Church Constitution

September 11, 2022

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the Chambersburg Bible Church of 810 Orchard Drive, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 17201, in order to establish rules and procedures with which to administer this independent local assembly, do ordain and establish the following Constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

ARTICLE I
– NAME –

The name of this Church shall be, Chambersburg Bible Church, and hereinafter referred to as “this Church,” in this Constitution.

ARTICLE II
– PURPOSE –

The purpose of this Church is to glorify God and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ through the means of the ministry of the Word of God for the salvation of souls, the edification of Christians, the worldwide proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the promotion of godly worship, the defense of the faith once delivered unto the saints, and cooperative fellowship with Christian activity.

ARTICLE III
– STATEMENT OF FAITH –

The foundation of this Church shall be the Lord Jesus Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 3:11)

Section 1 – Articles of Biblical Faith Regarding Doctrine

A. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and Godbreathed.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13)

B. The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Mark 12:29)

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. (John 1:1-2, 1:14; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:1-9)

2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all mankind as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that the sufficiency of this atoning sacrifice to accomplish the redemption and justification of all who trust in Him is assured by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Romans 3:24-25, 4:25; Ephesians 1:7; I Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; I Peter 1:3-5, 2:24; II Peter 2:1)

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; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2)

D. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of 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; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14)

2. We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. (John 16:13; I John 2:20, 2:27; Ephesians 5:18)

3. We believe that He intercedes for all believers and that He should not be resisted, insulted, grieved, or quenched. (Romans 8:26-27; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; I Thessalonians 5:19; Hebrews 10:29).

E. 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 race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved and every aspect of his being is negatively affected by sin; that, of himself, he is unable to remedy his lost condition; and that the biblical doctrine of total depravity does not state or imply that man does not possess a free will. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 2:12)

F. 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 our sins and the sins of the whole world, and that the teaching of Lordship Salvation is biblically incorrect.
(Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19)

G. Sanctification

We believe that the will of God for every believer is to be made holy and like Jesus Christ. At the point of salvation, the believer receives a holy standing before God due to the righteousness of Christ, often referred to as positional sanctification. The new birth creates within every believer a new nature which is made after the likeness of God in true holiness and righteousness. There still remains in the believer tendencies toward sin which are in constant conflict with the new nature. The biblical process of spiritual growth, often called progressive sanctification, requires removing the sinful patterns of the unsaved condition and replacing them with patterns of godly character. The Holy Spirit accomplishes these changes as the believer, by faith, yields in obedience to the Word of God and puts to death all sinful practices. The believer will ultimately be made completely holy when he enters the presence of Jesus Christ, either at death or the rapture of the Church.
(I Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 10:10, 10:14; Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 6:11-13; II Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5; Philippians 1:6, 3:21; I Thessalonians 5:23; I John 3:2)

H. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever and can never lose their salvation. (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 8:38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5)

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 and that assurance of salvation is not dependent upon our emotions or feelings, but upon the authority of God’s promises. (Romans 8:16, 13:13-14; Titus 2:11-15; I John 5:11-13)

I. The Two Natures of the Believer

We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that all claims of the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural. (Romans 6:13, 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9)

J. Separation

We believe that the doctrine of separation is taught from Genesis to Revelation and 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; and that the believer is separated unto God and separated from all that displeases Him. (II Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1-2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John vv. 9-11;
II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I Thessalonians 1:9)

K. Missions

We believe that it is the obligation and privilege of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the gospel to all mankind. (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:19-20)

L. The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts

1. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the saints today; and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established. (I Corinthians 12:4-11; II Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12)

2. We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted. (John 15:7; I John 5:14-15)

M. The Church

1. We believe that the Church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2)

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, 20:28-32; I Timothy 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; Romans 16:1, 16:4; I Corinthians 3:9, 3:16, 5:4-7, 5:13; I Peter 5:1-4)

4. We believe in the ordinances of believer’s Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church age. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; I Corinthians 11:23-26)

5. We believe that the Church began on the Day of Pentecost and will conclude at the rapture of the Church. (Acts2:1-4; Romans 11:25)

N. Dispensationalism

1. We believe that the Scriptures when interpreted consistently in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of them — the age of law, the age of the church, and the age of the millennial kingdom — are subjects of detailedrevelation in Scripture. (John 1:17; I Corinthians 9:17; II Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10, 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25; Hebrews 7:19; Revelation 20:2-6)

2. We believe that there are biblical distinctions between the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church and that God’s glory is the ultimate purpose in all that He does. (I Corinthians 10:32)

O. The Personality of Satan

1. We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, but Adam was the cause of the fall; that Satan 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; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

2. We believe that Satan is a personality, a fallen angel, the adversary of Christ and His Church, and that he transforms himself as an angel of light to entice and deceive. We believe that he counterfeits the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine, which systems in every case are characterized by denial of the efficacy of the blood of Christ and of salvation by grace alone. We believe his destiny is eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire. (Isaiah
14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 20:10; I Timothy 4:1-3)

3. We believe that at the close of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, that Satan will be loosed and will go out and deceive the nations and cause them to march against Jerusalem and the saints. God will then cause fire to come down upon Satan and his hosts and devour them. Satan will then be cast into the Lake of Fire (Hell). (Revelation 20:7-10)

4. We believe that after the doom of Satan shall occur the second resurrection. All the bodies of the unsaved shall be resurrected and united with their souls and spirits to appear before God at the Great White Throne Judgment. Every unsaved person (body, soul, and spirit) will be consigned alive to everlasting and conscious punishment in the Lake of Fire (Hell). (Revelation 20:11-15)

P. The Rapture and the Second Advent of Christ
We believe in that “Blessed Hope,” the personal, imminent, pretribulation, and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; I Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10)

Q. The Future and Eternal State

1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 20:12-13)

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; Revelation 20:4-6; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery 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. (Luke 16:19-26; Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude vv. 6-7; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:11-15)

Section 2 – Articles of Biblical Faith Regarding Contemporary Issues

A. Creation

We believe that the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not figuratively in that God, without the use of existing materials and secondary causes, by the word of His mouth brought into being the whole visible and invisible universe. We believe that the six days of creation mentioned in Genesis 1 are six literal 24-hour days. We believe that all animal and plant life was made directly and follows God’s law in multiplying “after its kind.” We believe that the entire human race sprang from one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve, literal people, who were created directly in God’s image and after His likeness and did not evolve from any lower form of life. (Genesis 1:1-2:25; Exodus 20:11, 31:17; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 33:6-9; Isaiah 40:21-31; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3)

B. Marriage and Human Sexuality

1. We believe that the only legitimate marriage as defined by God is the joining of one man and one woman. We believe marriage is not open to social architecture, cultural engineering, or judicial activism. God established it as His purpose at the beginning of time with Adam and Eve, demonstrated it through the rest of Scripture, and reinforced it through the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, we cannot and will not recognize or endorse same-sex “marriages” nor will any member of this Church be involved in solemnizing such unions. (Genesis 2:22-25; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:1-3, 10; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-23)

2. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside f marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, fornication, adultery, polygamy, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery, appearance, or any other means. Because of the divine command to end such practices, persons engaged in any of the aforementioned activities shall not be members of this Church. (Genesis 2:24, 18:20, 19:5-7, 19:13; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-32; I Corinthians 5:1, 5:13, 6:9-18; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

3. Based on the biblical belief that all of the above mentioned sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex are chosen behaviors and none of them is an unchosen state of being, and based on the biblical belief that they are unacceptable to God, no person who identifies with or practices any of them shall be granted the privileges of baptism, communion, marriage, or ordination by this Church. (Romans 1:24-27; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude v. 7)

4. In light of the above, we must honor God and His Word by not entering into such practices. Persons engaged in immoral activities shall not be members of this Church. Any member who participates in such behaviors will be disciplined according to the Constitution, Article VIII, E. Church Discipline of Members (I Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:9-11).

C. Family Relationships

1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God and there is no inequality or inferiority between men and women, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be leaders (pastors, elders, deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by this Church. (Acts 5:14, 8:12; Galatians 3:28; I Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 3:18; I Timothy 2:8-15,3:4-5)

2. We believe that God has ordained the family as a foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the spiritual leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scriptural correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; I Peter
3:1-7)

D. Divorce and Remarriage

The Scriptures are clear that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorced individuals, divorced and remarried individuals, or individuals married to a divorced person may not hold or be considered for the offices of Pastor, Elder, and Deacon, but such individuals may be considered for other positions of Christian service and be used of God. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:10-13; I Timothy 3:2, 3:12; Titus 1:6)

E. Abortion

We believe that the human life begins at conception and the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified and unexcused taking of a human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortion of pregnancy for any reason, including but not limited to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother, is acceptable. (Exodus 20:13; Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 139:13-16; Isaiah
44:24, 49:1, 49:5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

F. Civil Government

Civil government has been ordained by God and exists for the purpose of exercising justice and for the punishment of wrongdoers. Christians are to live in subjection to civil government, abiding by its laws, so long as those laws do not violate the commandments of God. (Acts 4:19, 5:28-29; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14)

G. Lawsuits Between Believers

The Scriptures prohibit Christians from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. The church possesses all the spiritual resources and is equipped to resolve personal disputes between believers. Scripture clearly teaches that lawsuits between believers are a poor witness to the unbelieving world. (I Corinthians 6:1-8)

H. Music and Song

We believe that God created music, and that the highest goal and purpose for music is the worship and praise of God our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. The Scriptures also reveal that God intends for music to be used in the church for the instruction and admonition of His children. All music that is sung and played in this Church for public and private ministry shall be reverent, spiritual, and sacred in its style and content (both the music and the words). The
ministry of music at this Church shall come under the oversight of the Official Board, who may appoint a committee for this purpose. We reject contemporary, rap, and rock music. (Job 38:7; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 150:6; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16)

I. Translations of the Bible

The proliferation of new translations of the Bible is causing much division and confusion in the body of Christ. We believe that God has preserved His Word through the Hebrew Texts of the Old Testament and the Greek Text of the New Testament. Therefore, for the sake of accuracy an continuity, the old King James Version of the Bible shall be used in all ministries of this Church for  preaching, teaching, reading, and memorization. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13,17:17; Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 24:35)

Section 3 – Articles of Biblical Faith Regarding Movements Contrary to the Faith

A. Ecumenism

Ecumenism is that movement which seeks the organizational unity of all professing Christianity and ultimately of all religions. Its principal advocates are the World Council of Churches and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. We cannot unite and work with the individuals, churches, or organizations which teach that salvation is by works or that Jesus isn’t God.

B. Ecumenical Evangelism

Ecumenical Evangelism is that effort to promote the gospel by bringing fundamentalists into an unequal yoke with theological liberals and/or Roman Catholics and other divergent groups.

C. Neo-Orthodoxy

Neo-Orthodoxy is that theological movement which affirms: the transcendence of God, the finiteness and sinfulness of man, and the necessity of supernatural divine revelation of truth; but, while using evangelical terminology, seriously departs from orthodoxy: in accepting the views of destructive higher criticism, in denying the inerrancy of the Bible as historic revelation, in accepting religious experience as the criterion of truth, and in abandoning important fundamentals of the Christian faith.

D. New Evangelicalism (Neo-Evangelicalism, New Conservatism)

These terms refer to that movement within evangelicalism characterized by a toleration of and a dialogue with theological liberalism. Its essence is seen in an emphasis upon the social application of the gospel and weak or unclear doctrines of: the inspiration of Scripture, biblical creationism, eschatology, dispensationalism, and separation. It is further characterized by an attempt to accommodate biblical Christianity and make it acceptable to the modern mind.

E. Reformed Theology

Reformed Theology is that system of theology which was defined at the synod of Dort (1618- 1619) and then further developed by the Puritan writers. It is often defined by its Covenant Theology (the Bible’s philosophy of history defined by two or three covenants: the covenant of works, the covenant of grace, and the covenant of redemption) and/or Calvinism with its five points of doctrine also known by the acronym, TULIP. While we agree with and greatly respect the Five Solas of the Reformation (The Scripture alone is the standard, For the glory of God alone, By Christ’s work alone are we saved, Salvation by grace alone, Justification by faith alone), we believe this system of theology contains serious errors. Some of the erroneous
doctrines which are often promoted by Reformed Theology are these:

1. Christ died as a Substitute only for the elect. He did not pay death’s penalty for all men.

2. Regeneration precedes faith. That is, before a person can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, he must be born again. One must have the life of God before he can believe.

3. Faith is the gift of God [they base this on Ephesians 2:8-9]. If a person is to be saved, then God must somehow bestow this gift upon the sinner.

4. God’s moral law (the Ten Commandments) is the believer’s rule of life.

5. A sinner must acknowledge and surrender to the Lordship of Christ in order to be saved.

Section 4 – Covenant of Faith

In subscribing to these Articles of Biblical Faith, we by no means set aside, or undervalue, any of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, but we deem the knowledge, belief, and acceptance of the Truth as set forth in our Statement of Faith, to be essential to sound faith and fruitful practice, and therefore requisite for Christian fellowship in this Church.

ARTICLE IV
– CHURCH COVENANT –

Having been born again by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and being justified on the ground of His shed blood, and having confessed our faith before men, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We also engage, therefore, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all the nations.

We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions, to educate our children in the Word of His Grace, and to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances. We engage, too, by the grace and power of God, that as strangers and pilgrims, we will abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; we will put away from us all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,
and clamor, and evil speaking; and we will be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, and to
aid each other in sickness and distress. We, moreover, engage that should we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

ARTICLE V
– ORDINANCES –

We believe there are two ordinances that Christians are commanded to observe, namely, Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. While recognizing that Water Baptism has no saving merit, it is our conviction that after one is saved, Baptism is the next step in order to portray to the world the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is our conviction that the scriptural method of Water Baptism is total immersion. We believe that Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper to commemorate His death till He comes. We further believe that Water Baptism by immersion is observed but once, and this is a sign of identification and testimony to newness of life, but the Lord’s Supper is commemorative and is to be observed often as a memorial of the body and the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper shall be open to all born-again believers. (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:9-13; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 11:23-34)

ARTICLE VI
– AFFILIATION –

A. Independence and Autonomy

It is the purpose of the original incorporators of this Church that it shall be, and forever remain an Independent and autonomous organization, adhering to the fundamental and premillennial doctrines of the Christian faith, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.

B. Nondenominational Character

It is likewise the original purpose of this Church, in accordance with the New Testament example and teaching, that it shall forever remain free from denominationalism. It shall, for this reason, avoid identification with denominations or associations of churches by means of its name, or by observance of traditions peculiar to such denominations or associations. It shall never change its name nor its policy so as to affect such identification. (I Corinthians 1:11-13, 3:1-11)

ARTICLE VII
– LOCAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT –

This church recognizes Jesus Christ, the One revealed in the infallible written Word of God, as the preeminent Head of this Church. It accepts no civil authority in ecclesiastical matters. The Pastor and the Official Board shall be recognized by the congregation as the ruling body in all matters pertaining to the affairs of this Church.

ARTICLE VIII
– MEMBERSHIP –

A. Membership Requirements

Persons who give testimony of their faith in Christ as Savior, who give assurance of their willingness to follow and submit themselves to the Word of God as the only rule of faith, doctrine, and practice, who have been baptized by immersion, who indicate their agreement with the Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and all written policies of this Church shall be eligible for membership. Persons who hold membership in any secret order shall not be eligible for membership in this Church. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

B. Reception of Members

1. Any person desiring to unite with this Church, and who fulfills the qualifications for membership, shall make written application on a form provided by this Church. This application shall contain an agreement by the applicant to be bound by the Constitution of this Church and the applicant’s personal acceptance of the Statement of Faith and the Church Covenant as set forth in Articles III and IV.

2. Candidates for membership shall appear before the Official Board for examination at a conveniently appointed time. It shall lie within the province of the Official Board by a seventyfive percent (75%) vote of approval to receive such candidates into membership of this Church.

3. Applicants who are approved by the Official Board shall be recommended to the church by announcement from the pulpit or in the bulletin for two (2) consecutive Sundays.

4. If no valid written objections are received by the Official Board during this period, the right hand of fellowship shall be extended to them at a regular Sunday service.

C. Status of Membership

1. Active Membership
Members shall consist of such Christians as have been received in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, as stated in Article VIII, A. and VIII, B., who are at least eighteen (18) years of age and who are not active members of any other church.

2. Inactive Membership

a. Members who are under church discipline or who have been removed from the active membership by the Official Board after following the procedure outlined under Article VIII, E.2. shall be placed on the Inactive Roll.

b. Members who fail to attend at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the regular services of this Church, without a valid reason, for a period of three (3) months shall be placed on the Inactive Roll while the Official Board seeks to restore them to fellowship.

c. Members may, by their own request, be placed on te Inactive Roll.

d. Members who are permanent residents of a nursing home, living outside the community because of service in the armed forces, or living outside the community because they are college students may be placed on the Inactive Roll by the Official Board.

e. Persons on the Inactive Roll may be restored to active membership by action of the Official Board. Inactive members will not normally be granted voting privileges, leadership privileges, or Christian service privileges. Members on the Inactive Roll because they are living out of the area may, at the discretion of the Official Board, be granted Christian service
privileges when they are in the area.

3. Associate Membership

This membership shall be extended to those who meet the qualifications of membership (active), but who are not permanent residents of this area – such as students and missionaries, who may hold membership elsewhere. They shall have the right to attend the business meetings of this Church, but will not have the right to vote. They may be granted Christian service privileges.

D. Responsibility of Members

1. All members of this Church are expected to participate in its ministry, in such measure as spiritual gifts and circumstances enable. Such service shall be voluntary and subject to the supervision of the Pastor and the Official Board.

2. The members of this Church are urged to cultivate all those graces in their Christian lives that will glorify the Lord, promote spiritual growth, and further the ministry of the church. They are further entreated:

a. To engage in private and family Bible reading, prayer, and the regular attendance at the
services of the church. (Hebrews 10:25; I Timothy 4:12-16)

b. To practice daily living that is consistent with the spiritual principles of the Christian life; to abstain from worldliness in all its forms, avoiding such alliances which would constitute an unequal yoke with unbelievers; to guard against religious apostasy and false teaching.
(Titus 2:11-15; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I John 2:15-17)

c. To support the financial program of the church with systematic, proportionate giving.
(I Corinthians 16:2)

d. To fellowship in Christian love and unity with the entire membership, so as to avoid the development of factions. (I Corinthians 1:10; James 2:1-5)

e. To resolve personal and private offenses and grievances by following the biblical procedure.
(Matthew 18:15-16):

1) When a member of the church has a grievance with another member, he shall go to that member privately and reprove him or show him his offense for the purpose of winning him over to repentance.

2) If the accused member will not listen, a second attempt shall be made in the presence of one (1) or two (2) witnesses in order that the facts of the reproof and of the accused member’s response may be clearly established.

3) If the accused member will not listen to this second appeal, and if the factualness of the offense is clearly established, then the matter shall be brought to the Official Board for further appeal for repentance.

3. All members of this Church are encouraged to read this Constitution on an annual basis.

E. Church Discipline of Members

1. The reasons for discipline are:

a. Doctrinal deviation or heresy. (I Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11; Romans 16:17-18)

b. Immoral conduct. (I Corinthians 5:9-13; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Thessalonians 3:6)

c. Sowing discord, causing division, or walking disorderly. (Proverbs 6:19; Romans 16:17;
II Thessalonians 3:6-7, 3:11)

d. Unresolved personal and private offenses and grievances. (Matthew 18:15-16)

2. The discipline of any professing believer in this Church in doctrinal and moral matters shall be entrusted to the Pastor and the Official Board. Any disciplinary action that is deemed necessary shall be in the spirit of love and meekness. (II Thessalonians 3:14-15; Galatians 6:1)

a. No accusation shall be brought against any member except upon the testimony of two (2) or three (3) witnesses. (Matthew 18:16; II Corinthians 13:1; I Timothy 5:19)

b. The accused person shall be confronted with the offenses with the desire and effort to correct the difficulty and restore to proper fellowship. A written summary of offenses shall be given to the accused person and he or she be required to meet with the Official Board not more than two (2) and not less than one (1) week subsequently. Failure on the part of the accused
to appear for a meeting with the Official Board shall not prevent the Official Board from examining the situation and rendering a determination of guilt or innocence in accord with the information received. In the event the individual being disciplined is not satisfied with the decision of the Official Board after having met with them, he or she may appeal to the
congregation as a whole and shall have the privilege of being examined before the congregation. A seventy-five percent (75%) vote of all the active members of the church present at this meeting shall render a judgment.

c. Those disciplined because of doctrinal deviation shall be placed on the Inactive Roll. Those who are guilty of heresy and who refuse to repent of their error shall be excommunicated from this Church. Those who are guilty of immoral conduct, such as but not limited to: fornicators, covetous, extortioners, idolaters, railers, and drunkards (I Corinthians 5: 9-13), shall be placed on the Inactive Roll. Persistent immorality shall result in excommunication from this Church by action of the Official Board. The names of any whose status of membership has been changed shall be reported at a Sunday morning service by
announcement from the pulpit and publication in the Sunday bulletin, indicating whether they have been placed on the Inactive Roll, erased from the Roll, or excommunicated.

3. The purpose of all discipline shall be to restore the individual to the fellowship and active membership in this Church and such restoration efforts shall be made in light of the following Scriptures: Galatians 6:1-2; II Thessalonians 3:14-15; Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:1-20. Restoration to fellowship shall be granted upon due repentance and by action of the Pastor and
the Official Board. 4. For those members who do not follow the biblical pattern for restoration and therefore seek to remove their membership by submitting a letter of membership withdrawal, not having resolved the reason for disciplinary action, the Official Board reserves the privilege to deny their request until they have resolved the issues and been biblically restored.
5. Discipline of nonmembers who attend this Church shall be based upon the Word of God and administered by the Official Board in the same manner as described above.

F. Withdrawal of Membership

1. By letter. A request by a member in good standing, or desiring a letter of recommendation to another church of like faith and practice, shall be granted.

2. By removal. The Official Board shall annually or as needed review the church membership. After prayerful consideration, the following appropriate action shall be taken:

a. The names of members who fail to faithfully attend services of this Church without a valid reason, who have been contacted by the Official Board in an effort to restore them to  fellowship (Article VIII, C.2.b.), and who have not resumed their attendance after three (3) additional months shall be removed from the Church Roll by action of the Official Board.
b. The names of members who leave to unite with another church, without notifying this Church, shall be removed from the Roll by action of the Official Board.

G. Notification of Withdraw of Membership

1. A registered, receipt requested, letter shall be sent to each person whose name is withdrawn from the Membership Roll by action of the Official Board.

2. When a member withdraws his or her membership from this Church or when the Official Board removes a name from the Membership Roll, the congregation shall be notified in the bulletin or from the pulpit within two (2) weeks of this action.

ARTICLE IX
– PASTOR –

A. Definition

The office of Pastor as an Elder is primary in the church, both for dignity and usefulness. He has ifferent names expressive of his various duties; as the overseer of the flock, he is Bishop; as he feeds them spiritual food, he is Pastor; as he serves Christ, he is Minister; as an example, and as administrator, he is Elder; as he bears the message of reconciliation to sinners, he is Ambassador; as he administers the ordinances, he is Steward; and in humility, he is the Servant of Christ,
separated unto God.

B. Qualifications

1. The Pastor shall give evidence of the call of God to the ministry of the gospel and of adherence to the scriptural principles governing church leadership. He is to demonstrate a life of godliness and faithfulness as characterized in I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-4 and out of conviction uphold the Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and all written polices of this Church.

2. Any man to be considered as a candidate for this pastorate shall have read the Constitution and shall have signed in writing his unreserved agreement with its provisions and with the nondenominational position of this Church. He shall not be divorced, divorced and remarried, or married to a divorcee. His wife shall be in hearty agreement with the Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and both shall agree to uphold the written policies of this Church.

3. Any man to be considered as a candidate for this pastorate shall voluntarily agree to and submit o a background check for debt status, criminal record, and/or child abuse history. No candidate may be presented to the congregation for approval without the Official Board having first reviewed the results of the background check.

4. In the event a man is called as Pastor who is not ordained, he shall agree to preparing and presenting himself before a Council of Ordination established by the Official Board of this Church per Article XVII, B. This examination shall take place during his first year of ministry.

C. Call

1. The Official Board shall serve as a Pulpit Committee to consider men available for pastoral inistry. Preliminary screening of these men shall include a questionnaire regarding training, pastoral experience, and qualifications mentioned in IX, B. above.

2. The responsibilities of the Pulpit Committee shall be as follows:

a. The Pulpit Committee shall compile a list of potential candidates and send a church information packet, including the Constitution, and a questionnaire to the names on this list.

b. A potential candidate shall be required to return the completed questionnaire and provide a biographical and professional resume, a personal doctrinal statement, and a list of at least six (6) references. If the Pulpit Committee desires to follow through with a potential candidate, references shall be contacted and asked to provide information regarding the
man’s preaching, pastoral and administrative abilities, and basic Christian character. A background check shall also be made (Article IX, B.3.).

c. The Pulpit Committee shall invite a potential candidate to this Church to speak as pulpit upply at Sunday services. When the potential candidate visits this Church, he and his wife shall meet with the Pulpit Committee for an interview. If it is convenient, members of the Pulpit Committee may also go to his church to hear him preach.

d. The potential candidate may be invited to return to preach on a Sunday and to spend a minimum of three (3) days at this Church for additional public and private exposure and interaction with the Pulpit Committee and congregation. He and his wife shall meet with the Pulpit Committee for another interview and with the congregation for a question and
answer time.

e. If the Pulpit Committee feels it would be beneficial, the potential candidate may be invited to come back for further exposure and evaluation before being considered as a candidate.

f. If the potential candidate has met the qualifications specified and has been approved by the Official Board, he shall be invited to return as “the candidate,” at which time he shall preach and he and his wife may meet again with the Pulpit Committee and congregation. Only one (1) candidate shall be considered at a time.

g. Upon recommendation of the Official Board to call the candidate as Pastor of this Church, his name shall be presented to the active members for a vote the following Sunday at a congregational meeting called for this purpose. A seventy-five percent (75%) approval of the active members shall be necessary to extend a call. All voters casting ballots must be
present at the meeting.

h. Upon the call of a Pastor and his acceptance, he and his wife shall become active members of this Church.

D. Duties

The Pastor, by virtue of being the spiritual leader and shepherd of the flock, shall fulfill the duties associated with his office, including the ministry of the Word, administration of the ordinances, and the care of the spiritual welfare of the members. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and organizations of the church. He may preside at Official Board meetings, congregational meetings, and committee meetings. On an annual basis, he shall be required to read and sign a statement indicating his complete agreement with this Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and his willingness to uphold all written policies of this Church.

E. Salary and Vacation

The salary and vacation of the Pastor shall be determined by the Official Board.

F. Termination

1. The Pastor of this Church shall serve until his services are terminated by written resignation, by action of the Official Board, or by request of the membership. A notice of thirty (30) days shall be given, unless otherwise mutually agreed.

2. A vote may be taken by the active members at any time to terminate the Pastor’s services subject to the following:

a. A special meeting may be called for this purpose in accord with Article XI, A.

b. It shall be placed on the agenda of a regular meeting, provided that previous action has been taken by the Official Board, or a written petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members has been presented to the Official Board.

c. A two-thirds (67%) majority shall be required to terminate the Pastor’s services.
d. The Pastor shall not preside at any meetings where his termination is reviewed or where action is taken.

3. In the event of doctrinal or moral defection, the Pastor’s services may be terminated immediately by action of the Official Board, to be ratified by a vote of the active members within thirty (30) days. Evidence for the dismissal of a Pastor shall be well-founded, presented in writing, and not rest upon the word of one (1) person. (I Timothy 5:19)

4. A Pastor may be dismissed if the Official Board concludes that he is not properly performing his pastoral functions. The Official Board shall recommend his dismissal to the membership; and he shall be dismissed by a two-thirds (67%) vote of the active members present.

5. The Official Board shall determine the financial arrangements for the Pastor following his resignation, termination, or dismissal and shall set the length of time for use of the parsonage, if one is available.

ARTICLE X
– CHURCH OFFICERS –

A. Elders
1. Qualifications
a. The moral and spiritual requirements for church leadership listed in I Timothy 3:1-7,
Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-4 will be required of each Elder.
1) Blameless – must be above reproach; “not be laid hold of.” There are to be no grounds
for accusing this man of improper Christian behavior.
2) Husband of one wife – must be loyal to her and her alone. He must never have been
divorced and must not be married to a divorcee.
3) Vigilant – must be temperate, sober, mentally alert, one having a well-disciplined mind.
4) Sober – must be sensible, wise, serious, balanced in judgment.
5) Good behavior – must have an orderly life, be respectable.
6) Given to hospitality – must be unselfish, willing to share the blessing of his home with
others.
7) Apt to teach – must be able, skilled, and willing to teach and communicate God’s truth,
to exhort and bring conviction by sound doctrine, “holding fast the faithful word” in a
non-argumentative way.
8) Not given to wine – must be willing to abstain completely from it and other addictive
substances that he might be able to govern the church with a sound mind.
9) Not a striker – must not be given to physical violence, not a fighter, but patient and one
characterized by forbearance and tenderness.
10) Not greedy of filthy lucre – must not be one who is out for personal gain and profit,
whose financial dealings are the least bit questionable.
11) Patient – must be gentle, forbearing, able to yield, not always insist on having things his
own way.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 17
12) Not a brawler – must not be a fighter, not always arguing and getting involved in carnal
disputes and quarrels.
13) Not covetous – must not be a “lover of money” or material possessions.
14) Rules well his own house – must have his children in subjection with all gravity, having
faithful children not unruly. He must have the respect of his family and be recognized
as the leader of the household, keeping his children in his home under control.
15) Not a novice – must not be a babe in Christ, must be a mature believer who has had time
to grow spiritually and prove himself.
16) Good report – must have an excellent testimony with those outside the church, unbelievers
having respect for his character and integrity.
17) Not self-willed – must not be stubborn, one who tries to have his own way, not an
insensitive person, forcing his own ideas and opinions on others.
18) Not soon angry – must not be quick-tempered, get angry quickly, “fly off the handle.”
19) Lover of good men – must demonstrate brotherly love to all, desire to do the will of God
in everything.
20) Just – must be fair, impartial, make objective judgments based on principle.
21) Holy – must not practice sin, must have a right relationship with God, obeying God’s
will and commands.
22) Temperate – must live an exemplary life of strong discipline and self-control.
23) Holding fast the faithful Word – must be able to convincingly defend his faith and the
sound doctrine he has been taught.
b. An Elder must be an active male member of this Church and must, on an annual basis,
be required to sign a statement indicating he has read and completely subscribes without
reservation to this Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and shall uphold the
written policies of this Church.
c. An Elder must demonstrate a genuine concern for people’s welfare and also the ability to
provide leadership for the church.
2. Number and Term of Office
a. The Elders shall consist of the Pastor and three (3) or more men, provided there are
qualified men.
b. The Elders shall be appointed by the Official Board for a term of three (3) years, unless
otherwise specified at the time of the appointment. Their terms of office shall be so
arranged on a rotating basis that approximately one third (33%) shall expire annually. It
is recommended that, whenever possible, a year’s rest be extended to those whose term
expires.
c. An Elder’s appointment shall be approved by the active members at the Annual Meeting.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 18
d. An Elder’s term shall become effective at the first meeting of the Official Board following
the Annual Meeting.
3. Duties of the Elders
a. It shall be the duty of the Elders to care for the spiritual life of this Church, to guard its
purity in doctrine, and to discipline the church in accordance with the Word of God. They
shall act for the church in acceptance and dismissal of members and shall maintain an active
Membership Roll. They shall assist the Pastor in administering the ordinances, counseling
the needy, comforting the sick and afflicted, and in supplying the pulpit in the absence of
the Pastor. If there are no men serving as Deacons, the Elders shall assume the duties of
Deacons (Article X, B.3.e.).
b. They shall endeavor by God’s grace to live and serve in full conformity with the standards
set forth in the Constitution for their particular office, and especially as found in the Word
of God. (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9)
B. Deacons
1. Qualifications
a. The moral and spiritual requirements for church leadership listed in I Timothy 3:8-13 and
Acts 6:3 will be required of each Deacon.
1) Among you – must be a believer (a saved person).
2) Honest report – must have a good reputation and an excellent testimony of faith in Jesus
Christ.
3) Full of the Holy Spirit – must be a spiritually mature man with a life and walk in the
Spirit, not in the flesh.
4) Full of wisdom – must have the ability to judge rightly and follow a sound course of
action, apply God’s Word to all life situations.
5) Whom we may appoint over this business – must be able to do the job, competent.
6) Grave – must be sensible, wise, and balanced in judgment.
7) Not double-tongued – must not be deceitful in his speech, but instead, have a good
reputation.
8) Not given to wine – must be willing to abstain completely from it and other addictive
substances that he might be able to serve in the church with a sound mind.
9) Not greedy of filthy lucre – must not be wrapped up in financial gain or security.
10) Hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience – must be confident in the faith.
11) Proved – must demonstrate real maturity in his Christian life.
12) Blameless – must be unblameable, above reproach.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 19
13) Husband of one wife – must be a loyal husband, totally devoted to one woman, never
having been divorced and not married to a divorcee.
14) Ruling his children and his own house well – must have the respect of his family and be
recognized as the leader of the household, keeping his children in his home under control.
15) Wives are grave – worthy of respect, dignified.
16) Wives are not slanderers – not slandering others.
17) Wives are sober-minded – temperate, well-balanced.
18) Wives are faithful in all things – trustworthy in everything.
b. A Deacon must be an active male member of this Church and must, on an annual basis,
be required to sign a statement indicating he has read and completely subscribes without
reservation to this Constitution, including the Statement of Faith, and shall uphold the
written policies of this Church.
c. A Deacon must demonstrate a genuine concern for people’s welfare and a servant’s heart in
his service for the Lord.
2. Number and Term of Office
a. The Deacons shall consist of three (3) or more men, provided there are qualified men.
b. The Deacons shall be appointed by the Official Board for a term of three (3) years, unless
otherwise specified at the time of the appointment. Their terms of office shall be so
arranged on a rotating basis that approximately one third (33%) shall expire annually. It
is recommended that, whenever possible, a year’s rest be extended to those whose term
expires.
c. A Deacon’s appointment shall be approved by the active members at the Annual Meeting.
d. A Deacon’s term shall become effective at the first meeting of the Official Board following
the Annual Meeting.
3. Duties of the Deacons
a. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to administer all business matters of this Church, function
as Trustees in all legal transactions, and be responsible for maintenance of all church
property.
b. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to care for the physical properties of the church and shall
hold themselves in readiness to assist in guiding the spiritual life of the church, and the
ministering of its ordinances. They shall have the oversight of the ushering in all regular and
special services.
c. They shall be responsible to care for the widows and the needy of the congregation.
d. They shall endeavor by God’s grace to live and serve in full conformity with the standards
set forth in the Constitution for their particular office, and especially as found in the Word of
God. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9)
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 20
e. If there are no men serving as Deacons, the Elders shall assume these duties.
C. Organization of the Official Board
1. The Official Board consists of the Pastor, Elders, and Deacons and shall organize itself at the
first monthly Board Meeting after the Annual Meeting. The Officers of the Board shall be as
follows:
a. Chairman: The Chairman shall be either the Pastor or a member of the Board who is elected
each year from among the Official Board and has served at least one (1) year. The Chairman
shall be responsible for the monthly meetings (setting the agenda and conducting the
meeting).
b. Vice-Chairman: The Vice-Chairman shall work closely with the Chairman in carrying out
the Chairman’s responsibilities and can, at the Chairman’s discretion, serve in place of the
Chairman.
c. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for the recording, editing, and reading of the
Official Board minutes, and also for all correspondence for the Official Board. He shall
have custody of the Church Seal and legal papers pertaining to the property and finances of
this Church, such as deeds, abstracts, insurance policies, bonds, notes, etc., which shall be
kept in a depository designated by the Official Board. He shall also have in custody any
other papers, records, or other documents as directed by the Official Board.
2. A quorum for conducting official church business shall require the presence of three-fourths
(75%) of the Official Board. Passage of any motions must be predicated upon a seventy-five
percent (75%) vote of the official Board present, unless otherwise stipulated in the Constitution
of this Church.
3. The Official Board shall not meet at any time without the Pastor unless he is aware of the
meeting and its purpose.
D. Selection of Elders and Deacons
1. Recognizing the headship of Jesus in His Church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and the sovereign role of
the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28) in the selection and appointment of officers, the Official Board
shall consider and select men to serve as Elders and Deacons of this Church.
2. The procedure the Official Board shall use is as follows:
a. Announcement of the process and its commencement shall be made from the pulpit on a
Sunday morning, and active members shall be given at least two (2) weeks to recommend
from among themselves men who are qualified to serve in the office of Elder and/or Deacon.
Announcement shall be made from the pulpit on Sunday mornings for the two-week period.
The submission of a name for the office of Elder or Deacon shall be given in writing to the
Official Board. (Acts 6:3)
b. Before a man can be considered by the Official Board for the office of either Elder or
Deacon, he must respond affirmatively in writing to the following questions:
1) Have you publicly confessed Christ as personal Savior and experienced the new birth
set forth in John 3:3 and Titus 3:5?
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 21
2) Are you and your wife in hearty agreement with the Constitution, including the
Statement of Faith, and willing to uphold the written policies of this Church?
(I Timothy 3:11)
3) Are you endeavoring to live a surrendered, prayerful Christian life, especially as regards
loyal obedience to the moral precepts taught in the Word of God for believers? (I John
2:15-17; James 4:4; Titus 2:11-15) This includes:
a) Separation from the world.
b) Freedom from membership in oath-bound religious or social secret organizations.
(II Corinthians 6:14, 7:1)
c) A moral conduct beyond reproach and freedom from carnal indulgence, such as
the use of intoxicating liquors, tobacco in all its forms, illicit drugs, and any type
of pornography, all of which are harmful, a stumbling block, and out of harmony
with a dedicated life, as set forth in: Romans 8:12-13, 12:1-2, 13:14, 14:2; Galatians
5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9, etc.
c. The Official Board shall take whatever time is necessary to consult with those men who are
chosen and to determine their biblical qualification for the office of Elder. (I Timothy 3:1-7;
Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4) and/or Deacon (I Timothy 3:8-13)
d. The names of all qualified men who are being considered for the office of Elder or Deacon
shall be made public in a Sunday morning service for two (2) consecutive weeks. If anyone
from the membership is aware of a reason that a man being considered for the office of
Elder or Deacon is unqualified for that office, he or she shall consult the Pastor or an Elder
privately and submit in writing the reason for this disqualification. In the event that a
concern is raised, the matter shall be investigated and resolved before further consideration
of that man for office. (I Timothy 5:19)
3. Following this procedure, the Official Board shall appoint men to the office of Elder and
Deacon. These appointments shall be approved by the active members at the Annual Meeting.
E. Other Officers
1. Church Clerk: The Church Clerk could, but not necessarily, be the Secretary or other member
of the Official Board. He or she shall keep accurate record of all congregational meetings of
this Church and of the call of such meetings. He or she shall be responsible for keeping an upto-
date list of the names and addresses of all members and be prepared to declare the voting
membership at each business meeting. He or she shall maintain a complete record of all
correspondence and such other records as pertain to his or her office. The Clerk shall be an
active male or female member of this Church and shall be appointed by the official Board for
a term of one (1) year.
2. Church Treasurer: The Treasurer could, but not necessarily, be a member of the Official Board.
He or she shall receive, safeguard, disperse, and be responsible for all the funds of this Church
in its various ministries, and keep an accurate account of the same. He or she shall submit a
monthly report to the Official Board and an annual report to the church. The books of the
Treasurer shall be audited annually under the direction of the Official Board. The Treasurer
shall be an active male or female member of this Church and shall be appointed by the Official
Board for a term of one (1) year. He or she may not succeed himself or herself after five (5)
years in office if a qualified replacement is available.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 22
3. Church Financial Secretary: The Church Financial Secretary shall assist in counting the offering
and keep a record of the same in a separate set of books. The Financial Secretary shall make all
deposits and he or she shall submit a monthly report to the Official Board and an annual report
to the church. These records shall be audited annually with the books of the Treasurer. The
Financial Secretary shall be an active male or female member of this Church and shall be
appointed by the Official Board for a term of one (1) year.
F. Vacancies
1. In the event of an Elder’s or Deacon’s office being vacated after the Annual Meeting, the Official
Board may appoint a man to fill this office until the next Annual Meeting of this Church.
2. Upon retirement or removal from the office, an Elder, Deacon, or any other church officer shall
deliver to the Official Board (or as directed by them to his or her successor) all records,
correspondence, papers, documents, and other church property that has been entrusted to his or
her care.
ARTICLE XI
– CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS –
A. Frequency
An Annual Meeting of the congregation shall convene during the first quarter of each year at a date
determined by the Official Board. Special meetings of the congregation may be held at any time
by decision of the Official Board. The membership may request a meeting in writing to the Official
Board by twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members, after which the Official Board shall
schedule a meeting to address their concerns. All meetings and their purpose shall be announced at
two (2) consecutive Morning Worship services preceding the meeting.
B. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Church shall be the calendar year.
C. Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be followed in the transaction of business in all congregational
meetings, except for the designation of the Chairman Pro Tem (Article XI, F.).
D. Quorum
A quorum for the transaction of business in all congregational meetings shall consist of fifty-one
percent (51%) of the active members of this Church.
E. Qualifications
1. Active members from the age of eighteen (18) years of age and upward shall be permitted to
vote. Passage of any motions must be predicated upon a fifty-one percent (51%) vote of the
active members present unless otherwise stipulated in the Constitution of this Church.
2. Voting by proxy or absentee ballot shall not be permitted.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 23
F. Chairman
The Chairman of the Official Board shall preside at the congregation’s Annual Meeting and all
regular and special congregational business meetings. In the event of the absence of the Chairman,
the Vice-Chairman will preside at these meetings.
G. Agenda
1. The agenda of all congregational meetings shall be prepared in advance by the Official Board,
and only the items on the agenda shall be discussed and voted on at these meetings. The agenda
of the Annual Meeting should include the presentation of annual reports, church evaluation, and
such other matters as deemed necessary.
2. Active members may submit matters to the Official Board for consideration as possible items
for the agenda of any congregational meeting. Such requests must be submitted in writing at
least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE XII
– CHRISTIAN EDUCATION –
A. Organization
1. The Sunday School Superintendent shall be an active member of this Church and shall be
appointed by the Official Board for a period of one (1) year.
2. The Christian Education of this Church shall be administered by a committee composed of the
Sunday School Superintendent, the teaching staff, and such officers as they may appoint.
3. The teaching staff, including substitute teachers, and all other officers must be approved by the
Official Board before appointment by the Sunday School Superintendent. Anyone considered
for a teaching or other Christian Education position in this Church shall voluntarily agree to
submit to a background check for child abuse history and/or criminal record.
B. Curriculum
The Christian Education ministry shall be recognized as an extension of the Bible teaching ministry
of this Church. All curriculum used in the Christian Education ministries must have the approval of
the Official Board.
C. Finances
All regular Christian Education offerings and expenses shall be handled through the general fund
of this Church. A record of all offerings deposited with the Church Treasurer and all expenditures
authorized by the Christian Education Committee shall be kept by the Treasurer. Missionary
projects and contributions from the Christian Education ministries must have the approval of the
Official Board.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 24
ARTICLE XIII
– COMMITTEES –
A. Appointment
1. Standing committees for the administration of the various phases of the work shall be designated
and members appointed by the Official Board.
2. Special committees for short term service may be appointed as needed by the Official Board.
B. Accountability
Every committee shall be accountable to the Official Board and subject to periodic review as to its
continued need for existence.
ARTICLE XIV
– FINANCES –
A. Support
This Church and its ministries shall be supported only through the freewill offerings of Christians
and unsolicited gifts of those interested in its ministry.
B. Budget
The Official Board shall prepare and submit an annual budget for approval by the active members
at the Annual Meeting.
C. Indebtedness
The Official Board shall not encumber the church with a loan without approval by a two-thirds
(67%) majority vote of the active members on this Church’s Membership Roll.
D. Designated Funds
1. Based on IRS Revenue Ruling 62-173, the Official Board must demonstrate control of all
funds in their allocation and usage, not the donors, members of the congregation, or intended
recipients. Therefore, designated funds are not restricted funds.
2. The Official Board of this Church, however, shall seek to honor all designations for approved
projects or special purposes.
E. Audit
An annual audit of the financial records of this Church shall be conducted under the direction of
the Official Board prior to the Annual Meeting. An audit by an outside accountant should also
be conducted periodically.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 25
ARTICLE XV
– PROPERTIES –
A. Responsibility
The Official Board shall have the management and control of all property belonging to this
Church.
B. Title
The title of all property of this Church, both real and personal, shall be and remain vested in that
portion of the active membership that shall remain faithful to the original purpose stated in this
Constitution.
C. Acquisition of Property
This Church shall have power to acquire and hold property, both real and personal, for the general
purposes of the church. All property so acquired shall be in the name of this Church.
D. Use of Property
1. All real properties belonging to this Church shall be available to the membership for purposes
consistent with the ministry and policy of this Church, subject to approval by the Official Board.
2. The Pastor and Official Board shall have access at all times and under all circumstances to all
properties owned by this Church.
3. Access to the financial records of personal giving shall be limited to the Treasurer, Financial
Secretary, and Audit Committee.
ARTICLE XVI
– MISSIONS –
A. Missionary Outreach
Missionary outreach at home and abroad is one of the primary responsibilities of this Church.
(Acts 1:8) The Official Board shall be in charge of the missionary program and may delegate
responsibilities to a Missions Committee. They shall secure speakers and plan conferences that
will encourage members to pray, to give, and to answer the missionary call.
B. Missionary Evaluation
The Official Board or Missions Committee shall carefully interview and examine any persons that
have been called and are seeking support. Every missionary and organization supported by this
Church shall affirm their agreement with the Statement of Faith and separated position of this
Church.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 26
ARTICLE XVII
– LICENSING, ORDINATION, AND COMMISSIONING –
A. Licensing
1. Qualification and Procedure
a. Any male giving evidence of a divine call to the gospel ministry by possession of gifts and
graces belonging to the ministry, who accepts without reservation the Statement of Faith
of this Church and meets the scriptural qualifications for such an office, may be licensed by
a unanimous (100%) vote of the Official Board.
b. Such licensing shall be for a period of one (1) year, renewable annually by vote of the
Official Board stated above, for up to three (3) years.
2. Rescinding
Any such license granted may be rescinded by a seventy-five (75%) vote of the Official Board
if the licensee gives evidence of teaching or preaching contrary to the Statement of Faith of this
Church or if his life or family brings reproach to his position in ministry. Written documentation
concerning rescinding of his license shall be sent to the man within thirty (30) days of the vote.
B. Ordination
1. Composition and Function of Council of Ordination
a. When, in the judgment of the Official Board, a man in this membership, or in special cases
a nonmember, claims to be called to the ministry, it shall be within the power of said Official
Board to call and/or conduct a Council of Ordination. This Council shall consist of the
Official Board of this Church and/or ordained Christian ministers who are in agreement with
the Statement of Faith of this Church.
b. The Council of Ordination shall thoroughly examine the applicant regarding his personal
Christian experience, call to the ministry, educational training, doctrinal belief, reputation,
and demonstrated efficiency in Christian service. The applicant shall give evidence of his
agreement with those provisions of the Constitution of this Church with respect to doctrine,
independence of the local church, and scriptural qualifications for church leadership.
c. Upon completion of the examination of the applicant, a unanimous (100%) vote by the
Council of Ordination shall be required to recommend his ordination to this Church. When
so recommended, a public ordination service, to be held on a future date, shall be arranged
by the Official Board in consultation with the Pastor and the applicant.
d. The minutes of the Council of Ordination and the public service shall be incorporated into
the records of this Church, and a certificate of ordination shall be provided for the newly
ordained minister.
2. Discipline of Ordained Ministers
a. The Official Board shall have the power to discipline, even to the revoking of the ordination
credentials of any minister ordained by this Church, if said minister is found guilty of
doctrinal or moral defection after an impartial trial conducted in the spirit of I Corinthians 13.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 27
Written documentation concerning the action of the Official Board shall be sent to the man
within thirty (30) days of their decision.
b. The minister under discipline shall have the privilege of appealing his case to the active
members within thirty (30) days after the decision of the Official Board.
C. Commissioning
1. Qualification and Procedure
a. Any person, male or female, who is not eligible for licensing or ordination, but who has
appropriate training for specialized missionary service along with approved Christian
character and doctrinal soundness, and has been accepted by a missionary agency approved
by the Official Board may be considered for commissioning by a unanimous (100%) vote
of the Official Board.
b. Such commissioning shall be for an indeterminate time and shall be considered to continue
indefinitely unless rescinded.
2. Rescinding
Any such commissioning may be rescinded by a seventy-five (75%) vote of the Official Board
if the commissioned person gives evidence of teaching contrary to the Statement of Faith of this
Church or if the commissioned person’s life or family brings reproach to his or her position in
ministry. Written documentation concerning rescinding of the commissioning shall be sent to
the commissioned person and to his or her missionary agency within thirty (30) days of the vote.
ARTICLE XVIII
– AMENDMENTS –
The Constitution of this Church may be amended in the following manner:
A. Official Board Approval
Any amendment must be initiated by the Official Board and receive unanimous (100%) written
approval by the entire Official Board before the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the
active members of this Church for their vote of approval or disapproval.
B. Membership Approval
1. Upon approval of the proposed amendment by the Official Board, recommendation to the active
members by public announcement shall be made in two (2) Morning Worship services and the
proposed amendment printed in the bulletin and/or distributed to the active members in written
form at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting in which the proposed amendment shall be
discussed and the vote conducted by ballot to approve or disapprove the proposed amendment.
2. A quorum for the passage of an amendment shall consist of seventy-five percent (75%) of the
active members of this Church and shall require a ninety percent (90%) majority of the members
present at the meeting voting in favor of the amendment with the exception of amendments to
Articles III, IV, V, VI, and VII.
CBC CHURCH CONSTITUTION 28
3. A quorum for the passage of an amendment to Articles III, IV, V, VI, and VII shall consist of
ninety percent (90%) of the active members of this Church and shall require the unanimous
(100%) approval of the amendment by the members present at the meeting.
ARTICLE XIX
– MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION –
No part of the net earnings of this Church’s Corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable
to its directors, officers, and or/other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized
and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments
and distributions in furtherance of its exempt purposes. No substantial part of the activities of the
Corporation shall be carried on for propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The
Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing and distribution of
statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any
other provisions of the Constitution, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted
to be carried on 1) by an organization exempt for Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law
or 2) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law).

ARTICLE XX
– DISSOLUTION –

Upon the dissolution of this Church’s Corporation, the Official Board shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of this Church, dispose of all the assets of this Church to such organization or organizations which are in agreement with this Church’s Statement of Faith and are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or 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
Official Board shall determine.

Chambersburg Bible Church
Chambersburg, PA
September 11, 2022