administration of the Church.
2. Spiritual Responsibilities
Deacons shall assist in guiding the spiritual life of the Church as examples and in administering the ordinances and in performing any other responsibility as directed by any members of the Board of Elders.
3. Voting Rights
The Deacons have no voting rights of the corporation.
R. Termination: Deacons shall be considered terminated for these reasons:
1. Death
2. Resignation
It shall be the prerogative of any Deacon to resign his appointment simply by giving written notice of resignation to his supervising Elder.
3. Removal: Deacons shall be removed for the following reasons:
a. Refusal or inability to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to him by the supervising Elder.
b. When a Deacon shows himself, by person or attitude, to be disturbing the purity, peace or unity of the Church, has admitted to changing his views regarding the Statement of Faith and practices of the Church or fails to live in harmony with the standards expressed in this Constitution, he will be asked to resign his position.
c. A Deacon shall be removed from office by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Elders. Voting shall be at a duly-called meeting of the Board of Elders.
4. Discontinued Ministry. The office of a Deacon relates to the ministry to which he is appointed. If the ministry is discontinued, the Deacon serving in that area loses the appointment of Deacon, or he may be reappointed to another ministry area within three years without repeating the procedures for initial appointment to the office of Deacon.
ARTICLE IX: OTHER APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Elders may appoint any other vocational or volunteer personnel as needed to carry on the ministry of the local Church. These appointees, whether salaried or not, are not part of the Board of Elders and are not Deacons unless so appointed.
S. Auditors
Auditors may be appointed by the Board of Elders as deemed necessary and appropriate to examine and audit the books and records of the Church Treasurer and to present a report to the Board of Elders.
T. Other Committees
The Board of Elders may designate and appoint one or more committees for such purposes as the Board may determine appropriate.
ARTICLE X: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, CONTRACTS, SALARIES, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
U. Property
It shall be the duty of the Board of Elders to have the care of all matters pertaining to the physical properties and finances of the Church. The Board shall take all necessary measures for the protection and maintenance of Church buildings and property and shall supervise the use of same.
V. Funds
The Board of Elders shall be responsible for receiving, counting and safekeeping Church funds. They shall direct the disbursement of such funds to promptly meet all obligations incurred by the Church. The Board of Elders shall prepare and adopt a budget projecting operating expenses for the coming year.
The Board of Elders may accept on behalf of the Church any contribution, gift, bequest or device for general purposes or for any special purpose of the Church. The Board has the authority to establish special projects or ministries as they may determine.
While the funds for special projects are given and received on good faith, the Board of Elders ultimately reserves the right to redistribute any funds to any account the Board of Elders believes is in the best interest of the Church.
W. Salaries
The Board of Elders shall set salaries for all ministering staff. The Senior Pastor shall make recommendations for salary levels, but all are to be approved by the Board of Elders. The Board may delegate the responsibility for setting individual salaries of the support staff but the Elders must approve the aggregate amounts.
X. Contracts
The Board of Elders may authorize any officer or officer's agent(s) of the Church in addition to the officers so authorized by this Constitution to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Church. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Y. Checks, Drafts, Notes
All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Church shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Elders. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Elders, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and countersigned by the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Elders.
Z. Deposits
All funds of the Church shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Church in such bank, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Elders may select.
AA. Benevolent Funds
The Board of Elders or their appointees shall control the distribution of benevolent funds (Acts 6:1-3).
ARTICLE XI: CHURCH YEAR
The Church fiscal year shall be set by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Elders.
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