CONSTITUTION OF THE
ARTICLE I - NAME
This organization shall be known as the
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Our purpose as believers in Christ, who accept the Bible as our sole authority, is to glorify God by making fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ through sharing the message of salvation in Christ and promoting obedience to Him in everyone - in Renton and in our world.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: ARTICLES OF FAITH
The church shall consist of baptized believers in Christ (Acts
a. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. (II Tim 3:16,17; II Pet 1:20,21; Matt. 5:18; John 16:12,13)
b. THE GOD HEAD
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; II Cor. 13:14)
c. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (John 1:1,
2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Rom.
3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our high priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate. (Act 1:9-11; Heb.
d. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1) We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the Day of Redemption. (John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5-6; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13,14)
2) We believe that He is the divine teacher who guides believers into all truth, that He empowers and gifts believers for ministry in Christ’s
3) We believe that the gift of tongues has never been a necessary sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which accompanies regeneration, and that its exercise in public worship was always subject to the control of the
e. THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26,27; Rom.
f. SALVATION
1) We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received on the single condition of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed on
2) We believe that the new birth is absolutely essential to salvation. (John 3:3; Gal. 6:15; I Pet. 1:23)
g. BAPTISM
We believe that the ordinance of water baptism should be followed by all believers in obedience to Christ's commandment in Matt. 28:19, and the good example of the early church in Acts 8:36-39, and that the mode of baptism which best represents this is immersion.
h. ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS
1) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1,38,39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Pet. 1:5)
2) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's word; which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom.
i. THE
2) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they wait the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; Rev 20:4-6; II Cor. 5:8; Phil.
3) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the great white throne judgment, and shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment. (Luke 16:19-26; Matt. 24:41-46; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude vs. 6,7; Mark
j. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the initiator of the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire. (Job 1:6,7; Isa. 14:12-17; Gen. 3:1-7; Matt. 4:2-11, 25:41, Rev. 20:10)
k. THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
We believe in that "blessed hope," the personal, imminent and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom. (I Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-6; I Thess. 1:10, 5:9; Rev. 3:10)
l. THE CHURCH
1) We believe that the church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. (Eph. 1:22,23, 5;25-27; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 11:2)
2) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts
3) We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control, except that of Christ Himself. (Acts 13:1-4,
4) We recognize the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 2:41,42, 18:8; I Cor. 11:23-26)
m. SEPARATION
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly sinful pleasures, practices, and association is commanded by God. (II Tim. 3:1-5;
SECTION 2: CHURCH COVENANT
a. Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God and sole source of salvation by grace through faith in Him, as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We pledge, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; 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 to all nations.
b. We also pledge to maintain family and private devotions; to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4); to seek the salvation of our friends, relatives, and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our behavior; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting, anger, and all such works of the flesh as are summarized in Gal. 5:19-22 and Eph. 4:25-32, but rather to be self-controlled and zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior through the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Gal. 5:22-25 and Eph. 5:18.
c. We further pledge 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, (Acts 2:44-47; I Cor. 13:4-7); to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay (as noted in Matt. 5:23-26; 18:15-17; and Gal. 6:1).
d. We moreover pledge that, when we move 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, our final authority for faith and life.
SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP
a. QUALIFICATIONS
Persons may be received into membership by relation of Christian experience having been previously baptized or by relation of Christian experience and baptism. In each case the candidate must give evidence of the new birth and must meet with the Board of Elders who shall explain to him the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant. The new member may be presented and the right hand of fellowship given at any regular service of the church.
b. DUTIES OF MEMBERS:
It shall be the duty of all members of this church to glorify God in all things; to be present at the services of the church whenever possible; to support its work with their offerings; and to seek in every way to promote the interest of the church as a whole and of their fellow members in particular.
c. NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS:
Non-resident/shut-in members who cannot reasonably attend the services of the church and yet wish to retain their membership shall be considered members if they are living consistent Christian lives and are active in the service of the Lord in their present situation.
d. DISCIPLINE:
Members who persist in willful disobedience to the teaching of scripture will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 and I Corinthians 6.
e. REMOVING MEMBERS FROM THE ROLL:
Any member habitually or willfully absent from the services of the church for an extended period without stated cause, or by reason of having moved from the community, or who is continually negligent to spiritual duties, shall be contacted by the Board of Elders in an effort to restore such a member. The Board of Elders may remove any member from the church roll if the member so requests or if the member has not been restored after a period of three months from being contacted. If it is found necessary to remove this name from the roll, the action will be made known to the individual and to the church.
ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
PREFACE
It is the belief of this church that the work of the ministry is to be carried out by the members of the local church with a group of men, who are selected from the congregation and who are designated as elders, being responsible for the oversight of this ministry and considered the officers of the corporation.
So that these elders can give their primary concern, time, and energy to the teaching of the Word of God, to prayer, and to the spiritual needs of the congregation, deacons, deaconesses, and others who may be appointed by the elders will be commissioned to carry on the day-to-day work of the church (Acts 6:4). These members of the church will have special responsibilities for the physical and financial aspects of the church property and its members.
Since we believe that the Scriptures do not teach a strict separation between spiritual and temporal matters in the life of the church, the above statements are given to clarify primary areas of responsibility only, and are not to suggest that only elders will be involved in such areas as teaching or that elders will never be involved in the more temporal aspects of church life.
SECTION 1: ELDERS
a. QUALIFICATIONS:
The qualifications for appointment to the Board of Elders shall be based on those set forth in the New Testament (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 and I Pet 5:1-3).
An Elder shall:
1) Uphold and maintain the spiritual qualities of personal character to the best of his ability.
2) Exercise guidance and discipline in the home, assuming the spiritual leadership of his family.
3) Set the highest example of moral integrity in his business and citizenship responsibilities.
4) Be able and willing to teach the Word of God, both publicly and privately when called upon or when the need arises.
5) Demonstrate Christian hospitality to both acquaintances and strangers.
6) Provide oversight and spiritual guidance.
b. SELECTION OF ELDERS
With the exception of the elder or elders designated as pastor/teacher(s), the term of service for elders shall be three (3) years. Each candidate must be a member in good standing of this church, must be unanimously agreed upon by the Qualification Committee and affirmed by the congregation.
c. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Elders shall provide guidance, instruction, and protection for the congregation. They shall assume responsibility for all matters pertaining to the church as a corporation and for the spiritual needs of the members by: 1) engaging in, and promoting visitation, especially of the discouraged, the troubled, the oppressed, the sick, and the weaker brother; 2) administering the elements of the Lord's Supper; 3) baptizing new converts; 4) arranging for all services of the church, 5) constituting the review board for membership, teaching, baptism, and church discipline, and 6) guarding the unity of the church in the bond of peace. The responsibility for unity begins at the personal level (Matt
Meetings of the Board of Elders shall be at least monthly. The chairman of the Board of Elders may call special meetings at the request of any elder. A quorum for conducting business shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the Board. Believing that the leadership of the church should be "of one mind and purpose" (Phil. 2:2), the unanimous consent of those present shall be required to adopt any vote or resolution.
The following officers shall be chosen by the Board of Elders from among their members at their first meeting following the annual business meeting: chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The Chairman shall preside at all business meetings of the congregation, and shall be the executive officer of the corporation. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman, assuming his duties in the Chairman's absence or at the direction of the Chairman. The Secretary shall record minutes for elder meetings and fulfill any corporation requirements.
d. PASTOR/TEACHER (S):
One or more members of the Board of Elders will be designated as the pastor/teacher(s) of the church. They shall be called by the church by at least a four-fifths (4/5) affirmative vote of the congregation upon unanimous recommendation from the Pulpit Committee. This call shall be for an indefinite period, as long as the Lord directs. The pastor/teacher(s) shall have an annual vacation agreed upon by the Board of Elders with full pay. Suitable arrangements for carrying on the church services during this vacation period will be made by the Board of Elders.
SECTION 2: OTHER STAFF
Apart from the elder(s) designated as the pastor/teacher(s), the Board of Elders shall appoint other paid staff, as necessary, to assist in carrying out the ministry of the church. These appointments shall be made only after: 1) The congregation has had the opportunity to provide input regarding the need for such individuals and who might (or might not) be qualified; 2) sufficient funds are available to pay those employed by the church, and 3) much prayer. These staff persons shall be those who would qualify to serve as elders, deacons, or deaconesses.
SECTION 3: DEACONS AND DEACONESSES
a. QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS:
The qualifications of a deacon shall be weighed against those set forth in the New Testament (I Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7). Each deacon shall:
1) uphold and maintain the spiritual qualities of personal character to the best of his ability.
2) exercise guidance and discipline in the home, assuming the spiritual leadership of his family.
3) set the highest example of moral integrity in his business and citizenship responsibilities.
4) cooperate with others in spiritual concern, leadership, and guidance of the congregation.
b. QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONESSES:
Each deaconess shall be a woman mature in her faith as set forth in Titus 2:3-5 and I Tim. 3:11. Each deaconess shall, upon assuming her position, agree to cooperate with others in spiritual concern, leadership, and guidance of the congregation.
c. SELECTION OF DEACONS AND DEACONESSES:
A term of service shall be for three (3) years. Each candidate must be a member in good standing of this church and must be unanimously agreed upon by the Qualification Committee and affirmed by the congregation.
d. RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEACONS AND DEACONESSES:
The deacons and deaconesses shall see to the physical and financial needs of the church, both of the people and the property. Deacons and deaconesses shall serve in ministries, on committees, and perform other responsibilities as requested by the Board of Elders.
SECTION 4: OTHER COMMITTEES
The following standing committees are created: Finance, Buildings and Grounds, and Missions. Other special ministries or committees may be established by the Board of Elders as the need arises. All committee will be chaired by an elder, deacon, deaconess or a Board of Elders appointee.
a. FINANCE COMMITTEE:
The Board of Elders shall appoint a Finance Committee consisting of at least five elders, deacons, deaconesses, or elder appointees including: (1) an elder responsible for the oversight of this committee, (2) the church treasurer, (3) the assistant church treasurer, (4) the chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and (5) the elder responsible for oversight of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
This committee shall be responsible for preparing and monitoring the budget, caring for all matters of insurance, taxes, and salaries, promoting stewardship programs, making decisions concerning extra expenditures and providing financial counsel to the Board of Elders. The committee will meet at least quarterly.
b. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE:
This committee will include the elder responsible for oversight of this committee (and thereby a member of the Finance Committee), a chairman, (who would also be a member of the Finance Committee), and other deacons, deaconesses, or elder appointees as is necessary.
This committee shall be responsible to care for all matters relating to the buildings and grounds and shall meet at least bi-monthly.
c. MISSIONS COMMITTEE:
The Missions Committee, under the guidance of the Board of Elders, shall be responsible for organizing and directing this local church in its fulfillment of the Great Commission (Acts 1:8). They shall be responsible for establishing missions policy. All policies and practices of the church's total missions involvement shall be consistent with the clear scriptural teaching of the New Testament (I Tim.
d. QUALIFICATION COMMITTEE:
Not later than five weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the Board of Elders shall appoint a Qualification Committee of five members who are elders, deacons or deaconesses. None of these members shall be those whose terms are expiring and are being considered for re-appointment to a church office. If possible, the majority of the committee members shall be deacons/deaconesses. One of the elders, as decided by the committee, will be the chairman.
1) Recommendations from membership:
A call for recommendations for elders, deacons, and deaconesses, and officers of the congregation shall be made at least six weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting of the church.
All such recommendations shall be made in writing and submitted to the elders, for initial review regarding any special disqualifying factors. The elder-approved recommendations shall then be submitted to the Qualification Committee at least five weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting of the church.
The Qualification Committee will first review the recommendations to confirm that they meet the basic qualifications listed under Section 1 and Section 3 of Article IV of the constitution. Each qualified person will then be contacted to confirm his or her understanding of these qualifications and willingness to serve.
2) Review of those being considered:
The Qualification Committee shall submit their recommendations to the Board of Elders for review and approval. The elders shall prepare the final recommendations, making deletions as they consider necessary. The list of those being considered shall be published for consideration by the membership at least three weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting. After publication of these names, the Board of Elders shall accept for consideration any accusation concerning any of these which would render him or her ineligible according to the Scriptures. The elders shall determine the validity of any accusations and shall either confirm or remove the one being considered. The final list compiled by the elders shall be posted for at least one week prior to the Annual Meeting.
3) Ratification of those being considered:
The list of those who are recommended by the Board of Elders and the Qualification Committee shall be submitted to the membership for ratification at the Annual Business Meeting. Should any list fail to be ratified, the Board of Elders shall reconsider and re-submit a list of recommendations to the membership as provided in this article.
e. PULPIT COMMITTEE:
This shall be considered a special committee and shall consist of the Board of Elders and an additional three members who are deacons and/or deaconesses to be elected by the church. This committee shall function when the church is without a pastor. It may be formed upon notice being given by a pastor of his resignation. It shall be the duty of this committee to investigate all candidates for the pastorate and make its recommendations to the church.
Before a man is called to candidate, he must have received unanimous approval of the Pulpit Committee. Each man called to candidate before the congregation shall afterward be voted upon by the congregation before any subsequent candidates are presented. The length of time a man should be considered a candidate should be established by the Pulpit Committee and presented to the congregation for approval.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
SECTION 1: OFFICERS
The officers of the church include elders, deacons and deaconesses and two additional appointed officers, the secretary and the treasurer.
The Secretary and Treasurer shall fulfill the qualifications of an elder, a deacon, or a deaconess.
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS
a. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all business meetings of the membership. The minutes shall be submitted to the Elder Board within 30 days of a business meeting of the membership. These minutes will be kept on file in the church office and available for review by any member of the body.
b. The Treasurer shall be responsible for authorizing all disbursements. The treasurer shall make regular financial reports to the Board of Elders, and, as required by the Board of Elders, to the membership. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for counting collections and offerings, maintaining individual accounts of each contributor for income tax purposes, and distributing individual receipts for contributions as directed by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
SECTION 1: WORSHIP
Regular meetings shall be held for worship and prayer at such times as the church decides. A minimum of one worship service will be held each Sunday. The Lord's Supper shall be observed each month, provided that an elder is present to serve.
SECTION 2: OTHER MEETINGS
The use of the property belonging to the church and the arrangement for such, shall be under the control of the church.
SECTION 3: ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
The Annual Business Meeting shall be held during March of each year, or a suitable time agreed upon by the church. At this time the positioning of new officers shall take place, and reports on the ministry of the church for the past year shall be given. Other regular business may be transacted as found necessary. The first day of January shall be the beginning of our fiscal year. The newly positioned officers will take office on the first day of the month following the Annual Business Meeting. The order of the Annual Business Meeting is as follows:
a. All meetings shall be opened with prayer
b. Report of the treasurer
c. Report of new members received
d. Report of members dismissed
e. Reports of committees and ministries
f. Unfinished business
g. New Business
h. Ratification of those under considerationi. Adjournment
SECTION 4: OTHER BUSINESS MEETINGS
Notice must be given at two regular church services for two weeks in advance of meetings that are called to dismiss a pastor, in the purchase or sale for property, or in amending these articles. When found to be necessary, however, other business meetings may be called by the Board of Elders without a minimum notice being given.
ARTICLE VII - VOTING
SECTION 1:
Forty percent of the resident adult membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Members must be over the age of 18 to be eligible to vote.
SECTION 2:
A three-fourths affirmative vote of all members present and voting shall be required for the purchase or sale of property or ratification of the list of recommendations for elder, deacon, deaconess, or officer of the church.
SECTION 3:A simple majority affirmative vote of all members present will be sufficient for the passage of other business.
SECTION 4:
Any member who cannot be present at a business meeting may submit an absentee ballot to the Board of Elders before the meeting by making prior arrangement with the elders.
ARTICLE VIII - SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH
SECTION 1:
The responsibility of support for this work shall rest on the members of the church as the Lord prospers and as He directs. The needs of the church may be made known from time to time, but all contributions shall be entirely voluntary.
SECTION 2:
Special offerings may be taken on special occasions.
ARTICLE IX - DIVISION
In the event of a division in the church, the property of the church shall belong to the members who abide by the constitution of the church, whether they be in the majority or minority.
ARTICLE X - CHURCH DISSOLUTION
In the event the active membership of the church should consist of less than five persons, for a period of one year, the church shall be dissolved, and its net assets shall revert to the Camas Meadows Bible Camp. This does not preclude the dissolution of the church at any other time deemed necessary by the church.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
These articles may be changed or amended at any regular business meeting by a three-fourths affirmative vote of all members present and voting. Written copies of all changes shall be made available to all members before the business meeting, and a written notice of the intention to alter these articles shall be posted and read at a regular meeting of the church at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Also, such alteration shall not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation of the Church.
Revised Sunday, March 17, 2019