THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF
PALESTINE BIBLE CHURCH
June 1988
We, the members of the Palestine Bible Church, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves so that we may carry on the Lord’s work decently and in order.
ARTICLE I. — NAME
This organization shall be known as Palestine Bible Church, County of Kosciusko, Town of Palestine, incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Indiana.
ARTICLE II. — PURPOSE
our purpose is to glorify God by conducting an Independent Church in accordance with the Word of God, the Statement of Faith, and the By-Laws of this local church; promoting the worship of our God, edifying believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical church discipline, seeking to win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the Gospel both at home and abroad, and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.
ARTICLE III. — DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
We believe that the Bible is the only standard of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ and for His Church. The Bible alone is infallible and complete. This Doctrinal Statement of Faith is not to be an _ exhaustive statement but an extended statement, for only the whole Word of God (the Bible) would exhaust the statement. We believe that in so far as these Articles extend, they are a true presentation of the sound doctrine taught in the Scriptures.
Section 1. CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Scriptures to be completely infallible and inerrant (without error) as originally given by God in the autographs (original text) – The writings of the New and Old Testaments are verbally inspired (“God-breathed”) . We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writing – historical, poetical, doctrinal, prophetical, and scientific. Therefore the Scriptures are altogether sufficient in and of themselves as our only infallible rule of faith and practice. Thus, the
sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the Word of God as given to man by the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 5:18; Lk. 24:27, 44; dn. 5:39, 10:34-35, 17:17; Acts 1:16, 17:2-3; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Heb. 4:12).
Section 2. CONCERNING THE TRIUNITY OF THE GODHEAD
We believe that there is one, and only one, true and living God, who is, by virtue of perfect holiness, worthy of all reverence and love; that within the unity of the Godhead there exist three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that these three are divinely equal in Being, Power, and Glory; that these three execute distinctive yet cooperative functions in the overall work of redemption. (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; Ex. 20:2, 3; Ps. 147:5; Rom. 11:33; EX. 3:14; Jn. 4:24; Ex. 15:11; 1 Tim. 1:17; Jn. 6:24; Heb. 1:8; Acts 5:3,4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:5,6; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Cor. 12:46-6).
Section 3. CONCERNING THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead, being eternally co-equal with the Father, did, as proposed and provided by God and pre-announced in the prophecies of Scripture, take upon Himself man’s nature, yet without sin, being miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (Jn. 1:1-4, 15, 6:62, 8:58, 20:19-28; Col. 1:17, 2:9; Heb. 1:10; 2 Cor. 8:9; Titus 2:13; Jn. 5:18; Heb. 1:8, 13:8, Lk. 1:35; Eph. 3:19; Heb. 1:2, 3; Mk. 2:5-12; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14, 971-6; Micah 5:2; Lk. 1:13, 35; Matt. 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ experienced normal human development, thereby being tempted in all points as any other man, yet without yielding to any temptation and, therefore, remaining sinlessly perfect throughout His life; and that His humanity did not and does not negate nor diminish His deity, so that He exists forevermore as both true God and true man, two natures united in one Person. (LK. 2:40; 1 Tim. 2:5; Jn. 8:40; Heb. 2:14, 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 1:3, 4, 9:5; Heb. 7:22-24). We believe that Jesus Christ, as the divinely provided, perfect, sacrificial Lamb of God, voluntarily accepted the will of the Father and gave Himself in death upon the cross, vicariously (as the substitution) bearing the full penalty of sin, receiving to Himself the wrath of holy judgment against sin which the perfect righteousness of God demands, thereby making possible man’s redemption. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22, 69; Isa. 52-53; Jn. 10:14-18; Eph. 5:2; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Pet. 1:19, 20; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:24, 3:18; Heb. 9:25-27, 10:5-14). We believe that Jesus Christ literally rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures, with the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and suffered and died, thereby establishing victory over sin and death. (Lk. 24:36-43; In. 2:18-22, 10:18, 11:25, 20:24-29; 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 12-23, 54-57). We believe that Jesus Christ literally ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father where, as the believer’s great High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate for the Redeemed. (Act 1:1, 2, 4, 9-12; Heb. 4:14, 7:25, 9:24; 1 Jn. 2:1).
Section 4. CONCERNING THE PERSON AND
WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, is not a mere force nor influence, but is personal, being attributed the characteristics, actions, and designations of personality, and spoken of in relation to others as Person; and that He is a divine Person, being attributed the characteristics, actions, and designations which are solely that of deity, and related co-equal in deity with the other Persons of the Trinity. (1 Cor. 2:10, 11; Rom. 8:27, 15:30; Eph. 4:30; 1 Cor. 12:11; Jn. 16:7-14; Matt. 28:19; Acts 15:28; Ps. 139:7; Lk 1:35; Heb. 9:14; Jn. 3:5-8; Ps. 104:30; 2 Cor. 13:14; Acts 5:3, 5). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Agent in creation, revelation, and redemption; that He is involved in distinct ministries in relation to salvation, including the conviction of man with respect to sin, the regeneration of each and all who place their faith in Christ, the spiritual baptism of the redeemed into the body of Christ, the indwelling of the saints, and being the seal of the believer unto the day of redemption; and that He empowers, guides, teaches, and sanctifies the redeemed in their daily Christian walk, leading them into spiritual maturity. Ps. 104:30; Job 26:13; Gen. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11; Matt. 22:43; Acts 4:5; Jn. 14:26, 16:8-11; Titus 3:5; Eph. 1:13, 14, 4:30; 1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9, 14; Jn. 1:33; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 5:18). We believe that the Holy Spirit provides certain spiritual gifts for the proper equipping of the body of Christ; that these gifts are several, varied, and provide divinely given ability for Christian service; and that He distributes these gifts sovereignly and specifically to individual believers to the extent which He deems best. (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12: esp. vv. 7, 8-11, 28-30; Eph. 4:11). We believe that certain spiritual gifts were temporary and limited to the apostolic age of the Church; that these gifts include those of apostleship, prophecy, miracles, healing, tongues, and interpretation of tongues; that. The primary purpose of these gifts was to supernaturally authenticate the ministry of the apostles and confirm the message which they preached during the laying of the foundation of the Church; and that these miraculous sign-gifts faded and ceased with the closing of the apostolic era. (See passages from preceding Paragraph; also, Eph. 2:20; Heb. 2:3, 47 2 Cor. 12:12; 2 Tim. 4:20; 1 Cor. 13:8; Mk. 16:20).
Section 5. CONCERNING THE ANGELS
We believe in the existence of angels; that they are a class of created, spiritual, rational, moral, immortal beings; that they are a great multitude in number; that they were created holy; that some remained loyal while some fell through disobedience; that they are called by various names designating different groups: cherubin, seraphin, principalities, authorities, thrones, dominions, powers, and archangel; that the elect angels, as a result of the fall of man, are sent forth of God as ministers to the heirs of salvation rejoicing over the conversion of sinners, watching over the Church, and learning of the grace of God; that they were special elements in the special revelation of God to man; that the evil angels, following their leader, Satan, fell and now oppose God and seek to destroy His will and are already condemned to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. Ps. 148:2, 5; Col. 1:16; Eph. 6:12; Heb. 1:14; 2 Sam. 14:20; 2 Pet. 2:11; Dan. 7:10; Gen. 1:31; Mk. 8:38; Lk. 9:36; Jn. 8:44; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Ezek. 1; Isa. 6:2, 6; Eph. 3:10, 1:21; Jude 9; Job 38:7; Ps. 29:1, 2; Lk. 15:10; 1 Cor. 11:10; 1 Pet. 1:12; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
Section 6. CONCERNING THE DEVIL, SATAN
We believe in the existence of a literal personality, Satan; that he was created holy and highly honored in heaven; that through pride, desiring to be himself equal with God, he fell along with a band of angels; that he is now the malignant ruler of this present world; the originator of sin, the tempter of man, the accuser of the saints; that he is the power behind all false religions, apostasy, and the anti-christ; that his activity is restrained by the wisdom and power of Almighty God; that he is doomed to final defeat by Jesus Christ and destined to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire, prepared for him and his angels. (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jn. 14:30; Eph. 2:2; Gen. 3:14; Jn. 8:44; 1 Thess. 3:5; Rev. 12:10; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 dn. 4:3; 2 Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41).
Section 7. CONCERNING MAN
We believe Man was directly and immediately created by God and in His image, free from sin and not in any sense the product of an animal ancestry. He was created with a rational nature, great intellect and moral responsibility to God (Gen. 1:26-28, 2:7, 15-25; Matt. 19:4; James 3:8-9). We believe man was originally created with the divine intention that he should glorify God, enjoy His fellowship, and fulfill His will and purposes in the earth (Gen. 1:26-30; Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11), but by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature and the progenitor of a fallen race, who are universally sinful in both nature and practice (Gen. 3:1-24, 5:3; Eph. 2:3; Rom. 3:23, 5:12). As a consequence man became subject to the wrath of God, inherently corrupt and incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Thus he is hopelessly lost apart from the salvation which is in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23, 6:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 dn. 1:8). We believe the Fall of man to be a historical and non-repeatable act, the effects of which are transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ alone being excepted. All men thus are sinners by divine pronouncement, nature, and deed. (Ps. 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 5:12-19; James 2:10).
Section 8. CONCERNING CREATION
We believe in Special Creation by God, which holds to the literal interpretation of Genesis chapters one and two. No gaps of time nor day-age theory is allowed by the text of Scripture. Creation was completed by God in a literal six days of creation, the seventh day God rested, not out of necessity but as an example for men to follow. (Gen. 1-2; Mk. 2:27-28).
Section 9. CONCERNING SALVATION
We believe the salvation of man consists in the satisfaction of divine justice, the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God the Father through the righteousness and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ. His voluntary death made full and vicarious (substitutionary) atonement for our sins. Salvation is “by grace through faith,” a free gift, based upon the elective grace of God before the foundations of the world, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man. Salvation is through the instrumentality of the Word of God as applied by the Holy Spirit. This salvation concerns the “whole” man (body, soul, and spirit) and apart from the all-sufficient Lord Jesus Christ, there is no possible salvation. (Rom. 3:24, 6:23; Titus 3:5; Rom. 4:4-5, 11:6; Jn. 3:16, 6:28-29; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12; Jn. 1:12; Acts 16:31; Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:4-5, 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Pet. 1:4) Eph. 2:1).
Section 10. CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION
We believe that Sanctification is that work whereby the believing sinner is set apart to God from sin. Sanctification involves three aspects which may be termed: positional, progressive, and final. Positional Sanctification is the setting apart once and for all, by means of the blood of Christ, the believing sinner as God’s own possession. Therefore in his standing before God, he is reckoned holy. Progressive sanctification is the present work of God whereby the believer, in his experience, is progressively set apart from sin and brought toward holiness. Final sanctification is the work of the future wherein God will wholly finish the process of perfection at the coming of Christ with His Saints. (Heb. 13:12; Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 6:11; Heb. 10:10, 14, 12:10; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:4; 1 Thess. 4:3; Rom. 6:22; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Cor. 7:1; Col. 1:10-12; Eph. 4:11-13, 24; Phil. 3:12-16; Rom. 12:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; Eph. 6:18, 4:30-32; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 dn. 3:2; 1 Thess. 3:12-13).
Section 11. CONCERNING PRESERVATION AND
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS We believe that: because of the eternal purpose of God toward the objects of His love; . because of His freedom to exercise grace toward the meritless on the ground of the blood of Christ; because of the very nature of the divine gift of eternal life; because of the present and unending intercession and advocacy of Christ in heaven; because of the unchangeable covenants of God; because of the regenerating, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who are saved; all true believers everywhere, once truly saved shall be kept saved forever. However, this is not to say that there is no Christian responsibility in one’s life style. As much as the true believer is preserved for the future, the believer must also persevere to the end and bear witness of his true salvation. We believe, however, that God is our holy and righteous Father, and since He cannot overlook the sin of His children, He will when they persistently sin chasten them and correct them in infinite love. Having undertaken to save them and keep them forever, apart from all human merit, He, who cannot fail, will in the end present every one of them faultless before the presence of His glory and conformed to the image of His Son. (dn. 5:24, 10:27-30, 13:1, 14:16-17, 17:20-24; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Heb. 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:1-2, 5:13).
Section 12. CONCERNING ASSURANCE
We believe it is the privilege, not only of some, but of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, to be assured of their salvation from the very day they take the Lord Jesus to be their Savior and that this assurance is not founded upon any fancied discovery of their own worthiness or fitness, but wholly upon the testimony of God in His written Word. (Lk. 10:20, 22:32; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6-8; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 10:22; 1 Jn. 5:13).
Section 13. CONCERNING THE TWO NATURES OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that every saved person possesses both an old nature, which is present from his conception to his glorification, and a new nature, which is present from his regeneration on through eternity; and that, although the believer will never achieve sinless perfection while in his mortal body, he can have victory over the old nature in daily Christian living by consistently relying upon and subjecting himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the Scriptures. (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 6:13, 14, 7:14-8:1, 8:12, 13; 1 Jn. 1:8-10, 3:4-9).
Section 14. CONCERNING THE TRUE CHURCH
We believe the true Church, in the ultimate sense, to be made up of all who have placed their faith and trust in Christ. Various terms are used in the Bible for this designation, such as the body, bride, living building, priesthood, flock, and vine with branches. (1 Cor. 12:1-5; Rev. 21:9; Eph. 5:23-32; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-10; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:4; and Jn. 15:1-11). However, the emphasis found in the Scripture seems to be placed upon the local church. The local church is a congregation of baptized believers associated in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. The purpose of the local church is to uphold the truth of God’s Word in the world; to propagate that truth; to see saints edified and built up in the faith; and to see the truth of God perpetuated down through the ages until Jesus comes. (1 Tim. 3:15; Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2; Eph. 4:11-16). The local church is congregational in government. It has the authority to judge its own membership, elect its officers, send its own missionaries, observe the ordinances, settle its own internal problems even to the extent of discipline by the church if needed. This authority is final as far its own affairs are concerned. (1 Cor. 5:13; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 13:1-3; 1 Cor. 11:23; 1 Cor. 6:1-5; Matt. 18:17; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Gal. 6:1; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; and 1 Tim. 5:20). Within this government there are only two offices, that of Elder and Deacon. Also there are only two ordinances, water baptism by single immersion and the Lord’s Supper. The church is an independent, sovereign local body, possessing that absolute right of self-government, free from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-11; 1 Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; 2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Cor. 11:23-30; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 2:41-42).
Section 15. CONCERNING SEPARATION
We believe that a sinner, believing in the Gospel, is set apart to God from sin; that he is therefore obligated to walk circumspectly in this world, refraining from such of its practices and amusements which are enemies to spiritual mindedness; that he must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; that he is to avoid members under church discipline that they may be won back; that he is to crucify the flesh with its afflictions and lusts and put on the new man, living a holy life and avoid anything which may grieve the Holy Spirit of God, as the body of the believer is His temple; that he is not to be caught up in this world system but rather to seek the kingdom of God, for he cannot serve God and mammon; and recognize that we have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. We believe that as a local church of called-out believers, and considering the current apostasy, we cannot associate with any organization which has departed from or is contrary to the faith as revealed in Holy Scriptures and does not have as its end the goal of spreading the Gospel and expanding the kingdom of God. (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 1:4,5, 5:15; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 5:4,5,11; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:5; Eph. 4:30; 1 Cor. 6:19; Matt. 6:24, 33; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2 dn. 10; Gal. 1:6,7; Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8).
Section 16. CONCERNING CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that God, the Supreme Lord, has appointed and controls Civil Government; that it is for His own glory and the public good in the interests and order of human. society; that it has as its ends the defense of those who do good and the punishment of those who do evil; that the rulers in authority ought to be prayed for, in order that those under them might live a peaceable life in all godliness and honor, that they should be honored and obeyed except only in things opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate ruler of all, Lord of the conscience, the King of Kings. (Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-23; 1 Tim. 2:1,2; Acts 26:2, 5:28,29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Acts 4:17-20; Ps. 2:10-12, 72:11; Rom. 14:11; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16, 17:14).
Section 17. CONCERNING THE INTERMEDIATE STATE
We believe that at death, the souls of the redeemed pass immediately into the presence of Christ and there remain in joyful fellowship until the first resurrection. The souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades where they are kept under punishment until the second resurrection. (Lk. 16:22-23, 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:1-9; Ps. 9:17; Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Pet. 2:9; Lk. 23:43).
Section 18. CONCERNING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in one Second Coming of Christ in two aspects: the Rapture and the establishment of the Millenial Kingdon. We believe that His return from heaven will be personal, visible and glorious – a Blessed Hope for which believers should constantly watch and pray. The time is unrevealed but always imminent. (Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Mk. 13:33-37; Titus 2:11-13; Rev. 22:20). First He will be resurrection and translation remove from the earth believers (1 Thess. 4:16-18). Second, He will pour out the righteous judgments of God upon the unbelieving world (Rev. 6:1-18:24). After this He will establish His glorious and literal kingdom over all the nations for a thousand years. Finally, He will deliver up His Messianic Kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24-28), in order that as the Eternal Son He may reign forever with the Father in the New Heaven and New Earth (Lk. 1:32-33; Rev. 21:1-22:6).
Section 19. CONCERNING THE ETERNAL STATE
At the close of the millennial reign the unsaved dead will be raised and committed to eternal punishment and _ the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God. It is at this time that Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, the mediatorial and universal kingdoms become one, and the Triune God will reign in all spheres forever. (Mk. 9:43-48; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; 2 Thess. 1:9; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 20:11-15, 21:1-8; 22:15, 11; Acts 24:15; Matt. 11:20-24).
ARTICLE IV. — MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A. Qualification
The membership of this church shall consist of persons who confess Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, who have obeyed the Scriptures concerning baptism, who manifest a desire to live a consistent, separated Christian life in accordance with the Scriptures, and who publicly assent to the articles of faith insofar as they understand them, and with the constitution of this church.
SECTION B. Reception
All persons desiring to unite with this church shall meet privately with the pastor and then with the deacons, and shall give testimony of conversion and Christian experience, and affirm acceptance of and adherence to the articles of faith and constitution of this church. Persons may be received in one of four ways:
1. By baptism following salvation.
2. By letter from a church of like faith and order.
3. By confession of faith (when impossible to secure a church letter), having been saved and immersed.
4. By restoration following repentance after discipline.
SECTION C. Classification
1. A__Voting Member of this church is one who attends
regularly the services of the church and is thereby granted full voting privileges in all business meetings. Exceptions in the matter of regular attendance shall be made in cases of illness and infirmity, missionary and Christian service, absence due to military service or schooling, temporary employment not involving a permanent relocation, or an extended vacation period. Other exceptions shall be determined by the Official Board.
2. A__Non-voting Member of this church is one whose
name appears upon the church membership roll but who does not possess the privileges of voting in any business meeting. Any member who fails to attend regular services of the church for a_ period of two consecutive months shall be a non-voting member.
3. A_Youth Member of this church is a person under
eighteen (18) years of age who has been admitted into the membership of this church in one of the four ways prescribed in SECTION B of this Article. Youth members shall not have full voting privileges until reaching the age of eighteen (18) years. At this time youth members shall be granted full voting privileges provided they meet the requirements of a voting member.
SECTION D. Withdrawal
A member may withdraw his membership in one of two ways:
1. Simply requesting his name to be withdrawn from the
membership rolls. This request must be in writing.
2. A request for a church letter by a member in good
standing. This request must be in writing and the letter will be sent to the church of the member’s choice.
SECTION E. Dismissal
Members absenting themselves from the regular services of the church for a period of one year. shall have automatically excluded themselves from membership in this church. After a careful review of such cases by the Official Board, the names shall be removed from the church roll. Exceptions to this rule shall be made in cases of illness and infirmity, missionary and Christian service, or absence due to military service or schooling.
SECTION F. Discipline
Members who seem to manifest inconsistency or flagrant sin in their Christian lives, a wrong attitude toward the church’s doctrinal standards, or who show indifference toward the life and work of the church, shall be prayerfully and lovingly approached for the purpose of remedying any weakness in their Christian lives. Private offenses shall be dealt with according to the rule of Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-17. Public offenses shall be dealt with according to the rule of 1 Corinthians 5:3-5, 13 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
ARTICLE V. — GOVERNMENT
SECTION A. The Congregation
Final authority in the government of this church shall be vested in the entire membership with no influence of external boards or associations.
SECTION B. The Official Board
The Pastor and Deacons shall constitute the Official Board.
SECTION C. The Pastor
1. Qualifications: The pastor shall be a man who has
Scriptural qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7. He shall be in full accord with the doctrinal statement and in essential agreement with the constitution and by laws of this church.
2. Selection: Proceedings for calling a pastor will
begin within one week from the date the pulpit has been declared vacant by the Chairman of the Deacon Board. A pulpit committee consisting of three members of the Deacon Board will be appointed by the Chairman of the Board. It shall be the duty of the pulpit committee to contact a potential candidate for the pastorate and to arrange for his interview and examination by the church. Upon arrangements for the candidate’s appearance by the pulpit committee, he shall be examined by the church body. Thereafter a business meeting shall be announced for the purposes of either extending the candidate a oall or rejecting him. A minimum of 75 percent of the votes cast is required to extend a call. If, in consequence of the candidate’s rejection by the church, the Deacon Board deems it advisable to do so, the pulpit committee shall arrange for another candidate to appear. His pastoral office shall be for a two year term after which time the congregation will vote on his re-call.
3. Duties: The pastor shall preach the Word of God,
edify the saints and shall discharge all normal functions of the ministry. He shall be in’ charge of all worship services of the church. He shall be ex-officio member of all committees, boards, and organizations of the church.
4. Termination: Termination may occur in one of two
ways. By the Pastor, if at any time the pastor shall resign from the pastorate, he shall give at least 30 days notice in advance. If the relations between pastor and congregation become such as to be detrimental to the welfare of the church, the relationship may be terminated by mutual consent or by congregational action at the recommendation of the Official Board.
SECTION D. The Deacons
1. Qualifications: The men who are chosen to be
deacons are to meet the Spiritual qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3:8-13. They ‘shall be members and in full accord with the doctrinal statement and by-laws of this church.
2. Selection: The church shall elect from its
membership four men to serve as Deacons. They shall be at least 21 years of age and members in good standing for at least one year. Their terms .of office shall be for two years, arranged to end in yearly succession, so that two Deacons are elected for a two year term each year. In the event that the church reaches a membership numbering 150, one Deacon shall be added for each 50 members or fraction thereof, all terms continuing to be two years in length.
3. Duties: The duties of the Deacons shall be as
follows:
a) They shall assist the pastor in the spiritual
oversight of the church.
b) They shall work with the pastor in caring for
all matters of church discipline.
c) They shall assist the pastor in preparing and
serving the Communion of the Lord’s Supper, and in preparing for services of baptism. da) They shall function as the trustees of the church.
4. Termination: A Deacon’s service may be terminated
at any time by his written resignation or by a majority of a congregational action, should he cease to meet the qualifications of office. The Official Board shall fill any vacancy by the appointment of a qualified member to serve the unexpired term.
SECTION E. Chairman
The Chairman of the Official Board shall preside at all Official Board meetings and Congregational meetings. The Official Board shall have the authority to appoint its own Chairman.
SECTION F. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
1. Treasurer: The Board shall nominate and the
Congregation shall vote on a Church Treasurer. The Treasurer shall hold office for two years and until the successor is elected. The Treasurer is to keep complete records of all offerings and all financial transactions. Also the Treasurer is to prepare a quarterly report for the Board and Congregation. Also the books shall be open for inspection as requested by the Church and to be audited once a year.
2. Assistant Treasurer: The Assistant Treasurer shall
be placed in office the same way as the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer’s roll is to be supportive to the Treasurer.
SECTION G. Church Secretary
The Church shall elect a Church Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of regular and special business meetings of the Church, and a current record of membership and baptisms.
SECTION H. Sunday School Superintendent
The Church shall elect one of its members to act as’ the Sunday School Superintendent every two years. He shali direct the opening of the Sunday School hour, be involved in purchasing of supplies and work with the pastor on the organization of the whole Sunday School. TICLE VI. — MEETINGS
SECTION A. Public Worship
1. Regular Services: Services for the purpose of
worshipping Almighty God, praise, exhortation,
Bible study and prayer shall be held every Lord’s Day morning and evening in this church at designated hours and on one mid-week evening of each week.
2. The Lord’s Supper: The observance of the ordinance
of the Lord’s Supper shall be held once each month. It shall generally be held on the first Sunday of the month, but this may be altered if circumstances require it.
3. Baptism: The ordinance of Christian Baptism shall
be observed whenever candidates present themselves for it. All candidates for baptism shall be approved by the Pastor and the Official Board. The mode of baptism in this church shall be single immersion. Baptism is a pre-requisite to membership in this church.
SECTION B. Business Meetings
1. Annual Meetings: The Annual Congregational
Business Meeting shall be held on the first Sunday night of September. The date shall be announced publicly on the two Sundays preceding the meeting. This meeting shall be for the purpose of hearing reports, electing officers (previously reviewed by the Pastor and/or Board), and acting on any business requiring congregational action.
2. Special Meetings: Special Business Meetings may be
called at any time, with public notice to be given of the same on the two previous Sundays. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor, by a majority of membership of the Official Board, or by the written request of 10 percent of the Voting Membership of the Congregation.
3. Quorum: Two thirds percent (67%) of the Voting
Membership of the Church shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of any business.
4. Official Board Meetings: The authority of which
the Official Board possesses is delegated to it by the congregation. These meetings shall consist of a season of prayer and a review of the spiritual, material and financial affairs of the Church.
ARTICLE VII. — FINANCES
This church shall be guided in its financial policies by the Biblical principles of stewardship (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-15; Mal. 3:8-10). Therefore, the church shall be supported by the voluntary contributions of its members and
friends. No entertainment, dinners, sales, etc., shall be given as a means of fund-raising for the church. This is not to be interpreted as forbidding a reasonable charge being made to cover the expenses of any fellowship gathering. Also concerning the assets of the church, they shall remain in the hands of the congregation and not in the hands of any individual or Board.
ARTICLE VIII. — DISSOLUTION
All property of the Palestine Bible Church of Palestine, Indiana, is irrevocably dedicated to the glory of God and in the event of the dissolution, liquidation or abandonment of this corporation, for whatever reason, its remaining assets shall be assigned equally to all of the currently supported missionaries of the Church at the appropriate time. These shall be fundamental, non-profit corporations which are qualified as tax exempt organizations under the provisions of
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. None of the
assets shall be given to any individual.
ARTICLE IX. — AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the quorum present at any regular or special business meeting, providing the amendment has been introduced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting and has been posted in the church building at least two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting. Any prior constitutions, by-laws or regulations which may be in existence are hereby rendered null and void.