Berean Missionary Church
CONSTITUTION
Article I
Name
The name of this assembly shall be BEREAN MISSIONARY CHURCH, Acts 17:11.
Article II
Purpose
Our purpose of establishing BEREAN MISSIONARY CHURCH is to bring glory, honor, and praise to God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. As an independent Bible-Believing Church, we shall accomplish this by: (1) gathering together as an assembly of believers to preach, teach, sing, and fellowship around the Bible and the Savior, (2) exhorting one another to a Godly, holy life that we may please our heavenly Father and be effective witnesses to the unconverted; and (3) supporting any Biblical method of evangelism and growth of true Christian in our community and world. Ephesians 4; Romans 12.
Article III
Character
This church shall be an independent, sovereign, self-governing body of believers, subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body or organization.
This church shall maintain a separatist position towards all modernistic and unbiblical organizations and ecclesiastical groups. II Corinthians 6.
Article IV
Principles
Being in agreement with the Word of God, we choose to be called a “Bible-Believing Church.” Listed are some fundamental teachings we adhere to:
1. The pre-eminence of Christ as our Divine Lord and Master; submitting to no religious official claiming rule over several churches. Colossians 1:18
2. The supreme authority of the Bible and its sufficiency as our only rule of faith and practice. II Timothy 3:16.
3. The competency of the individual soul to approach God and to interpret the Word of God according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. II Timothy 2:15.
4. Obeying magistrates and governors in all secular matters that do not annul scriptural Christian responsibility. Romans 13.
5. A church whose membership is based upon one’s belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and as the only way to salvation. John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-10
6. Water baptism is a symbolic activity of believer’s immersion in water as an act of obedience (Matt. 28:19-20) indicative of dying to self and the world, and spiritual submission to Jesus Christ. Spirit baptism is identification wish Christ wherein we are spiritually baptized into Christ’s death, resurrection and into one body in Him. I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 16:3-4.
7. The pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ to establish and reign over a thousand year kingdom on the earth.
Rev. 19 & 20.
8. A world-wide program of missionary fervor and evangelism in accordance with the Word of God. Acts 1:8
Article V
Church Covenant
Having been led by the the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and the public confession of our faith, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another. As we are one body in Christ, so shall we be one in this local assembly. We propose, therefore, by guidance of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the growth of this church in all knowledge, holiness, service, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to attend its services willingly; to sustain its worship, discipline and doctrines; to give it a pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully of time and talents in its activities; to contribute cheerfully as God has prospered us to support the ministry, the expenses of the Church, those in need, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations by supporting missions and missionaries directly. We also propose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct. To avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger. TO abstain from all forms of fleshly or worldly activities which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ. To be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ, our Savior, and to give Him pre-eminence in all things. We further propose to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord’s return. To watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior.
Article VI
Articles of Faith
1. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-filled men and has been divinely preserved to date and, therefore, is the truth without any mixture of error for its matter. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. We believe the Bible to have only one interpretation which may be revealed to any believer by the Holy Spirit.
a. By “The Holy Bible,” we mean the collection of 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as written and preserved, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the inerrant Word of God.
b. By “Inspiration,” (God-breathed) we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and preserved, free from error, as not other writings have ever been or ever will be. II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19-21; John 17:17; Psalms 12:6-7.
c. Whereas there are a number of versions of the Bible in circulation, all of which are not reliable due to their omission of words and their being translated from corrupt manuscripts. We consider it, therefore, a necessity and privilege to use the King James Version in our pulpit and in our classrooms. Deuteronomy 4:20; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19.
· The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God who is an infinite, intelligent, Spirit; the Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worth of all possible honor, confidence, and love. We believe that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great word of redemption. Isaiah 44:6 and 57:15; I Corinthians 8:6; I John 5:7; Revelation 4:11; I Timothy 3:16.
· The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same nature; equal in essence, but subject to each other in function and authority. He was active in the creation, He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He bears witness to the truth leads, intercedes, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and comforts the believer. II Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17, 26; Hebrews 9:13; Luke 1:35; John 1:12-13; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-8; Ephesians 1:12-14; John 1:33; Romans 8:14-16; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, 6:11, 12:13 and
I John 5:7.
· Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a Virgin, and that He was God manifested in the flesh, being both completely man and completely God. He was subject to temptation, yet was without ANY sin. He is the Messiah, for Israel, the Savior of the world, and the ONLY way any man can come to God the Father for forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. He is to be worshipped and glorified as the LORD. Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-35; Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:22; John 4:42; John 14:6; John 16:14; John 20:28; Luke 24:52; Philippians 2:9-11; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:12-13.
· Satan or the Devil
We believe he was created perfect, as a Cherub called Lucifer, in creation, but because of his pride, rebelled against God and became the author of sin. After the creation of heaven and earth, he appeared as a serpent to Eve in the garden of Eden and tempted her to disobey God’s command. Adam ate the fruit, resulting in the fall of man. He appears on earth and in heaven as the god of this world to fulfill the ultimate will of God in judging, killing, deceiving, hindering, tempting, and accusing. During the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week, or Tribulation, he will come down to earth to indwell the antichrist. After the antichrist is destroyed, he will be chained in the bottomless pit for 1000 years, at the end of which he will be loosed to assemble an army of sinners for his last attempt to overthrow God. He and his army will be destroyed and he will be cast into the lake of fire, forever. Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; 2 Peter 3:3-7; Genesis 1:1-3; Genesis 1:28; II Corinthians 11:14; Genesis 3:1-6; Genesis 3:14-19; Romans 5:12; Revelation 12:3; Revelation 12:9; Job 41:31-34; Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7; II Corinthians 4:3-4; Jeremiah 51:20-25; John 8:44; I Thessalonians 2:18; II Thessalonians 2:3-9; Revelation 19:11-20; Revelation:1-10.
· The Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God in the person of Jesus Christ without any evolutionary process. That man (made up of spirit, soul, and body) was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life, and all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human family. Genesis 1 & 2; Colossians 1:16-17; Matthew 19:4; John 1:3.
· The Fall of Man
We believe man was created in a state of innocence as a free moral agent under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, Adam fell from his sinless and happy state. As a result of which, all men are totally depraved, partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct, and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-6; Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:19; Romans 1:20; John 3:18; I Timothy 2:14.
· Christ’s Atonement
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him a body of flesh, yet without sin. The Son honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins by His death, which reconciles the sinner to God. That His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. That having risen bodily from the dead, He is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior and only High Priest for the believer. We believe this atonement is not limited but effectual to any sinner accepting it by faith. We believe this atonement is eternal, and therefore, covers all sins; past, present, and future; of the redeemed. Therefore, any individual under this atonement is eternally saved from eternal condemnation because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-26; John 3:16; II Corinthians 5:18-21; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:2; Hebrews 9:14; John 5:24; Romans 5:8-11.
· The New Birth
We believe the new birth (being born again) is the regenerative act of the Holy Spirit upon a sinner when he repents of his sins and believes the Gospel according to the Scriptures, receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. As a result of the new birth, the sinner is made a new creature in Christ Jesus, partaking of the divine nature and receiving eternal life as a free gift of God. Regeneration of the spirit, resulting in the “new man” and the crucifying of the old man and consequently comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth. John 3:3; John 3:8; II Corinthians
5:17; I John 5:1; John 1:12-13; I Corinthians 4:15; I Peter 1:23; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:6.
· Justification
We believe justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be just and righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. That justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness, that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; II Corinthians 5:18-21; Romans 3:24-28; Romans 5:1; Romans 5:9.
· Salvation
We believe that the salvation of a soul requires a belief in God, repentance toward God, which involves genuine sorrow for sin and a willingness to turn from it, resulting in righteous living, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. One has to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. We believe this salvation is thereafter permanent and eternal to the believer. Hebrews 11:6; Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 7:9-10; I Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 16:31; John 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; I John 5:13; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 10:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12.
· Sanctification
We believe sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer spirit, or “new man” in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing process in the soul of the saint as the Holy Spirit applies to the Word of God to the inner man; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord’s return when the body will then be changed and transformed into a perfect, sinless body in the image of Christ. I Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10-14; I John 3:9; Ephesians 4:24; John 17:17; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 4:16; I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25-26; I Tessalonians 4:3-4; I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Philippians 3:32; I Corinthians 15:51-54; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Romans 8:29; I John 3:2.
· Adoption
We believe adoption is the gracious act whereby the Father, for the sake of Christ, places new believers into the honored position of mature sons of God. The full benefit of the position accorded by the adoption as the sons of God awaits the glorification of the believer at the coming of the Lord and the redemption of the body. Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:12, 14; I John 3:1-2; Romans 8:15,23.
· The Church
We believe the unity of all true believers is the Church, which is the body of Christ. It was established on the day of Pentecost, anal believers, from Pentecost to the Rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the exact time that they trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. We believe that His Church is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of saved, born-again believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws in His word, and that its officers are pastors, also called elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is for the edifications, perfection, exhortation, and comfort of its members in spiritual matters, and the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local, independent church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. That the under-shepherd is the overseer of the local church, just as Jesus Christ is the Head and the chief shepherd over the entire church. That it is furtherance of the gospel. That this church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation, and that on matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence. The will of this local church is final according to the word of God. Ephesians 1:10, 22-23; Ephesians 3:1-6; Galatians 3:26-28; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 11:2 Titus 1:5-7; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 20:17-28; I Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 4:1-4; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18.
· The Believers’ Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Article VII
Membership
Section I
Reception of Members
A. This church shall be composed of members who profess to be saved by grace, through faith and nothing else.
B. All persons desiring to unite with this congregation shall meet with the pastor and shall give testimony of conversion and Christian experience, and affirm acceptance of and adherence to the Word of God as reflected in this constitution.
C. All members are expected to be faithful in all spiritual duties to a successful Christian life (i.e., prayer, Bible reading, witnessing, etc.); and to attend regularly the services of the church, to give regularly to its support and ministries, as the Lord has prospered them. Failure to adhere to these spiritual duties will subject the member to disciplinary action as defined in Section III.
D. Members may be received by one’s profession of faith based upon what we believe to be God’s way of salvation as described in Article VI, 9-11, in this constitution.
Section II
The Christian Walk
We believe that we are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the flesh with its fallen Adamic nature, which in this life is never eradicated, being with us to the end of our earthly pilgrimage, needs to be kept by the Spirit constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. Romans 6:11-13; Romans 8:2,4; Romans 8:12; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; John 1:4-7; I John 3:5-9.
Section III
Immoral Conduct (Membership Doctrine)
All disciplinary matters and procedures regarding this congregation shall follow the principle and instructions of scriptures as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1-8, I Timothy 5:20, Titus 3:9-11, II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15, and I Corinthians 5:1-13. These scriptural acts shall be closely adhered to in all matters of disciplinary actions. One’s habitual, or open continuation of immoral conduct, as outlined in scripture, will lead to Biblical excommunication (to expel from communion with Berean; to exclude or eject from membership or the privileges of Berean) from the Berean Missionary Church, as illustrated in I Corinthians 5:1-13.
Section IV
Voting
All members as defined by Article VII, Section I, are eligible to vote if they have reached age 15 and have been in attendance for at least two consecutive months prior to any issues needed to be voted upon by the congregation. All voting will be done by secret ballot except by the discretion of the leadership.
Article VIII
Section I
Officers
A. The officers of this congregation, at this time, shall be pastor, elders, and deacons. Other officers when needed at a future time will be recommended and approved by this congregation.
B. All officers shall be appointed and dismissed by the authority of the pastor and congregation in accordance with the Word of God.
C. All officers of this congregation and all other organizations, including Sunday School, shall be members of the Berean Church Family.
Section II
Qualifications
Any Berean member who meets the spiritual qualifications of officer or church leader, as outlined in scripture (Acts 6:3-4, I Timothy 3:8-14, and Titus 1:6-9), is approved by the congregation, and who will agree to enter into Covenant of Section III of this Article, is entitled to hold office in this congregation.
Section III
Covenant
The following covenant shall be subscribed to by all officers and church leaders: In assuming this office, I agree to be loyal to the interests of the church, to seek its purity and prosperity, and to be subject to its discipline. Furthermore, I cheerfully accept and subscribe to the following rules for officers and church leaders.
1. All officers must attend a Bible class weekly within Berean.
2. All officers must be members of the congregation.
3. All officers must be in full agreement with the doctrinal position of the congregation, which is the Word of God.
4. All officers must be in harmony with the administration of the congregation as long as that administration is consistent with God’s word.
5. All officers are expected to totally abstain from the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
6. All officers must agree to abstain from all forms of fleshly or worldly activities, which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a believer, or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ.
7. All officers must not belong to, and must sever all connections with any worldly organization or secret societies that are in opposition to the basic doctrines of the Bible.
8. As the work of the church is dependent upon prayer, each officer is expected to conscientiously attend and participate in the regular prayer meeting of the church unless providentially hindered.
9. If at any time officers find that they can no longer comply with these standards, it is their duty to report it to the pastor and leadership and surrender office.
10. Dismissal of officers – The time may occur when an officer does not adhere to #9, or Section III of Article VIII, when he fails to fulfill his esponsibilities or stumbles willfully, relative to Biblical qualifications and after counsel does not change, he is then subject to congregational/leadership dismissal. The dismissal of any officer shall be based upon scriptural rules, principles, guidelines and commands that the officer ignores.
Section IV
Pastor or Bishop
A. The pastor shall meet the scriptural qualifications laid down in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, and provide a balanced ministry demanded in Ephesians 4:11-13, I Peter 5:1-4, II Timothy 2:1-6, II Timothy 4:1-5, and I Timothy 6:11-20. He shall be afforded all scriptural support and authority given him by the Word of God in I Corinthians 9:7-14, I Thessalonians 5:12-13, I Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:7, and Hebrews 13:17. Although he is the leader of the church, he should likewise follow the Biblical example of being a servant of the Lord for the needs of the flock.
B. A candidate for the pastorate shall be carefully examined by the officers of the church acting as a pulpit committee as to his salvation, doctrine, Christian conduct, and call to the ministry. If he has served in other churches, his ministry there should be explored. He shall be required to state his acceptance of the inerrant Word of God and adherence to the Articles of Faith, Constitution, and covenant of this congregation. Any differences which he holds concerning these documents should be submitted to the pulpit committee in writing. He shall also state in writing any differences which he hold relating to groups and associations with which this congregation might be in fellowship. The pulpit committee shall present only one man at a time for the consideration and acceptance by 75% of this membership.
C. A call to a pastor shall
be extended at a meeting of this congregation called for that purpose and announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the date of the meeting. A three-fourths majority of those present and voting shall be necessary for a call. Voting shall be by secret ballot. A written call and agreement shall be presented to the prospective pastor, giving details of church-pastoral relationship, including salary, housing and car allowances, insurance, vacations, etc., after these matters have been discussed with the prospective pastor and approved mutually.
D. The pastor and congregation shall have charge of the welfare of this church body, which includes appointing and overseeing all church officers, boards, and committees, He shall preach the Gospel, teach the Word and have charge of the service of the church. He shall administer the ordinances and perform the usual duties of a scriptural pastor.
Section V
Deacons
As the need arises, the pastor shall make known to the congregation the needs for Officer/Elders/Deacons and the congregation shall follow procedures as outlined in Acts 6:3-4. However, they must meet the qualifications in Section IV-A (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9).
Section VI
A. The pastor and this congregation shall, in accordance with secular law, choose an adequate number of trustees to fulfill the legal obligations. Their length of office shall be one year commencing January 1 of each year as necessary. If all was well with the previous year or term and upon mutual agreement of officer(s), pastor and membership, this officer shall be re-elected to another term.
B. The trustees shall be responsible for attending to the physical and legal aspects of this congregation.
C. The pastor shall recommend, followed by approval of or rejection by this membership, which of the trustees shall be responsible for signing all legal papers, etc.
Section VII
The pastor and this congregation shall select from the membership a spiritual and responsible member to fill the office of treasurer until terminated by pastor/leadership and congregation. The treasurer shall receive all monies of the church and apply the same as directed by this congregation and keep and true and fair record of accounts.
Section VIII
Corporate Secretary
The corporate secretary shall be responsible for the recording and keeping of the official corporate minutes at regular and special business meetings of the church which shall be read for approval at the next business meeting. The corporate secretary shall receive and submit correspondence as directed by the pastor, officers and/or congregation. The corporate secretary’s responsibilities shall also include keeping and accurate register of the membership of the church, to record the date and manner of admission and dismissal of members, to record and perform such other duties as may pertain to secretarial duties, until needs require additional help. This person is elected by this congregation, and approved by the pastor.
Section IX
Bookkeeper
The duties of the bookkeeper shall be to keep accurate records of all income and disbursements and make quarterly financial reports. Keep contributions, deposits, and all records of a financial nature.
Section X
Christian Education Director
A. There shall be one Christian Education Director chosen by the pastor, when necessary.
B. It shall be the duty of the Christian Education Director to take general charge of all matters pertaining to this congregation. This person shall strive to make the Christian Education teaching as scriptural and beneficial to the people as possible.
C. The Christian Education Direct shall appoint teachers. These appointments must be in turn subject to the approval of the pastor and the congregation. Teachers shall be evaluated by the Christian Education Director.
Section XI
Miscellaneous Offices
Other offices will be established at the discretion of the pastor and leadership in relation to the needs of the church.
Article IX
Missions
Section I
Policy
A. It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions engaged principally in evangelization. They shall be known to be in agreement with our Confession of Faith, both in doctrine and practice.
B. The support of the poor shall also fall under “Missions”, as it is also a scriptural mission of the church. This may also include support to other churches of like faith who need financial help to start or continue. The support of the poor shall be based on Bible standards. They must have need. I Timothy 5:3-16; Romans 15:25-27; II Thessalonians 3:6-14.
Section II
Selection and Funds
A. The ministry of those to be supported shall be made known to the church by having the missionary or pastor involved to speak and present his work. The pastor and congregation., based on the reaction and financial condition of the church, shall then determine whether or not to support the work.
B. Care Group. Those requiring general support will make their request known. Their needs will be evaluated to determine whether or not support will be given.
C. Mission or general support shall come from the church funds or the giving of the members over and above the regular giving and reflected in the church financial report.
Article X
Ministries of the Church
(See paragraph B above)
All ministries of the church, if and when established, (ie radio, television, tape, publishing, video, Christian films, Bible Institute, etc.) shall be under the supervision of the pastor and leadership and shall be operated by those members in charge.
Article XI
Financial Policy
The fiscal year shall begin on January 1st and end on the following December 31st. No financial obligation shall be placed upon this congregation without evidence that it will be duly dispatched. All financial obligations shall have final approval of the pastor, leadership and congregation.
1. Signing for PropertyThe pastor and one or more church officers shall be authorized to sign, as directed and resolved by the congregation, on agreements pertaining to the purchase of lease of property, real or otherwise.
2. Signing for Payment of FundsThe congregation shall authorize church officers or staff as necessary to sign checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money from depositories of funds of the church; and to endorse or cash checks, notes, bills or other instruments in the name of the church. Endorsements may be written or stamped without designation of the person making the endorsement. No less than two persons shall be authorized to sign checks, drafts or other orders of payments for the church. The corporate secretary shall be authorized to certify the depository institution(s) the names of the church and in its behalf, and shall from time to time, as changes occur in the personnel of said officers, immediately certify such changes to the depository institution(s).
Article XII
Business Meetings
Regular business meetings shall be held quarterly. Business meetings shall be called as deemed necessary with two week’s notice to the congregation.
Article XIII
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members present at any called business meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given one week prior to the meeting at which action is desired.
Article XIV
Non-Profit Charitable Corporation And In Case of Dissolution
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall accrue to the benefit of, or be distributive to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons. Except that of the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purpose set forth in Article III hereof. No substantial part of the activities of corporation shall be the carrying on or propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) and political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of these by a corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Law or (b) by a corporation to which contributions are deductible under Section (70)(c)(2) of the Internal revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future U.S. Internal Revenue Law).
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purpose of the corporation. Dispositions shall be in such manner, or to such organization of organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious education, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Trustees shall determine. Any of such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principle office of the corporation is then located. Exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Article XV
(ADDENDUM) September 9, 2018
STATEMENT OF FAITH: CHURCH-MARRIAGE POLICY
We believe that God created human beings and that He made them male and female according to His Divine Order. We believe that God has created and ordained marriage as the first social institution and that God has established that marriage as the covenant union between one man and one woman. We therefore will solemnize and recognize only the marriages that are according to God’s Word and His will. (Genesis 1: 26-31; 2: 18-24; Matthew 19: 5-6; Ephesians 5: 22-33; 1 Corinthians 7: 1-5; 1 Peter 3: 7). The facilities and property of Berean Missionary Church shall only host weddings between one man and one woman.
The statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The BIBLE itself, as the inspired and infallible WORD of GOD that speaks with FINAL authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of ALL that we believe. For purposes of Berean’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our Pastor, Elders and Leadership Team is Berean’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.