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ARTICLE I
The name of this church shall be THE FLUVANNA COMMUNITY CHURCH, hereafter refered to as the church or this church.
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trustworthy, supreme and final authority in faith and life. 2. The Godhead. We believe in the triune God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3. The Person and work of Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ ti the eternal Son of God; that He was conceived by the Holy Spitit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, where He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, and that He ministers there as our High Priest and Advocate. We believe in the personal, visible, glorious return of Jesus Christ at the end of this age to claim His own, judge all unrighteousness and establish His eternal kingdom. 4. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. We believe in the divine personality and present work of the Holy Spirit Who makes the Church His temple, Who regenerates, indwells, enlightens and empowers the Christian and Who convicts the world of sin and leads men to Christ. |
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5. Man. We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God; that all human beings born with a sinful nature and, in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word and deed. We believe that man's salvation comes as a gift of God to all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the just and the unjust, the just to everlasting life and blessedness and the unjust to judgement and eternal punishment. 6. The Church. We believe that the Church is an elect company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body, with the mission of witnessing concerning it's Head, Jesus Christ, by reaching the gospel to all nations and teaching the converts to honor Him. We further believe in the establishment and continuance of local churches as taught and defined in the Scriptures. 7. Satan. We believe in the existence of a personal devil called Satan who is the prince of the world and the god of this age and the adversary or God and man. We believe that, though active now, his destiny to eternal punishment was settled in the death of Christ on the Cross. |
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ARTICLE IV
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus
Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, and having been baptized in the name
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, His holy angels,
and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one in the
body of Christ. |
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We moreover engage that 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 the Word of God.ARTICLE V
This church acknowledges Jesus Christ as it Head who exercises His authority by the
Holy Spirit through the Scriptures which this chruch accepts as its only guide in faith and practice. |
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Superintendent, all members of the Board of Deacons, all member of the Deaconess'
Board, all members of the Board of Trustees, the Youth Director, the Church Auditors, the
Historian, the Director of Music, and the chairman of all other permanent boards and standing
committees. This Board shall meet at regular intervals throughout the year to hear reports, give guidance to officers and boards and do business for the church always realizing that matters involving large expenditures of money or drastic changes in principles and pratices must have the confirmation of the church. Special meetings may be called by Pastor, Vice Chairman, Secretary. Seven members constitute a quorum. ARTICLE VI
This church shall observe the two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Super,
(Communion) prescribed by Jesus Christ to be enjoyed by His people under the care and administration
of His Church by His ministers as signs and seals of His grace. |
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neither forbid or require it. When Dedication of children is preferred it shall be performed
on same conditions as baptism. Believers Baptism shall be administered only to a person who professes and evidences repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, and infant baptism shall be administered only to a child of at least on parent who professes and evidences repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ and who is active in this or some other evangelical church. 2. The Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper is a memorial of the death of Christ whereby the broken bread symbolizes His broken body and the cup His shed blood. The Supper symbolizes the believer's individual and the Church's corporate union with Christ, and the believer's fellowship with each other in Christ. It is open to all true believers but the minister is under obligation to solemnly warn all who come of the seriousness of hypocrisy in observing this ordinance. The frequency of the celebration and the service in which the Lord's Supper is observed shall be determined by the Board of Deacons from time to time in consultation with the Pastor. ARTICLE VII
Section 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP |
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making application for membership in this church. Membership shall be open only to those persons who have experienced the new birth through repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savoir and Lord. An applicant must be willing to accept without reservation the doctrinal statement and constitution of this church. An applicant must be 14 years of age or a graduate of a Discipleship Class. An applicant must have either been baptized or be willing to submit to the ordinance of Baptism at the time of reception into the church. Application must be made by letter or personal interview with the pastor or chairman of the Board of Deacons. Section 2. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS 1. Member may be received by CONFESSION OF FAITH. A person may be received into membership upon testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ. 2. Members may be received by LETTER. Letters brought from other churches of like faith and order shall be welcomed and considered by the Board of Deacons. 3. Member may be received by RESTORATION. Persons formerly members of the church, who for any reason have been excluded, may be restored to membership upon confession of errors and evidence of genuine repentance. |
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4. Procedure in the receiving of members. Candidates for membership shall attend a period of instruction in the covenant and doctrine of this church. The instruction shall also include a review of this constitution. The classes shall ordinarily be led by the pastor. Each candidate shall then be examined by the pastor and the Board of Deacons as to the credibility of his Christian experience and as to his sincerity of desire and intent with respect to church membership. Upon satisfactory completion of the above procedures the candidate shall be presented by the pastor and the deacons to the congregation at any stated service of worship on the Lord's Day at which time the candidate shall indicate his submission to the Scriptures, his profession of faith in Jesus Christ, his intent to live a godly life, and his acceptance of the church covenant and statement of faith. The congregation shall then indicate its readiness to receive the candidate into membership and the right hand of fellowship shall be extended on behalf of the church by the pastor and the deacons. Section 3. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP Upon the written request of a member, his name shall be removed from the church roll. The joining of another church shall terminate membership in this church. Other means of termination are: 1. LETTER A member in good standing may be granted, upon request, a letter of transfer to a church of like faith and |
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practice, commending him to that church. Upon receipt of notification of membership in said church, his name shall be dropped from the roN of this church. 2. DEATH The names of members who have gone to be with the Lord shall be dropped from the roll, with appropriate remembrances made of their faithfulness. 3. DISCIPLINE 1. If a member is found guilty of conduct unbecoming to Christian ethics and the standards of this church and does not subsequently manifest a spirit of penitence and give every evidence of reformation, such a member shall be dismissed from the church by the action of the Board of Deacons. 2. If a member fails to attend services or contribute to the church for a period of six months for reasons unsatisfactory to the Board of Deacons he shall be considered inactive. If said person fails to become active by attendance, support and renewal of interest at the end of another six months his name may be dropped from the rolls by the action of the Board of Deacons. Inactive members shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of the church except the right to vote and hold office therein. In regard to the non-attendance, consideration shall be given to individuals attending out-of-town schools, those in military service, shut-ins, etc. 3. In cases of personal grievances between members, said members shall first endeavor to be reconciled according to the rule given in Matthew |
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18:15-17. If this does not resolve the issue the complaint should be brought to the pastor and the deacons who shall proceed in the spirit and direction of the same Bible passage.
4. In order to safe-guard the peace as well as purity of the church the deacons and the pastor shall move with promptness and courage against anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the church by slander, falsehood, unseemly gossip, conspiracy and other unfair and unchristian methods. All matters of discipline shall be handled by the Board of Deacons. It must follow thorough investigation of the facts. It must include as its goal the honor of Christ, the removal of the offense and the restoration of the offender to full fellowship in the church. Discipline shall never be exercised with the aim of bringing sentence upon the offender but of preserving the purity and peace of the church. In the event of extreme difficulty in dealing with grievances the deacons may present the case to a duly called congregational meeting with recommendation for the disposition of the case by a 2/3 vote of the members in attendance. Section 4. DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS The duties and obligations of members are set forth in the Church Covenant, Article IV |
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ARTICLE VIII
1. Pastor |
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acceptance of the call shall make arrangements for his installation. 3. The Duties of the Pastor. The pastor shall be in charge of the spiritual welfare of the church. He shall preach the Word of God and have in his care the stated services of public worship and shall administer the ordinances, officiate at weddings and funerals, and conscientiously perform any other duties as may be arranged between the church and himself. He shall be mindful to comfort and encourage those in difficulty, sickness and sorrow, and lovingly labor to build up the church and promote spiritual growth in the lives of the members. He shall make himself available to counsel with any at the close of a service or any other time or place at their request. He shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees of the church, and have access to all the records, files, and other papers belonging to the church. He shall, in turn, provide the church with good records of his ministry during his tenure as pastor. He shall preside at the church business meetings and Official Board meetings except when these meetings have to do with him. 4. Term of Office for the Pastor. The pastor shall serve an indefinite term of office unless other satisfactory mutual arrangements are made at the time the call is extended and accepted. The relationship between the pastor and the church may be dissolved at the option of either by giving of a 60-day notice or otherwise mutual consent. |
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A pastor shall be under honor and obligation before God to offer his resignation the moment he finds himself not in agreement with the spirit and letter of the constitution and by-laws of this church.
A pastor may be asked to resign for conduct unbecoming to a minister of the Gospel, or failure to uphold the beliefs of this church and represented in the constitution and by-laws. The action of the church requesting the pastor's dismissal shall be decided by a 3/4 majority vote by ballot of the voting members present at a special meeting called by the Deacons in consultation with the Official Board for this purpose. 5. The Salary of the Pastor. The pastor's salary shall be determined by the Finance Committee in consultation with the Board of Deacons. He shall be paid sufficiently to enable him to manage the affairs of his family and ministry without embarrassment to himself or the church. 2. Vice Chairman He shall preside at the meetings of the Official Board at the request of or in the absence of the Pastor, or at such times as it would be improper or inappropriate for the Pastor to preside. He shall assist the Pastor in business matters where his help is required and shall represent the Pastor in board and committee meetings at the Pastor's request. 3. Secretary He shall keep the minutes of each meeting of the Official Board and of the Congregation. Those records |
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it shall be put in permanent form in a church record book and he shall be responsible for their safe-keeping. He should keep an up-to-date list of all members of the church, noting all additions, dismissals, and deaths. He shall correspond as directed by the Official Board and the Congregation. 4. Financial Secretary He shall arrange for the receiving, counting, and crediting to their proper form in books for this purpose, all offerings and monies received by the church and deliver such funds with reasonable promptness to the proper treasurer, He shall, when requested, furnish receipts in satisfactory form to those on whose behalf he is receiving and crediting funds. He shall have an assistant to help him. 5. Church Treasurer He shall receive all monies from the Financial Secretary designated for ministerial support and local church expenses. He shall bank the same and pay all bills for the church, He shall keep a ledger showing the account of all funds and a balance taken at the end of each month. He shall also have custody of legal papers pertaining to the property and finances of the church. In the absence of a regular Church Treasurer, the Church Secretary will serve in this capacity. 6. Missionary Treasurer He shall receive and bank all missionary monies and distribute then according to the direction of the Church Missionary Board. |
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7. Building Fund Treasurer Where there is a Building Fund, those monies shall be handled by this officer. He shall receive, deposit and disburse them at the direction of the Official Board. He shall provide official receipts to all who request them. 8. Sunday School Superintendent He shall have general oversight of the Sunday School and shall be chairman of the Sunday School Executive Committee (cabinet of officers) and of the Sunday School Council. He shall acquaint himself with the administration and teaching of each department, frequently visiting the various departments, classes, and committees and offering suggestions when necessary or helpful. He shall meet frequently with the pastor for consultation and prayer so as to keep the church and the Sunday School departments coordinated in one effort to win souls and build men. 9. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent He shall serve in the place of the Superintendent in the Sunday School and at Board and Council meetings in the absence or at the request of the Superintendent, and shall assist the Superintendent in any other ways in which his services are required or requested. 10. Youth Director He shall have oversight of the ministry to the youth of the church. All youth counselors and assistants shall be responsible to him. He shall work in close association |
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with the Pastor and Board of Christian Education to coordinate the youth ministry with that of the whole church. 11. Historian He shall act as a repository for materials of historic interest, maintain an historical account of the life of the church from its inception, preserving the details of church improvements, anniversaries, and other highlights in the life of the church, and keep such other records as the Official Board may delegate to him. 12. Chairman of Finance He shall be chairman of the Finance Committee whose duties are outlined under the section headed Board of Finance , Article IX, Section 6. 13. Music Director A music director shall be elected who shall be chairman of the Music Committee whose duties are outlined under the section headed Music Committee, Article IX, Section 10. 14. Other Officers Other Officers may be appointed by the Official Board or elected by the Congregation as needs dictate. Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of |
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the Sunday School to be elected by the Sunday School Council and approved by the Board of Christian Education to coincide with the school year. They are also to be members of the Official Board." All other Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for 1 year terms. They must be active members of the church in full accord with the covenant and statement of faith of the church. Should an office be vacated before the end of a term, the Official Board shall appoint a person to serve to the end of the term. All Officers shall be obligated to report regularly to the Official Board and the Annual Meeting. ARTICLE IX
1. The Board of Deacons |
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This board shall organize by selecting its own chairman, secretary, and other officers as it may ordain, and conduct regular meetings for prayer and business. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to cooperate with the Pastor in promoting means of Christian growth and evangelism and in ministering to the general welfare of the church and the community. They shall assist in administering the ordinances of the church, in caring for the poor and needy, sick and sorrowing, and in welcoming the visitors and strangers. They shall review all applications for membership in the church and shall examine all applicants as to their faith in Christ and fitness for membership. They shall periodically review the church roll and make recommendations to the Board and to the Annual Meeting. They shall handle all problems of discipline according to the principles outlined in the section headed Membership (Article VII). In case the church is without a Pastor, the Board of Deacons shall serve as the Pulpit Committee and be responsible for pulpit supplies and candidates for the pastorate following the procedure outlined in Article VIII, Section 1, Pastor. 2. Deaconess Board There shall be a board of six or more deaconesses elected at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms in such order as to cause the terms of 1/3 of the members to expire each year. The qualifications for this office shall be comparable to those for the office of Deacon. This Board shall organize selecting its own chairman, secretary, and other officers deemed necessary, |
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and shall hold regular meetings for prayer and business. The deaconesses shall prepare the Communion Table and care for the Communionware. They shall assist in visiting the sick, sorrowing, needy, and new in the church and the community--especially those of their own sex. They shall aid in counseling the girls and ladies of the church under the direction of the Deacons and the Pastor. 3. Board of Trustees There shall be a board of six or more trustees elected at the Annual Meeting. Their term of office shall be for three years elected in such order that the terms of 1/3 of the members expire at the end of each year. They shall elect their own chairman and secretary, and arrange for regular meetings and periodic inspection of all of the church properties and facilities. Their responsibility shall be for the maintenance and improvement of the properties when the cost is within the amount of money budgeted to them. Larger projects and expenditures of money, and changes in the appearance and function of properties or facilities may be recommended by them for the approval of the Official Board, and in some cases, the Congregation. They shall have no power to buy, sell, lease, mortgage, or transfer any realty without a specific vote from the church authorizing such action. They shall sign legal transactions for the church according to the requirements of the law. 4.Missionary Board A Missionary Board shall be organized at the beginning |
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of each church year. This Board shall consist of the Church Missionary Treasurer, the Sunday School Missionary Treasurer, the President of the Women's Missionary Society, and two or more members appointed by the Official Board. They shall elect their own chairman and secretary, and arrange for periodic meetings throughout the year. The purpose of this Board shall be to promote, extend, and supervise the missionary activities of the church. Their interest shall be in both home and foreign missions. Their supreme aim shall be to make Jesus Christ known as the divine Savior to all people. 5. Board of Christian Education A Board of Christian Education shall be established at the beginning of each church year, consisting of the Pastor (or Director of Christian Education should be one employed) as the chairman, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, the Youth Director, the Sunday School department Superintendents, one member from the Board of Deacons, and one member from the Deaconess Board. Others may be added at the discretion of the Pastor in consultation with the Official Board. This Board will have oversight of all the teaching ministries of the church, appointing for terms of 1 year, all the Sunday School teachers. the department superintendents, the youth counselors, and other leaders in the field of Christian Education, and approving all materials used. 6. Board of Finance There shall be a Board of Finance consisting of six |
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or more members, including the Chairman of Finance elected by the congregation, the Church Treasurer, the Building Fund Treasurer, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Building Committee, and others appointed by the Official Board. This board shall select its own secretary and arrange for regular meetings. It shall be their responsibility to promote giving among the membership for support of the ministry and projects of the church with view of meeting the budgets (except for the Missionary Board). In the case of a building program, they shall establish and oversee the system for raising the funds and provide plans for the financing. Their proposals shall always be in keeping with the faith and practice of the church and subject to approval of the Official Board and the congregation. They shall prepare the proposed operating budget for the new church year and present it for the approval of the congregation at the Annual Meeting. 7. Building Committee When a building program is in existence, there shall be a Building Committee consisting of 8 or more persons. It shall consist of a Building Committee Chairman elected by the congregation, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, and others appointed by the Official Board. The terms shall be for the period of one year and reappointment or new appointment made by the Official Board at the beginning of each church year. The duties of this committee shall be to determine the needs, recommended plans, and negotiate with architects and contractors. Plans and contracts are subject to the approval of the Official Board and the congregation. Once plans are approved and contracts arranged, |
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this committee shall have general oversight of the construction and represent the congregation in communicating with the builders. 8. Sunday School Council There shall be a Sunday School Council consisting of all officers, department heads, and teachers of the Sunday School. they shall meet regularly to do the business of the Sunday School, and counsel among themselves, seeking for ways to improve the quality of the School and to encourage each other. Officers of the Sunday School shall be elected by this Council with the exception of the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. The Superintendent shall be the chairman of the council and shall have the privilege of conducting business in consultation with the Executive Committee in absence of a Council meeting. The Sunday School shall order its own literature, and bank and disburse its own money. 9. A Nominating Committee A Nominating Committee shall be established at the beginning of each church year. It shall consist of the Vice Chairman of the Board, and two members appointed by the Board of Deacons from among themselves, and two members appointed by the Deaconess Board from among themselves. They shall prepare the ballot for the election of officers at the Annual Meeting of the Church. The Vice Chairman shall serve as the Chairman of this committee. 10. A Music Committee There shall be a Music Committee consisting of the |
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Music Director elected by Annual Meeting serving as the Chairman, the organist, the pianist, the choir director, and any others appointed by the Official Board. This committee shall be responsible for the music for the regular services and special ministries of the church. They shall arrange for special musical programs such as cantatas, concerts, etc. They shall work in close consultation with the Pastor in all arrangements for music in the church. 11. Other Boards and Committees Other Boards and Committees may be established by the Official Board or the Congregation as the need arises. All members of all boards and committees must be members of the church in full accord with the principles and practices of the church except on the Music Committee where one might be used who is not a member of the church. Should vacancies occur during the year on any of these Boards or Committees, the Official Board shall appoint a person to serve until the Annual Meeting at which time another person shall be elected to serve the unexpired term. 12. Youth Board The Youth Center shall be organized at the beginning of each church year. A Youth Pastor as chairman, a vice chairman, two deacons, two deaconesses, one trustee, one person from the educational board, one secretary, one treasurer, on Senior High representative, one Junior High representative, Youth leaders, |
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and Special Ministries (puppets). The Chairman will always be the Youth Pastor, and the Secretary and the treasurer will have the office for one year.ATRICLE X
Organizations may be formed as an integral part of this church such as ladies' organizations, men's organizations, youth organizations, couples' clubs, etc. and may use the church name as long as their principles and practices are in keeping with those of the church. The Pastor will have general oversight of each of these, and each will be required to report to the Annual Meeting of the church.
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adopted, officers elected, and such other business transacted as may be specified in the call or authorized by the constitution. Special business meetings shall be called by the Chairman or the Secretary. The call shall specify the purpose of the meeting and shall be read at the public services on two Sundays immediately preceding the date fixed for the meeting. The quorum for Congregational Meetings shall be 21. ARTICLE XII
In the conduct of business meetings, any parliamentary questions not covered in this constitution shall be decided by the latest edition of "Roberts' Rules of Order".
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accepted by a vote of the congregation of this church and may be discontinued at any time by the action of either party. In no case shall this church join with a group who places any claim on the property or exercises any dictatorial jurisdiction over the ministry of the church. In no case shall this church forfeit her autonomy.
ARTICLE XIV
1. Division |
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ARTICLE XV
1. The foregoing articles may be amended, or by-laws may be added to this constitution at any regular business meeting of the church by a 2/3 majority of those present and voting provided the proposed amendment or by-law shall have been submitted in writing and shall have been read at two Sunday services prior to the business meeting in which the amendment or by-law is submitted for final action. |