Rules of
Decorum
1. The church shall meet in
regular conference each quarter.
2. The pastor shall serve as
ex-official moderator, but in case of his absence or disqualification the
church shall select a moderator.
3. The deliberations of the
church in conference shall be governed by such parliamentary as is
customary in such deliberative bodies.
4. Every member shall have
the same privilege on the floor, except the right to speak in public on
controverted questions, or to originate or second a motion is reserved for
the male members to avoid the possibility of controversy or confrontation
between male and female members (1 Corinthians 14:34)
5. The regular order of
business shall be as follows:
- Devotional services
- Invite visiting brethren to sit with
us
- Call for peace and fellowship of the
church
- Reading the minutes of previous
meeting
- Call for voluntary acknowledgments
- Reports of committees and matters of
reference
- Old or unfinished business
- New and miscellaneous business
- Adjournment
6. The church may be called
in special conference for the transaction of business that may demand the
attention of the church before a regular conference will assemble. Ample
notice of such conference must be given.
7. In all matters of church
discipline we are governed strictly by the new testament teachings, and
any violation of its commandments or the spirit of its commandments may be
dealt with, whether such violation is prescribed in our rules of decorum
or not.
8. Every member of the
church is expected to contribute to the support of the church as God has
prospered them. Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians
8:7; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16
9. The church may from time
to time adopt such financial plans and systems, as in their opinions, will
prove to be in the best interest of the cause, providing no plan shall be
adopted that is unscriptural.
10. The Lord's Supper shall
be observed by the church at least once each quarter. The deacons of the
church shall make suitable preparations for its observance. Matthew 26:28;
Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 13:1-4; Acts 2:42- 46; I Corinthians
5:7-8; 10:16-17; 11:20-34.
11. No member of the church
should speak evil of another member; and when one hears rumors derogatory
to the character of another member, that member should speak to that
individual or individuals about it before such rumor circulates further.
Ephesians 4:29; Titus 3:2; James 1:26; 4:11; I Peter 3:9.
12. In matters of private
offense, the parties at variance must settle their difficulties according
to the directions of our Lord as presented in the 18th chapter of Matthew.
Where one or both parties refuse to resolve the issue according to these
directions, the church may intervene, seeking obedience to the Lord's
commandments. Matthew 18:15-17; 5:23- 24.
13. Since the scripture
teaches that the people of God are a separate and peculiar people, we
believe that members of the church should not indulge in worldly practices
that in no wise glorify God and do very frequently lead to great harm. Any
members known to be guilty of these practices or any immoral conduct
unbecoming a Christian shall be disciplined for their own good, the good
of the church, and for the glory of God. Romans 13:12-14; I Corinthians
10:31.
14. The purpose of church
discipline being to restore the erring, to preserve the peace and
fellowship of the church, and to promote the glory of God, expulsion from
the church should be a last resort after other measures have failed to
restore, except in cases of gross and scandalous immoralities when
expulsion from the church is the only course authorized by the Word of
God. Romans 14:1; 15:1; Galatians 6:1; II Timothy 4:2; I Corinthians 5:11.
15. Charges may be preferred
against a member only in regularly scheduled, monthly conference under the
call of peace and fellowship of the church and may be preferred by any
member who is himself in good standing with the church.
16. A majority vote of the
church in conference shall decide all matters of controversy except
matters pertaining to the peace and fellowship of the church; in the
reception of new members, and in the granting of letters. In such matters
a unanimous vote of all the members present shall be required.
17. It is the duty of every
member to strive to preserve the unity of the church and to promote the
peace and welfare of the church in every way he can; to speak kindly of
all other members and to act in a spirit of love. Any member who, by word
or deed, causes division and strife in the church, shall be subjected to
the disciplines of the church. John 13:34-35; Romans 14:19-21; 16:7; I
Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:32; Galatians 5:10.
18. This church shall
cooperate with other churches of the same faith and order, in promoting
the kingdom of God; at the same time, preserving its own independence.
19. Every member of the
church is expected to attend the worship services, the conferences, and
other meetings of the church unless he is providentially hindered. Hebrews
10:25; Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:1-4
20.
Marriage and Divorce: We believe that marriage is divine and sacred. II
Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-25; Titus 2:4-5; and that the husband or
wife cannot be put away except for two causes.
- Unbelievers - I Corinthians 7:12-15
- Fornication - Matthew 5:31-31; 19:9; I
Corinthians 7:10-11
21. Exclusion and
Restoration: We believe that excluded members, at their own request,
should be restored to peace and love and fellowship upon their
acknowledgment to the church in a regular business meeting. If, after
acknowledgment, their Christian walk does not prove sincerity, their names
will again be removed from the church roll. Only after sufficient time has
elapsed to prove genuine sincerity will an excluded member be given full
rights and privileges in the church. II Corinthians 2:5 & 9.
22. Unity: We feel that all
members wishing to join this church shall present letters from other
churches of the same faith and order. We feel all New Testament members
are of one mind and accord, the essentials of a new Testament church.
Members will also be received under watch care until their letter can be
secured from other churches of the same faith and order. We feel that six
months is ample time to secure a letter, and if it is not presented in
this time, they will no longer be regarded a a watch care member. Members
received for baptism are required to make a public confession of Godly
sorrow for sin, true repentance and regeneration by the Holy Ghost. Romans
10:9-11; Matthew 16:15-18; John 3:1-11. Members may be received by
statement from other churches of the same faith and order where the person
making the statement can present satisfactory evidence, or reason, as to
why they are coming by statement, and not by letter.
23. Inactive Members: When a
member is absent for a continuous period of six months, without a
satisfactory reason, they will be taken from the active roll of members
and placed on an inactive roll. This will be done automatically without
further action of the church. The members of the inactive roll will not be
allowed to vote in the church business meetings until they have been
restored to the active roll of the church This will be done only after
their conduct and their walk proves sincerity, true repentance, and then
only after acknowledging the same to the church in a regular business
meeting.
24. Deacons and Ministers:
According to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures in I Timothy 3:1-13 and
Titus 1:5-9, this church will not practice the licensing or ordaining of
preachers or deacons with more than one living wife. This will not hinder
their witnessing or telling others the Gospel of Christ.
Church
Covenant
Statement of
Faith
