Our Statement of Faith

PREAMBLE

So that things may be done decently, and that we may more readily help each other in our Christian service, we declare and establish this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1 – NAME:

This congregation of believers shall be known as the Treasure Valley Baptist Church (hereinafter referred to as the “Church”).

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE:

(A) This congregation is organized as a Church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the building, maintaining and operating of churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations, rescue missions, print shops, day care centers, camps, nursing homes, book stores, and cemeteries, and any other ministries that the Church may be led of God to establish.

(B) The Church shall also:

ordain or license qualified men to the Gospel ministry;
evangelize the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ;
educate believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture, both in Sunday and weekday Christian education;
maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and,
engage in any other ministry that the Church may decide, from time to time, to pursue in obedience to the will of God.

ARTICLE II

STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Church holds the following statement of faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine whose authority consists only in its agreement with the word of God.

AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH:

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. However, the Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and, therefore, is binding upon all members of the Church.

A. THE SCRIPTURES

The Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. This Bible is preserved for us without error in the King James Authorized Version of 1611 A.D. Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; Isaiah 8:20; I Thessalonians 2:13, 5:21; II Timothy 3:15,16.

B. THE TRUE GOD

There is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 1:1-3, 4:24, 10:30; Ephesians 2:18; I John 5:7.

C. DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God in the flesh, conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary, true God and true man. Matthew 1:18-21; John 8:58, 10:30; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8.

D. THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit of God is co-equal with God. He is a person, the third member of the Trinity. His present ministries include magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ, convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, comforting and teaching believers, and edifying the Body of Christ. The present-day charismatic movement is a dangerous counterfeit of the real ministries of the Holy Spirit and we of the Treasure Valley Baptist Church are totally opposed to it. John 16:7-14; Acts 5:1-4.

E. MAN

Man was created in the image of God, Man sinned and thereby incurred spiritual and physical death. Without exception, all men are sinners and have need of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:26, 2:7; Romans 5:12-18; I Corinthians 15:22.

F. SALVATION

The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He ascended bodily into heaven. He is seated on the right hand of the Father and ever liveth to make intercession for all born-again believers, thus making them eternally secure. He was, and is, our substitutionary and vicarious atonement for sin. Isaiah 53; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:15-21, 8:33-39; II Corinthians 1:21,22; Ephesians 1:13; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25.

G. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own voluntary rejection of the Gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. John 3:19, 5:40; Romans 16:25-26.

H. JUSTIFICATION

The great Gospel blessing, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life in principles of righteousness. It is bestowed not in consideration of any work of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, by virtue of which His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God. Justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God. John 1:16; Acts 13:39; Romans 4:4,5, 5:1,2,9.

I. SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness. It is a progressive work. It is begun in regeneration and it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. I Thessalonians 4:3; I John 2:29.

J. SEPARATION – PERSONAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL

The believer should be separated from the world while being present in the world. He should abstain from all appearances of evil as a testimony to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church should maintain a position of separation from all forms of apostasy, modernism, ecumenism, and any other departure from the written principles of the Word of God. II Corinthians 6:14-18 and II John 10 prohibit the joining together of believers with unbelievers in the Lord’s work, such as in ecumenical organizations or in cooperative evangelistic efforts. The Church shall continue to be free from any government outside of itself whatsoever, excepting legal requirements necessary to lawful operation not contrary to the nature of an independent Baptist Church. I Corinthians 10:20; I Thessalonians 5:22; II Timothy 2:15-18, 4:1-3; Titus 1:9-11, 2:10-15.

K. THE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Prior to the coming period of tribulation described in Revelation, chapters 6-18, the Lord Jesus Christ will return for His Church, which will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds. I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-17. This “rapture” removes the Church before God’s wrath is poured out on the earth during the great tribulation. After the period of tribulation described in Revelation chapters 6-18, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to reign on earth for 1,000 years. This period of time is the millennial reign of Christ. Revelation chapters 19-20, John 14:1-3; Philippians 3:20.

L. DISPENSATIONS

The dispensational division of the Scriptures is a basis for study. Men are saved by grace in every dispensation from Genesis to Revelation, but the test of obedience is different in every dispensation. II Timothy 2:15.

M. THE LOCAL CHURCH

A visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and the fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word. Its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and to Titus. This Church is an independent local autonomy, governed internally and responsible only to the Lord Jesus Christ. Its ministries include glorifying the Savior, edifying the saints, and evangelizing the world for Christ. Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20; Acts 2:47, 14:23, 20:28; Romans 16:5; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; I Timothy 3.

N. GIVING

Every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local Church financially. God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the Church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. A Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the ultimate use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9- 10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; I Timothy 5:17-18; I John 3:17.

O. MISSIONS

God has given the Church a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. Our ambassadorship must include an effort to win the lost locally as well. Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20.

P. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. The Lord’s Supper, which by the use of bread and new wine commemorates the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always with solemn self-examination. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39; Romans 6:4-5; I Corinthians 11:26-28.

Q. THE LORD’S DAY

The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to Biblical practices by abstaining from secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity, and is a day of spiritual activity to set the pace for the rest of the week. Psalm 118:24; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:24,25.

R. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, and magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, as set forth in His Word, who is the only Lord of the kings of the earth. When civil government, or any of its laws, is in opposition to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must obey God rather than man. Matthew 22:21, 23:9-10; Acts 5:28-29; Romans 13:1-7.

S. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

There is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem. All such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse. This distinction holds among men both in and after death and throughout all eternity, including the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved (in heaven), and the everlasting punishment of the lost (in hell). John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 22:11; Malachi 3:18; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:14-21, 36; Romans 1:17-18; I John 5:19.

T. HEALING AND TONGUES

Apostolic healing and tongues are not part of God’s program for the present Church age. However, we pray for the sick in accordance with James 5:14-15; I Corinthians 13:8; I Timothy 5:23; and II Timothy 4:20.

U. ABORTION

Human life begins at conception and the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. Any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, the mental well-being of the mother, or any other factor, is not acceptable. Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.

V. REJECTION OF SEXUAL PERVERSION

God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity shall be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of fornication, adultery, pedophilia, pornography, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, or bestiality are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. God created mankind as man and woman. Gender is not an optional choice and is not based on feelings, but is instead determined by God. The Christian must strive to live with God’s will on his or her gender. The Church, acting through its Board of Deacons, has the right to make final decision, if any question arises in a specific case, as to the gender of a person and that decision shall be binding on the person and the Church as to all matters relating to the person and the Church. Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-32; I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4.

W. THE CHRISTIAN WALK AND CONDUCT

The walk of a Christian should at all times be a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ and should never be a stumbling block to others, saved or lost. This includes proper conduct in all matters relating to the Church. The Church has the right to deal with disruptive behavior, whether by Church members or visitors or invitees or others, at any Church meeting, service, or activity. This right is in addition to Church discipline under Matthew 18 and is intended to avoid the need to use such discipline. Romans Chapter 14; I Corinthians Chapter 8; I Timothy 3:15; Titus Chapter 2.

COVENANT:

As a bond of unity among us, this Church accepts for its members the following covenant: Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We covenant to:

watch over and counsel one another in the spirit of brotherly love, remember one another in our prayers, and aid each other in sickness and distress..
by the aid of the Holy Spirit, walk together in Christian love;
strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;
promote the Church’s growth and spirituality, sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines, give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin, and contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations of the world.;
maintain family and secret devotions, religiously educate our children, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, live circumspectly in this present world, and not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, be just in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment, avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger, abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ, and strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

When we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word, as established in our Statement of Faith.

We shall love, honor, and esteem the Pastor, pray for him, recognize his authority in the affairs of the Church, cherish a brotherly love for all members of the Church, support the Church in prayer, tithes, offerings, and with other financial support as the Lord enables, and, in accordance with Biblical commands, support, through a lifestyle walk, affirmation of the beliefs and practices of the Church.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 – QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP:

Upon a majority vote of the members present at any Church service or meeting, membership shall be extended to those of the age of eighteen (18) or more who meet all of the following criteria: who have had, and whose lives evidence, a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in, and acceptance of, the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; and, who renounce sin; and, who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; and, who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith contained herein; and, who enter into the Church covenant contained herein; and, who shall also be required to comply with either of the following conditions:

(A) By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior; or,

(B) By restoration, if having been removed from membership, upon recommendation of thePastor and the Board of Deacons, after satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the Pastor and the Board of Deacons (or only to the Board of Deacons if the office of Pastor is vacant).

SECTION 2 – DUTIES OF A MEMBER:

On becoming a member of this Church, such member shall adhere to the covenant contained in Article II.

SECTION 3 – LIMITATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP:

This congregation functions not as a democracy, but as a body under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the direction of the Pastor as the under-shepherd with the counsel of the Board of Deacons. Membership in this Church does not afford the members with any property, contract, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government. Determination of the internal affairs of this Church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the Church’s own rules and procedures. Members may not initiate any Church action. The Pastor and the Board of Deacons may, at their discretion, submit matters to a vote of the members from time to time.

SECTION 4 – DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER:

(A) There shall be a Discipline Committee consisting of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the Statement of Faith and violations of the Church Covenant. If a Pastor or a deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as member of the Discipline Committee. Said Pastor or deacon shall be entitled to the same steps as other Church members, and be subject to the same discipline. Matthew 18:15-18 shall be the primary basis of Church discipline, together with other scriptural considerations.

(B) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes, he should first examine himself. When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.

(C) If reconciliation is not reached, one or more other members are to accompany the member seeking to resolve the matter. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility, with the goal of restoration.

(D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, the Discipline Committee, as the Church representatives, shall hear the matter.

(E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C), and (D) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the Church by the decision of the Discipline Committee. If necessary in the view of the Discipline Committee, the Discipline Committee may make such exposure of the matter to the Church as may protect the Church and carry out Biblical requirements.

(F) No matter may be heard by the Discipline Committee unless the steps outlined in subsections

(B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.

SECTION 5 – TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

(A) The membership of any individual member shall be automatically terminated without notice if the member in question has not attended a regular worship service of the Church in the preceding six months. Such determination shall be made by the Pastor from time to time. Upon good cause being shown to the Pastor, this provision for termination may be waived in the case of any individual member at the discretion of the Pastor.

(B) No member of this Church may hold membership in another church. If any member unites in membership with another church, that person is automatically terminated without notice from membership in this Church. Such determination shall be made by the Pastor from time to time.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – CHURCH OFFICERS:

The Church officers are Pastor, Deacon, and Secretary. One person may hold two or more offices, except that of Pastor.

SECTION 2 – DESIGNATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS:

As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the Church: the Pastor shall serve as president of the corporation; the head deacon shall serve as vice president of the corporation; and the Secretary shall serve as secretary of the corporation.

SECTION 3 – ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE:

(A) All Church officers shall annually affirm, in writing, their agreement with the Statement of Faith and Covenant as set forth in Article II.

(B) Only Church members are eligible to hold any Church office or position.

SECTION 4 – TERMS OF OFFICE:

The length of terms of office shall be as follows:

(A) No election or dismissal of a Pastor shall take place except at a meeting called for that purpose of which public notice has been given by the Board of Deacons, from the pulpit at a regular Church service, on at least two consecutive previous Sundays. A three-fourths (.) vote by ballot of the members present and voting shall be necessary to an election of a Pastor and a three-fourths (.) vote by ballot of the members present and voting shall be necessary for his removal. Disciplinary removal of the Pastor from the office automatically terminates his membership. A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of Article III, Section 4. The Pastor shall be deemed to have been elected for an indefinite term which shall only terminate upon either thirty (30) days written notice of resignation by the Pastor or removal by the Church as set forth in this Section. In addition, the pastorate shall terminate immediately upon the Pastor’s refusal to affirm the Statement of Faith as hereinabove set forth in Article IV, Section 3(A).

(B) The term of service of all offices and positions in the Church, except the Pastor and Deacons, shall be at the discretion of the Pastor. Members of the Board of Deacons shall serve a regular term of three years and must wait a period of one year before being eligible for re-election.

(C) All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed. Vacancies in the Board of Deacons shall be filled by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons.

SECTION 5 – ELECTION OF DEACONS:

The annual election of Deacons shall be held at such date and time as determined by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. Only members eighteen or older are eligible to vote. The election shall be by ballot, which shall list each nominee and the words “qualified” or “unqualified” after each nominee. Those nominees receiving a “qualified” vote by not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of those casting a vote for that nominee shall be declared elected. Nominations for the office of Deacon shall be made by the Pastor and present Board of Deacons.

SECTION 6 – PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF STAFF:

All Church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the Pastor, who has the sole authority to hire, appoint, set compensation for, or dismiss the same. Under the direction and guidance of the Pastor, the assistant pastor(s) of the Church shall assist the Pastor in carrying out the ministries of the Church.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1– THE PASTOR:

(A) The Pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the Church, act as moderator at all Church meetings for the transaction of Church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the Church, and watch over the spiritual interests of the membership.

(B) The Pastor shall serve as the president of the corporation. He shall inform all newly elected officers and appointees of the particular function and the responsibilities of their respective offices or positions. The Pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him.

SECTION 2 – THE BOARD OF DEACONS:

(A) The Board of Deacons shall assist the Pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of the Church, in conducting the religious services, and in performing all other work of the Church. They shall make provision for the observance of the ordinances of the Church. They shall, if requested by the Pastor, consider applications for Church membership. They shall, in cooperation with the Pastor, disburse the benevolence fund. They shall assist the Pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the Church. They shall provide the pulpit supply and act as leaders for Church meetings if the office of Pastor is vacant. The Board of Deacons shall assist the Pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the Church’s various ministries as requested by the Pastor.

(B) The Board of Deacons shall elect, from their own number, a head deacon, who shall be vice president of the corporation, and a secretary.

(C) The board of deacons shall constitute the board of directors of the corporation. The board of directors shall exercise only the following specific powers:

(1) to purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire, real and personal property on behalf of the Church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the Church;

(2) to sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the Church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the use of the Church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the Church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness, and to secure repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges; and,

(3) to exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the Church corporation, if such action is mandated by a vote of the Church membership.

SECTION 3 – CHURCH SECRETARY:

The Church Secretary, who shall be designated by the Pastor, shall keep a record of Church proceedings, of the membership roll, of all baptisms, of certificates of ordination, licenses, and commissions as directed by the Pastor, and preserve all documents, papers, and letters coming into the Church Secretary’s hands during his term of office. All records are to be kept in the Church office, and delivered to any successor upon leaving office. The Church Secretary shall also serve as the secretary of the corporation.

SECTION 1 – MEETINGS:

(A) Sunday Meetings: The Church shall meet regularly every Lord’s Day for preaching and public worship.

(B) Midweek Meeting: The Church shall meet at least once during each week for Bible study and public worship.

(C) Lord’s Supper Service: The Church shall observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper as often as determined by the Pastor.

(D) Business Meetings:

i. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor and Deacons as necessary. Notice of such special meetings, and the purpose thereof, shall be given from the pulpit on the preceding Lord’s Day, not less than one week prior to such meeting.

ii. The annual meeting shall be held on the Lord’s Day determined by the Pastor and Deacons.

iii. Robert’s Rules of Order, as amended from time to time, shall be followed generally at business meetings, except as otherwise determined by the Pastor.

SECTION 2 – QUORUM:

A quorum shall consist of the members present.

SECTION 3 – VOTING:

(A) Only members of the Church are eligible to vote on any Church matter.

(B) A majority vote shall decide all matters except the election or dismissal of the Pastor and the amending of this Constitution, except as otherwise set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the Church.

SECTION 4 – FISCAL YEAR:

The fiscal year of the Church shall begin March 1st and end on the last day of February.

ARTICLE VII

MINISTRY OF BIBLICAL EDUCATION

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE:

The Church believes that the education it provides its members and their children must be based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The Church believes that the home and Church are responsible before God for providing said Biblical education. To this end, the Church shall engage in such ministries in keeping with the following dictates.

SECTION 2 – CHURCH PARTICIPATION:

All educational programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by the Church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the Church; however, the Pastor may permit non-Church members to participate in Church educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the best interest of the Church.

SECTION 3 – STAFF MEMBERSHIP:

All instructors, teachers, and administrators shall be members of this Church. This provision shall not apply to: (a) visiting missionaries, evangelists, or preachers, engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons or conducting revivals; or, (b) other special meetings on a temporary basis.

SECTION 4 – STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the Statement of Faith and Covenant of the Church.

SECTION 5 – UNITY:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the Church.

SECTION 6 – TEACHING:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistently with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or belief which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and distortion of the truth which will be disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.

SECTION 7 – CHRISTIAN WALK:

All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue or adopt a lifestyle consistent with the precepts of the Constitution, including the Statement of Faith and Covenant, and of the teachings of the Church, whether in or out of the classroom.

ARTICLE VIII

TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS

SECTION 1 – PRIVATE INUREMENT:

No part of the net earnings of the Church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section 2 hereof.

SECTION 2 – POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT:

No substantial part of the activities of the Church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Church shall not participate in, or intervene in (iIncluding the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

SECTION 3 – DISSOLUTION:

Upon the dissolution of the Church, the Board of Deacons, acting as Trustees to carry out the dissolution of the Church, shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the Church, dispose of all of the assets of the Church to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Trustees [board of directors] shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations which agree with the Church’s Statement of Faith and Covenant.

SECTION 4 – RACIAL NONDISCRIMINATION:

The Church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.

ARTICLE IX

DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS

From time to time the Church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their

contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the Church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be revised or amended by a two-thirds (b) vote of the members present and voting, at any regular Church business meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been submitted in writing and announced from the pulpit at least four (4) previous consecutive Sundays before the vote is taken.

ADOPTION

This Constitution was adopted by a two-thirds (b) or more vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Church in which a quorum was present on