Grace Covenant Church of
Homer Alaska, Inc.
1998
CONSTITUTION
Grace Covenant Church of Homer Alaska, Inc.
Article II Foundation, Object, Priorities
of Ministry, and Statement of Faith
(1) First and foremost, The foundation of this Church is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and its code of guidance in all its affairs, the Word of God, and this Church does here affirm its belief that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of Almighty God (Mark 13:31). Secondarily and subservient to the Scriptures, this church subscribes to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689. We acknowledge this document as a most worthy and accurate articulation of true biblical Christianity.
(2) The object of this Church shall be to worship God according to the teaching of His Word, to practice the precepts and examples of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament, to sustain its ordinances and doctrines and to preach and propagate among all peoples the Gospel of Salvation which is by personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
3) The priorities of ministry of this Church flow from the vision of God's glory revealed in Jesus Christ. We exist to enjoy this vision in worship (John 4: 23), strengthen the vision in discipleship and education (2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18), and spread the vision of evangelism, missions, and loving deeds (1 Peter 2:9, 3:15; Matthew 28:18-20, 5:16).
4) We are committed to the freedom of every believer to minister through spiritual gifts and also to the responsibility to do so under spiritual authority and loving discipline.
5) We are committed to guarding and strengthening the biblical family. Children are precious gifts to be treasured, trained, and instructed in the ways of Christ. The family is the primary institution for that training, and parents primarily responsible for the training and welfare of the children. We will support families in the biblical training of their children.
We will minister to broken families such as divorced and unwed parents. We will minister to the downtrodden and the undesirable.
6) We are committed to significant ministry to the needy through deeds of mercy and service.
Above all else, God seeks His own glory and the display of His manifold perfection. Scripture reveals God as sovereign. This means that He is able to act and does act so as to assure His glorious end in all things. His purposes are accomplished. His will is established. His reign is supreme. He has no competitor, no rival, and no adversary who can thwart His holy and divine purposes.
God is holy, just, righteous, merciful, and loving. Each quality is perfectly at ease with the others. He is all-powerful, all knowledgeable and present in all places without diminishment or limitation at all times.
God the Father
It is the will of the Father that is seen in Scripture as directing the Son during His ministry on earth. It is the Father who sits on the throne of glory acting with sovereign wisdom and grace. It is to the Father that our prayers are to be directed, and it is from His hand that all things are granted. He acts providentially so as to bring all things to their appropriate end.
God
the Son
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who, though He took the form of a man in the incarnation, is as eternal and as much the sovereign God as the Father and Holy Spirit. He is God become man submitting to the will of the Father in all things. He came to seek and to save the lost, to give His life as a ransom for many, to serve rather than be served, all to the glory of the Father.
Jesus is the means of our reconciliation with the Father in that He made us innocent before God by taking the penalty of our sin on the cross. He also made us righteous by living a sinless life and transferring that righteousness to our account on the cross.
He is the
Word, the ultimate and authoritative message and messenger of God to a lost
world.
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the
Father and Son in all characteristics and attributes. His ministry is to both the saints and to the unbelievers. He brings comfort, instruction, illumination,
ministry gifts, conviction of sin, and unity, to believers. He draws, quickens,
and regenerates those who are the elect of God. He is the ever-present person of God dwelling in the believer. The ministry of the Holy Spirit works so as
to bring glory to the Son.
General Revelation
God's divine
nature, power, and glory are revealed for all to see in the natural world. People, however, in ignorance and malice
suppress the truth and worship self or other created things in place of the
most holy and glorious God.
Nevertheless, all people are without excuse because the law of God is
written on the heart of each one.
Special Revelation
The Bible is the Word of God written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It speaks only truth and reveals the character, work, and will of God for His creation. The Bible communicates the message of God's love, provision, and judgment to come. It is fully reliable and without error. It is the only basis of our doctrine and the only authority for our practice of faith. The truth of God's Word is the only safe haven for anyone seeking answers to life's most perplexing problems.
Man in the Image of God
Mankind was created in perfection by the very word of God. God created man in his own image. By so doing, we have the capacity, to love, to be creative, to relate, to discern truth, to act morally, and once redeemed, to reflect at our own creaturely level the holy ways of God.
Man Fallen
Although Eve was the first to act in the forbidden way , human corruption is attributed to Adam. In Adam all humanity fell from the original state of perfection. In that corruption, we are unable to mirror any longer God's holiness. In Adam all humanity fell in rebellion to God. Our fall is complete. We are spiritually dead in our sin, unable to respond to God's invitation to redemption in Christ on our own accord. This condition has no remedy outside of the mercy and initiative of our most awesome God.
Salvation is of God. It is accomplished by the work of Christ on the cross. Our sin must be paid for, and we must have a righteousness without which we cannot see God. On the cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sin by taking our sin on Himself and suffering the wrath of God in our place. Having lived a perfect life, He is able to offer us a perfect righteousness in exchange for our sin. Our sin is imputed to Him and His righteousness is imputed to us.
Because humanity has been spiritually dead since the fall, we must be quickened by the power of God before we have the capacity to respond in faith. This regeneration is solely the work of God and the reason we speak of salvation being by grace alone.
Those whom God has given to the Son are drawn to Him by the work of the Holy Spirit. Once the Spirit quickens a person, he is able, by God's gracious gift of faith, to repent of sin and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. And he will trust in that gracious work of Christ once the Spirit has torn the veil of darkness from his eyes.
The Church
The Church, also known as the body and bride of Christ, is made up of the people of God, the elect from every nation; those called out of darkness to light. Jesus is the supreme head of the body. He is the groom who is preparing the bride for the blessed hope of His return.
The Church universal is made up of all believers in all ages from all nations. There is but one people of God. Gentiles have been grafted into the tree of God's people, Israel. So now there is one people of God with the mandate to glorify His name in all the earth and to enjoy Him forever, declaring His glory and goodness to all nations, and making disciples of all nations.
The local Church is made up of a gathering of believers in a particular place at a particular time. They share the same purpose as the Church universal. In a local context, the Church is able to glorify God and build the body of believers by faithfully teaching the Word, worshiping the God of all glory, administering the two ordinances (sacraments) taught in the Word (Baptism and The Lord's Supper), and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, affect appropriate and necessary discipline
Our first delight as believers is to praise the glory of the One whom has saved us, and to do that together in worship increases our joy. Corporate worship also anticipates the full gathering of the people of God in heaven's glory to worship the Lord God Almighty forever.
Other absolutely vital functions of the gathered body are: 1) the nurturing (discipling) of the believers and the children of believers, 2) declaring the gospel of Christ to our local community with the goal of making disciples of those who respond in faith to the message, and 3) sending and going to take the good news of Christ to people beyond our own community who have never responded to the message of the cross of Christ.
End Times
We believe in the personal, bodily return of the Savior Jesus Christ. At the perfect time, He will come in glory to receive the Church to Himself. We will fellowship with Him, reign with Him, and worship Him face to face. All will be judged and those whose names are not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. This is a place of eternal wrath. The elect will serve and praise and glory in the King of Kings forever in a new heaven and a new earth.
Confession of Faith: We fully subscribe to the 1689 London Baptist Confession
Article III Membership
The membership of this Church
shall consist of persons who confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal
Savior, who give evidence of regeneration by living consistently with their
profession and with the views of faith, doctrine and practice of this Church,
who have been baptized and who have been received into its membership according
to the By-Laws of this Church.
Article IV Leadership and Organization
1) Under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Congregation of the Church is the final authority within this local Church. This authority is normally exercised through the election of officers to govern the Church. However, the vote of the eligible membership of this Church at a properly called meeting, as provided in the By-Laws, shall be required to affect the following actions:
a) Accept members into the Church, give letters of transfer or recommendation to members, or drop members from the Church roll,
b) Elect officers of the Church,
c) Discipline members by dismissing them and discipline officers by removing them from office,
d) Approve annual budgets of the Church, authorize any expenditure of the funds of the Church that exceeds $2500.00 (Twenty-five Hundred Dollars) when such expenditure is not covered by an approved budget, and approve any transactions regarding real property,
e) Accept, reject, or otherwise dispose of any matter submitted to the membership of the Church by the Council of Elders, or raised by motion at a business meeting,
f) Adopt, amend, or repeal the Constitution or By-Laws of this Church, and
g) Approve the call, job description, and initial salary of Vocational Pastors and Ministers.
2) The officers of the Church shall be Elders,( the primary teaching and preaching Elder may be called the Pastor).The purpose of the officers of the Church is to lovingly govern, care for, and equip the membership to do the work of the ministry.
3) The leadership of the Church shall be vested in the Council of Elders who are
responsible for governing the Church, teaching the Word, and tending the flock of God in this Church. The Elders shall be equal in authority but may be specialized in function.
4) Members must be 18 years old to be eligible to vote on Church matters.
Article V Church Property
(1) In the event of a division of this Church (may God in His mercy save us) the property of this Church shall belong to that group which represents the largest portion of the Church membership, provided such group is loyal to this constitution; otherwise it shall belong to the group remaining loyal to this constitution though it may not be the largest group in such a division. Should any controversy arise as to whether such loyalty exists, the question shall be submitted to an independent Christian arbitration council that adheres to the articles found in the Statement of Faith section of this document and their decision shall be final.
2) Should a condition arise at any time in the future when for any reason, the Church work cannot continue, the Church property shall be transferred to another non-profit organization that adheres to the doctrines found in the Statement of Faith section of this document.
3) Should conditions arise where a consolidation with another Church holding to the same beliefs is advisable, the Council of Elders shall be authorized by the Church to negotiate the terms of such consolidation in so far as the property of this Church is concerned.
Article VI Revisions, Additions and Amendments
(1) Revisions, additions or amendments of this constitution may be made only in the following manner:
a) At the annual meeting; and
b) By a majority vote of the membership, or a two-thirds majority of those members
attending and voting at such meeting, provided at least seventy five percent (75%) of the resident membership of the Church is present at such meeting; and
c) After presentation by written motion at a quarterly or special business meeting held at least one month before the motion is to be considered, and
d) With notice of the proposed change or addition to be submitted to the membership in writing and announced from the pulpit on at least two Sundays in the interim period between said meetings.
2) Article VI (1) and VI (2) of this constitution shall not be repealed, amended, or revised.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I Membership
Section 1: General Procedure
All actions regarding membership, either of admission or dismissal, shall be by recommendation of the Council of Elders. At any of the regular meetings for worship, the Church may, without special notice, act upon the reception of members or upon transfer of members to other Churches. Reception of members may, without special notice, be acted on by groups, within the Church, more limited than the full membership of the Church, using procedures specifically authorized by vote of the Church at a regular business meeting upon recommendation of the Council of Elders.
Section 2: Membership Qualifications
Members in good standing, who desire to unite with a Church of another Christian discipline, shall receive a letter of reference upon request and be dismissed.
ARTICLE II Church Government
Section 1: GENERAL STATEMENT
a) Officers. The Officers of the Church shall be a Elders and Deacons. Officers shall be called to office by vote of the membership of the Church as provided for in Article II, Section 2 and Section 3 of these By-Laws. All officers of the Church shall be members of the Church in good and regular standing. The Council of Elders shall be composed of men. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) below, the Council of Elders are the only bodies and positions created by these By-Laws.
b) Clerk, Treasurer and Financial Secretary. The Church, upon nomination by the Council of Elders shall elect at the annual meeting, members to the positions of Church Clerk, Treasurer and Financial Secretary. One member shall not perform the functions of Treasurer and Financial Secretary. The Church in a suitable amount shall bond the Treasurer and Financial Secretary. The Elders shall provide a written description of duties to the Clerk, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary.
c) Committees and Appointees. The Council of Elders has the authority to create committees and positions to which it may delegate any specified aspect of its responsibility. The Council of Elders has the authority to dissolve any committee or position, which it created. The Council of Elders also has the authority to appoint Elders or other members of the Church to serve as members of such committees and to act as its agents in such positions. Every committee shall have a chairperson, responsible for the overall operation of the committee, who shall be approved by the Council of Elders.
a) Definition. Vocational Pastors are the ordained Elders of the Church, who in response to God's call, have devoted their vocational lives to the ministry of the Word and prayer in the service of the Church of Christ. Vocational Ministers are the non-ordained ministers of the Church who, in response to God's call, serve the Church of Christ as their primary vocation.
b) Duties. In addition to the duties of their office as described in Section 4 below, Vocational Pastors and Ministers shall perform the duties determined by the Council of Elders and approved by the congregation. The duties shall be in writing at the time of the call to service, and the Church shall approve substantial changes. The Church's call of a Vocational Pastor is a call to the Eldership of the Church. Therefore Vocational Pastors shall be members of the Council of Elders and have all the Biblical qualifications of an Elder. Vocational Ministers are not necessarily called to the Eldership, but as assisting partners in the ministry.
c) Vocational Call by the Church. The members shall call Vocational Pastors and Ministers by:
1) Ballot upon recommendation of the Council of Elders and;
2) At least 85% (Eighty Five Percent) majority of those members voting at the meeting. Oral notice of any such meeting, stating its object, shall be given from the pulpit on the two successive Sundays preceding the meeting. Notice shall also be given by mail to the resident membership at least one week before the meeting. Vocational Pastors and Ministers shall stand for reaffirmation not later than the third annual meeting following their call or previous reaffirmation. Reaffirmation of a Vocational Pastor or Minister shall be by 85% (Eighty Five Percent) vote of those members present and voting at the meeting.
d) Termination of Vocational Call by the Church
1) By Resignation. The Church upon the presentation of the Pastor or Minister’s resignation shall consider the question of terminating the vocational call of a Vocational Pastor or Minister at any time.
2) Grievance. Where a grievance exists against a Pastor or Minister, either due to his preaching or teaching contrary to the beliefs of the Church as set forth in Article II of this Constitution or to alleged conduct on his part unfitting an Elder, such grievance may be brought before the Council of Elders by any two members in good standing, following the procedure prescribed in Article V of these By-Laws. If the Council, after thorough investigation and consideration, believes the grievance to be true and substantial, then the vocational call of the Pastor or Minister may be terminated at any business meeting upon the recommendation of the Council of Elders when supported by closed ballot of a majority of those eligible members of the Church present and voting. Oral notice of any such meeting, stating its object, shall be given from the pulpit on two successive Sundays preceding the meeting.
3) Lack of Reaffirmation. If a Vocational Pastor or Minister fails to be reaffirmed to the office of Elder as provided in paragraph (c) above, a special business meeting shall be called to consider the question of terminating the vocational call with that Pastor or Minister. The vocational call shall be terminated only if supported by closed ballot of a majority of those members of the Church present and voting. Public notice of any such meeting, stating its object, shall be given on two successive Sundays preceding the meeting. Notice shall also be given by mail to the membership at least one week before the meeting. Removal from office and termination of the vocational call by this means shall not be considered disciplinary action.
Section 3: LAY OFFICERS
a) Definition. Lay officers are, the non-Vocational Elders of the Church.
b) Duties. Lay Elders shall have the duties of their offices as described in Section 4 below.
c) Calling. The Council of Elders shall recognize, interview, and investigate
candidates for Lay Elder. The Council shall provide for individual members of the Church either to nominate candidates or to present themselves to the Council as candidates for office and for the Council's further investigation. In no instances shall any individual be considered a nominee for the office without the nominee's consent. In those cases where the Council of Elders concludes that a nominee is not qualified for office they shall so inform the nominee stating the reasons for this conclusion.
The Council of Elders shall present a ballot of candidates for calling or reaffirmation as Elders to the congregation at the annual meeting. The Council of Elders may also nominate candidates for election to office at any quarterly or special meeting, provided that the written ballot of nominees is available for review in the Church office at least ten days in advance of the meeting and is announced publicly to the Church by mail to its members or in the Sunday worship at least ten days in advance of the meeting.
Lay Elders shall be called by the Church for a normal term of three years. They shall stand for reaffirmation at each annual meeting of the Church. Calling or reaffirmation of a lay Elder shall be by 85% (Eighty Five Percent) vote of those members present and voting at the meeting. Lay Elders shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. Following two consecutive terms the Elder will not serve actively in office for a period of one year. Following this period they are again eligible for nomination as Elder. For purposes of this provision a term during which an Elder serves not more than 2 (Two) years shall not be considered a term in office.
(d) Removal.
1) Resignation. An officer may resign his office at any time if he finds he is no longer able to discharge the duties of the office.
2) Grievance. Where a grievance exists against an officer of the Church either due to the adherence to and propagation of beliefs contrary to the beliefs of the Church as set forth in Article II of this Constitution or to alleged conduct on his part unfitting an Elder, such grievance may be brought before the Council of Elders by any two members in good standing, following the procedures prescribed in Article V of the By-Laws of this Church. If the Council, after thorough investigation and consideration, believes the grievance to be true and substantial, then the officer may be removed from office upon the recommendation of the Council of Elders when supported by closed ballot of a majority of those members of the Church present and voting at any annual, quarterly, or special meeting with at least 85% (Eighty Five Percent) of the membership of the Church present at such meeting. Oral notice of any such meeting, stating its object, shall be given from the pulpit on two successive Sundays preceding the meeting. Notice shall also be given by mail to the resident membership at least one week before the meeting.
3) Lack of Reaffirmation. If a Lay Elder stands for reaffirmation and fails to be reaffirmed, the Elder shall be removed from office. Removal from office by this means shall not be considered disciplinary action.
a) Composition, Term, and Calling. The Council of Elders shall be composed of at least three men, both Lay Elders and Vocational Elders. The number of Elders at any time shall be determined by the needs of the ministry and by the call and qualification of men in the Church. There shall be more Lay Elders than Vocational Elders. Each Lay Elder shall be called by the membership of the Church to a term of 3 (three) years. That call and any reaffirmation shall be conducted as provided in Article 1, Sections 2 and 3 of these By-Laws.
b) Qualifications. Elders and nominees for Elder shall be qualified for the office as specified in the Bible. Relevant texts include I Timothy 3 1-7, Titus 1 6-9 and I Peter 5 1-4.
c) Responsibilities. The fundamental responsibility of the Elders is to devote themselves to prayer and the Word. The Elders are responsible for governing the Church, teaching the Word, and tending the flock of God in this Church.
The responsibilities of the Elders shall include examining prospective members and acquainting them with the Affirmation of Faith, overseeing the process of Church discipline, examining prospective candidates for office, scheduling and providing a moderator for business meetings, providing for reporting and recording of official Church business, overseeing the work of the Church agents and committees, conducting worship services, administering the ordinances of the Gospel, equipping the membership of the Church for the work of the ministry, teaching the whole counsel of God both formally and informally, correcting error, overseeing, coordinating and promoting the ministries of the Church, and mobilizing the Church for world mission.
d) Organization. The Council of Elders shall organize itself however it determines to be best to achieve the mission of the Church. The Elders shall be equal in authority but may be specialized in function. The Elders must meet at least once per month. Meetings of the Elders may be held at any location and may be conducted by means of electronic communication through which the Elders may simultaneously hear each other. Unless the Council provides otherwise, meetings of the Council may be held immediately upon notice. A quorum for meetings of the Elders is defined as at least one-half of the Lay Elders plus at least one-half of the Vocational Elders. The Council shall annually select its Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its Lay Elders.
In addition to Vocational Pastors and Ministers, the Church may employ additional personnel. The congregation at a properly called business meeting must approve the moneys for such personnel. The Council of Elders shall be responsible for determining the duties of and hiring such personnel.
Section 1: In General. No method of raising funds shall be entertained which is in conflict with the Scriptural ideals of the Church.
All funds donated for missions through the offerings of the Church shall pass through the Church Finance Secretary and the Treasurer in order that due record may be made and credit given to the Church. The Elders shall provide assistants for the Financial Secretary in accounting for funds donated as needed.
Section 2: Contributions. It is understood that membership in this Church involves financial obligations to support the Church and its causes with regular and proportionate giving. Each member shall be encouraged in Scriptural giving.
Special offerings may be sought by the Church, or by any of its organizations, with the approval of the Council of Elders. This shall not preclude individuals from making special offerings or designated gifts at any time as the Spirit of God may move them.
Section 3: Financial Planning. The financial planning of the Church shall be carried out through the medium of annual budgets prepared for carrying out of the various programs of its work. Annual budgets shall be adopted by the Church upon recommendation of the Council of Elders, or a committee if authorized by the Council.
Section 4: Accounts. The Finance Secretary according to the purposes for which contributions are designated shall account for financial receipts from all sources. The Treasurer of the Church shall disburse these funds promptly according to the financial program of the Church as detailed in the Budgets or other authorized designations. All moneys for missions shall be remitted in accordance with the Mission Budget of the Church or otherwise designated, preferably each month and not less than each quarter.
Section 5: Indebtedness. No note or contract whereby the credit of the Church is pledged shall be made except by recommendation of the Council of Elders and approved by the Church.
Section 6: Authority To Bind the Church. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council of Elders are the only officers who have authority, in accordance with these By-Laws, the Church Constitution, and any applicable laws, to execute legal documents relating to real estate, Church property, and Church finances.
Section 1: For Worship. Public services shall be held on the Lord's Day. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month or at such other times as the Council of Elders may determine. Other religious services may be appointed as the advancement of the work of the Church may require.
a) The Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held some time during the last two months of the fiscal year, for the purpose of calling and reaffirming the officers, reviewing proposed budgets and other business. Officers called at the annual meeting shall assume their duties at the beginning of the new fiscal year.
b) Quarterly Meetings. Quarterly meetings of the Church shall be held within the first month of each quarter of the fiscal year.
c) Special Meetings. The Council of Elders or any ten members in good standing may call for a special meeting. Notice of the meeting shall be given from the pulpit or by other notification; the particular object of such meeting being clearly stated in the notice. In the calling of special meetings for purposes where an interval after advance notice is required by provision in these By-Laws or according to law, such provisions shall be observed. Notice shall be given at least one week in advance for meetings on especially important matters not otherwise provided for.
d) Quorum. Any number of members shall constitute a quorum at any ordinary meeting of the Church. At meetings dealing with particular matters stipulated in these By-Laws, the quorums prescribed shall apply.
e) Rules Governing Business Meetings. Common courtesy and general order shall be the norm in all business meetings. Robert's Rules of Order shall be recognized as the general pattern for the conduct of the business meetings of the Church if needed. Seeking the Lord's wisdom and blessing through thankful prayer shall be a part of every meeting.
f) Notice Provisions. Unless specifically defined in other sections of these By-Laws or the Constitution, "resident membership" means those members who reside within 45 miles driving distance from the Church building, “notice ... in writing" means a written announcement sent by regular U.S. mail, and “notice ... from the pulpit" means an oral announcement at each of the Sunday services.
Members of this Church shall have the liberty to participate in and organize themselves for ministry, provided that such participation and organization does not conflict with Article II of the Constitution. Any such organization may seek Church sanction from the Council of Elders as an official ministry of Grace Covenant Church of Homer Alaska, Inc. Such sanction shall be granted provided that: 1) the object, purpose, belief, and conduct of the organization and its members is consistent with Article II of the Constitution and 2) the primary officers of the organization are members of the Church, or other regular attendees of the Church who have been approved under guidelines established by the Council of Elders. Sanction by the Council of Elders does not necessarily imply support of the organization by the Church with personnel, finances, or facilities. Such support may be requested as provided by the leadership of the Church.
ARTICLE VII Discipline
The discipline of members
shall be a responsibility of the Council of Elders under such rules and
procedures as the Elders may from time to time establish on the basis of
Scripture. All such proceedings shall
be guided by a spirit of prayer mingling Christian kindness, forbearance, and
holy firmness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE VIII Amendments
General. Amendments to-these By-Laws may be introduced through written motion at any quarterly meeting, but shall not be acted on until the following quarterly or annual meeting, at which time an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the eligible membership present at the meeting and voting shall be required for acceptance. Notice of the proposed change or amendment shall be announced from the pulpit on at least two Sundays and in writing to the resident membership in the interim period between the meetings.