Article I—Purpose
Section 1. Name:
Section 2. Purpose:
The Berlin Christian Church was established for the purpose of preaching the Gospel of salvation as it is set forth in the New Testament and to receive into fellowship converts to this Gospel.
Section 3.
Our
To help us accomplish our mission, we trust in the following core values.
1. We value the Bible as God’s Word (2 Timothy -17).
2. We value the Lordship of Jesus Christ (John ).
3. We value the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
4. We value the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
5. We value Christian worship (Psalm 150:6).
6. We value Christian unity (John ; Ephesians 4:3).
7. We value Christian fellowship (Acts -44).
Section 4. Governing Body:
This Congregation shall be a local independent self-governing religious body free from any ecclesiastical authority or jurisdiction. This congregation shall be under the scriptural authority of God as provided through the Bible.
Article II—Membership
Section 1. Qualifications:
The membership of the congregation shall consist of persons who have confessed their faith in Christ, have been baptized by immersion according to the scriptures, and have expressed their desire to unite with this congregation. If there is any question as to the qualifications or character of a person applying for membership, the question will be decided by the Board of Elders. Membership expectations are described in the membership covenant approved by the church board.
A. Active Members
A member shall be deemed active, if and only if, that member has been in attendance at the services of Berlin Christian Church 13 of the last 52 Sundays. New members (less than one year) must have been in attendance 25% of the Sundays since becoming a member with a minimum of three months.
B. Inactive Members
Members meeting the qualifications in Article II, Section one, but not in Article II, Section one, clause A (active members) will be deemed inactive.
Section 2. Membership Covenant:
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MEMBER?
At Berlin Christian Church, we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only expect our members to do what the Bible expects every Christian to do. These responsibilities are spelled out in the Membership Covenant.
THE BERLIN
MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
Having received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the BERLIN CHRISTIAN CHURCH family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
I. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH.
...By acting in love toward other members.
...By refusing to gossip.
...By following the leaders.
“Live in complete harmony with each other -- each with the attitude of Christ toward each other.”
Romans 15:5 (Living Bible)
“Have a sincere love for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your hearts.”
1 Peter (Good News Bible)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs...”
Ephesians 4:29
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you.”
Hebrews 13:17
II. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH.
...By praying for its growth.
...By inviting the unchurched to attend.
...By warmly welcoming those who visit.
“To the church... We always thank God for you and pray for you constantly.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2
“Go out into the country... and urge anyone you find to come in, so that My House will be full.”
Luke (LB)
“So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.”
Romans 15:7
III. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH.
...By discovering my gifts and talents.
...By being equipped to use my gifts and talents to serve.
...By developing a servant’s heart.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others...”
1 Peter 4:10
“God gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up...”
Ephesians 4:11-12
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.. who took on the very nature of a servant...”
Philippians 2:3-4, 7
IV. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH.
...By attending faithfully.
...By living honestly.
...By giving regularly.
“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together... but let us encourage one another.”
Hebrews 10:25
“But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Philippians 1:27
“Each one of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering.”
1 Corinthians 16:2
Article III—Leadership
Section 1. Officers:
The officers of the Berlin Christian Church shall be Elders, Deacons, Treasurer, Clerk and others appointed by the Elders to serve as needed. The Treasurer and Clerk shall be appointed by the board and shall be an Elder or Deacon.
Section 2. Duties of officers:
Elders: Shepherd and oversee the church program as set forth in the New Testament. Elders will be elected for a term of three years. If it is the first time to be elected to this position, there will be a one year trial. Then, if re-elected shall serve the remaining two years. They shall provide leadership for education, worship service, building and grounds, discipline, missions, and youth.
Deacons: The Deacons shall serve as set forth in the New Testament at the direction of the Elders. Deacons will be elected for a term of three years. If it is the first time to be elected to this position, there will be a one year trial. Then, if re-elected shall serve the remaining two years.
Sabbatical for Elders and Deacons: After each three year term, the elders and deacons will be given a one year sabbatical from the leadership team. After that one year sabbatical, the elder or deacon may be re-elected to a three year term.
Treasurer: The treasurer shall have charge of the current funds of the church and shall pay all current bills and other bills as approved by the church board. The treasurer shall keep records of receipts and expenses and make monthly reports to the church Board. Money shall be deposited in the bank each week. The treasurer shall assist in looking after the general financial interest of the church as directed by the Elders.
Clerk: The clerk shall keep records of the activities of the church. The activities of the church include: membership, additions to the church, family information, deaths, and letters to members who desire to unite with another congregation. The clerk shall keep records of official church board meetings and other activities of the church which will be beneficial to the church and the members.
Section 3. Nomination and Election of Elders and Deacons:
A. At the July Board Meeting, the chairman of the board shall appoint a committee of three board members to receive recommendations. Recommendations and seconds shall be in written form with signatures of persons making recommendations and second. All recommendations will be subject to approval of church board based upon 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.
B. First Sunday of August, recommendations are to be turned into the nominating committee.
C. Third Sunday of August, Nominations presented to church.
D. Fourth Sunday of August, congregation approval.
E. Elected officers assume duties at September board meeting.
F. Elders and Deacons can be added at any time with the approval of the congregation.
G. Any Elder or Deacon may be removed by a majority vote of the remaining Elders in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.
Section 4. Minister:
A. Choosing a Minister:
1. A pulpit committee of at least three board members, with an Elder as chairman will review applications and make a recommendation to the board for interviews. After interviews an applicant may be invited to present a sermon to the church. After input from the active members through voting, the Elders will proceed with their decision to hire or not to hire the applicant.
B. The Minister:
1. Shall be well versed in the doctrine of the Christian Church as set forth in the New Testament. If questions arise regarding doctrine, they should be discussed with the Elders.
2. Shall fulfill the duties agreed to in the job description given to him when hired. A minister will be considered an active member and will abide by the membership covenant.
3. Shall have an advisory role in matters relating to the spiritual life of the church and worship service.
C. Additional Staff:
Additional staff will perform duties as directed by the board.
D. Removal of the Staff:
Ministers and/or staff may be removed at the discretion of the Elders for just cause in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.
Article IV
Policies and procedures for the Church Board
Section 1. Members:
The Church board shall be composed of the Elders and Deacons. The Elders will have the final decision in all matters of the Church.
Section 2. Quorum:
A quorum for all board meetings shall consist of a majority of the church board with at least one Elder present.
Section 3. Officers of the board:
The officers of the board shall consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, and clerk. The chairman, vice-chairman, and clerk shall be chosen from the board at the first meeting of the new board. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be Elders. All officers will serve for one year.
Section 4. Time and place of meetings:
Regular meetings of the board shall be held at a time established by the board and known by the congregation. Special meeting may be called by the Elders when they deems it necessary, or when in their opinion a sufficient number of board members or active church members request it to discuss a particular matter. The Elders shall inform all board members as to time and place of special meetings at least twenty-four hours before such meetings.
Section 5. Agenda:
One week before each meeting, the chairman shall prepare in writing all matters to be discussed in the order of discussion. Anyone having a matter they want discussed shall present it to the chairman so that it can be added to the agenda. Items not on the agenda may be discussed if there are no objections.
Section 6. Attendance of church members at board meetings:
All active church members are welcome and invited to attend the meetings of the church board. If an active church member wishes to discuss a matter at the meeting, he or she shall notify the chairman before the meeting to have the matter placed on the agenda. Such member shall not take part in the discussion of the meeting until called on by the chairman. Inactive members are welcome at the discretion of the board. At the discretion of the board, the board may hold closed meetings for disciplinary or personnel matters.
Section 7. Order of business:
The order of business shall be as follows:
1. Opening prayer
2. Reports
3. Ministry Reports
4. Old business
5. New business
6. Closing prayer
Section 8. Reports:
The following reports shall be presented at each meeting. These reports shall be prepared in writing. A copy of each report shall be presented to the clerk.
1. Minutes
2. Financial
3. Minister (s): Report his activities for the past month
Section 9. Order of action:
The order of action on any matter raised shall be:
1. Motion
2. Second
3. Discussion
4. Call for the question
5. Vote
Section 10. Decisions of the board will be posted at the board’s discretion.
Article V
Congregation Meetings
Section 1. Voting Qualifications:
All active Berlin Christian Church members sixteen years old and older present are eligible to vote on all matters.
Section 2. Time of meetings:
Congregation meetings shall be called at least one week in advance of the meeting. Meetings are to be called by the Elders, or by petition to the Elders by ten or more active members, or by the chairman of the board.
Section 3. Quorum:
Twenty active members shall constitute a quorum. Meetings shall be presided over by the chairman or vice-chairman of the board. In addition to the twenty active members, including a majority of the board must be present.
Article VI
Missions
All missionary work of the congregation shall be under the direction of the church board.
Article VII
Groups within the Congregation
The organization and maintaining of all groups within the congregation shall be under the jurisdiction of the church board.
Article VIII
Records
All permanent records shall be kept at the church. The filing of all records shall be done by the clerk. Any person wanting information from the files shall request the information from the clerk. The clerk shall be responsible for seeing that all records are properly returned to the files. From time to time, the Elders may decide that certain records be destroyed.
Article IX
Discipline
Matters threatening the unity of the church or inhibiting the spiritual growth of the church shall be addressed by the Elders in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6.
Section 1. Termination/Discipline of Membership:
A. Members shall be removed from the church roll for the following reasons:
1. Death
2. Transfer of membership to another church
3. By personal request of the member in writing.
4. Dismissal by the Elders according to the following conditions:
a. The member’s life and conduct is not in accordance with the membership covenant in such a way that the member hinders the ministry influence of the church in the community.
b. Procedures for the dismissal of a member shall be according to Matthew 18:15-17.
Section 2. Restoration of Members:
Members dismissed by the Elders shall be restored by the Elders according to the spirit of 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, when their life-styles are judged to be in accordance with the membership covenant.
Article X
Dissolution
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Constitution.
No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the 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 Code, or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal 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 XI
Amendments
These rules and regulations may be amended by the church board at a duly called board meeting. Amendments will require a two-thirds majority vote to pass.
