By-Laws
Preamble
In submission to Scripture, we confess the purpose of the church is to glorify God through reverent worship, proclaiming Christ to the world, and building up our members through preaching the whole counsel of God, bringing families into covenant through baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and enjoying the regular blessing of Lord’s Supper. To these ends, we establish the following constitution that will bring order, yield purity, righteousness, beauty, and laying a foundation for generations to follow.
Statement of Faith
First and foremost, our faith is firmly grounded in the Word of God as contained in the Scriptures, given by the inspiration of God. The Word of God clearly teaches all things concerning man’s salvation, faith, and life and all to God’s Glory. Our various creeds and confessions are simply man’s best attempts to summarize key doctrine and to keep us from error. While the creeds and confessions are useful to bring doctrinal clarity, the final authority must always be the Word of God.
The elders of Christ Church Owensboro therefore subscribe to these creeds and confessions, holding them to be a faithful witness to what the Scriptures teach, and as a means of identifying with the broader Church. With this in mind when this constitution refers to the Christ Church Statement of Faith it is referring to the book of confessions which consists of: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Westminster Confession of Faith. These confessions are to be used as specified in the Book of Confessions.
There are other documents that we believe are worthy to be studied, such as The Definition of Chalcedon, The Athanasian Creed, the 39 Articles of Religion, The Belgic Confession, The Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt. These documents will be used as supplement creeds of which will learn and may adopt somewhere in the future as our Book of Confessions.
Membership
A. Becoming Members
Family members are eligible for membership in Christ Church as they have been baptized, according to the pattern in scripture, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Membership begins when the covenant vows have been taken (Philemon 2; Heb. 13:7,17) with the head of the household speaking for the family. Inclusion of children in membership begins when those children are baptized. The elders oversee a membership list, which must include names, baptisms, and communicant status.
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In preparation for membership, at least one elder will meet the prospective member(s) understand their Christian experience, review with them the vows to be taken, expand upon the practical outworking’s of these vows including the subject of covenant headship, the meaning of baptism, the act of corporate and family worship, the Lord’s Supper, private prayer, study of God’s Word, submitting every area of one’s life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and how that relates to submitting to the oversight of local elders. During this time of preparation, the prospective members will be made aware of the currently serving elders and deacons of the church, be provided a general description of attending documents of the church including statements of faith and articles of governance. At the time of formally joining the church, the aforementioned actions will be completed in preparation for taking vows.
When the vows are presented to the head of a household, they will also be asked if they speak on behalf of their household, if so, they are to answer in the affirmative;
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1) Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in need of salvation by Christ alone, and do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving and resting upon Him alone as He is offered in the gospel?
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2) Have you been baptized in accordance with His Word, which is to say in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
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3) Do you promise in the name of God, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, to live in a way that becomes followers of Christ?
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4) Do you promise in the name of God to support the ministry of His universal or catholic church in its worship and work, as you submit to the government and discipline of this particular local body, even while pursuing its purity and peace?
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When these vows are taken, the congregation will respond with “Yes and Amen” when they are asked:
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1) As a congregation of Christ, do you receive [this Christian/these Christians] into the covenant fellowship of this local church together with you and now renewing your membership vows?
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In special cases, individuals may be received into non-voting membership. Individuals may come under the oversight of the elders without coming into full membership.
B. Release or Transfer of Membership
After agreement with their covenant head, any member(s) may request to be released to the care of another Christian church, the elders will normally release them with a blessing. If anyone requests to be released or received because of disciplinary proceedings against him or someone in their household, the elders will delay acting on the request until the disciplinary matter is resolved. If members move from our geographical area, they are charged to find a new church home within six months. This time may be extended at the elders’ discretion. After this time is expired, they are released from membership.
When the circumstances surrounding the member’s failure to join a faithful Christian church are problematic, the elders have the option of applying erasure with censure. If the circumstances do not rise to the level of suspension or excommunication, or if they do not permit it, the elders have the option, at their discretion, of dismissing the person with a letter of admonition or rebuke, according to circumstance and this is called erasure with censure. Depending the situation, the elders may also decide upon simple erasure without any censure. This is a matter of wisdom, where the elders should seek to impart the greatest blessing upon the member being released.
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C. Communicant Members
Under the headship of Christ, the oversight of the sacraments remains with the elders, who nevertheless respect the biblical responsibilities of parents. Children in households who have not been baptized are recognized by the elders to be non-communicant members (Exodus 12:48) in their respective households. The elders encourage parents to allow their baptized children to enjoy the blessing of partaking in the Lord’s Supper as early as possible (Exodus 12:26). As parents bring their children to the Lord’s Table, they are to instruct them regarding the meaning as is age appropriate.
Baptism
A. The Nature of Baptism
Baptism is a blessed sacrament of the New Testament instituted by our Lord as a sign and seal of salvation. The sacramental washing with water in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit officially admits a person into the visible church, testifies of their identification with the Triune God of Scripture, union with Christ, regeneration, forgiveness of sin, consecration to walk in newness of life, and fellowship in the Body of Christ (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 2:11,12; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3-5; Tit. 3:5; Mark 1:4; Matt. 28:19, 20). Baptism is ordinarily to be performed in the context of a Lord’s Day worship service by an elder administering the service.
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B. Recipients of Baptism
Baptism, as has been nearly universally held in the Church, is appropriately administered to the children of Christians in infancy, since to them, no less than to adults are the promises of participation in the covenant, church, and kingdom of our Savior. That which is signified and conferred in baptism, therefore, is applicable to infants promised to be in covenant, as well as to adults who profess salvation (Acts 2:39; Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 6:4).
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Baptismal candidates, whether children or adults, must ordinarily be approved by the session. Adults should confess their allegiance to Christ prior to baptism (e.g., the membership vows). Minor children in the households of Christians should be baptized on the basis of one or more parent’s (or guardian’s) covenantal membership (Acts 16:31-34) and promise to disciple the child in the home (Gen. 18:19). However, for
those who desire to delay the baptism of their children, the session shall defer to the head of each household, in accord with the confessional breadth of the CREC.
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When a child is baptized, the covenant head may vow publicly or before the Session to raise the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The congregation makes a vow in response to the baptism, receiving the child into the membership and nurture of the Church in the name of Christ. The parental vows are edifying, as a way of professing the parents’ faith in the covenantal promises, declaring what they hope and expect God to accomplish in the administration of the Sacrament, and demonstrating publicly why their child is a proper candidate for baptism.
To the parents (with Covenant Head Answering):
1) Do you bring this child for baptism in faith, trusting in God's covenant promises that He will be your child's God (Gen. 17:7) and Savior from sin (Acts 16:31;1 Pet 3:21), persuaded that God desires to receive your child into his family and flock (Mt. 18:1-14)?
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2) Do you bring this child for baptism in faith, trusting God to unite him to Christ in his death and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-14); to clothe him with Christ (Gal. 3:27); to make him a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); and to make this baptism his entrance into the new creation in Christ Jesus (Tit. 3:5)?
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3) Do you promise in faith and in reliance upon the grace of God to disciple this child by teaching him/her all of Christ's commandments (Mt. 28:18-20); directing him/her to fear and obey God (Gen. 18:19; Ecc. 12:13) and to love the Lord his God with all his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength (Dt. 6:1-25); and to bring him/her up in the
training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4), that he/she might walk worthy of the calling he/she has received in the gospel all throughout their life (Eph. 4:1)?
To the congregation:
Do you, the congregation of Christ Church Owensboro, promise to undertake the responsibility of assisting these parents as they nurture this child in Christian faith and practice to the glory of God?
Electors
In church elections, voting is done by households. Households who have been members for more than six months are eligible to vote and will be called elector households. For voting purposes, an elector household is defined as a household where the head of that household is a member in good standing. Independent unmarried members are also considered elector households for purposes of voting. Elector households may vote in the elections of elders and deacons. The elders will qualify elector households. Three weeks prior to any church election, a ballot will be provided. Elections will be conducted at appropriate times as set by the elders.
Officers
(Elders and Deacons)
A. Nominations and Examination
The Session shall determine when to call officers, as the needs of the Church warrant. Once nominated, a candidate for deacon will be included by the deacons in their work to prove his fitness for office (1 Tim. 3:10). When in their judgment, the candidate has demonstrated his gifts and commitment, then the deacons will make a recommendation to the elders, after a majority vote of the current deacons.
Regarding elder candidates, the Session may consider any man who aspires to the office himself, any man suggested by Church congregants, or any man the Session decides to approach about serving in the office. The session will examine officer candidates regarding the biblical qualifications and their agreement with the church by-laws and constitution. After examination by the Session and simple majority approval, their names can stand for election to office.
B. Qualifications
All officers must be men, the head of household of a member household, and meet the qualifications for the office set forth in Scripture. Passages related to elder qualification includes the following: 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7-8, 1 Peter 5:2-4 and Titus 1:6-9. Specific verses related to Deacon qualification includes: 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
C. Election
Once respective officers have been nominated and examined, the Elders will call a Heads of Household Meeting with at least two-week notice, providing clarity on the election of respective officers. Each ballot will provide the option of voting yes, no, or electors are allowed to forfeit their vote. The candidate will need to receive a two thirds majority of the received elector votes received on any ballot cast to be an approved. If any elector votes no, they are encouraged to provide a reason for their vote on the ballot. The elders must carefully weigh the scriptural merit of the objection and meet as necessary with the electors who cast the no votes. If these conditions are met, the elders will ordain the officer elect through the laying on of hands and prayer.
Upon election and ordination by Christ Church Owensboro, each officer shall serve in office for life, unless he resigns or is removed, requests a sabbatical, or seeks emeritus status. Only active officers shall serve as voting members in their respective boards.
D. ORDINATION
Once elected to office, the elder or deacon will vow:
“As God is my witness, I solemnly vow that I will serve the Church faithfully as a servant of Christ and will maintain godly order in my life and my household as the Word of God requires.”
The Elders will lay hands on the respective candidate, set them aside with prayer and appropriate exhortation to the office that God’s kingdom be advanced.
E. Resignation
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to a member of the Session. If an officer desires to resign his office, or to take a leave of absence, he will present a letter expressing this desire and explaining his reasons to the Session. If the resignation is sought for reasons of moral or doctrinal failure, then the Session must exercise biblical discipline prior to, or in conjunction with, any consideration of the letter of resignation.
At the first heads of household meeting, the elders will notify electors of the church of their receipt of the letter requesting status change. If the desire of the officer concerned is unchanged by the following heads of households meeting, the elders will issue a statement accepting the resignation, approving the leave of absence or granting them Emeritus status. If the resignation is sought for reasons of moral or doctrinal irregularity, the resignation will not be a substitute for any appropriate biblical discipline. Leaves of absence will not be granted as a form of discipline. As Emeritus, they are encouraged to offer counsel in respective Elder or Deacon’s meetings but will forego voting.
F. Removal
If one of the saints believes that an officer no longer meets the qualifications for his office or that the officer believes or teaches doctrine that is unbiblical, the scriptural requirement for him is clear: he is to approach that person individually first (Matthew 18:15), and then with two or three others (Matthew 18:16). If the problem remains, then the individual, with the two or three witnesses, should come to the Session and present the charges (1 Timothy 5:19). If the charges are doctrinal or moral in nature, and if the remaining Session members decide that the question merits an investigation and/or trial, then they will (a) inform the heads of the households of the church of the nature of the charges, (b) announce the date(s) of the scheduled investigation and/or trial, and (c) encourage the heads of household to attend. If the charges are sustained by the remaining Session members, then that officer, depending on the gravity of the charges and the response to the correction, will be rebuked in the presence of the congregation (1 Timothy 5:20), or will be removed from office (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), or both.
An officer may be relieved from his office by majority vote of the Session. An officer may be relieved of his duties should he not faithfully discharge his duties, no longer conform to the attributes of 1 Peter 5:2-3 or become mentally or physically unable to perform his duties, but not be guilty of chargeable sins or false doctrine.
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G. Duties of Deacons
Under the general oversight of the elders, the deacons manage the financial, physical, social, and benevolent functions of the church (Acts 6:2-4). Such responsibilities include preparing and administering the annual budget, building maintenance, deacon’s fund, fellowship meals, administrative review of subordinate ministries, preparation of communion elements, and office support.
The business of the deacons will be conducted at their regular meeting, or at special meetings called for that purpose. The deacons will appoint a moderator for their meetings. The deacons will give a general report of their work bi-annually at heads of household meeting, provide a quarterly financial report to the church, and an annual report to the elders with proposals for the coming year.
Individual deacons are responsible for those duties assigned to them by the deacon board, as recorded in the minutes, with due regard to their gifts and desires. The Session will assign an Elder to regularly attend the Deacons meeting and thus serve as a means of clarification between the two governing bodies.
H. Duties of Elders
The Elders are responsible for the spiritual care of the congregants and their primary ministry is to instruct from the Word, pray for the advancement of God’s kingdom and administer the sacraments. Each elder is responsible for those duties delegated to him by the Session, and recorded in the minutes, with due regard to his gifts and desires. Elders with such a charge will serve willingly, and without domineering in the discharge of their assigned duties (1 Peter 5:1-3). There is no distinction of rank among the Elders.
If the congregation is need of an elder to regularly preach and administer the sacraments, they need not be a member for six months before taking office. However, they must receive 70% of the votes from the Session and 60% of the votes from the heads of household electors. The terms of any call, including compensation, vacation time, ministerial expenses, etc., shall be determined by the Session and reviewed annually.
Church Discipline
The ordinary course of discipline is informal. Members are encouraged to self-discipline, overlooking the failings of others in love (1 Pet. 4:8), and encouraging other members to covenant faithfulness (Matt. 18:15).
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Church discipline is applied through the formal action by the vote of a majority of the elders. Except in cases of scandal requiring immediate action, the pattern of church discipline will generally include formal private admonishment by two or three (Matt. 18:16), formal public admonishment and suspension from the Supper (2 Thess. 3:14- 15), and a formal hearing which may result in excommunication (Matt. 18:17).
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Any communicant member may be disciplined by the church. Un-baptized members of member households are subject to pastoral admonishment from the church, but not excommunication. Christians who attend church regularly, but are non-members, are subject to elder admonishment from the church, but not excommunication. If another church has disciplined one of its members, and that person subsequently comes to our church, the elders will decide whether to honor the discipline of the other church after due consultation with the person concerned and after all appropriate information is sought from the disciplining church.
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The elders shall establish the specific procedures for all formal discipline on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the circumstances and individuals involved. However, at minimum these procedures should include a clear and timely warning of the individual that he is in the process of formal discipline, two or three visits or communications involving two or three witnesses, and clear records and/or minutes of the entire proceedings kept by the elders.
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When the elders determine that a hearing is necessary, they will establish the specific procedures for each trial on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the circumstances and individuals involved. However, at minimum these procedures should include informing the accused in writing of the specific charges, the time, place, and date of the trial, and ample time for the accused to prepare a defense.
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The heads of households meeting will be informed of the hearing at the first opportunity. At the hearing, one of the elders will present a solemn charge from the Scriptures on the responsibilities of those present, the evidence against the accused will be presented, and the accused will have time to make a reasonable defense, including the right to question any witnesses.
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At a separate meeting of the elders, a vote will be taken on each of the charges. A simple majority is required for a guilty verdict. A final vote of excommunication should be taken. A simple majority is required for excommunication. The elders will declare their verdict at the first heads of household meeting, following an appropriate exhortation. The accused will be given a written copy of the verdict. Any appeals to presbytery will be conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the CREC, after Christ Church Owensboro is received.
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Excommunication will end when in the opinion, decided by the majority of the elders, the one under discipline has repented. A confession of this repentance will be read at the heads of household meeting, and the elders shall formally announce the end of the discipline and restoration of fellowship.
Heads of Household Meeting
God has created the world to be governed in three separate and yet connected spheres of sovereignty. The Elders, with the help of the Deacons oversee the church as they hold the keys to the kingdom and are to minister in Word and Sacrament. Covenant heads, normally a father with a wife’s help, are to lead their families and to discipline children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and use the rod appropriately. Those leading in civil government are to see themselves as ministers of justice and they wield the sword. Each separate sphere is to oversee their area. Those in another sphere may provide words of encouragement or rebuke to another and may need to intervene in times of gross neglect of Leader in another sphere.
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To facilitate ongoing communication and encouragement between the work of the church and oversight of each individual family, there will be regular Heads of Household Meeting. The meeting should happen at least twice a year and may cover the following topics: Church Budget, Church Ministry Updates, Matters of Church Discipline, Voting on Officers, Changes to Church By-Laws, Matters at Large in the Denomination, and Development of Heresies.
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In preparation for such a meeting, the Elders of Christ Church will prepare a docket in advance of the meeting. As the heads of households gather for this meeting, the intent is that they are speaking for their families and have appropriately gathered input from their wife before speaking for their family. With the intent of providing clarity, the Elders will assign someone to provide a written summary of the meeting, including date of the meeting, those in attendance, subjects discussed, and votes taken.
Amendments
The Christ Church Owensboro Confession of Faith and Constitution may be amended through a three-fourths majority vote of the Elders when there is a first presentation of the proposed change at the heads of households meeting, a written copy of the proposed change is made available to the congregation at church, and the elders seek due consultation with the heads of households of the church at a subsequent monthly heads of households meeting.
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We confess that this constitution is a fallible work of fallible men and, if obedience to Scripture requires it, may be set aside without the process of amendment by the judgment of the elders, decided by a three-fourths majority vote. Under such circumstances, the heads of households will be informed, and the constitution amended at the first opportunity. If there is a time, when there are not at least four active elders leading the church, the votes to suspend or modify the Church constitution will require a vote of three-fourths of the heads of household electors.