Offices
The New Testament recognizes two standing offices: elder (pastor) and deacon.
QUALIFICATIONS
The elder(s) are required to meet the varied qualifications cited in the Scriptures. Their fitness for office shall be determined by the unanimous consent of the current elder(s) and the three-fourths (3/4) majority consent of the church, which shall be determined by the vote of the heads-of-households who are in good standing.
Deacons are likewise required to meet the biblical standards for office, and their fitness for office will be determined in the same manner as elders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the pastor(s) are to rule, to teach, to protect doctrinal purity and to oversee the church as a shepherd does his flock In addition, the elder recognized as the Minister or Pastor of the church, shall have the extra responsibilities of regularly preaching the Word, calling and chairing church staff meetings, and will be an ex-officio member of all church committees and boards.
The deacons, under the supervision of the elder(s), shall minister in their area of giftedness, and administer the temporal affairs of the church. Miscellaneous duties of the deacons shall be determined by the elders as need dictates.
ORDINATION
As need requires, men who meet the biblical requirements shall be chosen for the office of elder, and shall be proposed to the church for its approval per above. Those accepted by the elder(s) and the church shall then by officially appointed to office by prayer and the laying on of hands.
As occasion requires, the elder(s) shall inform the church of the need for deacons, and the church shall “choose among themselves” men fit to serve as deacons. After examination and approval by the elder(s), those chosen shall be appointed to office by prayer and the laying on of hands.
TERMINATION
An elder’s term of office may be terminated for any of the following reasons: First, resignation for personal reasons. Should an elder choose to resign, he must notify the church three months in advance. Secondly, an elder may be removed from office for the failure to meet the qualifications of an elder, or for not performing the duties of the office. Fitness for office should not be confused, however, with the third reason for termination; namely, corrective church discipline. An elder may be asked to relinquish his office for not performing his duties, while he may not be guilty of sins that require church discipline.
In either case, before an elder may be removed from office, two conditions must be met: First, the scriptural guidelines regarding accusations against an elder, or corrective church discipline, must be strictly followed. Any formal charges against an elder must be made in writing and given to every member of the church staff for consideration. And secondly, the church itself must be party to the matter, and must vote on the termination (3/4 majority required to dismiss).
The same procedure applies to deacons.
Ordinances
The ordinances or sacraments of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism will be administered as soon after conversion as possible. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly (no less than monthly) as the elders deem expedient.
Discipline
Any conduct or doctrine contrary to Biblical standards, such as immorality, heresy, divisiveness, et., shall require corrective discipline.
PROCEDURE
In the case of any private sin or unresolved grievance, the steps outlined by Christ in Mt.18.15-17 shall be strictly followed. The elders shall not entertain an accusation against a member or fellow-elder unless there be two witnesses, and without a thorough investigation. The elders shall then “tell it to the church,” which in turn will, assuming agreement as to the charges, persuade the offender to repent. The failure to repent will result in excommunication.
In the case of public and scandalous sin, the offender may be immediately excommunicated.
EXCOMMUNICATION
An offending member who fails to respond to previous steps of corrective discipline shall be publicly excluded from the fellowship of the church and all of the privileges of membership therein. The church is required to subsequently deal with the excommunicated person according to Mt.18.17 and 1Cor.5.1-13.
RESTORATION
The church shall restore to fellowship in full forgiveness those persons who show satisfactory evidence of repentance. Repentant individuals shall be given an opportunity to make a public statement of repentance, and shall be publicly restored to the fellowship and privileges of church membership.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Concerning disputes that pertain to civil law, members may not bring a lawsuit against a brother (the church, the staff, or another member) before a secular court, but must submit to alternative dispute resolution. Thus, the disputed matter will be brought to a Christian mediator or ecclesiastical court, agreed upon by both parties, as the case may require.
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