Church Constitution

Current as of 2-12-26

 

 

 

 

CONSTITUTION OF

 

 

 

 

 

FAITH BIBLE CHURCH OF PRESCOTT VALLEY

 

 

 

 

 

We, the directors of Faith Bible Church of Prescott Valley, do ordain and establish the following

 

 

articles to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

 

 

 

NAME

 

 

The organization shall be known as Faith Bible Church of Prescott Valley located in Prescott

 

 

Valley, Arizona (hereinafter “Faith Bible Church” or “the Church”).

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

 

 

The purpose of the Church is to glorify God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by

 

 

the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit as His church through worshiping in spirit and in truth, and

 

 

making and growing disciples.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

 

 

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

 

 

This doctrinal statement reflects a summary of our beliefs at Faith Bible Church of Prescott

 

 

Valley as derived from the Holy Word of God. The purpose of this statement, rather than

 

 

overshadowing or replacing the Bible, is to submit to and hold up its clear teachings in a more

 

 

readily accessible form for the purposes of evaluation, teaching, and edification. Because the

 

 

Bible is the reliable source for all knowledge about God, man, and what God requires of man,

 

 

bibliology (or the study of the Bible) is the beginning point for this doctrinal statement.

 

 

 

 

 

A. Bibliology (Study of the Bible)

 

 

All 66 books of the Bible constitute the plenary inspiration (equal inspiration in every part) Word

 

 

of God (2 Pet 1:20-21). It originated with God Himself and was given through men (2 Pet 1:21),

 

 

inspired, or God-breathed, (2 Tim 3:16) and recorded exactly as God intended. It is without error

 

 

(inerrant) in any part or in the whole in the original documents, and is infallible (incapable of

 

 

error in its entirety). It is only these 66 books that make up the complete written revelation of

 

 

God to mankind, and together this canon constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice

 

 

(2 Tim 3:15-17, Heb 4:12, 2 Pet 1:19-21).

 

 

 

 

 

Though it is not laid out systematically as a book of theology, it is clear and understandable as

 

 

objective, propositional truth from God (1 Thess 2:13). This was accomplished by the Holy Spirit

 

 

superintending the human authors such that the human authors wrote with their own emotion,

 

 

intellect, style, and personality exactly what and how God directed the text to be written.

 

 

Therefore, as we diligently work to apply the literal, grammatical, historical method of

 

 

interpretation under the illumination of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20), we can fulfill our

 

 

responsibility to ascertain the true intent and singular meaning of the Scriptures as well as

 

 

proper application of God’s instructions for us.

 

 

Scripture describes God, discloses man, displays Jesus, declares the hope of His Gospel, and

 

 

directs our lives. Scripture is the basis for our preaching, teaching, singing, meeting, and

 

 

counseling; and Scripture is the full and final authority on all matters. (1 John 2:20)

 

 

B. Theology Proper (Study of God)

 

 

The Bible clearly reveals God as the one and only true and living God (Deut 6:4, Isa 45:5-7). He

 

 

is worthy and deserving of worship in spirit and truth because of who He is and what He has

 

 

done and continues to do (Ex 34:5-8, Ps 29:1-11, John 4:21-24). Moreover, the Bible also

 

 

clearly reveals God as a Trinity; that is, three persons eternally existing in one essence –

 

 

revealed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19,20), having precisely the same

 

 

nature, attributes, and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence,

 

 

and obedience; each with divine roles that are summarized below.

 

 

 

 

 

1. God the Father

 

 

As the first person of the Trinity, the Father orders and directs all things according to His will and

 

 

wisdom (Ps 115:3, Rom 11:33-36, Eph 1:11). He is the Creator (Gen 1:1-31), the Sovereign,

 

 

Omnipotent Ruler and King (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Eph 1:11, 1 Tim 1:17), the Judge (1 Peter

 

 

1:17), and He is holy (Lev 20:7, 26; 1 Pet 1:16). He is called Father in three senses: 1) the

 

 

Father of all creation in a broad, general sense (Eph 4:6), 2) the exclusive Father of the Lord

 

 

Jesus Christ (John 8:12-59), and 3) He is the spiritual adoptive Father of all believers (Rom

 

 

8:14, 2 Cor 6:18, Gal 4:5). The Father did not invent or author sin, death, or sickness (Hab

 

 

1:13), which all came about through the sin of Adam (Rom 5:12), yet even these are used as

 

 

part of His plan that was formed before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:1-12) for His glory.

 

 

 

 

 

This plan also includes His sovereign work of election of undeserving sinners to be saved by His

 

 

grace.

 

 

 

 

 

2. God the Son

 

 

The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, is coequal and coeternal with God the Father

 

 

(John 10:30, 14:9-10). He was with God the Father in the beginning working in creation (John

 

 

1:1-3, Col 1:15-16) and is working even now in sustaining all things (Col 1:15-17, Heb 1:3). In

 

 

God the Father’s perfect timing, He was born of a virgin (Matt 1:23, Luke 1:26-35). Rather than

 

 

ceasing to be God while a man, He took on the additional nature of humanity in Himself,

 

 

becoming fully God and fully man; He did not lack any of the essence of either nature in

 

 

Himself, nor did the two natures mix (Micah 5:2, John 14:9-10, Phil 2:5-8, Col 2:9).

 

 

Jesus Christ revealed Himself as a real person in the incarnation in order to reveal God, redeem

 

 

man, and rule over God’s kingdom (Ps 2:7-9, Isa 9:6, John 1:29, Phil 2:9-11, Heb 7:25-26, 1 Pet

 

 

1:18-19). He shed His blood in a voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, redemptive,

 

 

and physical death on the cross in order to redeem every person the Father will give Him, as

 

 

many as have been appointed to eternal life (John 6:37-40, 10:15-18, Rom 3:21-26, 5:8, Acts

 

 

13:48, 1 Pet 2:24). He was then physically, bodily raised from the dead in order to confirm our

 

 

justification (Mat 28:6, Rom 4:25), affirm His deity (John 5:26-29, 8:58, Rom 1:4), and

 

 

substantiate our hope of future resurrection (Rom 4:25, 6:5-10, 1 Cor 15:1-58). He then

 

 

ascended into heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand interceding for believers and reigning

 

 

(Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25, 1 John 2:1) until He returns.

 

 

Jesus Christ is called Son in three senses: 1) the only begotten Son of God in a unique, divine

 

 

sense (John 1:14, 1:18, 3:16), 2) the Son of Man in a unique, messianic sense (Dan 7:13, Mat

 

 

16:27, 19:28, 26:64, and 3) the son of David in a prophetic fulfillment sense (2 Sam 7:14-16,

 

 

Mat 1:1-16, Luke 3:23-34). He will judge all people at the end of time (John 5:22-23); believers

 

 

(1 Cor 3:10-15, 2 Cor 5:10), those alive on earth when He returns (Mat 25:31-46), and

 

 

unbelievers who have passed away prior to His return (Rev 20:11-15). He will return one day to

 

 

receive the Church unto Himself at the rapture (1 Thes 4:13-18), and will establish His Millennial

 

 

Kingdom on earth in glorification (Rev 20).

 

 

 

 

 

3. God the Holy Spirit

 

 

 

 

 

The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is also coequal and coeternal with the Father and

 

 

the Son (Heb 10:15-18, Mat 28:19, 1 Cor 12:4-6, 2 Cor 13:14). The Holy Spirit is a person who

 

 

exhibits intellect (1 Cor 2:10-13), emotion (Eph 4:30), and will (1 Cor 12:11). He demonstrates

 

 

His divinity in sharing the Father’s incommunicable attributes such as eternality (Heb 9:14),

 

 

omnipresence (Ps 139:7-10), omniscience (Isa 40:13-14), omnipotence (Rom 15:13), and

 

 

truthfulness (John 16:13).

 

 

 

 

 

The Holy Spirit was active in creation with the Father and the Son (Gen 1:2), Christ’s incarnation

 

 

(Mat 1:18), the inspiration of the Scriptures (John 16:13, 2 Pet 1:20-21), and in the work of

 

 

salvation (John 3:5-7). He additionally convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of

 

 

judgment, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and transforms believers into the image of God the

 

 

Son (John 16:7-11, 2 Cor 3:18, Eph 2:22). Though the Holy Spirit was active in the Old

 

 

Testament (Num 27:18, 1 Sam 16:12-13), His work of creating and sustaining the Church began

 

 

at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. His relationship with the Church is now as the sovereign Agent in

 

 

regeneration and spiritual baptism into the body of Christ for every believer at the time of

 

 

salvation (1 Cor 12:13, Titus 3:5), as well as indwelling, sanctifying, instructing, empowering for

 

 

service, and sealing all believers until we are called home (Rom 8:9, 2 Cor 3:6, Eph 1:13).

 

 

Although all believers in Jesus Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, believers are also

 

 

commanded to be filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit continually (Rom 8:9, Eph 5:18, 1

 

 

John 2:20-21).

 

 

Finally, the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Cor 12:1-11,

 

 

13:8-10, Eph 4:7-12, Heb 2:1-4, 1 Pet 4:7-11). The miraculous gifts of the New Testament were

 

 

genuine and necessary at the time of Apostles for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating

 

 

their message. By the end of the first century, the Holy Spirit ceased dispensing the miraculous

 

 

gifts including: healings, speaking in tongues, and direct revelatory prophecy, but continues to

 

 

grant service gifts to all believers for the edification of one another (Eph 4:7-12, 1 Pet 4:10).

 

 

Through these gifts, the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14, Acts 1:8).

 

 

 

 

 

C. Anthropology (Study of Mankind)

 

 

Man was created by God on the sixth literal day of creation, in the image of God, for the glory of

 

 

God, for fellowship with God, and for obedience to God (Gen 1:27, 2:7, 2:15-25, Isa 43:7, Col

 

 

1:16, Rev 4:11). God created man and woman, male and female, distinctly and for different

 

 

roles. God created Adam and placed him in the garden to work in it (Gen 2:15), then He created

 

 

 

 

 

Eve from Adam’s body in order to help him (Gen 2:18-25). The man and woman together

 

 

disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and

 

 

evil, Eve being deceived by Satan (Gen 3:1-6), Adam eating willingly (Gen 3:6). Though God’s

 

 

creation had been very good (Gen 1:31), including man and woman, Adam’s sin brought lost

 

 

innocence, spiritual and physical death, God’s wrath upon humanity, inherent corruption within

 

 

mankind, and depravity such that no one is able to choose or do good in God’s sight in his own

 

 

power (Gen 3:1-19, 6:5-6, 8:21, Rom 3:9-18). Because of this act, sin has been transmitted to

 

 

every human being by nature, Jesus Christ standing apart as the only exception, and all have

 

 

become sinners by nature and by choice as a result (Ps 14:1-3, Jer 17:9, Rom 3:9-18, 5:10-12).

 

 

D. Soteriology (Study of Salvation)

 

 

Because of mankind’s sinful, depraved state, and the effect of that sin upon the mind, emotions,

 

 

and will of every person, no one is able to save himself through merit or works (Rom 3:20).

 

 

Therefore, salvation is wholly of God by grace through faith based on Christ’s work alone, Old

 

 

Testament saints looking ahead (Heb 11:10) and New Testament saints looking back to His

 

 

work. (John 1:12-13, Eph 2:8-10). God’s sovereign work of salvation of sinful man was decreed

 

 

by God before the foundation of the world in His election, or choosing those He would redeem

 

 

(Rom 8:28-30, Eph 1:4-11, 1 Pet 1:1-2). Sin’s effect includes spiritual death for every person

 

 

(Eph 2:1-5, Col 2:13) so that he must be made alive in salvation. The Holy Spirit, by way of the

 

 

Word of God (John 5:24, Rom 10:17), instantaneously gives life to every person who believes at

 

 

the moment of salvation in regeneration (Titus 3:5, John 3:3-7, 2 Cor 5:17-18). At the same

 

 

moment, because of God’s sovereign work in the heart to make someone alive through faith, the

 

 

person turns from their sin in repentance, believes in Jesus Christ for the source of God’s

 

 

required righteousness, and rather than being declared guilty, he is declared righteous in

 

 

justification (Rom 3:21-26, 1 Pet 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21). In all this work of God, no one will be

 

 

pardoned from judgment due to disbelief because of the excuse of God not working to bring

 

 

faith and repentance; every person is commanded to repent and trust Jesus Christ as Savior

 

 

and Lord (John 3:18-19, 36, Rom 9:19-23, Rev 22:17). Those who do not will suffer for eternity

 

 

in the lake of fire (Matt 25:31-46, Rev 20:11-15). Finally, all whom the Father calls will come, and

 

 

not one will be left behind (John 6:37-44, Acts 13:48).

 

 

 

 

 

Salvation necessarily manifests itself in the fruit of good works in the life of every believer (1 Cor

 

 

6:19-20, Eph 2:10, 1 John 2:1-6). As the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit

 

 

through faithful obedience to the Word of God, he becomes increasingly conformed to the image

 

 

 

 

 

of the Lord Jesus Christ in sanctification (2 Cor 3:18, Eph 5:17-21, Phil 2:12, Col 3:16, 1 Pet

 

 

1:5-11). However, both the desire and the ability to accomplish these good works originate with

 

 

God Himself, and He is who receives the glory for them (Phil 2:13, 1 Pet 2:12). We will not attain

 

 

perfection or sinlessness in this life, though when we are called home to be with our Lord for

 

 

eternity, God will remove all sin and its effects upon us in glorification (Rom 8:17, 2 Pet 1:4, 1

 

 

John 3:2-3). While we live on earth, we are to be separate from sin rather than regular

 

 

participants in it (Rom 12:1-2, 1 Cor 5:9-13, 1 John 2:15-17, 3:1-10). Finally, every person who

 

 

is truly saved is kept by God’s power and is therefore secure in that salvation forever (John

 

 

5:24, 10:27-30, Rom 5:9-10, Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 1 Pet 1:5), though this is not license to live in

 

 

sin or worldliness (Rom 6:15-22, 13:13-14, Gal 5:13, Titus 2:11-14).

 

 

E. Ecclesiology (Study of the Church)

 

 

The Church is the collection of all believers in Jesus Christ who are truly saved – from

 

 

Pentecost through today, even to the time of the Rapture (Acts 2:1-21, 1 Cor 12:12-13,

 

 

15:51-52, 1 Thess 4:13-18). These believers in Jesus Christ have been placed into the church

 

 

by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:12-13) and have become God’s people. God has dispensed spiritual

 

 

gifts to the members of the church for the edification of the church (Rom 12:5-8, 1 Cor 12:4-31,

 

 

1 Pet 4:10-11), which are to be cultivated by pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11-16). The church is

 

 

to continue to exist as local gatherings as defined in the New Testament (Acts 14:23, 27, 20:17,

 

 

28, Phil 1:1) in faithful attendance by believers (1 Cor 11:18-20, Heb 10:25). However, the

 

 

church has not replaced Israel as God has a clear, unique plan for Israel in the future (Isa

 

 

54:1-10, Jer 31:37, Rom 11:1-2, Rev 7:1-8).

 

 

The supreme authority for the church is the Head of the church, Christ Himself (Eph 1:22, Col

 

 

1:18). The Scriptures explain that His representatives in the church consist of a plurality of

 

 

qualified men who lead and rule over the church in humble service (Acts 20:28, Eph 4:11, 1 Tim

 

 

5:17-22, Heb 13:7, 17, 1 Pet 5:1-4). These men are called elders, bishops, pastors, and

 

 

pastor-teachers today since the terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament (Acts

 

 

20:17-28, 1 Pet 5:1-2), and they lead and rule as servants of Christ (1 Tim 5:17-22). Deacons

 

 

are also servants of both Christ and His church, though they are not expected to teach regularly

 

 

as are elders. Both of these groups of men are to be evaluated in light of biblical qualifications

 

 

as laid out in 1 Tim 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph 3:21) through worship (Heb 12:28) and by

 

 

edification in the faith (Eph 4:13-16), by teaching and preaching the Word (2 Tim 2:2, 15,

 

 

3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:46-47, 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19-20,

 

 

Acts 2:38-42), and by making disciples (Matt 28:19-20). The church is the center for discipleship

 

 

(2 Tim 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to one another (Matt 18:5-14, Rom 12:5), and

 

 

discipline when required for the purpose of maintaining the purity of the church (Matt 18:15-22,

 

 

1 Cor 5:1-13, Titus 1:10-16). The elders of each local church are responsible for the above, free

 

 

from external authority or control (Acts 15:19-31, 20:28, Titus 1:5, 1 Pet 5:1-4). The two

 

 

ordinances of the church include believer’s baptism by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper after

 

 

self-examination (Acts 2:38-42, 8:36-39, 1 Cor 11:28-32).

 

 

F. Eschatology (Study of Last Things)

 

 

Old Testament saints who passed away were sent immediately to be with God (Ps 16:10-11,

 

 

23:6). When believers today (and throughout the time of the church) pass away their souls are

 

 

immediately transported into the presence of Christ (Phil 1:21-24, 2 Cor 5:8) who is also with

 

 

God the Father (Heb 1:3, Rom 8:34)

 

 

The rapture is Christ’s physical return to earth in the clouds to gather His church to Himself to be

 

 

with Him forever (1 Cor 15:35-44, 50-54, 1 Thess 4:13-17). At the rapture each living church

 

 

saint will have their physical body changed into an incorruptible body and every church saint

 

 

who has passed away will be physically resurrected with an incorruptible body (1 Cor 15:52, 1

 

 

Thess 4:13-17) so that we will all meet the Lord in the air; this is the first resurrection.

 

 

Immediately following the rapture, God will begin pouring out His righteous judgment upon

 

 

mankind and creation in the tribulation (Jer 30:7, Dan 9:27, 2 Thess 2:7-12). This seven-year

 

 

period is the 70th week of Daniel (Dan 9:24-27, Matt 24:15-31), after which God’s wrath will

 

 

culminate in Christ’s second coming (Matt 24:27-31). The Second Coming will usher in the

 

 

Millennial Kingdom wherein Christ will reign on the throne of David and establish His earthly

 

 

kingdom for 1,000 years (Matt 25:31, Acts 1:10-11, Rev 20:1-7). Christ will at this time overthrow

 

 

the Antichrist and False Prophet who deceived the world and will imprison Satan for 1,000 years

 

 

(Dan 7:17-27, Rev 20:1-7). The resurrected Tribulation and Old Testament saints will reign with

 

 

Him over Israel and all nations (Ez 37:21-28, Dan 7:17-22, Dan 12:1-2, Rev 19:11-16), which

 

 

will also fulfill God’s promises to Israel (Isa 65:17-25, Ez 37:21-28, Zech 8:1-17). Jesus’ reign on

 

 

 

 

 

earth will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isa 11,

 

 

65:17-25, Ez 36:33-38).

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released to deceive the nations and gather them to

 

 

battle against Christ and the city of His kingdom. The revolt will be crushed when fire from

 

 

heaven devours Satan and his army (Rev 20:7-9). Satan, the False Prophet, and all unsaved

 

 

people from the Great White Throne judgment will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Matt

 

 

25:41, Rev 20:10-15). After this, believers of all ages will enter into the eternal state of glory with

 

 

God, when creation will be dissolved (2 Pet 3:10) and replaced with a new heaven and new

 

 

earth (Rev 21-22). This will be the location of the heavenly city (Rev 21:2) where the saints will

 

 

enjoy fellowship with God and one another forever (John 17:3, Rev 21-22). The triune God will

 

 

then directly reign over everything in every way forever (1 Cor 15:28).

 

 

The unsaved of all times who pass away are kept under punishment until they are physically

 

 

resurrected in the second resurrection at the Great White Throne Judgment at the conclusion of

 

 

the millennium, when they will be judged and cast into everlasting punishment in the lake of fire,

 

 

also called Hell (Dan 12:2, John 5:29, Rev 20:13-15).

 

 

The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, requires constant expectancy and, as our

 

 

blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission (2

 

 

Pet 3:8-13).

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Membership at Faith Bible Church represents our commitment to live in community for the

 

 

purposes of growing in Christ-likeness in obedience to the Scriptures with the ultimate goal of

 

 

glorifying God and magnifying the name of Jesus. Together, as a family of believers, we commit

 

 

to love one another (John 13:35), build each other up into Christ (Eph 4:15) and lead others to

 

 

do the same.

 

 

 

 

 

While all Christians are already members of the universal Church, Scripture implies that all

 

 

believers should belong and commit to a specific local church. This commitment briefly explains

 

 

the importance of membership, identifies what unites us as FBC members, and then defines

 

 

what FBC commits to members, as well as what the members commit to FBC.

 

 

 

 

 

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John

 

 

13:35

 

 

 

 

 

Why is membership important?

 

 

● Membership allows for better care for the local body of Christ at FBC as outlined in

 

 

Scripture. Elders are accountable to God for shepherding the flock (Heb 13:17; 1 Pet

 

 

5:1-11), protecting the flock (Acts 20:28-31), and overseeing the flock (1 Tim 3:1-7).

 

 

Membership equips the elders to know who they are spiritually responsible for - who the

 

 

flock is. Members can be confident that they are known and are being intentionally

 

 

discipled.

 

 

● Membership also provides assurance that all of us are serving together in faithful and

 

 

consistent ways, made possible by our unity in doctrine and purpose. As we grow

 

 

together in fellowship and unity, we will be able to recognize gifts and qualifications for

 

 

ministry that build up the church, as well as opportunities for being equipped for ministry.

 

 

● Membership is important as a sign of a believer’s commitment to the local church, but all

 

 

attenders will be cared for and loved as part of the Universal Church. Galatians 6:10

 

 

teaches us that as we have opportunity, we are to do good to everyone, but especially to

 

 

those of the household of faith.

 

 

● Membership provides a right to vote on any matters brought before the members by the

 

 

Board of Elders, particularly in matters involving changes to this constitution.

 

 

What unites us together? Our vision, mission, and values.

 

 

VISION OF FAITH BIBLE CHURCH - Where We're Going

 

 

"To glorify God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by the sanctifying work of the

 

 

Holy Spirit as His church." (Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23-24)

 

 

 

 

 

MISSION OF FAITH BIBLE CHURCH - What We Do

 

 

The mission of Faith Bible Church is to glorify God by worshiping in spirit and truth, and by

 

 

making and growing disciples. (Mat 28:18-20; John 4:19-24, Romans 12:1-2)

 

 

 

 

 

VALUES OF FAITH BIBLE CHURCH - What Drives Us

 

 

The values that drive us toward our mission and vision are our Triune God, His Word, and His

 

 

people. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is our highest priority and reason for all we do, His

 

 

 

 

 

Word is our final and authoritative guide for all we do, and His people are our joy and family who

 

 

encourage and edify us in all we do.

 

 

 

 

 

For more specific information about the doctrine that unifies us, please see the Faith Bible

 

 

Church Doctrinal Statement above, as well as the Additional Doctrinal Distinctives on the church

 

 

website.

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment of Faith Bible Church to its Members

 

 

Faith Bible Church commits to:

 

 

● Publicly affirm a believer's confession of faith in Christ, baptism, and agreement with the

 

 

doctrinal statement for encouragement and fellowship

 

 

● Encourage the active pursuit and practice of loving God and loving others. (Matt

 

 

22:35-40; John 13:35)

 

 

● Provide opportunities for corporate worship, fellowship, and teaching from God's Word.

 

 

(Eph 5:19; Acts 2:42)

 

 

● Maintain a plurality of Biblically-qualified Elders who will care for and shepherd the flock

 

 

to help grow and abide in the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 5:2)

 

 

● Practice solid interpretation of Scripture to provide clear doctrinal guidance. (Titus 1:9)

 

 

● Humbly and lovingly administer Biblically-based discipline in situations that interfere with

 

 

the unity of the body or obedience to the Lord. (Gal 6:1-4; Matt 18:15-20)

 

 

● Seek the Lord in order to make decisions consistent with His Will and His Word. (Acts

 

 

16:6-8)

 

 

● Assist members in identifying their spiritual gifts and provide training to help develop

 

 

those gifts. (Eph 4:12)

 

 

● Careful stewardship and Biblical care of the Lord's money for the work of the ministry,

 

 

edification of the saints, and the spread of the Gospel. (Titus 1:5-9)

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment of Members to Faith Bible Church

 

 

Each member commits to:

 

 

● Profess repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. (1 Pet 3:15;

 

 

Rom 1:12; Mat 10:32-33)

 

 

● Actively pursue and practice loving God and loving others. (Mat 22:35-40; John 13:35)

 

 

● Regularly attend and participate in weekend worship services and other fellowship

 

 

opportunities. (Heb 10:25; Col 3:16)

 

 

 

 

 

● Submit to the authority of the Elders in spiritual matters. (Heb 13:17)

 

 

● Support the Doctrinal Statement and Additional Doctrinal Distinctives, and share any

 

 

questions or changes in position with the elders. (Php 2:2; 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11)

 

 

● Use their own spiritual gifts to serve God’s people in the church. (1 Pet 4:10-11, 1 Cor

 

 

12:7)

 

 

● Seek to preserve the peace and unity of the fellowship by not insisting on personal

 

 

preferences. (Eph 4:3, 1 Cor 13:5, Phil 2:1-4)

 

 

● Support the work of the ministry through offerings of money, time, and other resources.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:2; Heb 13:16; 2 Cor 9:7)

 

 

● Inform leadership if the member plans no longer to attend FBC

 

 

 

 

 

How Membership Begins

 

 

If a person desires to join Faith Bible Church as a member, here is the process:

 

 

1. Regularly attend Sunday services for at least a month.

 

 

2. Attend the membership class.

 

 

3. Meet with the pastors for an interview. This isn’t meant to be difficult or frightening.

 

 

Here’s what the interview will cover:

 

 

a. Confirm a biblical understanding of your salvation in Jesus Christ

 

 

b. Describe how your life has changed and continues to change by God’s work and

 

 

grace

 

 

c. Discuss any questions or differences with the Doctrinal Statement and

 

 

distinctives

 

 

d. The necessity of believer’s baptism for membership. Share either your

 

 

experience of believer’s baptism or your need for baptism prior to joining

 

 

e. Talk about the commitments of membership listed in this document

 

 

4. If the pastors at FBC have any additional or follow-up questions, a meeting with the

 

 

candidate may be necessary either over the phone or in person.

 

 

5. If the pastors determine that you are not eligible for membership, they will meet with you

 

 

to explain why, and what needs to be done so you can become eligible. The pastors will

 

 

then assist you in establishing a plan.

 

 

6. Once all steps have been completed, you will be welcomed into fellowship and

 

 

membership at FBC during a worship service.

 

 

 

 

 

How Membership Ends

 

 

 

 

 

There are a number of reasons for ending a membership commitment at Faith Bible Church.

 

 

These fall under two categories: member-initiated withdrawal, and church-initiated withdrawal.

 

 

 

 

 

A. Member-Initiated Withdrawal

 

 

There may come a time when a member needs to withdraw himself or herself from the

 

 

membership at FBC. The member should notify the pastors either in writing or verbally if the

 

 

decision is made to leave. It is not helpful to the member, the remaining church members, or the

 

 

pastors for a member to leave without notice. Some of the common reasons for needing to

 

 

withdraw membership are:

 

 

● Moving out of the area. Please let the pastors know so we can help locate a church in

 

 

your new area or assist in some other way.

 

 

● Doctrinal Change. You may change your understanding of a doctrine or doctrines that

 

 

are important at FBC. Please share that with our pastors who may be able to help

 

 

through explanation, encouragement, or exhortation.

 

 

● Sin. If you find yourself avoiding church or wanting to leave the church due to sin in your

 

 

mind, heart, or actions, please contact a pastor who is here to help you, not condemn

 

 

you. You will be guided, helped, counseled, and loved into dealing with sin appropriately.

 

 

If you decide to leave the church without dealing with sin, FBC will commence helping

 

 

you work through whatever issues remain if you decide to return.

 

 

B. Church-initiated Withdrawal

 

 

There may be circumstances under which the pastors initiate the ending of a membership.

 

 

There may be a number of reasons that may occur, including removal after a member has

 

 

moved from the area without letting the pastors know.

 

 

However, ordinarily the church-initiated withdrawal will occur if the restoration process outlined

 

 

in Matthew 18:15-20 has revealed an unrepentant heart toward sin. If the process has

 

 

concluded in the instruction for the person to be treated as a “Gentile and a tax collector,”

 

 

membership will be withdrawn, though the hope and prayer will be for repentance to enable the

 

 

person to rejoin FBC as a member.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

 

 

FORM OF GOVERNMENT

 

 

 

 

 

The form of government for the Church will be Elder led. A Board of Elders will give direction

 

 

and make decisions concerning policies, doctrines and beliefs of the Church. The members of

 

 

the Church will be asked to give input in important decisions, but final decision making authority

 

 

will rest with the Board of Elders.

 

 

When the elders believe an issue is sufficiently significant such that it would affect the entire

 

 

congregation (for example, doctrine of the church or major financial decisions), as determined

 

 

by the consensus of the Board of Elders to require congregational input, the elders will present

 

 

the pertinent information to the congregation. The congregation will have the opportunity to give

 

 

input to the elders. It is the responsibility of the elders to discern the direction after evaluation of

 

 

the issues at hand and input from the congregation.

 

 

 

 

 

A congregational meeting will be held each year on the last Sunday in January. The Board of

 

 

Elders may call a congregational meeting at any time, provided it has been announced at least

 

 

one week prior to the meeting. Such a meeting must have a majority of the elders present.

 

 

Elder and Deacon Boards

 

 

The men on the Elder Board shall care for the spiritual welfare of the Congregation and all

 

 

business matters of the Church. The Elder Board may, at any time, establish at its sole

 

 

discretion, the Board of Deacons which shall be filled, be governed by, and operate in

 

 

accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. The Deacon Board shall carry out service

 

 

ministries as directed by the board of elders.

 

 

Selection of Elder Board Members

 

 

The "elder board" shall be selected from members of the Church. There will be no fewer than 3

 

 

Elders, however, additional Elders may be appointed as needed. Additional and replacement

 

 

Elders will be appointed by the Board of Elders under consideration of the qualifications listed in

 

 

1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Input from the Congregation will be sought during the consideration

 

 

period. Elders may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board of Elders, or by

 

 

voluntary resignation.

 

 

 

 

 

Selection of Deacon Board Members

 

 

The "deacon board" shall be from members of the Church. Deacons and deaconnesses will be

 

 

appointed by the Elders in accordance with the qualifications listed in 1 Tim 3:8-13. The

 

 

 

 

 

Congregation will be asked for input on any Deacon or deaconness being considered. Deacons

 

 

and deaconnesses may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board of Elders.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

 

 

 

TAX EXEMPT STATUS

 

 

This organization is organized exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of section

 

 

501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles,

 

 

the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on;

 

 

● by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the

 

 

Internal Revenue Code of 195 or

 

 

● by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the

 

 

Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or Internal Revenue Law)

 

 

Upon dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and

 

 

obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed equally among the

 

 

mission organizations actively supported by the church at the time.

 

 

No part of the net assets of this corporation shall ever come into the private, personal use of any

 

 

donor, member, or officer of this corporation, or any private individual; and no donor, member, or

 

 

officer of the corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of

 

 

any of the corporate assets

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROCESS

 

 

Amendments or changes to this Constitution may be recommended to an elder by any member

 

 

of the church not currently under church discipline. The Board of Elders will then approve for

 

 

member vote by a simple majority. It will be finally approved by a 60% vote of members in

 

 

attendance at the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting for the constitutional amendment or change must be announced in each worship

 

 

service at least three Sundays prior to the meeting.