CONSTITUTION, GOD WITH US CHURCH
The constitution is a foundational governing document of a church and its related ministries. The provisions of some church constitutions are necessarily restrictive and tend to hinder church growth. Others fail to provide the necessary checks and balances to encourage good administration in a growing church.
PREAMBLE
We, the members of (God with Us Int'l Christian Assemblies), in orderly manner do hereby establish the following principles by which we mutually agree to be governed in the affairs of our church.
ARTICLE I - NAME
This church shall be known as the God with Us Int'l Christian Assemblies of Australia, Victoria.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
This church shall have as its purpose the evangelism of the lost, the promotion of the historic Christian faith, the worship of God, the education of its members, friends and their families, and such other purposes as are specified in the Holy Bible for a New Testament Church.
ARTICLE III - STATEMENT OF FAITH
This church holds the following Statement of Faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God.
We offer solid Biblical teaching on the essential elements of the Christian faith.
But, when there are godly people on both sides of a non-essential issue,
we offer love rather than rigid teaching.
This "Statement of Faith" contains 18 Biblical teachings. We believe these 18 teachings summarize what the Bible calls "sound doctrine" (Titus 1:9). For this reason we call them "essential" -- doctrines which are essential to maintaining the life of New Life
Church.
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's written Word. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it was written without error in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
We explicitly affirm our belief in these essential Bible teachings:
1. THE TRINITY - There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each person possesses equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1-2; John 8:58; 2 Corinthians 3:17.
2. JESUS' DEITY & HUMANITY - Jesus Christ is God, the Living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth.
Hence, He is perfect deity and true humanity united in one person forever.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:3-4; John 1:1-4,14,18.
3. SUBSTITUTE ATONEMENT - He lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who
trust in Him alone.
2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26-28.
4. JESUS' BODILY RESURRECTION - He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died.
Acts 2:32; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,12-20; John 20:24-28.
5. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD - He ascended bodily into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own.
Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:23-25; Romans 8:34.
6. THE FALL OF MANKIND - Mankind was originally created in the image of God. But they sinned by disobeying God and alienated themselves from their Creator. That historic fall brought all people under divine condemnation.
Genesis 1:26-3:24; Romans 5:12,15-19; Colossians 1:21; Romans 3:23.
7. TOTAL INABILITY - Man's nature is corrupted, and he is, therefore, totally unable to please God without being born again and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:1-8; 6:44,65; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 12:3; Acts 16:14; Titus 3:5.
8. SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST'S WORK - A person's salvation is entirely a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works, goodness or religious ceremony. God declares people righteous who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation.
Ephesians 2:4-9; Philippians 2:13; Romans 3:22; 10:3-4.
9. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION - It is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based on any kind of human merit, but is produced by the witness of the Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written Word.
1 John 5:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:15-16.
10. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply Jesus' saving work to people. The Spirit convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts
new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth, and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power, and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith.
John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13; 3:16-17.
11. HOLINESS - Every believer is called to live so in the power of the indwelling Spirit that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.
Galatians 5:16-24; Luke 6:43-44.
12. THE CHURCH - Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, which is His body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith.
Colossians 1:18.
13. THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING - God urges His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, and for building each other up through mutual encouragement.
Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Psalm 23:25; 26:12; 35:18; 40:9.
14. THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN - At physical death, the believer enters immediately into eternal conscious fellowship with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 16:19-31.
15. THE DEATH OF AN UNBELIEVER - At physical death, the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal conscious separation from the Lord.
Luke 16:19-31.
16. JESUS' RETURN - Jesus Christ will come again to the earth, personally, visibly and in his resurrection body to establish His Kingdom. At this time, the dead will be resurrected with their bodies, the believer to eternal joy with the Lord, and the unbeliever to condemnation and endless, conscious suffering.
Matthew 24:30-31; 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 19:11-21:4.
17. OUR MISSION - The Lord Jesus commanded all believers to proclaim the Good News throughout the whole world and to teach men of
every nation. The fulfillment of this Great Commission requires that all selfish ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.
18. THE KINGDOM OF EVIL - There exists a personal spirit of Evil, Satan, our adversary, who, with great power, carries on organized opposition to the Kingdom of God, and seeks the demise of man; he will suffer ultimate and total defeat at the hands of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:17; Ephesians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Job 1:6-2:7; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10.
ARTICLE IV - COVENANT
COVENANT, OUR CHURCH
As a bond of unity among us, God with Us Int'l Christian Assemblies accepts for its members the following covenant.
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one Body in Christ.
We promise that we will watch over and counsel one another in the spirit of brotherly love, that we will remember one another in our prayers, and that we will aid each other in sickness and distress.
We further agree, by the aid 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 give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother or sister to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
ARTICLE V - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this church shall consist of persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and have been baptized by immersion into this church or a church of like faith and order. The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be a member. New members may be accepted by vote of the membership when requesting membership in any of the following ways:
Membership can be terminated by:
ARTICLE VI - CHURCH OFFICERS
1. Pastor:
The pastor is the undershepherd of Jesus Christ, the leader of the church, and is primarily responsible to Christ for the work of the church. The pastor is the chief executive and administrative officer of the church in spiritual and physical matters. The pastor is to be called to the church to serve indefinitely.
When the church comes to be without a pastor, the deacons will serve as a pulpit committee to seek out a new pastor. They shall prayerfully search until agreed on one candidate to recommend to the church. The church will be given the opportunity to vote within one week of the (name of church board) recommendations to call the candidate as pastor. A two-thirds majority vote is required to call a pastor.
The pastor may be removed from office at a special business meeting of the congregation called by the Executive Board where reasons for removal would be presented, and would be allowed to answer the accusations, and a vote would be taken. The pastor should be notified of the meeting and of the charges to be brought against him or her before notice of the meeting is given to the congregation. A two-thirds majority vote would be required to remove the pastor. This step should be taken very carefully and prayerfully.
2. Church Staff:
The pastor may bring in such staff as he or she feels are necessary to assist in providing for the church. The staff will be employed at a salary agreed on by the (name of appropriate committee) and will work under the direct supervision of the pastor, or indirectly under him or her and directly under the supervision of a staff member appointed by the pastor.
3. Deacons:
Executive Board is to advise and assist the pastor in the spiritual interests of the church; seek out, visit and minister to the physical, moral and spiritual needs of the sick, aged and other necessities among the membership; review the church membership at least once a year and inquire about the regularity and faithfulness of the members in attendance and support of the church; serve at the Lord’s Supper Table; and be zealous to guard and promote a spirit of unity and peace within the church. Deacons will act as a sounding board between the congregation and the pastor and shall discuss matters of importance to the church.
Deacons are to meet the spiritual qualifications given in 1 Tim. 3:8-13; and Acts 6:1-6.
The first (name of members of church board) will be recommended to the church by the pastor; thereafter the deacons shall recommend to the church names of those to be added. The church shall vote on each name presented.
4. Trustees:
The trustees will hold in trust the church property, serve as a financial advisory committee for the pastor and maintain the church insurance program. Trustees have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any property without a specific vote of the church authorizing each action. They shall sign legal papers as needed and directed by the church. They shall be elected by the church to serve an indefinite term of office.
5. Treasurer:
The treasurer shall see that accurate records are maintained for all receipts, disbursements and individual contributions. The treasurer will be one of the cosigners on the checks. The budget shall be prepared under the supervision of the pastor with assistance from the treasurer and a financial committee if elected. The budget is then approved by the congregation at the annual meeting. The treasurer is responsible for investing the funds for the ministry of the church. All disbursements are to be made according to the budget as approved by the church. The treasurer is to provide a monthly financial report to the church. The treasurer is to be appointed by the pastor subject to approval by the (name of church board) and trustees.
6. Others:
Other officers of the church and/or its related ministries may be elected or appointed as they are needed.
7. Standards for Leaders:
All elected or appointed leaders of this church and/or any of its related ministries shall be saved, active members of the church and in agreement with the doctrinal position of the church, tithers, soul winners, loyal to the pastor and living a separated Christian life.
ARTICLE VII - CHURCH MEETINGS
1. For Worship and Study:
The church shall conduct regular services on Sundays as well as a midweek meeting, and meetings of organizations as needed. Special meetings such as revivals, conferences and music programs will also be held from time to time as the pastor sees a need.
2. For Business:
The church shall meet for an annual business meeting. At this meeting, officers shall report to the church the activities of the previous year, new officers shall be elected, and any other business shall be presented to the church. In addition, special meetings may be called by the pastor and/or Executive Board by giving seven days’ notice to the church. The purpose of the special meeting must be announced. A majority of those present and qualified to vote may conduct any church business.
ARTICLE VIII — CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Each member of the church will have an equal voice in its government, exercised through a vote at regularly called business meetings. If the church is without a pastor, the chairman of the board will serve as moderator. The church will vote on the pastor, the chairman of the deacons and trustees; establishment or modification of major policies; the buying, selling or mortgaging of church properties; and the annual church budget. Meetings are to be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Matters of lesser importance will be handled by the pastor and staff, deacons and trustees within their prescribed responsibilities.
ARTICLE IX - RELATION TO OTHER CHURCHES
This church shall be fully autonomous in the government of its own affairs, exercising and retaining sole and complete control of all property that shall be held in its name by the trustees. Fellowship and cooperation will be sought with all true believers and congregations, but control of this church and/or its property will never be surrendered.
ARTICLE X - CHURCH FINANCES
The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31. The members shall be expected to give their tithes and offerings through this church. The treasurer shall keep proper records, including a record of individual contributions. A budget shall be prepared by the pastor and trustees and approved by the church. Special offerings may be requested with the approval of the pastor and/or the trustees.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
No part of the property or other buildings of this church shall ever inure to the benefit of any donor, member or officer of the church or any individual. If for any reason the church is dissolved, all assets shall be distributed equally to organizations selected by the church and recognized as charitable in nature by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a called business meeting announced for that purpose.