CHURCH CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE
So that things may be done decently and in order in accordance with the accepted tenets of other churches of like precious biblical faith, 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 Applegate Community 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, and cemeteries, and any other ministries that the Church may be led of God to establish.
 
(B) The Church shall also ordain and license 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 week-day schools of 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
 
SECTION 1 – Statement of Faith:
 
(A) The Holy Scriptures
 
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James Version of the Bible and the New American Standard Bible shall be the official translations used by the Church (2 Tim. 2:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
 
 
(B) The Godhead
 
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13-14; John 14:10, 26).
 
(C) The Person and Work of Christ
 
(1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).
 
(2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
 
(3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).
 
(D) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
 
(1) We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1: 13-14).
 
(2) We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).
 
(3) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12; 1 Pet. 4:10).
 
(4) We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gifts of healing were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).
 
(G) The Total Depravity of Man
 
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19).
 
(H) Salvation
 
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
 
(I) The Eternal Security, Assurance and Obligation of Believers
 
(1) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5).

(2) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
 
(J) The Church
 
(1) We believe that the universal church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27).
 
(2) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17; 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
 
(3) We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
 
(4) We believe water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the Church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
 
(K) Missions
 
We believe that 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 nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).
 
 
(L) Separation
 
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
 
(M) The Second Advent of Christ
 
We believe that “blessed hope”, the personal, imminent return of Christ, who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the Nation of Israel (Ps. 8:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
 
(N) The Eternal State
 
(1) We believe the bodily resurrection of all souls; the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).
 
(2) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).
 
(3) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7: Rev 20:11-15).
 
(N) The Personality of Satan
 
We believe that Satan is an evil spirit, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
 
(O) Creation
 
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods (Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11).
 
(P) Civil Government
 
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions; 1) the home; 2) the church; and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
 
 
(Q) Gender, Marriage and Sexuality
 
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a denial of God’s prerogative to exercise His will in creating men and women.
 
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
 
We believe that any form of homosexuality, pedophilia, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, transgender, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.
We believe that by performing a marriage ceremony within our church body, we are calling on and recognizing God's authority over the union and cannot do so in circumstances clearly shown to be sinful and against His will.
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Applegate Community Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to our members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Applegate Community Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Gender, Marriage and Sexuality (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18-25; Gen. 19:5; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-20; Matt. 5:16; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9, 18; 7:2-5; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 5:22; Heb. 13:4).
 
(R) Divorce and Remarriage
 
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the Church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the office of Pastor. Divorced or remarried men may be considered for elder or deacon upon approval of the elder board. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; 1 Cor. 7).
 
(S) Abortion
 
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection or any other reason is biblical.
 
We believe that any action to terminate life early is murder. We reject any teaching that euthanasia, mercy killing or assisted suicide is acceptable (1 King 3:14; Job 14:5; Psalm 139:161).
 
(U) Lawsuits Between Believers
 
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
 
(V) Giving
 
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established a basis for giving, and that every Christian should give offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church for the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).
 
SECTION 2 – 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. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.
 
ARTICLE III
Membership
 
SECTION 1 – Qualifications for Membership:
 
Membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin; who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith contained herein; and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:
 
(A) By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior,
 
(B) By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement of good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by immersion subsequent to a profession of faith;
 
(C) By testimony of faith;
 
(D) By restoration, if having been removed from membership because of sin, after confession is made publically before the Church membership and satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the Board of Elders.
 
SECTION 2 – Duties of a Member
 
On becoming a member of this church, each one agrees to submit to the Board of Elders as those having final authority in all spiritual matters and matters of church governance as set forth and described in these Bylaws. They further agree to love, honor and esteem those in authority over them. They are to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church and to support the church in prayer, offerings and with other financial support as the Lord enables. And in accordance with Biblical commands, they agree to support, through a lifestyle walk, the beliefs and practices of the church.
SECTION 3 – Privileges of Membership
 
(A) This congregation functions, not as a democracy, but as a body under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the Board of Elders as under-shepherds of Jesus Christ.
Membership in this church does not afford those individuals with any property, contract, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government. Determinations of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The Board of Elders shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church. The membership of the church has certain limited areas of exercising a vote. Members may not vote to initiate any church action, but rather the vote of a member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by the Board of Elders.
 
SECTION 4 – Discipline of a Member
 
(A) There shall be a Discipline Committee consisting of the Board of Elders. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the Statement of Faith. If an elder is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the Discipline Committee. He shall be entitled to the same steps as other church  members and be subject to the same discipline. (Matt 18:15-17)
 
(B) Members and Attendees of the congregation 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 the spiritual growth and testimony of a brother, he is to:
 
(1.) Confront the brother in private.
Matt 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” In a spirit of gentleness and humility (Gal 6:1), go to the sinning brother and confront him in private. If he repents, the goal of restoration is achieved and the matter is immediately dropped.
 
(2.) Bring one or two more with him to confront the brother.
Matt 18:16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every fact may be confirmed.” It would be wise, though not necessary, at this point to include an Elder in the process. If the sinning brother repents, he is forgiven and restored to fellowship, and the matter is dropped.
 
(3.) Tell it to the church.
Matt 18:17a “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” At this point those involved in the initial confrontation shall bring it before the Elders who can then oversee its communication to the congregation. The Elders will avoid carrying out the third or fourth steps of church discipline until they are certain that the erring believer has truly sinned or is continuing to sin, and that he has refused to repent when appropriately confronted. The Elders will send a registered letter to the sinning brother warning him that the third and then fourth steps of discipline will be taken if the committee has not received word of repentance by a specified date. When that date has passed, the person’s sin and refusal to repent are made known to the congregation during a worship service. If the sinning brother repents prior to bringing his sin before the congregation, he is forgiven and restored to fellowship, and the matter is dropped. During this time the congregation will be encouraged to personally go to the sinning brother to seek his restoration.
 
(4.) Treat him as an outsider.
Matt 18:17b “And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a gentile and a tax collector.”
The church is to treat him as one who is outside the fellowship and therefore not able to associate and participate in the blessings and benefits of the Christian assembly. He shall be removed from the church membership at this time.
This does not mean that all contact with the unrepentant brother should be broken off. When there is an opportunity to admonish him and try to call him back, the opportunity should be taken.
If at this point the sinning brother repents, he shall give testimony of his sin and repentance before the congregation, and he is forgiven and restored to fellowship.
 
(C) If an unrepentant, offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration except in the case of family members who must live with the offender. 
 
(D) If reconciliation is still not reached, the one seeking to resolve the matter and either an Elder or the Pastor  shall go to the offending party and seek to resolve the matter. This step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.
 
(E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C) and (D) have been taken, the Discipline Committee, as the church representatives biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the Discipline Committee, the Committee shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek that member’s restoration.
 
(F) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C), (D) and (E) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the membership present at meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.
 
(G) No matter may be heard by the Discipline Committee of the church unless the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.
 
(H) If an unrepentant, offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration (except in the case of family members, who must live with the offender).
 
SECTION 5 – Transfer of Membership
 
Members, not under the disciplining process of Section 4, may request that letters of transfer be sent to another church.
 
SECTION 6 – 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. Upon good cause being shown to the elder board, this provision for termination may be waived in the case of any individual member at the discretion of the elder board.
 
(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.
 
(C) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the elder board.
 
ARTICLE IV
Officers
 
SECTION 1 – Church officers:
 
The Church officers are Pastor (see Article V, section 1), elder (see Article V, Section 2), minister of records (see Article V, Section 3), minister of finance (see Article V, Section 4), minister of Sunday School (see Article V, Section 5), and minister of hospitality (see Article V, Section 6). One person may hold two or more offices, except that of Pastor. The elder board, from time to time as they deem appropriate, may appoint other church officers, subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership.
 
SECTION 2 – Designation of Corporate Officers:
 
As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the Church the chairman of the Board of Elders shall serve as president of the corporation; the minister of records shall serve as secretary of the corporation; and the minister of finances shall serve as treasurer of the corporation.
 
SECTION 3 – Eligibility for Continuance in Office:
 
(A) All church officers shall affirm their agreement with the Statement of Faith (as set forth in Article II) annually in the presence of each other.
 
(B) All church officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the Elder Board in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
 
(C) Only church members are eligible for election or appointment to any church office or position.
 
SECTION 4 – Terms of Office:
 
The length of terms of office shall be as follows:
 
(A) The relationship between the Pastor and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between the Pastor and the church may be considered at any regular church administration meeting, provided notice to that effect shall have been given from the pulpit to the church two Sundays prior to said regular church administration meeting. A three fourths majority of the members present and voting shall be required to decide the matter. Disciplinary removal of the Pastor from office automatically terminates his membership. A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of Article III, Section 1 (D).
 
(B) The term of service for Elder Board members, shall be five years and the term of service for Deacons shall be three years. Elders and Deacons may continue their service for additional terms following completion of their expired term, with approval of the Elder Board, and a confirmation vote by the church congregation. 
 
(C) The term for all offices and positions in the church, except the Pastors, Elders and Deacons shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected or re-appointed.
 
(D) A vacancy occurring in any office or board, except in the case of the Pastor may be filled at any church administration meeting.
 
(E) All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed.
 
SECTION 5 – Election of Officers:
 
(A) The annual confirmation of officers by the church membership shall occur during the month of January at the annual church administration meeting.
 
(B) The members of the Board of Elders and the Board of Deacons shall be nominated by the Board of Elders with opportunity from the membership for their suggestions four weeks prior to the annual meeting. The Board of Elders Chairman is responsible to contact (after Board of Elders approval) each suggested and qualified candidate as to willingness to serve. The recording Secretary shall post the names for confirmation in two places in the church two weeks prior to the annual church administration meeting.
 
(C) Nomination may be presented from the membership for any position other than Elder providing the name for the particular office is presented to the Board of Elders in writing for approval one week prior to the annual church administration meeting. If approved, the candidate shall be contacted as to his willingness to serve.
 
SECTION 6 –Oversight of Officers and Staff:
 
(A) Subject to the approval of the church membership and on the condition that they shall become a member of the church upon assuming their duties, the Board of Elders may hire other pastors and assistant pastors, to assist the Pastor in carrying out his God-given responsibilities. These other pastors shall qualify for the office of Elder. These persons shall not be related to a current member of the Board of Elders.
 
(B) All church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the Board of Elders who has the sole authority to hire, appoint, or dismiss the same.
 
ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers
 
SECTION 1 – The Pastor:
 
(A) The Pastor shall qualify for the office of Elder (1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-9).
 
(B) 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 or appoint a moderator for all church meetings for the transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of membership.
 
SECTION 2- The Board of Elders:
 
(A) The Board of Elders shall consist of members who qualify for office (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). The number of Elders will be determined by the Board of Elders as the need arises. These Elders will be confirmed at the annual meeting to serve for five years. The Pastor is a member of the Board of Elders but is not confirmed every five years.
 
(B) The Board of Elders may not have more than one family member serving at the same time.
 
(C) The Board of Elders shall assist the Pastor 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 consider applications for church membership. They shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church. They shall disburse the benevolence fund. They shall assist the Pastors 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 Elders shall assist the Pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the church’s various ministries.
 
(D) At the next Elder Board meeting following the annual church administration meeting, the Board of Elders shall assemble and elect, from their own number, a secretary, and a chairman, who shall be president of the corporation.
 
(E) The Elder Board shall appoint the members of the various committees.
 
(F) The Board of Elders shall constitute the board of trustees of the corporation. The board of trustees shall exercise only the following specific powers:
 
(1) To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire 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.
 
(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 – Deacons:
 
(A) Deacons shall consist of members who qualify for office (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
 
(B) Deacons shall assist the Pastor and the Board of Elders, in such manner as they shall request, in promoting the physical welfare of the church.
 
SECTION 4 – The Minister of Records:
 
The minister of records 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 church, and preserve all documents, papers, and letters coming into his/her hands during his term of office. All records are to be kept in the church office, and delivered to any successor upon leaving office. He/she shall keep an account of any special events in the life of the church which are of historical interest and shall give a report at the annual church administration meeting of the status of the church membership roll in the past year. The minister of records shall also serve as the secretary of the corporation.
 
SECTION 5 – The Minister of Finance:
 
The minister of finances shall account for all funds contributed to the church and shall disburse the same as ordered by the church. He/she shall present a written report of itemized disbursements at the biannual church administration meeting and make a general report for the year at the annual church administration meeting. All expenditures of the church except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements shall be paid by check. The minister of finances shall also serve as treasurer of the corporation.
 
SECTION 6 – The Minister of Sunday School:
 
The minister of Sunday School shall supervise the Sunday School. In consultation with the Pastor he shall recommend the appointment of the teachers of the Sunday School. He shall preside at the teachers meetings, and report on the condition of the Sunday School at the annual church administration meeting. He is also a member of the CE committee.
 
SECTION 7 – The Ministers of Hospitality:
 
The ministers of hospitality, in cooperation with the Pastor, shall appoint a sufficient number of assistants to care for the work of ushering and extending the official hospitality of the church to its members and visitors.
 
SECTION 8 – Associate Pastors:
 
Under the direction and guidance of the Pastor, the Associate Pastors of the church shall assist the Pastor in carrying out the ministries of the church.
 
SECTION 9 – Duties of All Officers:
 
(A) All officers shall prepare a written report of their work for the annual church administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their possession to the minister of records at the close of their term of office to be filed as a permanent record of the work of the church. All records are the property of the church and must be kept in the church office.
 
(B) Any officer who neglects his duties as outlined in the constitution for a period of three months may be removed from his office at the discretion of the Board of Elders and another may be appointed by the Board of Elders to serve the unexpired term.
 
SECTION 10 – Installation of Officers:
 
A public installation service in which all newly-elected officers of the church are to be dedicated to their respective offices shall be held at a public church service following their election at the annual administration meeting.
 
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
 
SECTION 1 – Meetings for Worship:
 
Unless otherwise determined by the Pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. Except when circumstances forbid it, the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the first Sunday morning of each month.
 
SECTION 2 – Meetings for Church Administration:
 
A monthly Elder Board meeting of the church shall be held on the second Tuesday or otherwise designated time of each month or special Elder Board meetings as the need arises at which time the regular church administration shall be considered. A quorum shall consist of the members present.
 
SECTION 3 – Special Meetings:
 
(A) The Pastor (or Elders, if the office of Pastor is vacant or the Pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called to the church from the pulpit at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for acceptance of a Pastor may be called by the Elder Board at any regular Elder Board meeting of the church at least two weeks in advance.
 
(B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held after the Pastor confers with the Elder Board.
 
SECTION 4 – Fiscal Year:
 
The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.
 
ARTICLE VII
Ministry of Education
 
SECTION 1 – Purpose:
 
The church believes that it is to provide the members’ children with an education which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The church believes that the home and church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education 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 Board of Elders may permit non-church members to participate in church educational programs or courses of instruction if they deem 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 visiting missionaries, evangelists, or preachers, engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals, or 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 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 consistent 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 which they teach, whether in or out of the classroom.
 
ARTICLE VIII
Unauthorized Expenditures
 
Any expenditure in excess of $200 and not authorized in the regular annual budget must be authorized by the Board of Elders.
 
ARTICLE IX
Ordination
 
SECTION 1 – Ordination Qualifications:
 
Any member of this church, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.
 
SECTION 2 – Ordination Procedure:
 
(A) Upon a conference with the Pastor and after the Pastor has approved the candidate for ordination, the Pastor shall call a council to examine and pass on the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall consist of ordained ministers of like faith invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.
 
(B) If the candidate is found worthy of the ordination by the council, the ordination council may ordain the candidate on behalf of the church.
 
(C) The Pastor and the chairman of the Elders shall arrange for the ordination service.
 
ARTICLE X
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 (including 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 Trustees 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 Section 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 shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations which agree with the church’s Statement of Faith.
 
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 XI
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 Board of Elders. 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 XII
Amendments
 
This Constitution may be revised or amended by a majority 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 fourteen (14) days before the vote is taken.
 
ADOPTION     
 
This Constitution was adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly-called meeting of the church in which a quorum was present.
 
 
This constitution and By-Laws supersedes any other constitutions and/or by-laws of Applegate Community Church.
 
 
 
1-30-2016                                                       ____________________________________________
Date                                                                           Minister of Records