ARTICLE VI-TENETS of  FAITH

Grizzly Flats Community Church is committed to the following essential beliefs:

All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error in the original manuscripts, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks, ( 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Hebrews 1:1-2).

On this sure foundation we affirm these additional essentials of our faith:

1. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and sustained of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever! (Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:1-4, Philippians 2:5-11).

2.      Jesus Christ, the living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day he arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator, (Matthew 1:20-23, John 14:6, Ephesians 1:7-12).

3.      The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption, (John 14:15-17, 16:5-15, Ephesians 1:7-12).

4. Mankind was created by God, in His image, but through Adam’s use of his free will to rebel against God all mankind became sinners in both nature and actions. Mankind is now under condemnation; each life headed for damnation, ( Genesis 1:26-27, 3:6, 17-19, Romans 5:12).
5. Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifying them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life with Christ in glory, ( John 1:12-13, 3:3-8, 1Peter 1:23).
6. The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the ordinances are practiced in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord, ( Matthew 16:16-19, Ephesians 4:11-16, Titus 2:1-10, Matthew 18 ).
7. The redeemed life in Christ is a daily walk of faith carrying over outside the Church into all of ones life. Only the redeemed can live life as God intended with the purpose and potential of a child of God. (Romans 6:4, 2 John 1:6, Ephesians 4:22-24).
8. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth-personally, visibly, and bodily-to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” (John 14:1-3, Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 22:20).

Having agreed to this foundation we accept the following commission:

The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.”  He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)

ARTICLE VII-MEMBERSHIP

Individuals shall be eligible to membership in this church, who have been born again, (John 3:3-7), and who have been baptized, (Col. 2:12), and who give evidence of a personal living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and who voluntarily subscribe to its tenets of faith and agree to be governed by its constitution and bylaws as herein set forth.

ARTICLE VIII-OFFICERS

SECTION 1.  Executive Officers. The Executive officers of the church shall consist of the President (who will be the Pastor) and the Secretary

SECTION 2.  Church Board. The Pastor and the Deacons shall constitute the Church Board.

SECTION 3.  Deacons. There shall be a Board of Deacons consisting of a maximum of seven members.

They shall be mature men, full of the Holy Spirit whose faithfulness shall have been evident and whose lives and conduct conform to the following scriptures; Acts 1:8, 6:3, 1Tim. 3:8-12 A deacon shall have been a member of the church for at least 1 year.

SECTION 4.  Secretary. There shall be a secretary who is qualified for the office, chosen from the church body.

SECTION 5.  Treasurer. There shall be a treasurer who is qualified for the office, chosen from the church body

ARTICLE IX-BUSINESS MEETINGS

There shall be an annual business meeting of the church on the Sunday closest to the beginning of the new fiscal year in April, or on a date decided upon by the Pastor in consultation with the Church Board. The business shall include the review of reports and any other matters considered pertinent to the church. Special business meetings may be called as provided for in Article XIX, Section 3.

ARTICLE X-FINANCES

The church shall be financed according to the scriptural method of  the giving of tithes and offerings by the members and friends of the church. (Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23, Heb. 2:4-9)

ARTICLE XI-AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Constitution may be made at any regular or special business meeting provided the voting members have been properly notified of such purposes at least two Sundays prior to the business meeting and that a copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be publicly posted in the assembly hall (7) days prior to the business meeting. Any amendment(s) shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote. The quorum of voters shall be fifty (50%) percent of the active membership plus one.

ARTICLE XII-PARLIAMENTARY LAW

In order to expedite the work of the local church and to avoid confusion in its deliberation, the church shall be governed by Hall and Sturgis Text Book on Parliamentary Law in keeping with the spirit of Christian love and fellowship and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

ARTICLE XIII-RELATIONSHIP

This church shall be known as a NON-DENOMINATIONAL church but shall fellowship with other churches of like precious faith as the need arises.

ARTICLE XIV-MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.        The standard of membership of this church shall be;

a)      Evidence of a born-again experience (regeneration) (John 1:12-13, 3:3-7, 1Peter 1:18-25)

b)      Water baptism by immersion (Matt. 28:19, Col. 2:12). Other forms of baptism may be recognized on those transferring membership from other churches.

c)      Evidence of a consistent Christian Life (Romans 6:4, 13:13, Eph. 4:17-32, 5:2, 15, 1John 1:6,7).

d)      Subscription to the tenets of faith as set forth in this Constitution.

e)      Willingness to contribute regularly to the support of the church according to his or her ability.

f)        Attend a class for new members; i.e., transfers and new Christians.

SECTION 2.       Active Membership: Persons wishing to become active members of the assembly shall make their desire known to the Pastor who shall examine the applicant in accordance with the standard of membership. The Pastor, together with the Church Board, shall consider the applications, and those approved shall be received publicly as members at any regular meeting.

SECTION 3.       Inactive Membership: Inactive membership shall consist of those who without good cause, absent themselves from the services for a period of six (6) months or more, or who cease to contribute to its support, or who shall be under charges for misconduct, or who may have fallen under condemnation through sinful or worldly practices. Those becoming inactive members shall lose their voting privileges pending investigation and final decision by the Board in their case.

SECTION 4.      Voting Constituency: All active members eighteen (18) years of age or older, in good standing, shall constitute the legal voting membership of the church.

SECTION 5.      Members in Good Standing wishing to sever their relationship with the church or desiring to be transferred to some other congregation may apply to the Secretary of the church for a letter, which be granted on the approval of the Pastor and the Church Board, and shall be signed by the Pastor and the Secretary

ARTICLE XV-DISCIPLINE

SECTION 1.     All discipline shall be prayerfully administered according to the scriptures (Matt. 18:15-17, Romans 16:17, 1Cor. 5:9-13, IIThess. 3:11-15).

SECTION 2.    The Church Board shall be empowered to place in the inactive list those who have disqualified themselves as provided for in Article XIV, Sec. 3. The Church Board shall also have the power to restore to active membership those who in their opinion are not guilty as charged, active and those who through repentance and adjustment have attained to the standard for membership.

SECTION 3.   The Church Board shall recognize its duty to interview and encourage a proper attitude on the part of those who have been placed on the inactive list. It shall proceed carefully to press for final decision in each case. When the Church Board has rendered its final decision, the member may appeal the decision of the Church Board to the Assembly. The decision of the Assembly shall be final.

SECTION 4.   The Church Board shall be empowered to remove the names who may have voluntarily withdrawn from the fellowship, or those who may have been of those who are deceased, or granted letters of transfer.

ARTICLE XVI-CHURCH BOARD

SECTION 1.    The official Church Board shall be comprised of a maximum of seven Deacons and the Pastor. They shall meet monthly for the discharge of their duties or as necessity demands and upon request of the Pastor.

SECTION 2.     THE PASTOR:

a)      Qualifications:  Because the Assembly recognizes the leadership of the Pastor under the Lord Jesus Christ, and because it is considered that as a representative of our organization, he shall be a person of good report, shall so manage his personal affairs, financial and otherwise, so that no discredit shall come to the cause of Christ through his actions. His life and conduct should conform to the following scriptures: 1Tim. 3:2-7, Titus 1:6-9, 1Peter 5:2,3.

b)      Duties:  The Pastor shall be general supervisor of all the activities of the Church. He shall be the President of the Corporation and shall act as Chairman of all the business meetings of the Church and the Church Board, and shall, with the Secretary, sign all official papers for the Corporation. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and departments. He shall provide for all services of the church and shall arrange for all special meetings giving due regard for the church. No person shall be invited to speak or preach in the church without his approval.

SECTION 3.     DEACONS:

a)      Qualifications:  The Deacons of the Church shall be twenty-five (25) years of age or older, and in good standing, having been professing Christians for at least two (2) years and members of the Church for at least one (1) year, and must subscribe without reservation the Tenets of Faith as contained in this Constitution and Bylaws. They shall be mature men, full of the Holy Spirit whose faithfulness shall have been evident and whose lives and conduct conform to the following scriptures; Acts 2:4, 6:3, 1Tim 3:8-12.

b)      Duties:  The Deacons are chosen to serve the church and therefore, shall act in an advisory capacity with the Pastor. They shall be Trustees of the Corporation and custodians of all the property of the church and shall be responsible for the maintenance of the same.

SECTION 4.     Secretary and Treasurer:

a)      Selection:  The Secretary and Treasurer shall be selected by the Pastor under the guidance of the Board after the annual Church business meeting each year. A recording secretary may also be selected to take minutes of meetings if the board so chooses.

b)      Duties:  The Secretary shall preserve proper records of the membership of the church, all communications and proceedings of this church, including the minutes of the annual, regular and special business meetings of the Church Board and of all committees. He/She shall sign, along with the President of the Corporation, the official and legal documents of the Corporation, and perform any other clerical work necessary to the proper discharge of his/her duties. He/She shall be the custodian of all legal documents and shall be in charge of the Corporate Seal.

The Treasurer shall be entrusted with all the finances of the Church. He/She shall ensure the deposit of all funds in a responsible bank in the name of the Church. Funds shall be disbursed by check as authorized by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. All checks shall be signed and counter-signed by either the Pastor, Treasurer, Secretary, or other person(s) designated by the Church Board. Husband and wife shall not be co-signers. The Treasurer shall ensure the keeping of an itemized account of the receipts and disbursements. He/She shall oversee the making of an itemized monthly report for the regular meetings of the Church Board, and a summarized report to the church at its regular annual business meetings. His/Her reports shall be audited annually under the direction of the Pastor and Board of Deacons.

ARTICLE XVII-ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES

To be added to the Church as the Church grows according to their needs such as assistant pastors.

SECTION 1:  Dept. Heads:  They shall be selected by the Pastor and approved by the Board of Deacons. Their terms of office shall be for one year.

ARTICLE XVIII-ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

SECTION 1:  The Pastor:  It is the acceptance of this Church that Paul Brown was the founder of this Church and its Pastor. Should the pastoral office become vacant, a pulpit committee shall choose an ordained minister subject to two-thirds (2/3) approval of the Board and membership of the church.

SECTION 2:  The Deacons:  Deacons shall be nominated by the Pastor and the Church Board, from the membership. Additional names may be presented from the congregation to the nominating committee prior to its last meeting before the annual business meeting. Their presentation to the body for consideration is dependent upon their qualifications as stated in this Constitution and Bylaws. (One shall be elected to serve one (1) year. One shall be elected to serve two (2) years and two (2) shall be elected to serve three (3) years. Upon expiration of these initial terms of office, the succeeding members shall be elected to serve terms of three years each). They shall be elected by secret ballot. It shall require a majority to elect. No member shall succeed himself in office unless there are no other qualified members of the church. However, he may be considered for re-election after one year out of office.

SECTION 3.   Other Officers: 

a)      Any department office may be declared vacant by an act of a majority of the membership of the Church Board at any regular or special Church Board meeting.

b)      Grounds for such action shall be:

1)      Unscriptural Conduct

2)      Departure from the Tenets of Faith

3)      Incompetence in office

4)      Any other good and sufficient cause

c)      Any incumbent under charges shall have an opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing of his case before the if he so desires.

d)      The Church Board is empowered to fill by appointment any office which may become vacant between the annual business meetings.

ARTICLE XIX-MEETINGS

SECTION 1:     Meetings for public worship shall be held on each The Lords Day and during the week as may be determined by the Pastor.

SECTION 2:     There shall be an annual business meeting as provided for in Article IX. Proper public announcement shall be made at all Sunday Services on the two Sundays prior to the meeting.

SECTION 3:     Special business meetings of the Church may be called when necessary by the Pastor.

SECTION 4:     Quorum:

a)      Not less than twenty-five (25%) percent of the active voting membership of the church shall constitute a quorum at a business meeting.

b)      Not less than fifty (50%) percent of the active voting membership of the church shall constitute a quorum at a business meeting called  and announced for the amending this Constitution and/or the Bylaws.

c)      A majority of the members of any Board or Committee shall constitute a quorum, provided all members have been properly notified.

SECTION 5:     The Church Board shall meet monthly or as the need may require. Church Board meetings may be called by the Pastor or his representative. The representative shall be chosen by the Pastor as the need arises and reported to the Board. Meetings may be held when every member shall have received proper notification of the time and the place of the meetings.

ARTICLE XX-PROPERTY

SECTION 1:     All property of the Assembly shall be deeded to the Church in its corporate name.

SECTION 2:      No real property (or property in excess of $15,000.00) of the Assembly shall be bought, taken or otherwise acquired, sold, transferred, mortgaged, leased, assigned, conveyed, or otherwise alienated unless the same shall have been authorized by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the active members present, and voting at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. Proper public announcement shall be at all services on the two Sundays prior to the meeting.

SECTION 3.     The Pastor (President) and the Secretary of the church shall certify in such conveyance, lease, or mortgage, that the same has been authorized by a vote of the membership. Such certificates shall be held to be conclusive evidence thereof.

SECTION 4:     This Corporation is one which does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to the members thereof and it is organized solely for non-profit purposes; any and all assets of the corporation are irrevocably dedicated to religious and charitable purposes and no part of any net earnings or assets shall inure to the benefit of any member or any other individual. Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit organization voted upon by the remaining congregation.

ARTICLE XXI-FINANCE

SECTION 1:     The Church Board shall annually determine all salaries and wages, and shall have general oversight in all financial matters in every department on behalf of the Assembly, and shall make any adjustments necessary. The Board of Deacons, in consultation with the Pastor, shall review all salaries and wages annually in view of providing adequate income to meet rising costs of living.

SECTION 2:     The Pastor(s) shall be given regular and adequate financial support from the tithes and offerings, the amount and manner of which shall be determined by the Church Board. After one year in office a Pastor should have an annual paid vacation. The vacation should be at least two weeks long.

SECTION 3:     Inasmuch as the Pastor is a representative of the Assembly, serving in the interest of its af fairs, the Assembly shall endeavor to make adequate provision for the Pastor’s expenses to various conventions and all other official business functions.

ARTICLE XXII-AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Bylaws may be made at any regular or special business meeting of the assembly provided that voting members have been properly notified of such purposes at least two Sundays prior to the business meeting and that a copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be publicly posted in the assembly hall seven (7) days prior to the business meeting. Any amendment(s) shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote. The quorum of voters shall be fifty (50%) percent of the active membership plus one.

ARTICLE XXIII-BUSINESS PROCEDURE

The regular order of business for the annual meeting of the assembly shall be as follows:

1)      Devotional                                                                   

2)      Reading of Minutes                                                     

3)      Report of the Secretary                                                             

4)      Report of the Treasurer                                               

5)      Report of the Committees  

6)      Unfinished Business                        

7)      Election of Officers

8)      New Business

9)      Adjournment

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